YOUR WEBSOAP 2025 PREVIEW
As the growing worlds of Web-Serials continues to flourish a wave of gripping drama is headed for our screens in the new year. Some series have been rebooted (See Euphoria) and some are back with new seasons (See Glendale) to get 2025 off to a very soapy start. Not to be outdone, an entirely new series from Dallas Walsh, the writer and creator of the iconic ONE DAY AT A TIME, CHASING DIAMONDS, and PENDER ISLAND is coming our way!
This new series, BARRACUDA BLUE, was introduced to us via a stellar cross-over event between his flagship ODAAT, and DIAMONDS. Characters from both series travelled to a fabulous Fantasy Island/White Lotus style resort in Hawaii where --what else? DRAMA ensued.
But this is no spin-off, this is a series on its own glamorous footing ready to take us to the most beautiful place on earth where the rich and famous come to play -- but the most fascinating drama isn't the who's-who that comes to BB resort, its the captivating drama swirling around sisters Orvilla Anderson and Kymberlynn Thornton. We caught up with Dallas to find out more of his brand-new Web-serial to quench our soapy story thirst!
THE PHIX FILES: Hey Dallas! We're all super excited about Barracuda Blue coming this new year! Congratulations!! What can you tell us about this new story and it's inspiration?
DALLAS WALSH: Hi! Thanks for having me. I am very honored that you’re giving my series a cover when it’s only just starting. That’s very cool for me!
This new series has been in my mind for a while now. I knew that in 2024 Chasing Diamonds was going to end, but I really always like to have something else on the go to give myself a break from ODAAT. I love ODAAT, don’t get me wrong, but I like having a break from it and giving myself a new challenge, and that’s where Barracuda Blue came into the idea. I had this premise of a fancy resort somewhere and the rest sort of fell into place. I probably spent the majority of 2023 putting together all of the premises and ideas because I needed to have it set for the crossover event with ODAAT and Diamonds earlier this year.
The setup is that we have a rich family in Maui. The father has passed away and the mother disappeared after his death. The three children have been left with their Aunt watching them. The Aunt, Orvilla, is running the family company, Mechannica, which owns the Barracuda Blue. The youngest child, Rachelle, is close to turning 18 and in the father’s will there was a clause stating that when the children are all 18, they could try to run Meccanica. What you will see unfold is how far Orvilla is willing to go to ensure she remains in control of the company.
THE PHIX: You're very well known for being able to juggle several series at once, a talent I don't think I would ever attempt. How are you able to make each of your series so distinct without repeating storylines and plot points?
DALLAS: I am very blessed that I am pretty far ahead in my writing of ODAAT, which comes out twice a week. As a result, I have the time and energy to put into these other projects. Pender Island only lasted one season, but it still remains in my heart. Chasing Diamonds was around for close to 10 years! I had 10 seasons and 7 or 8 mini-series, but honestly it was time for the series to rest, but as I mentioned, I still wanted that creative break from ODAAT, which is where Barracuda Blue comes into play.
Years ago on the EpiGuide, there was a writer who had two series. To me, his series could have been one and the same, however, because he produced it the exact same way. The town’s were the same, the way the episodes were constructed were the same; he wasn’t overly happy with me when I said this to me.
So, I used this as inspiration to ensure that my series, despite having behind the screen, are very different. ODAAT is a very classic daytime drama while Pender had more supernatural/Passions types of vibes to it; Chasing Diamonds had longer episodes and was more fast paced than ODAAT, it was more like a 80’s primetime show.
With Barracuda Blue, I’m called each season a series, like a British show. Series one only has 6 episodes and series 2 has 7, so they are shorter in natural. And each chapter is dedicated to one plot; the first and last chapter in the series will feature many characters. I’m always trying to find ways to make the series unique and their own.
In terms of plots, because I am writing soap operas, some plot points will overlap. For example, love triangles, star-crossed lovers, etc. and some bigger plot points like baby switches, corporate intrigue, etc. The way to keep them fresh is to think of them from the character’s perspective because that’s how the story’s will be unique and different from the other series.
THE PHIX: So far, from the available prologue, we know that BB's main antagonist is going to be Orvilla. She's got a very wicked story set up with her brother-in-law's death and her sister's disappearance. What else can you tell us about her?
