Forever and Always Youthful

Forever and Always Youthful (often abbreviated as 'FAY' in English) is a Diadochian daytime television soap opera broadcasted by ARS (Attica Broadcasting System). The series is set in the fictional town of Aegina City.

The first show was broadcast 21 February 1969, over 45 years ago. FAY is a sister show of The Elegant & the Charismatic and several actors have crossed over with their same roles on both shows over the years. The show is best known for its long-term love triangles and its multi-ethnic cast

Production

Development

The creators of Forever and Always Youthful, created the show to compete with the more youthful DRE soap operas, Lion Heart and Swift-Footed Lives, and Eternity. The creators envisioned a daytime serial that was more youth oriented. Lefteris E. Bilias and Eugenia Asikis Bilias created the show in 1969. The creators chose the name because they felt that in their opinion it reflected the youthfulness of late sixties and seventies.

Lefteris Bilias worked as head writer from the show's debut in 1969, until he retired in 1994. Production of the show has took place in Athenais since its debut, however Bilias had originally wanted production to take place in Olympias. However ARS executives felt that Athenais was a more cost effective location. The Bilias family is still very much involved in the show. The couple's children each found callings in the world of media, their daughter Lilia Bilias works as an actress on Forever and Always Youthful, their son George Bilias co created The Elegant and the Charismatic with his father, while the eldest son Lefteris Bilias Jr has become much involved in the Bilias family's production empire, serving as President of Bilias-Asikis Television Production Company, and Bilias Dramatic Serial Co.

Videotaping and broadcasting

Forever and Always Youthful has been taped at ARS Television City studios 32 and 35. Forever and Always Youthful originally aired as a half-hour daytime drama on ARS. Forever and Always Youthful is notable for being the first Diadochian soap operas to focus on the visual aspects of production. Before Forever and Always Youthful was created, earlier soap operas had tended to focus more on dialogue, characters and story, with a lesser focus on details like set decor. Since its debut Forever and Always Youthful stood out from other daytime soap operas on the air because of its unique lighting and camera angle techniques. These techniques included, the use of bright light on actor's faces and close ups of facial features to set the mood, giving off a feel that made the show look moody. These techniques influenced other daytime serials to change their taping styles.

The show became widely popular, and very soon ARS executives were pressuring Lefteris Bilias to lengthen the show from thirty minutes to a full hour. Always an innovator, Forever and Always Youthful started being broadcast in high-definition in May 29, 2000, becoming the first Diadochian daytime soap opera to make the transition. In August 2010, the show's sister soap The Elegant and the Charismatic, became the last soap opera to make the transition.

Storylines and Story development

Co-Creators Lefteris E. Bilias and Eugenia Asikis Bilias centered Forever and Always Youthful around a few core families. The early storylines of Forever and Always Youthful because many of the storylines included explicit sexual themes such as premarital intercourse, sodomy, oral sex, impotence, incest, and rape, themes that had never before been shown on a daytime soap opera in detail, Before the show they had only been hinted at.

A long-running storyline of the show, from its earliest days is the long lasting feud between Helen Christodoulou and Zoe Fotiadis Adamou. The two women's feud is the longest lasting rivalry in daytime history.

In a 1976 storyline Theodore Melissinou was introduced as a sinister business tycoon. Originally he had been planned to be killed off after a few months, but the audience took such a liking to him, that the character was soon given more significance. In late 1970s and early 1980s Theodore's romance with Alexis Rihia created a sensation, and the two quickly became a daytime supercouple. The executives of Forever and Always Youthful made a successful crossover of the villainous and nefarious Silvia Comino from FAY to The Elegant and the Charismatic. Theodore visited a local strip club where he met Alexis, who at the time was working as a stripper. She married Theodore in a lavish wedding in 1982 and their love-hate relationship has gone through the birth of two children, Theodora and Alexander, as well as numerous divorces, affairs, and remarriages.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s core black characters were introduced, with the introduction of core black families the working class Dalianis family and the wealthy Portiers family. This introduction of two core black families caused Forever and Always Youthful to become widely popular with black viewers.

In the 1970s, with the introduction of extended members of both the Adamou and Melissinou families, many storylines since then (even in the present day) have featured the corporate rivalry between their two respective companies, Adamou Cosmetics headed by Damian Adamou and his son Damian Jr., and Melissinou Enterprises headed by Theodore Melissinou. The personal lives of both the Adamou and Melissinou families also became a major focus in the 1980s. A four-way quadrangle became a major storyline in the 1980s-90s with Theodore marrying Nikoleta (Damian's sister) and Damian marrying Alexis (Theodore's former wife).

In the 1990s, younger characters such as Alexander Melissinou (who was rapidly aged), Theodora Melissinou, Sophie Chellos and the scheming Priscilla Winters were reintroduced or introduced to appeal to a younger audience.

