HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—The Young & the Rest of Us, a new online soap opera from Adam & Eve Pictures, has wrapped its first six episodes. Will Ryder wrote and directed the original production, described as "an intense drama starring a cast of 18 that takes a provocative look at family life in small town America." Individual episodes will go online at adamevetv.com, with a two-disc DVD and VOD release planned for the fall.
"Soap operas have been popular on radio for 80 years and television for nearly 60 years, so an episodic series that tackles real life issues with dramatic flair and plenty of sex made a lot of sense to both Adam & Eve and X-Play," Ryder said "We are honored to have been chosen to produce and direct this huge project."
Set in the fictitious university town of College Grove, the initial episodes will focus on problems facing college-age youth and their parents, including corruption, scandal, lies, drugs, politics, cheating and sexual experimentation. "College Grove might look like a sleepy college town but it’s alive and wide awake," according to a spokesperson for the project. "Hard-hitting issues will bring the series to epic highs with cliffhangers and sex being integral to the storyline."
The first six episodes feature an ensemble cast, with Sarah Vandella, Chloe Amour, Holly Heart, Bentley, Anya Ivy, Katerina Kay, Nikki Daniels, Josie Jagger, Gemma Jolie, Christie Stevens and Vyxen Steel. Male performers feature Steven St. Croix as a central character, joined by Nick Manning, Alec Knight, Tyler Nixon, Seth Gamble, Chad White and Ryan Mclane.
"I had never worked with St. Croix before and I promise I want that guy a part of everything I shoot moving forward. He's a fabulous actor," Ryder said.
Ryder says that if the initial series is successful, Adam & Eve Pictures is ready to produce a block of 20 more episodes, allowing the story to go in multiple directions just like a mainstream television soap opera.
"I used to be a big fan of General Hospital back in the day and an old buddy of mine has been on The Young & the Restless for 20 years," Ryder said. "I used to visit that set all the time. I can tell you that our Adam & Eve soap opera has a lot more naked girls having sex then they do over at CBS."
The Young & the Rest of Us was co-produced by Scott David and is in post-production for rollout in late summer.
