“All My Children” and “General Hospital” fan-favorite and Daytime Emmy nominee Jennifer Bassey (Marian Colby Chandler, AMC; Quinn Danvers, GH) will be among the new faces popping up when the fifth season of “Anacostia”—the Daytime Emmy-winning (and four-time Daytime Emmy-nominated) series from executive producers Anthony Anderson and Martha Byrne (ex-Lily/Rose, “As the World Turns”)—returns later this month.
The popular Bassey, who also appeared on “Love of Life,” “The Edge of Night,” “Somerset,” and “As the World Turns,” (and has gained recent attention for delightful and compelling recollections of her time spent working as one of the original Playboy Club “bunnies” in the 1960s) joins the cast in the role of Beverly Newman, a woman who re-emerges after decades of life in hiding, to reveal a secret set to turn the life of Eva Montgomery (Elizabeth Hubbard, Lucinda, “As the World Turns”) on its head. Beverly will be introduced in the final episodes of Season 5 via an emotionally raw set of scenes with Indie Soap Awards-winner Pasha Diallo, that will reveal both the tortured history of the character and her shocking connection to multiple characters already on the canvas.
Bassey’s appearance—which will continue into the show’s sixth season—will coincide with the show reaching a major milestone: 50-episodes.
Anacostia creator and head writer Anthony Anderson enthused, “On this show, we’re tremendous fans of authentic instinct and co-creativity with our artists, and Jennifer got that immediately. It’s been a pleasure co-creating this character and story with Jennifer, hearing her ideas, and bringing our shared vision to life. What she’s set to do at the end of this season and the start of next is pretty epic, and longtime fans of hers will not be disappointed.”
Co-Executive Producer Benjamin Bryant, agreed, “Many characters are introduced slowly, giving both the actor and the audience time to get a sense of the character and canvas. This is the opposite of that!
Anthony [Anderson, Anacostia creator] threw her right in, like a firecracker ready to shake up—and light up—the canvas. It was wonderful watching Jennifer bring such a complex character to such vivid life from her very first line. I think it’s very fitting that she’s such a pivotal part of our 50th episode, and that that’s really only the start for this new character.”
Bassey agrees, “I am such a fan of this group of creative and entrepreneurial people. ‘Anacostia’ really runs on heart, and that was apparent from my first call with Benjamin, and only reinforced when I read the beautiful words Anthony Anderson wrote. He’s a fabulous writer with a clear and creative vision for this show. The entire production team is so innovative, doing more with less, and they make a marvelously talented team, all working so hard to create this very special show down in Washington D.C. I’ve had just a wonderful experience so far and look forward to what we can do in the future!”
Bassey is but one of a trio of soapy new faces joining Hubbard and Byrne in the historic D.C. neighborhood this December. “Just like I do during every visit to Port Charles, I couldn’t feel more at home in Anacostia! There is always an abundance of love and lies — so I do my best to give them life,” she shared of her new gig. Meet Bassey’s new character—and the intense soap drama she brings along with her—when Anacostia returns to conclude Season Five during a special “Six Days of Anacostia” Christmas week event, beginning December 26 on YouTube.
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