Port Charles

Port Charles was a daytime soap opera

Soap opera

A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...

 which aired on ABC

American Broadcasting Company

The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...

 from June 2, 1997 to October 3, 2003. It is a spin-off

Spin-off (media)

In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...

 of the serial General Hospital

General Hospital

General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....

, which has been running since 1963 and takes place in the fictional city of Port Charles

Port Charles, New York (Fictional City)

Port Charles, New York is the fictional setting of the ABC Daytime soap operas General Hospital and its spin-offs Port Charles and General Hospital: Night Shift. It was later retroactively revealed as the setting of The Young Marrieds, a short-lived series which ran between 1964 and 1966...

, New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

. The new show featured longtime General Hospital characters Lucy Coe

Lucy Coe

Lucy Coe is a fictional character from the ABC daytime drama General Hospital and its now-defunct spinoff Port Charles. Originating on General Hospital, Lucy came to Port Charles in 1986...

, Kevin Collins, Scott Baldwin

Scott Baldwin

Scott Baldwin is a fictional character from the ABC soap operas, General Hospital and its now-defunct spinoff Port Charles. He is often remembered as the "odd man out" in GH's well-known love story of Luke and Laura Spencer. The character debuted on GH as a child in the 1960s...

, and Karen Wexler

Karen Wexler

Karen Wexler Cates was a fictional character on the ABC soap operas General Hospital and its spin-off, Port Charles. She was portrayed by Cari Shayne on General Hospital from April 1992 until November 1994 on General Hospital...

, along with several new characters, most of whom were interns in a competitive medical school program. In the first episode, tenured nurse Audrey Hardy (General Hospital's longest-running character, portrayed by Rachel Ames

Rachel Ames

Rachel Ames is an Emmy Award Winning American actress. She is the longest-running performer on ABC's longest-running daytime serial, General Hospital, playing Audrey Hardy, R.N. from 1964 to 2007. She also played Audrey Hardy on the General Hospital spin-off series Port Charles...

) was injured and an intern had to operate on her with a power drill to save her life.

In the first few years, Port Charles got a reputation for focusing most of its energies on the medical school program, setting more of its main action at Port Charles' General Hospital than was seen on the parent show, General Hospital. As it evolved, it turned its focus to stories with gothic intrigue that included themes such as forbidden love, vampire

Vampire

Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...

s, and life after death (somewhat similar to the earlier series Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows is a gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis. The story bible, which was written by Art Wallace, does not mention any supernatural elements...

, which also aired on ABC). It also abandoned the basic open-ended writing style used on all other daytime dramas in December 2000, instead creating thirteen-week story arcs (which were also referred to as "books"). This type of storytelling is a staple of Latin telenovelas. It also allowed the cast, crew, and writing staff to only work six months out of the year.

Port Charles never attracted strong ratings. Since it taped for only six months out of the year, the remaining episodes were aired with the cast not allowed to return to tape resolutions to storylines. This left the final episode as a cliffhanger; Caleb told Olivia that Alison (Erin Hershey Presley

Erin Hershey Presley

Erin Hershey Presley is an American actress.-Career:The actress is most known for her role as Alison Barrington on the canceled American soap opera Port Charles...

) was pregnant with his baby because of the wish that she (Olivia) made on his ring and it was revealed that Imani was a werewolf.

After Port Charles, the characters of Scott Baldwin

Scott Baldwin

Scott Baldwin is a fictional character from the ABC soap operas, General Hospital and its now-defunct spinoff Port Charles. He is often remembered as the "odd man out" in GH's well-known love story of Luke and Laura Spencer. The character debuted on GH as a child in the 1960s...

 and Audrey Hardy returned to General Hospital, and many of the other actors from Port Charles moved on to play roles on other dramas, including a few who took on new roles on General Hospital, such as actors Kelly Monaco

Kelly Monaco

Kelly Marie Monaco is an American model, actress, reality television contestant and winner of Dancing with the Stars in Season 1. She is well known for playing the character of Sam McCall on the soap opera General Hospital, a role she originated in 2003.-Modeling:In April 1997, Monaco became the...

, Kiko Ellsworth

Kiko Ellsworth

Kiko Ellsworth is an American actor. Ellsworth is best known for his portrayal of Jamal Woods in the now defunct ABC daytime drama, Port Charles. In March 2007, Ellsworth returned to daytime television in the role of Stan Johnson on another ABC daytime drama, General Hospital...

, Eddie Matos

Eddie Matos (actor)

Eddie Matos , a Puerto Rican-American actor best known for his role as Ricky Garza on the ABC daytime soap Port Charles.Matos was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico...

