Paul Leyden

Photo by PR Photos

Paul Leyden (ex-Simon Frasier - As The World Turns) returns to his grass roots in his and my home town of Melbourne to an all new prime-time series titled 'Canal Road'. Paul's portrayal of mysterious Simon Frasier on As The World Turns commenced in February 2000, which led to a Daytime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Paul's homecoming to Melbourne has prompted much media interest from the local Nine Network and they have been quick to move in signing him up for the network's brand new prime-time drama. Paul will be starring opposite Brooke Satchwell, formerly from Australia's biggest and longest running soap Neighbours, which I personally have had the pleasure of spending sometime on with the script team. Brooke was famous for her role on Neighbours alongside House's Jesse Spencer (Dr Robert Chase) who is now making it big in the USA starring alongside Hugh Laurie. In 1997, I was lucky to meet the two on the set who in that time were the countries hottest supercouple. Canal Road commences next Wednesday night right here in Melbourne, with Paul Leyden taking front and centre stage as the show revolves around Paul's character Spence McKay at 'Canal Road', a medical and legal advisory centre where the lives of inner city professionals and their patients entwine in a story of mystery and intrigue.

Spence McKay, one of Melbourne's top psychiatrists going around struggles to get his life back on track since the death of his wife and son in a car accident. The mystery begins when he learns that their deaths were no accident, and with this news embarks on a quest to find the killer and avenge the death of his family. As the 13 episodes roll, Spence slowly begins to reveal a tangled web of murder, mystery and corruption with a cover-up stretching across the whole top of the business and political worlds. Spences' quest will take him to the edge which will inturn impact his colleagues back at 'Canal Road'.

Canal Road commences on the Nine Network, Wednesday 8.30pm - April 16th.

Have you wondered what As the World Turns' heart throb Paul Leyden has been up to since his character Simon whisked Carly away to avoid jail time in Oakdale?

It seems that the Aussie actor has been trying his hand at writing a screenplay for the film "The Factory" starring John Cusack.

According the IMDB "The Factory" is about "An obsessed cop who, with his partner, is on the trail of a serial killer prowling the streets of Buffalo, N.Y. When his teenage daughter disappears, the cop drops any professional restraint and goes all out to get the killer."

"The Factory" is scheduled to appear in theaters in 2009 but a premier has not been set.   

It's always nice to see daytime stars doing well outside of the industry but boy would it be great to have Leyden back as Simon. The show needs someone like Simon to spice things up.