DALLAS: Oh, Orvilla! She is one of my favorite characters that I’ve created. And I love that I’m using Naomi Campbell to represent her. Orvilla is definitely one of the leads of the series and she is also a villain. She wants to run Mechannica and she will go to great lengths to ensure she remains in charge. What is fun is that she will come up with different ways to keep the children, Lyzz, Liam, and Rachelle, out of the company and that creates a ton of drama at the Barracuda Blue.
THE PHIX: The cast too is a very eclectic and diverse group of the most gorgeous people. What can you tell us about the casting? How did you choose your characters?
DALLAS: This is a process, to be honest. First, I try to think about the character and come up with a name for them. Years ago, I knew two guys that were dating – their names were both Justin, so my friends and I called them “the Justin’s”; that was the inspiration for the gay couple on this series, they both have the name Justin, so they go by nicknames…Leaf and Arrow, just so the audience doesn’t get confused. I probably spend too much time on character names, but once that happens, I have a pretty good idea of who I want to use to represent them. A lot of web-series traditionally have stuck with daytime actors to represent their characters, but I have often used all forms of celebrities to represent my characters because it is just an image of what I think they look like. But I am mindful about trying to keep the cast as diverse as possible.
THE PHIX: It is a lot of work to do the cross-overs, I'm sure, but I'd be remiss if I didn't ask -- we'll we see another ODAAT/Barracuda event anytime soon or are we done for while? Maybe even a CHASING DIAMONDS special?
DALLAS: At this time, there is no plans for another crossover event, mostly because it was A LOT of work but also because I am so far ahead of writing ODAAT, I’d have to take time for Barracuda to catch up. Maybe one day….
As for Diamonds, there is no plans for any other types of specials, seasons, or mini-series. I sort of said the series was ending after season 5, and then I started with the specials and we got 7 mini-series, three or four Christmas episodes, and 5 more seasons. When I put it to bed this time, I really did feel like the cast had served it’s purpose and we got a lot of drama from it. That being said, you will see Cole Rockwell from Diamonds on series 2 of the Barracuda Blue! So, in some ways, we will still have some crossovers.
THE PHIX: Thank you again for taking time Dallas, last but not least, if I were to check into the Barracuda Blue this year, what am I in store for?
DALLAS: Checking to the Barracuda Blue starts on my birthday, January 03! Series one is 6 episodes and we will see how everyone likes it! I hope everyone thinks that it is another departure from my other series, but still within my wacky world of soaps that I love creating. Series two has already been written, but I am not sure when it will come out. And I’m currently in the planning stages of series three. I am not sure how long the Barracuda Blue will last, but I am loving stepping into this chaotic world and I am looking forward to everyone reading it!
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THE BARRACUDA BLUE PROLOGUE
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A SOAP FOR EVERYONE
Exploring the vast Universes
of Serial-Storytelling
In the summertime when I was a kid in the late 80's and 90's my father would be home with us in the day because he worked night shifts. At the time we didn't have cable TV so there would only be three things to watch between early morning news and the evening news on the 5 or 6 channels we had: daytime talk shows, game shows and of course the legendary soap opera.
My dad was hardly interested in any talk or game show, but he did let the TV linger on the soaps... they entertained him while he waited for his shift. I watched too and for me? It was more than entertainment; I became obsessed with all the fabulous drama all these beautiful people were going through. Especially NBC shows! Santa Barbara, Another World, Days of our Lives, Sunset Beach were my go-to -- later I expanded my soap pallet to ABC (All My Children) and sometimes I'd take a trip to Springfield and CBS's long running Guiding Light.
I loved soaps so, that I even created my own as a kid. It was called A LIFETIME. Every day, I'd sit and imagine the characters (there were SO many characters) of the affluent town of La Jolla, California, very much modeled after Santa Barbara, my favorite show. What were they doing? Who was fighting who? Who fell in and out of love and what kind of schemes were the villains cooking up. I'd write out long plot lines on papers that I kept for over 10 years! The craziest storyline I wrote was when an earthquake hit and I killed off half the cast. What can I say, I was 10 and even then I knew I had too many people on canvas.