, Kent King, and Jay Pickett

Jay Pickett

- Life and career :Pickett was born in Spokane, Washington, and grew up in Caldwell, Idaho. He received his BA degree in acting at Boise State University and his MFA in acting from UCLA and appeared in numerous theatrical productions at both schools....

.

ABC returned the 12:30 PM timeslot to its affiliates after Port Charles finished its run.

In December 1999, Julie Hanan Carruthers was promoted to Executive Producer after Wendy Riche wanted step down to focus on General Hospital. Julie has been the Senior Supervising Producer of Port Charles, while servicing the same role on General Hospital since the inception of Port Charles.

Story arcs

Each 13-week arc of the story was referred to as a "Book". There were a total of thirteen books after the series switched to that format. In order, they were:

Arc (“Books”)	Duration
Port Charles: Fate	December 4, 2000 - March 2, 2001
Port Charles: Time in a Bottle	March 5, 2001 - June 1, 2001
Port Charles: Tainted Love	June 4, 2001 - August 31, 2001
Port Charles: Tempted	September 3, 2001 - November 30, 2001
Port Charles: Miracles Happen	December 3, 2001 - December 31, 2001
Port Charles: Secrets	January 2, 2002 - March 29, 2002
Port Charles: Superstition	April 1, 2002 - June 28, 2002
Port Charles: Torn	July 1, 2002 - September 27, 2002
Port Charles: Naked Eyes	September 30, 2002 - December 27, 2002
Port Charles: Surrender	December 30, 2002 - April 1, 2003
Port Charles: Desire	April 2, 2003 - July 4, 2003
Port Charles: The Gift	July 7, 2003 - October 3, 2003

