Matthew Atkinson Joins THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS as Austin

Matthew Atkinson.  Photo Credit: Collin Stark

Matthew Atkinson has joined the cast of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS in the recurring role of Austin. He will first air on April 17.

Atkinson's first scenes will be with Steve Burton (Dylan) and Jessica Collins (Avery), where he will play a cameraman working with Avery on her new venture.

We Love Soaps spoke with Atkinson in 2012 while he was starring as Nick Fadden in ABC Family's JANE BY DESIGN, his first series regular role.

He has been seen in CSI, DROP DEAD DIVA and ONE TREE HILL. Atkinson also appeared in the Academy Award winning feature film The Blind Side. His stage credits include "You Can’t Take It With You," "And Then They Came For Me," "Who Am I This Time?," "Hard Candy" and "Happily Never After."

GLAAD Network Responsibility Index: CW Best, CBS Worst for 2011-2012

The sixth annual GLAAD Network Responsibility Index (NRI) has been released. The NRI is an evaluation of the quantity and quality of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people during the 2011-2012 television season. GLAAD researched primetime programming on ABC, CBS, The CW, Fox, NBC and 10 cable networks from June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012. The report is intended to serve as a road map toward increasing fair, accurate, and inclusive LGBT media representations.

ABC Family Renews SWITCHED AT BIRTH; Gives Back-Order Pick-up To BUNHEADS

ABC Family has given the greenlight for additional seasons of several hit series. The network has ordered a third season of MELISSA & JOEY,  a second season for both BABY DADDY and SWITCHED AT BIRTH, and has given a back-order pick-up to BUNHEADS, Michael Riley, President of ABC Family, announced on Friday. The original dramas will premiere in Winter, with the hit comedies returning in Spring 2013.

These pick-ups join the previously announced BEVERLY HILLS NANNIES reunion special that will air on September 4.  JANE BY DESIGN was not renewed.

PREVIEW: "Stolen Kisses" On PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, Season Finale of JANE BY DESIGN

Spencer and Emily are looking for answers, while Aria stumbles onto answers about Ezra's past in "Stolen Kisses," an all new episode of ABC Family's hit original series PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, airing Tuesday, July 31st at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Emily is struggling to deal not only with the loss of Maya, but the knowledge that someone drugged her "that night" and how that has now affected Paige. Going to make amends with Paige and try to explain the drugged flask ends up leading Emily to more insight of what she did "that night." Also trying to help Emily out, Spencer turns to Caleb to help crack into a website that might hold answers for them all.

Meanwhile, Aria realizes she knows very little about Ezra after meeting his mother and Hanna makes a plea on Mona's behalf.

Watch a sneak peek below:

ABC Family's 10-Day Campus Crush Kicks Off July 30

On Monday, July 30th, ABC Family launches "Campus Crush," the network's fourth annual 10-day long end of summer programming event filled with all-day marathons, movies and all-new episodes of its original series THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER, BUNHEADS, BEVERLY HILLS NANNIES, MELISSA & JOEY, BABY DADDY, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS and the season finale of JANE BY DESIGN. Plus, the ABC Family network premiere of the hit sitcom, REBA, starring Reba McEntire (MALIBU COUNTRY) and Melissa Peterman (BABY DADDY).

The 10-day long "Campus Crush" includes the following programming:

PREVIEW: JANE BY DESIGN ("The Online Date") With Guest Star Teri Hatcher

Jane tries to help those around her navigate the rocky waters of romance in "The Online Date," an all new episode of ABC Family’s JANE BY DESIGN, airing Tuesday, July 10th at 9 p.m. ET/PT

Love is in the air, but needs a little help to get going and Jane is determined to help her friends out. Billy is caught off guard when Zoe invites him to meet her parents and he isn’t so sure he is ready to take that step. Kate (guest star Teri Hatcher), on the other hand, decides to help Gray take the next step with her love life by setting up an online dating profile for her. Mortified by her mother’s actions, Jane must now try to put a stop to the online dating scheme before Gray finds out and fires her for sure.

Q&A: Erica Dasher Talks JANE BY DESIGN's Summer Season

Houston-native Erica Dasher is currently on ABC Family's JANE BY DESIGN as Jane Quimby, a quirky teen with an eclectic chic fashion sense who is just trying to survive the perils of high school. Read a new Q&A with the actress below and check out JANE BY DESIGN on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. on ABC Family.

Are you happy with the direction your character is headed this season?