Eventually, I had to grow up and A LIFETIME become frozen in time but the passion for this genre remained forever in the back of my creative little mind. As a teenager I came across re-runs of Dark Shadows on the old Sci-Fi network and I had this epiphany: Soaps could be ANYTHING! They weren't always about a town where a hardworking families dealt with the trials and tribulations of daily life, sometimes you could throw in a bit of magic and fantasy and have the push and pull of a dramatic serial with love triangles, and romantic betrayals, family dysfunction and still have a very alluring drama on your hands.
'Shadows spoke to me!
Years later, around 2014, as I was in between writing several short stories, I decided to start writing serialized fiction. The plan was instead of writing one short-story for people to read, I'd write out a chapter a week, much like episodic television, and hope people would enjoy it so much they'd keep coming back. I chose to do a serial based on Dark Shadows, calling it THE RETURN OF DARK SHADOWS (a very generic title now that I look back). The story would pick up in present day time of the Collins family universe. I wrote it for 5 years, over 140 chapters to a good deal of success. Many 'Shadows fans loved it! After it was done, I couldn't shake the creepy storytelling bug. There was something about the freedom of creating this very melodramatic world where anything and everything could happen. So, I chose to create my own 'Shadows inspired serial with fresh new characters and plenty of supernatural drama.
This is the magic of soap operas and serialized storytelling!
They can be anything. They can tell the story of a community in England, like in Glendale, that deal with neighborly secrets and their constant struggles to keep their families together. They can also be about families living in a rural Kentucky town like Town & Country where real life pain and suffering are told through the close ties of family and friends set on a gorgeous background. It can be audio dramas on PodCast sites and daily animated dramas streaming on YouTue...they can be about a doctors and nurses, in Port Charles, they can be about a group of 20 and 30 something misfits in an apartment building constantly cheating and scheming to get ahead in life.
And Yes, they can be about the dark shadows and bewitching curses that plague a wealthy New England family.
You, the reader; the watcher, the lover of soaps gets to choose your poison. Find the story that fits your heart but never ever pass up a chance to experience something fresh and new because it's different and non-conforming. Try it on for size, you just might be surprised how much you'll enjoy it.
***
2025 PREVIEW OF ALL YOUR
FAVORITE SERIES!
Presented Alphabetically
Now that season 3 has ended, what is in store for the residents of Atlas Falls?
Tess has control of DGI for now hoping that no one will catch on to her and Pierre’s plan, unless Simon’s memories start to return. Until then it will either be everyone for themselves at DGI with the Devonshire’s or tragedy could bring them all together to fight her. Max after losing her son will begin to face her reality that he is no longer there, meaning she may be in for a rocky recovery. With Zach’s death looming over the Fraiser family and Mason, fireworks could explode even more than before now that people know who Dru is and what she did. Brenda is accused of driving drunk and into Dani and Greer but will those charges stick or did Brooke, Anderson and Cara intervene in time? Greer has a secret now that she married Brock knowing her son’s paternity, her only obstacle to happiness and keeping Chauncey at bay? Hoping Dani doesn’t remember anything. Speaking of which she and Jackson won’t be going easy on Dru or Lex.
Sometimes you have to make a deal with the devil and in Gia’s case that is where she is with Ronan in a game of cat and mouse, who will come out the winner and will Ronan realize the truth about Michael? Sebastian’s mother has arrived and now that he has lost his son it will be the time that the Navarro family arrives meaning Ronan has to watch his back there. Forbes thinks his secret about Victoria is safe now that Randall has been taken care of, the only problem is Yasmine cares for Rory deeply and knows what happened. With Philip and Cassie taking Forbes side, the Montgomery’s are in for a wild ride. Gloria is back and wants even more control at DGI but she wants her children’s forgiveness more. What she will do to achieve that may surprise everyone involved. Jon’s been unlucky in love and in aniling Ronan but maybe he just needed the right partner for both now that Ryan died and Whitney is right there? Charles may have gotten rid of one problem, but he now has two more to deal with in Dru and Jon.
We are sure there is more in fact we know there are but we really wouldn’t want to spoil it all would we?