Cast of characters

Actor	Role	Status
Susan Brown	Gail Baldwin	1997–1999, 2003 (recurring)
Tori Falcon	Alison Hebrart	2003 (recurring)
Lynn Herring Lynn Herring Sheryl Lynn Herring is an American soap opera actress.-Early life:Before acting, Herring was Miss Virginia USA 1977, and was 4th runner-up to Kimberly Tomes for the title of Miss USA 1977...	Lucy Coe Lucy Coe Lucy Coe is a fictional character from the ABC daytime drama General Hospital and its now-defunct spinoff Port Charles. Originating on General Hospital, Lucy came to Port Charles in 1986...	1997–2003 (entire run)
Jon Lindstrom Jon Lindstrom Jon Lindstrom is an American actor, writer, director, producer, and musician. He is well-known for his longtime role of Kevin Collins on the soap opera General Hospital from 1993–1997, 2003–2004 and then moved the character to Port Charles from 1997-2003.-Early life:Lindstrom was born and raised in...	Kevin Collins Kevin Collins Kevin Collins may refer to:*Kevin Collins , American actor in theatre, film, television and radio drama*Kevin T. Collins, American theatre actor and voice actor*Kevin Andrew Collins, child abducted from San Francisco in 1984...	1997–2003 (entire run)
Kin Shriner Kin Shriner Kin Shriner is an American actor, best known for playing Scott Baldwin on both daytime serials General Hospital and Port Charles .-Personal life:...	Scott Baldwin Scott Baldwin Scott Baldwin is a fictional character from the ABC soap operas, General Hospital and its now-defunct spinoff Port Charles. He is often remembered as the "odd man out" in GH's well-known love story of Luke and Laura Spencer. The character debuted on GH as a child in the 1960s...	1997–2000, 2001
Rachel Ames Rachel Ames Rachel Ames is an Emmy Award Winning American actress. She is the longest-running performer on ABC's longest-running daytime serial, General Hospital, playing Audrey Hardy, R.N. from 1964 to 2007. She also played Audrey Hardy on the General Hospital spin-off series Port Charles...	Audrey Hardy	1997–2000
Jay Pickett Jay Pickett - Life and career :Pickett was born in Spokane, Washington, and grew up in Caldwell, Idaho. He received his BA degree in acting at Boise State University and his MFA in acting from UCLA and appeared in numerous theatrical productions at both schools....	Frank Scanlon	1997–2003 (entire run)
Nolan North Nolan North Nolan Ramsey North is an American actor and voice actor born in New Haven, Connecticut. He has been described as "the nearest thing the games industry has to a bona fide leading man."-Biography:...	Chris Ramsey	1997–2003 (entire run)
Nicholas Pryor Nicholas Pryor Nicholas Pryor is an American film and television actor.Pryor was born Nicholas David Probst in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Dorothy and J. Stanley Probst, a pharmaceutical manufacturer....	Victor Collins	1997–2003 (recurring)
Julie Pinson Julie Pinson Julie Pinson is an American soap opera actress who portrayed the role of Billie Reed on Days of our Lives. Julie most recently appeared on As the World Turns in the role of "Juicy" Janet Ciccone....	Eve Lambert Collins Thornhart Eve Lambert Dr. Eve Lambert Thornhart was a fictional character on the American soap opera, Port Charles. Eve is portrayed by Julie Pinson from June 1, 1997 to April 1, 2002....	1997–2002
Lisa Ann Hadley	Julie Devlin	1997–2000, 2001
Mitch Longley Mitch Longley Mitch Longley is an American actor. He is known for his role of Dr. Matthew "Matt" Harmon on the soap opera Port Charles from 1997-2000.-Early life:...	Matt Harmon	1997–2000
Jennifer Hammon Jennifer Hammon - Biography :Jennifer Hammon was born in Orlando, Florida and attended Winter Park High School in the early 1990s and was a member of International Thespian Society Troupe 850...   Marie Wilson Marie Wilson (Canadian actress) Marie Wilson is a Canadian actress.Wilson is best known to fans as Karen Wexler on the ABC soap operas General Hospital in a extended run guest appearance from 1999 to 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 and Port Charles from 1999 until her character was killed a few months prior to...	Karen Wexler Karen Wexler Karen Wexler Cates was a fictional character on the ABC soap operas General Hospital and its spin-off, Port Charles. She was portrayed by Cari Shayne on General Hospital from April 1992 until November 1994 on General Hospital...  (#2) Karen Wexler Karen Wexler Karen Wexler Cates was a fictional character on the ABC soap operas General Hospital and its spin-off, Port Charles. She was portrayed by Cari Shayne on General Hospital from April 1992 until November 1994 on General Hospital...  (#3)	1997–1999 1999–2003
Patricia Crowley	Mary Scanlon Collins	1997–2003 (recurring)
Anastasia Horne Anastasia Horne Anastasia Horne is an American actress/singer who has appeared on television and in the theater. Her last television role was "Lori" on the MTV series Undressed. She also starred as "Lark Madison-Scanlon" on the daytime soap opera Port Charles from 1997 to 1999...	Lark Madison-Scanlon	1997–1999 (recurring)
Michael Dietz Michael Dietz Michael Dietz is an American actor and producer who is best known for the roles of Dr. Mark MacClaine on CBS daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful and Joe Scanlon on Port Charles.-Career:...   David Gail Alex Mendoza	Joe Scanlon (#1) Joe Scanlon(#2) Joe Scanlon (#3)	1997–1999 1999–2000 2000–2001, 2002
Debbi Morgan Debbi Morgan Deborah "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Dr. Angie Hubbard on the ABC soap opera All My Children, and for her role as The Seer in the fourth and fifth seasons of Charmed.Morgan joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as... Marie-Alise Recasner Marie-Alise Recasner Marie-Alise Recasner is an American actress most notably recognized for her role as Alice Jackson on NBC's soap opera Santa Barbara. She portrayed the role from 1986 to 1987. She had a recurring role as Millie on the sitcom A Different World...	Ellen Burgess (#1) Ellen Burgess (#2)	1997–1998 1998–1999
Renee Griffin Renee Griffin Renee Griffin, aka Renee Ammann, , is an American actress.Renee Griffin is married to actor James Marshall, who is the father of one of her sons...	Danielle Ashley Danielle Ashley Danielle Ashley was a fictional character on the American soap opera Port Charles. Renee Allman portrayed the character from June 1997 to November 1997.- Character history :...	1997–1998
Rib Hillis Rib Hillis Robert Duane "Rib" Hillis is a male model and actor.- Biography :Born as Robert Duane Hillis in Suffern, New York and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts with his parents, two sisters and brother. Hillis graduated from Newton South High School...	Jake Marshak	1997–1998
Carly Schroeder Carly Schroeder Carly Brook Schroeder is an American film and television actress. She is best known for playing Serena Baldwin, the daughter of Scotty Baldwin and Lucy Coe in the General Hospital spin-off Port Charles. She also had a recurring role on the Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire...	Serena Baldwin	1997–2003