Current Cast

Characters

Character	Info	Picture
Theodore Melissinou played by Christos Ballios	The character of Theodore Melissinou was introduced in 1976. The character was born poor, abd became a successful billionaire tycoon, patriarch of the family, owner of the conglomerate Melissinou Enterprises, father of Angelos, Theodora, and Alexander. The Character is considered to a ruthless villain, while he is at the same time loving and caring to his loved ones. His union with the beautiful Alexis Rihia developed into a supercouple pairing, which has lasted over four decades. Theodore's character is iconic in the daytime soap opera.
Alexis Rihia Melissinou currently played by Melinda Halliwell	The character was introduced in 1974. Over the years the character has experienced a rags to riches like transformation, starting out as a stripper she soon became involved with Theodore Melissinou that developed into a supercouple pairing that has spanned four decades, and produced two children Theodora and Alexander. Halliwell's character is considered an icon in the soap opera genre
Helen Christodoulou currently played by Regina Christou	Helen Christoudoulou was introduced in 1969 in the early days of the show to increase its struggling ratings. Her introduction proved a success and she has been on the show close to fifty years and is the longest running cast member. Helen is the head of Christoudoulou Inc. and she is most known for her long time rivalry with Zoe Fotiadis Adamou. Christou's portrayal of Helen is regarded as an icon of the genre, with some citing her character and performance as the main reason for the soap opera's success and longevity.
Damian Adamou Jr currently played by Philip Brettos	Damian Adamou Jr, was introduced in 1976. Damian is most known for his long-running feud with the Melissinou family patriarch Theodore Melissinou, as well as his romances with Alexis Melissinou, Priscilla Winters, and Sophie Melissinou. Damian is a businessman and the head of Adamou Cosmetics.
Zoe Fotiadis Adamou currently played by Brenda Foster	Zoe was introduced in 1969, she is the longest-running character on the show. She is most known for her long lasting feud with Helen Christodoulou. She started the rivalry when she slept with Helen's husband George Christodoulou III. The character is considered to be manipulative and vindictive.
Alexander Melissinou currently played by Achilleas Danas	Alexander Melissinou was born onscreen in 1984 as the second child of supercouple characters Theodore and Alexis Melissinou. The character was reintroduced in 1990 with the direct purpose of developing a relationship with Sophie Chellos who was introduced at the same time. Their pairing became a prominent supercouple and yielded three children. He is the father of Mathaios Melissinou, Emilie Melissinou, Emma Melissinou (deceased), and Amalia Melissinou.
Sophie Melissinou currently played by Sophie Carter	Sophie Chellos was introduced in 1990 as a poor young girl from the bad side of town. Sophie's supercouple pairing with Alexander Melissinou has produced three children. Sophie has suffered for a longtime with her bi-polar disorder and her illness has been featured in many storylines, most notably she married her father-in-law, gained control of his company, and even burned down his home. Sophie is considered the show's central heroine, despite her numerous crimes and faults
Theodora Melissinou currently played by Nicole Milano	Theodora was born onscreen in 1980, the daughter of businessman Theodore and Alexis Melissinou. Theodora is described as ruthless like her father. Theodora's storylines have involved romances with older men, conflicts with her family, and difficult pregnancies. She has had a long-term relationship with Daniel Adamou.
Nikoleta Adamou currently played by Victoria Carlton	Nikoleta was introduced in 1980. She is the daughter of Damian Adamou Sr, and the mother of Nathalia Melissinou with Theodore Melissinou. She is a businesswoman and leading chemist at her father's company Adamou Cosmetics
Daniel Adamou currently played by Eric Pagonis	Daniel was born onscreen in 1989, to Damian Adamou Sr. and Zoe Fotiadis Adamou. The character has been described as a spoiled rich screw up. His on and off again relationship with Theodora Melissinou has been received positively by viewers. The two having been married three times.
Angelos Melissinou currently played by Jason Mihas	Angelos Melissinou was born onscreen in 1991 as the son of Madeline Angelos and Theodore Melissinou. He was raised without ever knowing Theodore was his father, he returned to town in 2007. Angelos is described as the show's antihero, most noted for being one of the soap opera's most devious characters. His most notable relationships include Sophie Melissinou and Chrisa Limnohorio, which produced a son Christos Melissinou. His devious deeds include seduction of another man, taking over his father's company and firing his half-siblings, causing a miscarriage, switching babies, and numerous affairs (with men and women) among others.
Nathalia Melissinou currently played by Rachel Davidson	Nathalia was born onscreen in 1996 Daughter of Theodore Melissinou and Nikoleta Adamou. The character was rapidly aged in the early 2000s. The character is portrayed has a wealthy rich heiress that often causes trouble.