On the heels of the horrific Moon Festival attacks of BOOK6, 2025's BOOK7 begins with Filipe's fate in the hands of Sebastian Lord. Jacqueline's pregnancy proves to be her most lucrative card to play to ensure her survival, but the truth of her child's paternity will be a dangerous secret to hold close. Christopher and Genevieve's disagreement on their plan to avenge Jacob's hand in David and Sabrina's deaths deepens the divide in their budding relationship already clouded by Christopher's mysterious true identity. Rebecca's hope for a happy life with Caspian is put into question when he is forced to face his past, present and future as Aurora begins to search for their lost son. Finally, Welshport faces a scandalous year as Timothy Churchill continues his attempt to reclaim the power and prestige his family once held. His obsession will hinge on a cruel scheme involving an archaic puritan law that puts Mary, Evie and Matthew on trial for Witchcraft!
In 2025, we get down to the nitty-gritty of what’s going on in the lives of our core characters in Knightdale, while also introducing some new faces to the show. With Grace Locke back in town and declaring war on her ex-husband, Richard, their children, Shannon and Andre are forced to take sides, putting their relationship to the test. Richard discovers that his medical issue is more serious than he expected, which reignites the tension between Neicy and Shannon.
Fans can look forward to uncovering Paige’s connection to Neicy, a revelation that will upend her life. Paige will also take advantage of Beau’s marital issues, putting her at odds with Shannon. Meanwhile, Grace and Neicy’s rivalry kicks off with a bang.
A few of our characters will find love in the new year, and viewers can also look forward to the debut of our first major villain—aside from Grace—in Spring
Footprints will begin 2025 with the entire canvas absorbed in the mystery of Loretta Ragan’s murder. It quickly becomes clear that things are not as they seem, and a whole slew of suspects present themselves — as readers discover that several characters are harboring secrets about that fateful night. Meanwhile, there’s another mystery playing out: that of the arson at Sabrina’s apartment. Someone is targeting her, and she and Jason are determined to find out why. Sienna’s claim that Isaac is the father of her child will also generate confusion and conflict for Isaac, Diane, Samantha, and Tempest, as allegiances are tested and different points-of-view clash. Finally, Tori and Landon’s burgeoning relationship will receive plenty of focus, as he puts his newfound P.I. skills to use in an attempt to help Tori help her friend, Lucy.
In 2025, the drama picks up six months after the season finale, and the villagers are still dealing with the fallout of recent events.
THE HARRINGTON-JONES FAMILY
The dynamics of the Harrington-Jones family have changed dramatically, and the power has shifted. We’ll see a new side to Nick as he tries to navigate life now that all the secrets have been revealed. But who is his biological father? Meanwhile, circumstances have changed significantly for Julia and James. Can their marriage survive all the secrets and scandals?
We’ll also see Julia come to terms with the fact that she has a half-brother (it might even show a new side to her), and we’ll see whether Judith has survived her heart attack.
THE SPENCER/KENNEDY FAMILY
Following Tom’s death, the family is struggling to move forward. We’ll see a bit of friction between Kate and Carol as they try to navigate this new normal while Audrey tries to hold everything together. Dan will be a permanent fixture on the canvas, although his presence may cause more complications than solutions.
LUKE KENNEDY
At the end of season one, we saw Luke return to Glendale seeking revenge, and that is exactly what he’ll do. He has a score to settle with a few of the villagers, and he wastes no time in making his presence felt. He also has some very strong links to the village (besides his father, Tony), and he uses these to his advantage to bring everything crashing down.
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
By the time season two starts, the Worchester family is well and truly entrenched in village life, and we’ll see Gareth work on repairing his relationship with his mother, Betty, as well as connecting with his half-sister, Julia.
There are also a couple of additional arrivals that will set some hearts aflutter, but is all as it seems?
On the departures front, there is one or two villagers that will be leaving Glendale for the last time. Who is the big question!
THE AFFAIR
Two villagers—one single and one married—will embark on a sizzling affair that will break hearts and pull a family apart.
IN A FLASH
The season premiere spins things around. Time moves on in more ways than one. Relationships are different, and circumstances have changed. There are a few twists and turns, but then, in a flash, life changes forever. Will Glendale ever be the same again?
