Jackie Zeman will be honored by soap opera The Bay with several General Hospital co-stars guest-starring in a special episode in September
Many months after the soap opera General Hospital paid tribute to the late Jackie Zeman, she is now being honored in another series.
Zeman died in May 2023 at age 70 in Thousand Oaks, California, after a short battle with cancer.
General Hospital, where she played the iconic Bobbie Spencer for more than four decades, paid tribute to her in two episodes in January.
Peacock’s soap opera The Bay, where she played Sofia Madison on and off from 2010 to 2023, has also announced a tribute, via Variety.
The special episode of The Bay will air on Peacock in September, featuring many of her former General Hospital co-stars as guest stars.
Many months after the soap opera General Hospital paid tribute to the late Jackie Zeman, she is now being honored in another series.
The Peacock soap opera The Bay — on which she played Sofia Madison on and off from 2010 to 2023 — has also announced a tribute episode, via Variety
The special episode of The Bay will stream on Peacock in September, featuring many of her former General Hospital colleagues as guest stars
“The special episode titled Sofia will be a tribute to both the character of Sofia and the life of Jackie Zeman, featuring several special guest stars who have contributed to Jackie’s legacy,” showrunner and head writer Gregori J. Martin said in a statement.
Dee Wallace (ET) guest stars as Sofia’s sister, who moves to Bay City to launch a perfume line in honor of her brother.
Leigh McCloskey, who played one of Bonnie Spencer’s ex-husbands on GH, plays Hank Henderson, Sofia’s first husband and father of her two daughters.
The special episode features a celebratory launch of the perfume line, featuring a speech from McCloskey’s Henderson… with a unique twist.
The words he will speak were written by Zeman’s real-life daughters, Cassidy and Lacey Rose.
Another GH co-star of Zeman’s – Tamara Braun – who played Carly Corinthos, Bonnie Spencer’s daughter – will also guest star.
She will play the role of Rita ‘Elise’ Kennedy, described as: ‘a blind woman who regained her sight after receiving Sofia’s donated corneas.’
“Because I knew how special Tamara was to Jackie, I created the role of Elise especially for her,” says Martin.
“The special episode titled Sofia will be a tribute to both the character of Sofia and the life of Jackie Zeman, featuring several special guest stars who meant something to Jackie’s legacy,” showrunner and head writer Gregori J. Martin said in a statement
The words he will say are words written by Zeman’s real-life daughters, Cassidy and Lacey Rose
Martin and Wendy Riche will serve as executive producers, with episodes expected to debut daily on Popstar! this fall before being released on VOD.
Martin also asked Michele Val Jean, the showrunner of the upcoming CBS soap opera The Gates, for advice on what to name the character.
She suggested that Braun’s character be named after Zeman’s mother, Rita, and her two granddaughters.
“I also knew that whatever name we gave this character, it had to be something extra special for Jackie,” Martin added.
Real Andrews, James Preston and Kym Whitley return as series regulars, alongside Darnell Williams (All My Children) in a recurring role as psychiatrist Dr. Josef Givens.
Martin and Wendy Riche will serve as executive producers. The episodes are expected to air daily on Popstar! this fall before hitting VOD.