The past year has been tough for pretty much everybody in various ways, and hopes are high that the new year ahead will be a much-needed light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. While the world isn't out of the pandemic woods yet, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about what's to come in 2021 -- and soap opera stars are definitely embracing a positive spirit about the year ahead. Soap Central asked several actors from your favorite daytime dramas what they hope to accomplish -- both professionally and personally -- in 2021, and if their answers aren't inspiring, we don't know what would be! Read on to see their heartwarming responses, and don't forget to let us know what you think in the Comments section at the end!
Katelyn MacMullen (Willow Tait, General Hospital)
"Personally, I'd like to just set small goals for myself and try my hardest to accomplish those goals, while staying as productive and positive as I can during such uncertain times. Some of those goals include learning new things, like a new language, or taking (virtual) dance classes or anything that pushes me and inspires me! Professionally, I'd like to push myself to get better and to learn as much as I possibly can. I love acting, and the set of General Hospital is such an amazing place to learn and grow as an actor! So, I'd like to continue to try my very best and hopefully surprise myself in 2021."
Melissa Ordway (Abby Newman, The Young and the Restless)
"Personally, just spending as much time with my family as possible. With all the ups and downs of 2020, the best part has been all the time we got to spend together as a family. I'd like to keep that trend going."
John McCook (Eric Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful)
"Personally, I want to be more patient with myself. And professionally, I want my character Eric to continue to evolve and not just settle into who he is."
Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra, Y&R/B&B)
"Professionally, I just want to keep creating. I would love to have the opportunity to dive into new characters and new human beings and into different projects, as well. I love The Young and the Restless and diving into that each and every day, so I'd like to continue to put my work in at home so when I get to set, I can really play. That is something that is always really important to me. Having the opportunity to do that with other people who create great content and great stories and work with wonderful, beautiful, loving people -- that is always really, really important to me. And personally, I'd like to continue to enjoy life each and every day with my family, with my boyfriend [Chad Duell, Michael Corinthos, GH], with my dogs. And to continue to focus on my health and my well-being and definitely growing spiritually. That is always my number one goal, because I feel like life just becomes better every single day when I remove myself from the human experience, if you will, and realize that we are all connected. So that's on a personal note, and I think that, through that, my career and everything else blossoms, as well."
Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers, Y&R)
"Too soon to know actually. I would really like my kids to be able to go back to school and have a nice life... it's been brutal for them."
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy Forrester, B&B)
"Professionally, to keep exploring the character of Steffy on The Bold and the Beautiful and see her continue to evolve. And personally, I'm looking forward to expanding my family!"
Brytni Sarpy (Elena Dawson, Y&R)
"Professionally, I have a few projects I've been working on getting off their feet, and I would love to see more forward movement on those. Personally, just more evolution, continuing on my journey into self, and becoming a better version of who I was the year prior."
Matthew Atkinson (Thomas Forrester, B&B)
"Right now, things are so up in the air as far as the industry is concerned. I am so grateful to be part of a show that is back shooting. So just to be able to continue working on B&B and having some fun storylines is enough to make me happy. As far as professionally, it would be nice to explore a few other roles and maybe do a film here and there during our hiatus times, but I'm pretty happy with what's going on. And personally, hopefully I'm one year more mature! Things are just so up in the air right now, that it's hard to think about the future. All I really want is to keep being happy, keep being grateful, and keep moving forward."
Donny Boaz (Chance Chancellor, Y&R)
"Professionally, I am very happy and content with work at Y&R. I just strive to be better and more proficient -- every day. Personally, I just want to keep learning. I want to read and write more, learn to play the guitar, and hopefully get some traveling in."
Annika Noelle (Hope Logan, B&B)
"I hope to continue working on The Bold and the Beautiful. I love being a part of the family, and they mean a lot to me. I'm also writing a pilot script, so in 2021, I'd like to finish that and so many other projects I'm working on. Personally, I will continue seeking joy and making home a happy place."
Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin, Y&R)
"There is a saying, 'Unless you are coming from a place of love and compassion, you are wrong, no matter how right you are.' I need to be that person: professionally and personally."
Sean Dominic (Nate Hastings, Y&R)
"Professionally, I hope we can delve deep into Dr. Nate's past and his relationship with his mother. That would be amazing. Personally, I just want to improve on all facets of life -- and travel a bit more!"
Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie Spencer, GH)
"I am hoping that 2021 will bring the opportunity for safe 'in person' contact for all. I am thankful for my family and friends and I feel blessed that my family will be living close by so that we can spend time together. I am happy that my granddaughter, Kennedy, will be only a few blocks from me so we will spend a lot of quality time together, and I will be a present, hands-on grammie. I am enjoying my work and play with my The Bay family, as we have recently launched our new season. And, although Bobbie hasn't been involved much in the GH storylines the past couple of years, I am always open to popping into Port Charles when invited. My [New Year's] wish is for good health, love, joy, laughter, good times, and many blessings for all."
Editor's Note: Sadly, we were unable to include Days of our Lives actors in this Roundup story, but we have lots of other fun DAYS content to check out! Click here to read recent interviews with Camila Banus (Gabi Hernandez), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton), Martha Madison (Belle Black), Brandon Beemer (Shawn-Douglas Brady), and more!
What do you think of the various wishes and goals that the above soap stars hope to achieve in 2021? What are you hoping to accomplish in the year ahead? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