PREVIEW: JANE BY DESIGN ("The Second Chance") With Guest Star Teri Hatcher

With their mother back in town, Jane and Ben have very different reactions in "The Second Chance," an all new episode of ABC Family's original series JANE BY DESIGN airing Tuesday, June 26th (9:00 - 10:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Jane's mother, Kate (guest star Teri Hatcher), is back and full of wild stories but no real answers of why she left and hasn't been in touch. Jane is excited for her to be there, seeing it as a chance to finally get to know the mother she only dreamed about. Ben, on the other hand, sees Kate's arrival as nothing but trouble and ultimately only disappointment for Jane when Kate disappears again.

Meanwhile, Billy starts to wonder about Zoe when things start to seem off about her.

Watch a preview below:

PREVIEW: PRETTY LITTLE LIARS ("Kingdom of the Blind") & JANE BY DESIGN ("The Surprise")

Two Liars go looking for answers, but it’s the other two ladies who find answers they weren’t expecting, in "Kingdom of the Blind," an all-new episode of ABC Family’s hit original series, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, airing Tuesday, June 19th at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

With Spencer’s mom now taking Garrett on as a client, Spencer is sure that there is a reason forcing her mother to take on the case. But when she starts questioning, she doesn’t so much learn why her mother took the case as stumble upon a larger Hastings secret. Emily also gets some surprising news about her English exam and fears what those consequences could hold.

INTERVIEW: Matt Atkinson Previews JANE BY DESIGN's Summer Season

Matthew Atkinson's role as Nick Fadden on JANE BY DESIGN marks his first series regular role, but he is not unfamiliar to television audiences. He has been seen in CSI, DROP DEAD DIVA and ONE TREE HILL. Atkinson also appeared in the Academy Award winning feature film The Blind Side. His stage credits include "You Can’t Take It With You," "And Then They Came For Me," "Who Am I This Time?," "Hard Candy" and "Happily Never After."

We Love Soaps recently spoke with Atkinson about his career and the Summer Season of JANE BY DESIGN airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC Family.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: What do you think are Nick and Jane’s chances of living happily-ever-after some day?

PREVIEW: JANE BY DESIGN Summer Premiere Tonight--Watch First 5 Minutes!

Jane’s life is in flux, both personally and professionally, in “The Replacement,” the mid-season premiere of ABC Family’s original series JANE BY DESIGN airing Tuesday, June 5th (9:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET/PT).

Jane is scrambling to get a handle on both her personal and professional life. With Billy returning from juvie, Jane is nervous about how things were left and what that means now for the two best friends. But, she doesn’t have too much time to think about it because with India now gone from Donovan Decker, Gray is leaning on Jane more than ever. Jane starts to wonder if she may have a shot at the job, with a little encouragement from Jeremy, but some stiff competition might be standing in her way. Interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard (from Bravo’s MILLION DOLLAR DECORATORS) stops by the Donavan Decker offices to spruce up Gray’s office.

Watch the first 5 minutes below then catch the rest tonight.

Andie MacDowell To Star In First-Ever Hallmark Primetime Series CEDAR COVE

Hallmark Channel has announced that JANE BY DESIGN actress Andie MacDowell is set to star in the two-hour pilot, CEDAR COVE, which commences production in mid-June.  CEDAR COVE, the movie, is the basis for the network’s first-ever primetime series.

The movie pilot will premiere in late 2012, with the new one-hour drama series expected to premiere shortly after in early 2013.  CEDAR COVE, is based on the bestselling book series by renowned author Debbie Macomber.  The past partnership between Hallmark Channel and Debbie Macomber has resulted in the network having three of the top rated Original Movies on all of ad-supported cable TV three years in a row.  “Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle,” “Debbie Macomber’s Call Me Mrs. Miracle,” and “Debbie Macomber’s Trading Christmas” all premiered as #1 for both the day and the week each premiered, 2009-2011, respectively.

SOAPnet To Air 10-Episode JANE BY DESIGN Marathon June 3

Jump into JANE BY DESIGN when SOAPnet airs “ABC Family’s Jane By Design Marathon” on Sunday, June 3 from 9pm – 7pm ET/PT. Whether you’re a newbie to the show or just want to relive it again, catch all 10 episodes of the first half of the season before ABC Family airs the Summer premiere on Tuesday, June 5 at 9pm ET/PT.

JANE BY DESIGN follows Jane Quimby (Erica Dasher), a quirky teen with an eclectic chic style who lands a job at a hip fashion house when they mistake her for an adult. Torn between her love of fashion and the need to finish high school, Jane conceals her true age to assist the demanding but talented Gray Chandler Murray (Andie MacDowell).