QUICK POINTS
-The fates of Judith, Ashwin, and Neha will be revealed.
-Emma and Jack both find themselves dealing with matters of the heart.
-Queenie chases ghosts of the past.
-Pamela and Brian’s relationship will take centre stage.
-Friendships falter, relationships crumble, and families fracture.
In 2025, viewers can expect Zeke to try and cover up his infidelity with Yvette, but things get more difficult as Dee Dee continues to fight (and scheme her way) for Zeke's affections.
The district attorney election will continue to tear Valley Park in half.
Quinlynn's investigation into Dani Clark's murder will intensify, but this investigation will lead to a shocking and even deadly conclusion!
As Lorenzo Russo's illegitimate daughter, Vivian Jones will have a new, exciting dynamic with her new family.
Since it's revealed that Finnegan Burke has awaken from his coma, viewers should expect his return to Valley Park to be considered as a ticking time bomb!
As One Day at a Time enters its 23rd season online, there will be no shortage of drama coming up! Here’s a preview of what to expect in 2025 in Twin Peaks.
Natasha/Shane: The couple’s bliss will come to a staggering end when they learn that their marriage is invalid. They will want to remarry, this time in a big, splashy, wedding but things will go south when Natasha asks Shane about his past…namely his family, which we don’t know a lot about currently. Will Shane’s past coming back be a good thing?
Robin/Cory/Penny: Penny has fallen into a coma as a result of hitting her head while Gordy had her tied to a chair at the cabin. Cory will blame himself for the situation which will make it difficult for him to discuss his lingering feelings for Robin. Will Penny wake up? She is the only one that knows that Gordy killed Antonio …
Andrew/Max/Abby/Lukas/Donovan/Olly & Sonny: The truth about the baby switch has come out and we have a tug of war for the boy between Abby and Lukas & Donovan. Things will escalate into a full blown custody case which will turn ugly as both sides will try to do whatever they can to get their child. Keep in mind that Abby is, also, pregnant with Ethan’s child and there is the looming secret that Max, not Andrew, is Olly/Sonny’s biological father.
Daisy/Dawn/Cheresa/Chantel: Dawn will return to Twin Peaks on a mission to write a report for TPGH on the status of mental health in women’s prisons. This will send her to visit Daisy a few times. During the process of writing the report, however, Dawn will start to get threatening messages from an unknown number. Will Dawn and Cheresa reunite? Who is sending Dawn these messages? This is a tale that has never been told before on ODAAT, so I’m excited for everyone to see if unfold. Expect the unexpected.
Tyler/Kim/Robbie/Madeline: This quaderangle will be front and center all year long as Kim and Robbie prepare for the birth of their unborn child. Robbie’s insecurities about Kim and Tyler’s relationship comes into play and he makes a horrible decision on New Year’s Eve that could ruin his marriage. In a dire situation, watch for Madeline to make a stunning choice that will change the course of these four lives for years to come.
Odds & Ends: Another DNA test will be run on Tinah to confirm who, once and for all, is her father – Chris or Andrew … Bryce will work overtime to get back together with Victoria, will he succeed? … Sophie will find herself torn between Max and Logan … Meggan’s drinking continues which leads to an intervention with her family … Victoria & Jeff will start to work together on a new line for Robertson Enterprises … Will & Eva will struggle to keep a secret from Paige, Dominick, and the rest of the Robertson’s … Will finds a new lover … Andy & Nicholas move towards wedded bliss but expect a stunning reveal to come … Will Clayton find a new lover? … Jacob will have to decide between Isabelle and Cassie. He will find comfort in a new friend: Dr. Stephanie, but that will not leave Cassie nor Isabelle pleased.
Changes are coming to Town and Country in 2025, as a long-awaited revelation shakes most of the canvas. Jes Choudhury, the daughter of Jai and Mala's best friends, will remain in Radcliffe, sparking a major storyline for the Guptas. Meanwhile, Max turns to an unlikely source to help locate Shauna, unaware she is pregnant with Antoine’s child. Expect drama across the young adult set and by the end of the year, two longtime characters will exit.
JPB | ©2024
