More Fan Favorites Returning On ‘As The World Turns’

Fan favorites Mark Collier, Paul Leyden and Peter Parros returning ‘As The World Turns’ this November!

As the World Turns just got a little bit sexier!  On the heels of Austin Peck’s unexpected firing, Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Aussie actor Paul Leyden is returning to the last P&G scion as Simon Frasier.  Last seen in 2007, Simon fled the country when ex-wife Katie (Terri Colombino) ratted him out to the police after a successful jewel heist he pulled off with Carly (Maura West).  Leyden joined the cast of World Turns in 2000, where he remained on contract until 2003.  Leyden was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his role as con artist Simon in 2002.  He made short-term return engagements up until 2007.

In another move to replace Austin Peck strengthen the canvas, another of Katie’s ex-husbands will be returning to the show.  Mark Collier’s bad-boy-gone-good, Mike Kasnoff, last seen played by Jon Prescott in 2008, will also be returning to the show.  Collier, who left the show in 2007 to pursue outside projects, recently appeared on an episode of CSI: Miami. Both roles are reportedly short term and will begin in November.

Peter Parros will join the two when he also returns as Dr. Ben Harris this November.  Parros left the show in 2005 after being bumped to recurring status and eventually phased out.  The last that was seen of Ben, he had been reinstated after his successfully reversing Aaron’s (Agim Kaba) paralysis.   Parros played Ben for nearly 10 years, joining the cast in 1996.

For a show that’s constantly the focus of cancelation rumors as of late, As the World Turns is certainly making a number of huge casting moves, albeit for short-term gigs.  This piece of casting news comes after announcements of Lesli Kay simultaneously pulling dual roles on World Turns and The Bold & the Beautiful and two-time Emmy winner Tom Pelphrey joining the cast for a brief stint as new character “Mick.”  Where’s all this money coming from?  One has to wonder…did Proctor & Gamble throw some of canceled sister soap Guiding Light‘s production budget World Turns‘ way?

In Other News

Alexandra Chando reprises her role as Maddie Coleman on Thursday, September 24.