Through Blissful’s many incarnations we’ve welcomed a bevy of talented writers to join the series. Today is no different however we have someone who has over twenty years of soap journalism experience and has interviewed the likes of Debbie Morgan, Diedra Hall, Drake Hogstyn, Alison Sweeny, Michelle Stafford, Maurice Benard, Kirsten Storms, Kelly Monaco, Michelle Morgan, Erika Slezak, Billy Flynn, Kate Mansi and more. In Ryan’s prolific career he has also interviewed some of the greatest soap writers such as Thom Racina, Michelle Patrick, Tom Casellio and more. With his vast knowledge of soap operas Ryan has joined the team as a storyline consultant and writer for Blissful. Now here to help push Blissful to a new level and new heights. In his first interview as a member of the Blissful staff Ryan will shed some insight on what new flavor he’s bringing to Blissful. 

Chris: Hi, Ryan how are you today? Please tell me a little about yourself. 

Ryan: I’m doing well, thank you for asking—I’m excited to be here. I’m based on the East Coast, and writing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I’m a communications graduate with a background in journalism, and I’ve had the opportunity to write for outlets such as Soap Opera Network, Soap Opera Source, TV Source Magazine, ATRL, and others. Those experiences allowed me to cover entertainment topics, conduct interviews, and develop a strong, engaging writing style. I’m always looking to grow as a writer and connect with others who share that same passion for storytelling.

Chris: Thank you for letting us get to know you a little more. So let’s get to the meat of the interview. As a new creator joining this already going machine, what did you see could be changed and how have you helped make that happen? 

Ryan: Coming in with fresh eyes, one of my goals has been to help increase the episode output without sacrificing the quality that defines the work of this team. There’s so much rich history and so many exciting elements to catch up on, but the sheer volume can sometimes be daunting. One approach I pitched is breaking the longer episodes into tighter, more emotionally focused segments, giving the drama more space to resonate. Between releases, we can keep viewers engaged with “Between the Bliss,” offering quick recaps and deeper insight into character motivations.

Chris: To be honest the volume of Blissful can be a reason some people might not jump into the series. Which gave me reason to pause and discuss a change. Even though some fans love the longer episodes, I believe this will help Blissful continue to grow. Our team is very aware that we are in the smart phone era. Where a video can snatch your attention and I agree it’s time to give them more digestible content without losing the integrity of what we see Blissful as. 

Fans have been clamoring to find out what you’ve been doing and have been cooking up with our team. I’m excited to announce that Ryan will be debuting very soon as the writer of a new character, Ariana “Ana” Castellano. What can you tell me about Ana and what is to come with her without giving spoilers? Also what made Ana the character you wanted to debut with and are there any chances for you to maybe take on a legacy character of Blissful lore?

Ryan: Ariana “Ana” Castellano is exactly the kind of character I’ve been dying to write. She’s this captivating enigma who seems to have it all figured out. On paper, she’s perfect: Cambridge-educated, successful CEO of a real estate empire, philanthropic, impeccably connected. But there’s something beneath that polished surface that makes you wonder what she’s really capable of.

What drew me to debut with Ana is her complexity, but also her potential as a storytelling vehicle. When I came up with the idea for this character, I wanted someone who could naturally weave into the existing Atlas Falls tapestry. Just as she is my intro to Blissful, I am hers in a way. She’s fiercely intelligent, knows how to work people to get what she wants, and she’s coming to town to help a college friend. But viewers will quickly realize there’s much more to her story.

Ana represents the kind of storytelling that hooks audiences today. Everyone has secrets, everyone’s managing their image, and she has mastered that game. Viewers will think they know her type – the successful heiress with everything handed to her. But as her past unfolds, they’ll discover she’s earned her power in ways they never expected. Her family history is definitely complicated, and she won’t be making this move alone.

As for legacy characters, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t eyeing some possibilities. But right now, I’m focused on Ariana “Ana” Castellano’s entrance and the waves it’ll create. Atlas Falls is about to get very interesting.

Chris: With a career spanning over twenty years in journalism. What are you hoping to explore and find in the webserial world that you’ve not encountered in your vast career? Also what has you most excited about working with team Blissful? 

Ryan: You know, coming from journalism, I’m used to telling complete stories in 800 words or less. Everything has to be immediate, digestible, wrapped up neatly. But webserials are a completely different beast. I get to build characters like Ariana “Ana” Castellano layer by layer, week after week. I can plant seeds in an episode that don’t bloom until another two or three seasons. That kind of long-form storytelling is incredibly exciting.

What’s also amazing is how engaged the audience is. In journalism, you publish and move on to the next story. Here, viewers are dissecting every scene, theorizing about character motivations, getting genuinely invested in these people’s lives. That real-time feedback creates this energy I never experienced in traditional media.

The collaborative process with team Blissful has been equally rewarding. In journalism, you’re often working solo, but here everyone’s building this world together. Someone will throw out an idea that completely shifts how I’m thinking about a character arc, or point out a connection I hadn’t considered.

