|
=== {{anchor|Casting and creation}}Casting and creation ===
[[Sheraton Kalouria]], senior vice president of [[NBC]]'s daytime programming,<ref name="Kalouria12">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2000/scene/news/nbc-days-abc-s-kalouria-1117781385/|title=NBC's days ABC's Kalouria|last=Bernstein|first=Paula|date=May 9, 2000|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131182310/http://variety.com/2000/scene/news/nbc-days-abc-s-kalouria-1117781385/|archivedate=January 31, 2016}}</ref> described the show's [[color-blind casting]] as part of an effort to build a diverse pool of characters that best reflected the various ethnic and racial groups living in the United States. Kalouria believed the show stood apart from other soap operas by including the African-American [[Russell family (Passions)|Russell]] family and the Hispanic [[Lopez-Fitzgerald family|Lopez-Fitzgerald]] family.<ref name="Background1">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H74DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=liz+sanbourne+passions+casting&source=bl&ots=kQw2SvsX0M&sig=6A_4zjJje4v2q6DaH-k1BZgU-E8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_sf_x3q7KAhVC5iYKHY8rBH84ChDoAQgqMAM#v=onepage&q=liz%20sanbourne%20passions%20casting&f=false |title=Soap Opera ‘Passions’ Keeps Igniting Fervor Among Daytime Viewers |date=January 13, 2003 |work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |publisher=[[Johnson Publishing Company]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131182427/https://books.google.com/books?id=H74DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=liz%20sanbourne%20passions%20casting&source=bl&ots=kQw2SvsX0M&sig=6A_4zjJje4v2q6DaH-k1BZgU-E8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_sf_x3q7KAhVC5iYKHY8rBH84ChDoAQgqMAM |archivedate=January 31, 2016 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref>http
<nowiki/>Over the course of the show, Simone was played by three actresses: Lena Cardwell (July 5, 1999 to April 16, 2001), [[Chrystee Pharris]] (April 17, 2001 to April 2004), and [[Cathy Jenéen Doe]] (July 23, 2004 to September 4, 2007).<ref name="CastPeople">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/whoswho/simone.php|title=Who's Who in Harmony|publisher=[[Soapcentral]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915034834/http://soapcentral.com/ps/whoswho/simone.php|archivedate=September 15, 2016}}</ref> After watching Cardwell's audition for the role, producers Reilly and [[Lisa de Cazotte]] considered Cardwell the ideal choice for Simone.<ref name="Perfect">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/theactors/cardwell.php|title=About the Actors of PS|publisher=[[Soapcentral]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915034510/http://soapcentral.com/ps/theactors/cardwell.php|archivedate=September 15, 2016}}</ref> NBC fired Cardwell in the winter of 2001, in a move described as "abrupt" in an article from [[Soapcentral]].<ref name="ByeByeCardwellSimone">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/theactors/cardwell.php |title=Lena Cardwell |publisher=[[Soapcentral]] |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20161226222620/http://soapcentral.com/ps/theactors/cardwell.php |archivedate=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> Cast members expressed disappointment at Cardwell's departure and the character's re-casting. [[Tracey Ross]], who portrays [[Eve Russell]], described Cardwell as being "very sincere, completely authentic and without malice" in her performance. [[Rodney Van Johnson]], who plays [[T. C. Russell]], viewed himself as "a father figure to her" and felt that their close relationship helped make the Russell family more authentic and relatable to viewers.<ref name="Cardwell">{{cite news|title=Russell Up|last=Latusek|first=Lori|date=2001|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|work=[[Soap Opera Digest]]}}</ref> After leaving the show, Cardwell said she received a great deal of [[fan mail]] and that the experience "made [her] feel loved and appreciated."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lenacardwell2001.webs.com/biography.htm|title=Biography|publisher=Lena Cardwell's Official Website|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224234243/http://lenacardwell2001.webs.com/biography.htm|archivedate=February 24, 2016}}</ref>
Pharris assumed the role in 2001,<ref name="CastPeople" /> but later decided to not renew her contract in order to pursue other projects.<ref name="Pharris3">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=20040123&id=j4BaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jUkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3540,2383876&hl=en |title=Another Simone bites the dust in 'Passions' |last=Havens |first=Candace |date=January 23, 2004 |work=[[The Bryan Times]] |publisher=Christopher Cullis |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20161226222713/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=20040123&id=j4BaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jUkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3540,2383876&hl=en |archivedate=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref><ref name="ByePharrisAway">{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/ps/news/2003/1215-pharris.php |title=Pharris-Larkins out as Passions' Simone |last=Kross |first=Dan J. |date=December 14, 2003 |publisher=[[Soapcentral]] |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20161226222927/http://soapcentral.com/ps/news/2003/1215-pharris.php |archivedate=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> During an interview with ''[[The Christian Post]]'', she said that her time on ''Passions'' helped her to realize that her occupation as an actress could be used as a platform to advocate for Christianity.