Sarah Aldrich Sarah Aldrich Sarah Aldrich is an American actress.-Biography:Aldrich was born in Los Angeles, Sarah spent her childhood in Northern California...	Courtney Kanelos	1998–2000
Colton James Colton James Colton James is an American actor, best known for his appearance in The Lost World: Jurassic Park as well as his role of T-Bone in the WB Television Network, 7th Heaven...	Neil Kanelos	1998–2000
Kelly Monaco Kelly Monaco Kelly Marie Monaco is an American model, actress, reality television contestant and winner of Dancing with the Stars in Season 1. She is well known for playing the character of Sam McCall on the soap opera General Hospital, a role she originated in 2003.-Modeling:In April 1997, Monaco became the...	Olivia "Livvie" Locke Morley Livvie Locke Olivia "Livvie" Morley is a fictional character portrayed by Kelly Monaco on the soap opera Port Charles, a spin-off of General Hospital... Tess Ramsey	1999–2003 2002–2003
Kimberlin Brown Kimberlin Brown Kimberlin Ann Brown is an American actress, best known for her iconic role as Sheila Carter on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful Kimberlin Ann Brown (born June 29, 1961 in Hayward, California) is an American actress, best known for her iconic role as Sheila Carter on The...	Rachel Locke Rachel Locke Rachel Locke is a fictional character in the soap opera Port Charles, portrayed by Kimberlin Brown. She portrayed the character from 1999-2000, than on and off from 2000-2001.-Family:*Grace Reese *Estelle Reese...	1999–2000, 2001
Kiko Ellsworth Kiko Ellsworth Kiko Ellsworth is an American actor. Ellsworth is best known for his portrayal of Jamal Woods in the now defunct ABC daytime drama, Port Charles. In March 2007, Ellsworth returned to daytime television in the role of Stan Johnson on another ABC daytime drama, General Hospital...	Jamal Woods	2000–2003
Erin Hershey Presley Erin Hershey Presley Erin Hershey Presley is an American actress.-Career:The actress is most known for her role as Alison Barrington on the canceled American soap opera Port Charles...	Alison Barrington Alison Barrington Alison Rose Barrington is a fictional character on the American soap operas General Hospital and Port Charles. Alison was portrayed by Erin Hershey Presley from March 14, 2000 - October 3, 2003 when the show ended.- General Hospital :...	2000–2003
Thorsten Kaye Thorsten Kaye Thorsten Kaye is a German-British actor.-Early life:...	Ian Thornhart Ian Thornhart Dr. Ian Thornhart is a fictional character on the American soap opera, Port Charles. Ian is portrayed by Thorsten Kaye from May 5, 2000 to its cancellation on October 3, 2003.- Character's background:...	2000–2003
Ion Overman Ion Overman -Life and career:Overman and made her acting debut in the 1995 movie The Walking Dead. In 2000, she was cast as Gabriela Garza in the daytime soap opera General Hospital, a character who also appeared in the General Hospital spinoff Port Charles...	Gabriela Garza	2000–2002
Brian Presley Brian Presley Brian Joshua Presley is an American actor.Presley started his career with a handful of guest appearances on television shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210, Any Day Now, and 7th Heaven....	Jack Ramsey	1999–2003
Michael Easton Michael Easton Michael Easton is an American television actor, poet, author and photographer.-Career:Easton has made appearances on television shows such as Ally McBeal and The Practice. He had a recurring role on the science fiction television series Mutant X...	Caleb Morley Caleb Morley Caleb Morley is a fictional vampire portrayed by actor Michael Easton on the ABC soap opera Port Charles which aired from 1997 to 2003. Although Michael Easton first made his appearance on Port Charles in 2001 as the character Father Michael Morley, a priest, in the story arc entitled "Time in a... Michael Morley Stephen Clay	2001, 2002–2003 2001 2002–2003
Brian Gaskill Brian Gaskill Brian Richard Gaskill is an American actor.While living in Neptune, he attended Red Bank Regional High School as a drama major in the school's prestigious Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. And went on to receive his B.F.A...	Rafe Kovich	2001–2003
Jed Allan Jed Allan Jed Allan is an American actor.- Daytime television roles :Allan has starred in several soap operas. He is perhaps best known for his role as Don Craig on Days of our Lives, which he played from 1971 to 1985. He gained a new audience when he played C.C...	Ed Grant	2001–2003 (recurring)
Eddie Matos Eddie Matos (actor) Eddie Matos , a Puerto Rican-American actor best known for his role as Ricky Garza on the ABC daytime soap Port Charles.Matos was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico...	Ricky Garza	2001–2003
Joy Bisco Joy Bisco Jocelyn "Joy" Bisco is an American actress.A Filipino American, she graduated from University City High School in San Diego, California and is 5'2 tall...	Casey Leong Marissa Leong	2002, 2003 2002–2003
Rebecca Staab Rebecca Staab Rebecca Ann Staab is an American actress and former beauty queen who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.- Biography :Staab was born in Hays, Kansas and grew up in Ralston, Nebraska. She graduated in 1979 from Ralston Senior High School...	Elizabeth Barrington	2002–2003
Ian Buchanan Ian Buchanan Ian Buchanan is a Scottish television actor who appeared on the soap opera All My Children as Dr. Greg Madden.His first major work in the United States was playing the characters Duke Lavery on the soap General Hospital from 1986 to 1989, and Ian McFyfer in series three and four of the comedy...	Joshua Temple	2002–2003
Shannon Sturges Shannon Sturges Shannon Sturges is an American daytime and prime-time soap veteran actress. She played Molly Brinker on Days of our Lives, Reese Burton on Savannah, as well as recurring roles on Passions, Once and Again, and Port Charles....	Kate Reynolds Kate Reynolds (Port Charles) Kate Reynolds is a fictional character on the American soap opera, Port Charles. Kate was portrayed by daytime and prime-time soap vet Shannon Sturges from 2002 to 2003....	2002–2003 (recurring)
George Alvarez Eddie Velez Eddie Velez Edwin "Eddie" Velez is a Hispanic-American actor who stars in films and on television.-Early life:Velez began acting while in the United States Air Force, when he was stationed in Sunnyvale, California at the Sunnyvale Air Force base.-Acting career:In 1981, he was honorably discharged from the...	Alex Garcia (#1) Alex Garcia (#2)	1997–1999 1999–2001
Matt Amshey	Michael Pomerantz	1999–2000 (recurring)
Vanessa Branch Vanessa Branch Vanessa Lynn Branch is a British-American actress and model. She is best known in North America as the Orbit Gum television commercial woman .-Life and career:...	Paige Barrington Smith Rebecca Barrington	2002 1999–2001
Opal Anchel	Arianna Shapour	2001 (recurring)
Sally Spaide	Dr. Doreen Luccio	2002–2003 (recurring)
Laura Nevell	Brenda Madison	2002–2003 (recurring)