But what excites me most is the freedom to explore complex, morally ambiguous characters. Ana exists in gray areas that traditional media might not touch, but that’s where the most interesting stories live. We can dig into uncomfortable questions about family, loyalty, and power. That’s storytelling that stays with people.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Chris: Before I let you go, and I again thank you for taking the time to interview. You mentioned something about “Beyond the Bliss” exactly, what is that and why is that important to new readers of the series who are jumping on? 

Ryan: “Beyond the Bliss” was really born out of recognizing that Blissful has this incredibly rich history that can feel overwhelming to newcomers. We wanted to create something that would serve multiple purposes. For new readers, it’s their entry point. Instead of feeling like they need to go back and read years of content, they can jump in with these focused pieces that give them the essential context they need. But it’s equally valuable for longtime fans who might have missed episodes or want to revisit key moments.

What makes “Beyond the Bliss” special is that we’re not just doing plot recaps. We’re diving into the psychology behind character decisions, exploring the motivations that drive these pivotal moments. We’re also introducing character promos that delve even deeper into their psyche in what we’re calling “My Blissful is…” These pieces will give viewers intimate access to how characters see their own world, their own story. It’s a way to humanize even the most complex characters and help readers understand their internal logic.

Sometimes we’ll reveal why we made certain creative choices, or highlight details that viewers might have missed the first time around. It’s also a way to keep the community engaged between main episodes. The discussions that happen around these pieces are incredible – fans connecting dots, sharing their own interpretations, debating character motivations.

For someone like Ana, whose arrival is going to shake up existing dynamics, “Beyond the Bliss” will be crucial for helping both new and returning viewers understand exactly why her presence matters so much to the families already established in Atlas Falls.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

4×04 “Don’t Hold So Tight” Part 2
Written by: Chris Coleman, Kristi Clark and Kelly Zollo
Warning: Episode may contain graphic violence, language and sexual content
Theme Song: Mariah The Scientist- Burning Blue

Sebastian looked down at his phone and saw Max was calling him. He declined it as they stepped off the tarmac into JFK airport’s private loading area. He felt a sense of guilt because what if she needed him? What if she was in some sort of pain? What if she needed him? Right now it wasn’t about Max and to be fair he needed what was about to happen. For years his goal was to change the narrative of the Navarro clan. His mother and father ran Europe with an iron fist but now he wanted revenge and retribution. Turning off his phone he looked at his mother and saw her face staring at his phone. “You don’t have to look so gleeful. I just don’t want her to know I’m out of town. She’s fragile right now and I just think a little space might do us good.” He spoke smoothly. “You sure Enzo is going to be okay with me taking on what he’s doing? I mean we sent him to the best schools in Europe for this. He’s a master chemist and I’m just jumping back into the business now.” Pausing as they stepped into the limo waiting for them. The black town car was inconspicuous but also flashy. Just how his mother liked it. Picking up the decanter he poured himself some scotch.

Driving off he looked at the New York city and thought of his son. His beautiful baby boy that was taken from them. If Max gave birth outside of that boat and dirty warehouse he might still be here. “I blame nobody but Gia, and Ronan not Max and she is my fiance so I don’t want to hear anything negative about her. I love her more than life itself right now and we have suffered because of something Ronan or Gia did. Someone blew that boat up and as revenge and I want mine in blood. I want to make Ronan and Gia pay and nothing and no one will stop me. You know Hunter and Bliss thought they talked me out of my pain. Out of my rage but I can’t stop being mad that my damn child is in a coffin gone. A ghost now and I am left with all these pains and dreams for him. Damn it!” He crushed the cheap glass in his hand.

Regina Navarro knew pain and loss; she had lived it first when her daughter was slaughtered due to Ronan’s carelessness and when her husband had passed. She understood it but she didn’t understand Max Devonshire at all or what her son thought was this great love he shared with her. The two had nothing in common as far as shared values went and in the later months of Max’s pregnancy she had treated both her son and grandson with such indifference it was hard to feel for the woman. She cast her eyes at the phone remaining silent but a sense of satisfaction came so her son was lying to Max, they were broken beyond repair in her mind exactly what she wanted. She already knew that Enzo would be upset at Sebastian being back in the fold but it didn’t matter, the prince had returned and the eldest was doing what needed to be done. Enzo would adjust or she would see to it personally that he was sent somewhere else. For far too long they had been compliant and placating to the Madden and Falcone families no longer, not after what happened on that boat. She was over that now and like her son had just said revenge was theirs for the blood spilt of her innocent grandchild.

