Are you ready for a trip to Paradise?

Producer Promises a Return to 'Love in the Afternoon'

Before summer's end, readers will be introduced to a new soap opera. Paradise Lost tells the story of the wealthy St. James family, owners of a successful resort set on a fictional island south of Florida. The soap is gearing up for a sun soaked season premiere and is hoping to draw in an audience with its promise of romance, intrigue and willingness to show the not so nice side of life in paradise. Modeled after soaps in their hay day, producer Mandy promises that she won't go the route that discouraged her from watching the current line up of soaps. "I used to watch General Hospital religiously," say Mandy, "Until I realized just how violent it had become. I really felt like it had lost its charm - the relationships between the characters seemed to be more antagonistic then anything else. I thought the whole point of a soaop opera was love in the afternoon."

But that doesn't mean that everyone thing will be hunky dory! "The name of the series is Paradise Lost..." Mandy tells us. "I wanted to explore the fact that not everything is heaven on earth just because you are on a resort. To the tourists, going to places like the St. James Resort is like stepping into pure bliss but to the staff and people who live there, it's just another day." The idea has been with Mandy for years now. Starting as a short story back in 1999, Mandy turned it into a role playing game when she realized she wouldn't have time. When it ended after a two year run, Mandy thought the characters were laid to rest.

"I just couldn't get the story of Cameron and his family out of my head," She explains. "Despite all his faults...and there are many...I really think of Cameron as an anti-hero. He worked so hard to build up his empire and I really think he does what he does in hopes of holding onto to what he has. He wants to leave a legacy for his children, even if he is alienating them in the process of doing so! I found his voice so easily and I truly understood why he would do some of things he did. I both love and hate him at the same time!"

Not all characters from the role playing game appear in the new series. "I really kept the core characters - the St. James family. Many of the others don't fit my new vision for Paradise Lost. When I created the new supporting cast I was surprised what kinds of characters stepped forward. I think there are some that viewers are really going to embrace and then there are some they'll recoil from. In a soap opera you are always going to have your stereotypes -you know, your vixens and your girls next door. Here Madison St. James - the ex-wife of Jonas certainly fits the bill as a vixen. She was forced out of her life on the island and comes back with a real burning desire to strike back. I think she is countered nicely by characters like Mahalia Jones, the rather naive lawyer, and Morgan Fairbanks, the overworked assistant. Although I am following the footsteps of all the soaps who have come before me I intend to put my own spin on things. The more I write, the more I am becoming attached to characters I never thought I would be. Take David Wells (the smarmy lawyer). He was an after thought but the more I write the more potential I see in him! I can't wait to see where he goes!"

Rick Hearst (Victor) and Rebecca Herbst (Morgan). Both came to Paradise Lost from General Hospital. Is an on screen reunion in the works as well?

Casting proved to the most difficult aspect of the series for Mandy. "I wanted to pick just the right people to bring my characters to life. I really thought long and hard on many of the decisions and in the end I brought together a cast from film, primetime and daytime. I think each actor or actress truly embodies the characters they were chosen for!"

With the cast in place and the storyline plotted out for the first season, all Mandy has left to do is write the episodes. She explained that she plans to stockpile a few episodes before the big premiere because she tends to get busy with her other job as a teacher. She hopes to be able to stick to a schedule of an episode per week. And she also hopes that everyone gives her soap a chance, "I have been writing since I could pick up a pen but this is the first time I have ever really put something out there. I am having a blast creating it and I hope you all enjoy it!"

Keep a look out for the first episode of Paradise Lost! And keep a look for all the behind the scenes gossip, spoilers, and casting calls right here in Producer's Corner!