Dina Manzo is making the leap from reality to scripted.
The former castmember on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey and star of HGTV’s Dina’s Party has landed a role on a new series that portrays the behind-the-scenes on daily soap operas called Tainted Dreams.
Created by Emmy-winning director and soap opera veteran Sonia Blangiardo (General Hospital, As the World Turns, All My Children, One Life to Live), the new dramedy casts Manzo as Allessandra DiGiacomo.
Her character is described as a “smart and successful New York City corporate CEO whose younger gay brother [played by My Big Gay Italian Wedding's Anthony Wilkinson] will face unexpected circumstances due to his sexuality.”“Coming from a large Italian family, I was immediately drawn to the character of Alessandra’s family dynamic,” Manzo says in a statement.
Regarding the casting, Blangiardo says, “I created the role of Alessandra with Dina Manzo in mind, and we are thrilled to have her join our cast. Her constant support of the gay community and her talent makes her the perfect choice for this series.”
The director created Tainted Dreams after the last of the NYC-based soap operas, One Life to Live, shut down production in November of last year.
“I was struck by the loss of this unique art form that had been such an integral part of NYC for decades. I wanted to somehow capture my own two decades working behind the scenes of three different NYC-based soaps,” Blangiardo explains.
“As a long-time fan of One Life to Live, I am excited to be part of a project centered around the rich, proud heritage of NYC-based daytime drama,” Manzo adds.
Manzo joins Tainted Dreams’ already announced castmembers, which include All My Children stars Alicia Minshew, Walt Willey Kelley and Michael Lowry; and As the World Turns stars Menighan Hensley and Marnie Schulenburg.
Tainted Dreams is produced by NYC Brand Productions, which has yet to finalize a distribution deal for the series. Production begins in May.
Manzo left Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey during its second season in 2010. Dina’s Party premiered on HGTV in 2011 and showcases the reality star’s event planning business.
Do you think Dina will knock this acting gig out of the park?
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