GH

One of my favorite actresses is joining the cast of America's most watched drama series. That means about 20 million viewers a week will get to see her in action. The actress is Rena Sofer and she's been cast on NCIS as a hard-nosed, no-nonsense lawyer. The role could be long term or recurring, they're not saying yet.

In fact, they're not giving much away at all. Not even the character's name or when she starts. Thus far, it's hard to see where a lawyer would be needed in the current storylines, so it's likely that there's an arc on the way that will bring her along as a key element.

Rena has a load of primetime experience, having appeared on Heroes, 24, Couples, Blind Justice, Just Shoot Me... but for me she was never better than when she was on General Hospital as Lois Cerullo.

While a lot of ABC soap fans are flipping out about Thorsten Kaye's exit from All My Children, and others are giddy about James Franco bringing his movie star luster to General Hospital, there's more big news coming about those soaps. First, the original Lucky, Jonathan Jackson, is returning to General Hospital after 10 years off the show. And the original Greenlee, Rebecca Budig, is coming back to All My Children after leaving the show in March 2009.

Both these returns are exciting... and fraught with drama. While Jonathan is a three-time Emmy-winner and a superb Lucky -- he originated the role -- his choosing to resume the part means that Greg Vaughan has been dumped.

To be really, really honest, Greg was a great looking Lucky, but he never had a good grasp on the character of Lucky.

"[Fans] really liked the Metro Court, and if they liked the Metro Court, then this is gonna blow their minds. I can't wait!" -- Sonya Eddy

I'd like to thank the Academy, and a special thanks to Mitch and Richard -- you know who you are -- and all of my amazing co-stars on 'General Hospital,' without whom none of this would be possible ...

Today's the day you can actually see my split-second, two-line part as Nurse No. 3 on 'General Hospital.' OK, so it's hardly award-worthy, but I did manage to get some time to chat with the cast of pros at 'GH' while I was on set, including series regulars Kimberly McCullough, Steve Burton, Sonya Eddy, Rebecca Herbst, Jason Thompson, Greg Vaughan, Sarah Brown and Bruce Weitz.

Daytime fans, here's your scoop: If you think this big bio-toxin storyline is over, you better keep watching -- the chemical exposure and mass illness at 'GH' is just the beginning. What happens next can only be described as explosive and it'll definitely shake things up in Port Charles ... more than any alien friend, paternity secret or mobster hit ever could. Keep clicking to hear all about it, and more, straight from the stars. -- By Maggie Furlong

What's it like to be a soap opera star? Maggie took a role on 'General Hospital' to find out.

Luke and Laura. Sonny and Brenda. Anthony Zacchara and Nurse No. 3. OK, so Port Charles' mob boss and yours truly might not be the next great duo on 'General Hospital,' but we will share a blink-and-you'll-miss-it scene together on Monday, Feb. 2.

I got to spend the day on the 'GH' set, chatting with the show's stars, touring the ever-evolving set at Prospect Studios in Hollywood and, yes, filming a cameo appearance as Nurse No. 3 (dubbed Allison Ivy, RN, by wardrobe for my hospital-issue photo ID badge) in the show's big spring sweeps storyline.

What's it like to be a soap opera star? Keep clicking to hear all about my stint as a daytime player. And don't forget to check back on Feb. 2 to hear from the show's biggest stars and get more scoop on the big, series-changing storyline that'll rock the hospital.