Priscilla Winters currently played by Gina Manos	Priscilla Winters debuted in 1990. The character is known for her scheming ways and manipulative nature. She has been paired with both Damian Adamou Jr. and Alexander Melissinou. She is also most known for rivalries with both Sophie Melissinou and Christy Halliwell. She has comitted numerous crimes, including attempted hit and run of Christy, blackmail, numerous affairs and so on.
Christy Halliwell currently played by Lilia Bilias	Christy was introduced in 1979 as a aspiring teen model studying law. In modern times she is Aegina City's District Attorney. She has a long standing rivalry with Priscilla Winters, and she has been involved with Panos Mersinias for a number of years.
Melinda Fraser currently played by Evelyn Reeves	Melinda was introduced in 1979. She has been married to Panos Mersinias. She is notable for appearing on both Forever and Always Youthful and its sister soap The Elegant and the Charismatic. Many of Melinda's storylines revolve around her rivalry with the nefarious villain Silvia Comino. In the 1990s the two were involved in a love triangle, fighting over Robert Miller (she shares a son with him Bobby). Melinda has also had long-running romance with Adam Carlton, with whom she shares a son named Fraser.
Adam Carlton currently played by Demetrius Maragos	Adam Carlton was introduced in 1987. Adam has had relationships with Christy Halliwell (whom he sexually harassed) and with Melinda Fraser whom he married and has a son named Fraser with. Adam Carlton is a prominent Lawyer in Aegina City.
Panos Mersinias currently played by Daniel Dertilis	Panos Mersinias was introduced in 1974, as a "bad boy" who romanced Alexis Rihia, giving her an STD. Panos has had a string of unsuccessful relationships before straightening out and become Detective and later joined the Aegina City Police Departement.
Michael Portiers currently played by Jason Williams	Michael Portiers introduced in 1987, Michael is the most prominent and one of the longest running male African-Diadochian character to appear on the show. The character was created as a wealthy business executive, son of Victor Portiers (the owner of Portiers Industries). Currently Michael serves as President of his father's company, he is also on the board of both Adamou Cosmetics and Melissinou Enterprises.
Victor Portiers currently played by John Grimaldi	Victor Portiers was introduced in 1975, he is the longest serving African-Diadochian cast member. He is the owner of Portier Industries.
Madeline Portiers currently played by Alexandra Deveraux	Madeline Portiers was introduced in 1976, as the scheming manipulative wife of Portiers Industries Tycoon Victor Portiers. She has three children with Victor, (Michael, Charlotte, and William).
William Portiers currently played by Sean McKinley	William Portiers was born onscreen in 1993, as the son of Victor and Madeline Portiers (the show's first prominent black couple). William has had numerous relationships with both men and women, and is openly bisexual.
Kostas Larnaca currently played by Stelios Dritsas	Kostas Adamou Larnaca was born onscreen in 1994 to Damian Adamou Jr. and Danae Larnaca. The character was rapidly aged and in the early 2000s his coming out as a homosexual was a major storyline, creating a sensation in the LGBT community. Currently Kostas is an executive at Adamou Cosmetics and romantically involved with William Portiers.
Cynthia Melissinou currently played by Bianca Romanos	Cynthia Melissinou was born onscreen in 2002 to Priscilla Winters and Alexander Melissinou, as the result of an affair.
Ashley Portiers currently played by Amanda Scott	Ashley was born onscreen in 1990 to Bianca Dalianis and Michael Portiers. IT was later revealed that she was actually fathered by Michael's half brother Stelios. In the early 2000s she was portrayed as a rebellious and naive teen, quickly becoming one of the show's heroines. Ashley has struggled with cancer, being raped, kidnapped and so on. She is married to Eric Causey (with whom she has two children twins Matty and Morgan).
Eric Causey currently played by Noah Atkins	Eric Causey was introduced in 2003, as a bartender turned business executive. It wasn't long before he met Ashley and the two began a relationship that garnered significant fan attention. The couple has two children (Matty and Morgan). Eric has been described as loyal and dedicated both to his family and his job.
Ashton Valliancourt currently played by Giannis Economides	Ashton Valliancourt was introduced in 2000 as the foster child of Michael Portiers and his wife Bianca Dalianis. It is later revealed that his father is Nicholas Ashton, making him the long lost grandson of Aeginia City matriarch Helen Christodoulou.
Chrisa Melissinou currently played by Claire Davis	Chrisa Melissinou (née Limnohorio) was introduced in 2007, originally as a mystery woman connected with Daniel Adamou. She was initially portrayed as a con artist and a "bad girl" who originally arrived in town demanding money for handing over all rights to the child she was caring that was Daniel's. Eventually she didnt accept the money and she began a relationship with Angelos Melissinou that has been well received by viewers.
Ben Melissinou currently played by Ethan Roberts	Ben Melissinou was born onscreen in 1993. He is the only son of the supercouple pairing Alexander Melissinou and Sophie Chellos .