“Don’t worry about Enzo he knows that this was always in the plan, you coming back even though you stepped back for a moment. You’re father always knew, I told him you would come back around. As for Max perhaps a break is what is needed, mijo. She has her family there, you have yours here.” Regina said, looking at him and then casting a glance at the driver who had been with them for years. She reached over gently to his hand grabbing one of the bar towels from the back of the car while she put up the divider. Hoping the gesture reminded him of when she would tend his wounds when he was a child, that connection they shared. She was always gentle with Sebastian, gentle yet firm and she was right when it came to Max she had her family there. The Devonshire’s who looked down on people like them even though rumor had it that her father was just as bad and likely had blood on his hands. “Besides mijo you put her in danger if you told her about where you are we wouldn’t want that would we? After Enrique you both need to heal, worrying her solves nothing for her, but you taking this step. It could be your healing.” Regina said she had been practicing the words for the last few weeks hoping they sunk in; he didn’t need Max involved in what they were going to do and the distance was what was needed.

4×03 “Take Me To the King” Part 1
Written by: Chris Coleman, Kristi Clark and Kelly Zollo
Warning: Episode may contain graphic violence, language and sexual content
Theme Song: Leon Bridges-River, Tamela Mann- Take Me To The King, Teedra Moses-Last Day, Marvin Sapp-Never Would Have Made 

Fourteen days, eleven hours, twenty three minutes that was how long it had been since he had seen Zach, currently he was lying in the guest bedroom of the now empty condo that he and Zach had shared. Another sleepless night, he didn’t know which way was up or down and he wondered if he would ever care to ever again. The condolences had been overwhelming at the hospital, to the point where Selina had taken him back to her place for the night in the days and two weeks since it was a constant whirlwind of visitors stopping by. Either Selina or Jamal were constantly checking on him and he had kept his mother at bay, there was an ache where Zach was. Zach’s family had stopped by and he had been very cordial with Helen and Brandon, they had never been close but they were Zach’s parents and he appreciated they wanted to help him and help with the funeral to plan it together. His pastor had stopped by offering counseling as did the priest from St. Paul’s although he was not ready to speak to either one. He laid there for a few moments remembering how Jon and Devin had come by at the request of Zach’s parents for his dress blues and how he had watched as they both almost cried gently folding it to take to the funeral home.

He sat up in bed looking at the time rubbing his face over his hands as he opened the door to the condo, it was so empty and quiet the mail had piled up over the last two weeks. The dishes too, and he looked at them normally he and Zach would switch off and he opened the door to their bedroom and memories overwhelmed him the last time they laid there making love or just talking. He took a step inside running a hand through his hair realizing he probably needed to wash it and saw the bathroom door open. Zach’s toothbrush on the charger and decided he wasn’t ready as he felt the tears coming down and he heard the knock on the front door He closed the bedroom door he knew he looked like a mess but he also knew what today was and he honestly didn’t want to face it, walking to the front door he looked to make sure it was his sister before he opened it. “I don’t want to do this.” Mason said his voice low, opening the door for her to come in, seeing she had brought a suit he asked her to pick up. He couldn’t even go into his own bedroom to get to his closet without collapsing into a pile of tears. “I don’t know if I can do this, you know? This wasn’t how everything was supposed to go down or happen for us.”

Selina felt the honest disconnect of the day. A few months ago they were celebrating them getting married and now they were burying Zach. Life was cruel and unfair but seeing her brother just looking so defeated and his spirit was honestly crushed. She didn’t want him to have to do this. He shouldn’t be alone after all they had gone through. After all the trials and tribulations, who could they blame for this loss? She placed the suit down and slowly walked to her brother and hugged him tightly. Embracing him so he could feel the love. After all they had been through she wasn’t sure Mason could take anything else. Gloria had been trying hard to be a part of this and although she appreciated her tenacity right now her input wasn’t needed. Selina thanked God Jamal’s barber came over and cut his hair yesterday. He looked so handsome like her father but the hurt in his eyes she wasn’t sure would ever leave. She wasn’t sure her brother would ever be the same. As she walked him to the couch she flopped down and looked in his eyes. “You know I expected a slew of nieces and nephews and a long life of me and Zach gossiping about Atlas Falls. I don’t think anyone thought this is how you and Zach’s life was supposed to go. You two were supposed to be the fussing gay couple who have fabulous parties now we just have.” Selina paused knowing she couldn’t get emotional. Gripping her broach it was once her father’s watch that she turned into this pendant. It gave her strength. “Now we just have the memories.” 

Touching his face she looked into her brother’s eyes. “You are hurting so badly right now. He’s gone but you have so much love inside of you for that man. I don’t know where you put it. I don’t know where you store that. But I do know Mason, that you are wrapped in love. In so much love and I don’t want you to ever and I mean ever to think you aren’t protected through this. If you need air, or can’t be in that room. I’m here. Just like dad would be or.” She paused looking at him. “She’s been calling me all morning. She’s demanding to see you before the services begin. Look I know it’s a lot having Gloria back but our mother is determined to help today. She’s going to be there today and I think you should deal with her first maybe? Can we set some boundaries together? Jamal and Ophelia will be here shortly. Let me um straighten up in here.” Selina began to immediately clean up her brother’s space. “Mason you gotta go get ready baby.”