Bay Dream Believer

- Mara Levinsky

Well-remembered (and respected) by daytime fans for her Emmy winning 1992-2001 run as GH’s executive producer, Wendy Riche returned to the world of serialized storytelling in 2016 when she signed on to serve as an executive producer on the digital drama series THE BAY. She shared her passion for the project with Digest.

Soap Opera Digest: How did your involvement with THE BAY come about?

Wendy Riche: Gregori [J. Martin, creator/ executive producer] and I met several years ago, before he began production on THE BAY. He wanted me to be involved and at the time, I couldn’t be. We kept in touch, and I’ve seen what he’s done. I’m awed by his vision, his talent, his directing, his writing. I think he is a master. So, when he contacted me again some months ago to ask again if I would become involved, I wanted to be. I really respect what he has accomplished. He’s just unbelievably determined — a visionary! He said, “I’m going to write this, I’m going to raise the money, I’m going to produce it, I’m going to direct it, I’m going to cast it with great actors and familiar faces.” He did it, and he did it beautifully!

Digest: When THE BAY announced that you were going be working on the show, the reaction among daytime fans was pretty vociferous. What did that mean to you, to know that soap fans still think so highly of you as a producer?