Just as General Hospital incorporated the passing of the late, great Jacklyn Zeman into its plot, so too will Popstar!’s The Bay.

Jacklyn Zeman To Be Honored On The Bay

Said the soap’s showrunner/head writer Gregori J. Martin to Variety: “The special episode titled ‘Sofia’ will be a celebration of both the Sofia character and Jackie Zeman’s life, with several special guest stars that meant something to Jackie’s legacy.”

Zeman, who also portrayed GH’s Bobbie Spencer for 45 years and appeared on The Bay, on and off, since its inception, passed away in May 2023 after a “short battle” with cancer.

In addition to the regular cast, The Bay‘s tribute episode will feature film luminary Dee Wallace (ET, Cujo, etc.) — who’ll play Sofia’s sister, just as Wallace played Bobbie’s sister on GH — Leigh McCloskey, who played Bobbie’s paramour Damian Smith, and Tamara Braun who starred as Zeman’s play daughter on GH between 2001 and 2005.

McCloskey was tapped by Martin to portray Sofia’s first husband and the father of her two daughters, Hank Henderson, while Braun will essay the part of Rita “Elsie” Kennedy a blind woman who receives Sofia’s donated corneas.

On the latter’s casting Martin revealed: “Knowing how special Tamara was to Jackie, I created the role of Elise specifically for her. I also knew whatever name we gave this character had to be something extra special to Jackie” And indeed it was. Upon the recommendation of creative dynamo Michele Val Jean, Martin chose ‘Rita’ after Zeman’s mother, and ‘Elsie’ and ‘Kennedy’ after her grandchildren.

The homage will see McCloskey speak words written by Zeman’s real-life daughters, Cassidy and Lacey Rose, and include never-before-seen images and home movies of Zeman provided by her family.

The Bay is currently on track for a September premiere. It will unspool daily on Popstar! TV followed by a VOD release on multiple streaming platforms including Peacock.

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