Teri Hatcher To Make Her Directorial Debut & Guest Star On JANE BY DESIGN

Golden Globe winner and famous “Housewife” Teri Hatcher has signed a directing and recurring guest star role deal with ABC Family soap JANE BY DESIGN. Hatcher will be playing Jane’s (Erica Dasher) long-lost mother for four episodes to be filmed between mid-May and mid-June, and will make her appearance starting on the June 19th episode. She will make her directorial debut by directing an upcoming episode of JANE BY DESIGN which returns with all-new episodes on Monday, June 5th at 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

GIVEAWAY CONTEST: Win the JANE BY DESIGN: Season One DVD, Available March 20

UPDATE:  We have a winner!  Congratulations to Sara, who won the JANE BY DESIGN Season One DVD.  Thank you to everyone who entered the contest!  Check back for our next giveaway contest.

The JANE BY DESIGN: Season One DVD will be available to purchase on Tuesday, March 20th!

You can now pre-order the JANE BY DESIGN DVD. Yes, that's right. Relive all the high drama, high school and high heels through the eyes of Jane Quimby. Remember when Jane first met Gray? What about Jane's first kiss with Nick? Pre-order the JANE BY DESIGN DVD now here.

About JANE BY DESIGN
JANE BY DESIGN is a light-hearted drama about Jane, a teenager who lands a job at Donovan Decker, a hip fashion house, when they mistake her for an adult. Jane soon finds herself juggling life both as a regular high school student and as an assistant to a high powered executive in the cutthroat world of fashion... all while trying to keep her true identity a secret.

WHAT TO WATCH: Tuesday, March 6, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new programs airing on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 (It's "Super Tuesday"). Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)

PREVIEW: ABC Family Tuesday Night Soaps SWITCHED AT BIRTH & JANE BY DESIGN

The Year of the Soap continues on ABC Family with new episodes of SWITCHED AT BIRTH and JANE BY DESIGN on Tuesday, March 6.

SWITCHED kicks off the night at 8 p.m. ET/PT with "Game On." Daphne is nervous about the basketball tournament with Carlton vs. Buckner Hall, although she's excited to represent the deaf community and Carlton and hopes to make them all proud.

Meanwhile, Melody puts Bay in an awkward position when she asks her to testify in Emmett's custody hearing.

Emmett, frustrated by all the drama with his parents divorce, makes a bad decision that could potentially destroy his relationship with Bay.

Kathyrn meets with a NY book editor, Rya Bellows (Shelley Long), to discuss publishing her biography regarding the switch.

PREVIEW: ABC Family Tuesday Night Soaps SWITCHED AT BIRTH & JANE BY DESIGN

The Year of the Soap continues on ABC Family with new episodes of SWITCHED AT BIRTH and JANE BY DESIGN on Tuesday, February 28.

In "Write a Lonely Soldier," Bay finds out that Ty might be injured in Afghanistan and Daphne meets Travis, a new guy at Carlton school in SWITCHED at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

In “Write a Lonely Soldier,” Bay hears the news of a deadly crash in Afghanistan and gets nervous that Ty might be injured when she doesn’t hear back from him within a few days. Emmett is jealous to learn that Bay has been emailing Ty while he’s away, which puts some strain on their relationship. At the same time, Daphne starts to question her relationship with Wilke and asks that he start to learn some ASL. Daphne is confronted by a new guy at Carlton school, Travis, who questions her loyalty to the school and the program. But, when Daphne’s complaints about Travis get him fired from his job at the school, she helps him get a job at John’s car wash. Travis proves to be a problem there as well. And, the Kennish’s lawyer, Craig, finds out that Kathryn gave the nurse some money which jeopardizes their entire case.

WHAT TO WATCH: Tuesday, February 14, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new programs airing on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)

PREVIEW: ABC Family Tuesday Night Soaps SWITCHED AT BIRTH & JANE BY DESIGN

The Year of the Soap continues on ABC Family with new episodes of SWITCHED AT BIRTH and JANE BY DESIGN on Tuesday, February 14.

Emmett shoots the Kennish and Vasquez family portrait for a photography project and Regina meets an art gallery owner who takes interest in her work, in SWITCHED at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

In "Protect Me From What I Want," Emmett has a photography project for school and needs to shoot a family portrait, but with his own family in a bit of upheaval, he agrees to shoot the Kennish and Vasquez's together for their first group photo. Daphne learns she might not be able to trust Simone, while John tries to get closer to Toby. Meanwhile, Regina meets an art gallery owner who she invites to see Bay's work, but his interests lie more with Regina and her own art. And, Emmett is jealous of Bay's past feelings for Ty, but Bay reassures him that was her past and they both reveal that they're falling in love with one another.