Head writers

Duration	Name
June 1997 to December 1997	Carolyn Culliton Carolyn Culliton Carolyn Culliton is an American daytime serial writer and an alumnus of Northwestern University. Her husband is acclaimed daytime serial writer Richard Culliton... Richard Culliton Richard Culliton Richard Culliton is an American television writer known for his work on soap operas. He has won four Writers Guild of America Awards, including one as a Head Writer, and two Daytime Emmy Awards. He is an alumnus of Northwestern University...
January 1998-early 1999	Lynn Marie Latham Lynn Marie Latham Lynn Marie Latham is an Emmy Award-winning television writer and producer. Her initial foray into writing for television was as a story editor for the short-lived series Berrenger's in 1985...
early 1999-December 1999	Scott Hamner Scott Hamner Scott Hamner, son of Earl Hamner, is an American television writer. He was nominated for a WGA Award in 2006 for his work on CBSThe Young and the Restless.-Positions held:The Young and the Restless*Story Consultant: July 2006 - September 2006...
January 2000-March 2000	Karen Harris Karen Harris Karen Harris was one of the first exclusive models for Estee Lauder, Inc. from 1962 until 1971, when she was replaced by Karen Graham. As with all Lauder models prior to 1993, Victor Skrebneski photographed the ads Miss Harris appeared in.... Jonathon Estrin
March 2000-May 2000	Karen Harris Karen Harris Karen Harris was one of the first exclusive models for Estee Lauder, Inc. from 1962 until 1971, when she was replaced by Karen Graham. As with all Lauder models prior to 1993, Victor Skrebneski photographed the ads Miss Harris appeared in....
May 2000-November 2000	Karen Harris Karen Harris Karen Harris was one of the first exclusive models for Estee Lauder, Inc. from 1962 until 1971, when she was replaced by Karen Graham. As with all Lauder models prior to 1993, Victor Skrebneski photographed the ads Miss Harris appeared in.... Barbara Bloom Barbara Bloom Barbara Bloom is an American writer and TV programming executive. She earned a bachelor of science degree in theater from Skidmore College.-Career:...
November 2000-October 2003	James Harmon Brown Barbara Esensten

Executive producers

Duration	Name
June 1997-December 1999	Wendy Riche Wendy Riche Wendy Riche is an American television producer. She has been executive producer of ABC Daytime's General Hospital and the co-creator and executive producer of its spinoff show Port Charles....
December 1999-October 2003	Julie Hanan Carruthers Julie Hanan Carruthers Julie Hanan Carruthers is an American soap opera producer.-Positions held:All My Children*Executive Producer General Hospital...

External links

• SOAPnet PC Page
• Port Charles @ soapcentral.com Page
• Port Charles - SoapZone