<ref name="ChristianPharris">{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/soap-opera-actress-chrystee-pharris-turns-career-into-ministry-recalls-praying-for-wiccan-on-set-exclusive-139647/|title=Soap Opera Actress Chrystee Pharris Turns Career Into Ministry; Recalls Praying for Wiccan On Set|last=Thomasos|first=Christine|date=May 27, 2015|work=[[The Christian Post]]|publisher=[[Richard Land]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226222853/http://www.christianpost.com/news/soap-opera-actress-chrystee-pharris-turns-career-into-ministry-recalls-praying-for-wiccan-on-set-exclusive-139647/|archivedate=December 26, 2016}}</ref> Doe was hired for the third and final re-casting after moving to Los Angeles from New York, where she was primarily offered the role of "a runaway teenager, a prostitute, a drug dealer". Initially hesitant to assume a character already established by other actors, she became friendly with Pharris, who answered all of her questions about the character.<ref name="Doe1">{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/features/passions/interviews/cjdoe/|title=Meet Passions Newcomer Cathy Jeneén Doe (Simone)|publisher=[[American Media, Inc.]]|work=[[Soap Opera Digest]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818225112/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/features/passions/interviews/cjdoe/|archivedate=August 18, 2007}}</ref>
=== {{anchor|Characterization}}Characterization ===
Simone was initially characterized by the show's official website through her "major crush on street-kid Chad Harris since he came to town".<ref name="Actors1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc.com/passions/background/pgv_passions_background.html|title=Show Background|publisher=[[NBC]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815053900/http://www.nbc.com/passions/|archivedate=August 15, 2000}}</ref> Daniel R. Coleridge of ''[[TV Guide]]'' described Simone's early behavior as "bitchy to her older sister, who was nothing but kind to her",<ref name="TVGuide">{{cite web|url=http://www.sovo.com/2006/7-7/arts/feature/soap.cfm|title=All my gay children|last=Hudson|first=Zack|date=July 7, 2006|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[TV Guide]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103201356/http://www.sovo.com/2006/7-7/arts/feature/soap.cfm|archivedate=January 3, 2008}}</ref> while [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']]'s Josef referred to the character as a "daredevil teen."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/passions-goes-to-paris-adds-juliet-mills-to-cast-1117500106/|title='Passions' goes to Paris, adds Juliet Mills to cast|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=May 6, 1999|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423210809/http://variety.com/1999/tv/news/passions-goes-to-paris-adds-juliet-mills-to-cast-1117500106/|archivedate=April 23, 2016}}</ref> When assuming the role in 2001, Pharris said that her preparation consisted of consulting with her friends about Simone, Whitney, and Chad, and incorporating her own life experiences into her interpretation of the character.<ref name="Pharris1">{{cite web|url=http://www.chrysteepharris.com/home/www-juniorscave-com-interview/ |title=Chrystee Pharris |publisher=Juniorscave.com |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20161226223103/http://www.chrysteepharris.com/home/www-juniorscave-com-interview/ |archivedate=December 26, 2016 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> She commented that working closely with the producers allowed her to draw on her family background for her performance. While discussing the connection to her family, she stated that she used her father's temper as inspiration for playing Simone.<ref name="Pharris2">{{cite web|url=http://thesoapspiel.blogspot.com/2013/05/interview-with-beautful-ex-passions.html|title=Interview with the beautiful ex-Passions star Chrystee Pharris!!|date=May 15, 2013|publisher=The Soap Spiel|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224214248/http://thesoapspiel.blogspot.com/2013/05/interview-with-beautful-ex-passions.html|archivedate=February 24, 2016}}</ref>
Simone was initially portrayed as one of the series' supporting characters, but gained more prominence during a storyline in which she [[Coming out|comes out]] as a lesbian. Kalouria defended the show's treatment of the character's sexuality as a serious commentary on the topic. During an interview about the storyline, he highlighted "sexual identity isn't a passing fancy" and "this is where [Simone] is...I can assure you we're not going to make light of this particular topic."<ref name="AfterEllen">{{cite web|url=http://www.afterellen.com/tv/4409-passions-goes-boldly-and-badly-where-no-soap-has-gone-before|title="Passions" Goes Boldly, and Badly, Where No Soap Has Gone Before|date=September 22, 2005|publisher=[[AfterEllen.com and TheBacklot.com|AfterEllen.com]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224211408/http://www.afterellen.com/tv/4409-passions-goes-boldly-and-badly-where-no-soap-has-gone-before|archivedate=February 24, 2016}}</ref> During the story arc involving her girlfriend [[Rae Thomas]], Simone was noted for her naivety when approaching relationships and sex.<ref name="Naive">{{cite web|url=http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/1433/passions-where-are-they-now-jossara-jinero/|title=Passions: Where Are They Now? Jossara Jinero|date=January 17, 2008|publisher=[[Soaps.com]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226223049/http://soaps.sheknows.com/passions/news/1433/passions-where-are-they-now-jossara-jinero/|archivedate=December 26, 2016}}</ref> Simone's sexuality is initially regarded as "a badge of shame" by the series' characters.<ref name="AfterEllen" />
==Storylines==
|
