Ryan's Hope

Ryan's Hope is a true classic. There are many fine men on the show like Jack, Pat, Frank and Bucky but I love the women on this show.

Helen Gallagher plays loving matriarch, Maeve Ryan. She is sometimes blind to the faults of her grown children but is always there to support them and offers her profound wisdom.

Mary Ryan Fennelli, first played by Kate Mulgrew, is a self-righteous know-it-all but she is also a fiercely loyal wife, daughter and sister.

Jill Coleridge (Nancy Addison) is a brilliant lawyer who was a true liberated woman of the 1970's. Jill is sometimes a little too independent for her own good.

Dr. Faith Coleridge started out as a clingy daddy's girls when played by Faith Catlin but when Catherine Hicks took over the role Faith blossomed into a stronger, smarter yet still sensitive woman.

Delia Reid Ryan Ryan is the shows villain. Delia is highly manipulative and selfish. She simply refuses to deal with reality and has never shown the slightest remorse for what she does. Ilene Kristen plays the Delia you love to hate.

Rae Woodard (Louise Shaffer) is a woman who will use her power and money to get what she wants.

All the characters on Ryan's Hope are very well drawn and much more interesting than what you will find on today's soaps.

Like Rosie,I never forgave "Loving","The City",and "Port Charles" for taking over that time slot.Being Irish,I'd cry my eyes out each time Ms.Gallagher sang "Danny Boy".The final episode was hard to get thru.I think I cried the entire show. I sometimes wonder if "OLTL"s' "Roxie",is actually Deliah,still looking for love.At least,to it's credit,"RH",never stooped to time travel,vampires,clones,etc.They kept it pretty real. When my daghters were born,I wanted to name them either Deliah,Maeve,or Siobahn,but my Italian ex husband wouldn't let me.Now,all 5 of my grandkids have the red hair,and the map of Ireland all over their faces! There will NEVER be a soap quite like "Ryans' Hope". (God bless you in Heaven,to MY Da!)

high!i am a fan about the soap opera Ryan's hope.this soap opera has 3515 episodes.because in this site in imdb.com this episode numbers don't show. i try to watch it.i am very sad because ryan's hope was ended in 1989.i wish that it goes on one day.maybe it will be go on.Why did ABC cancellede it i don't understand.Then did ABC cancelled Loving and Port caherles.i was pleasured when the people on ryan's bar were happy,and when they were sad i was sad too.ryan's hope is the 15.th longest soap opera on the world do you know this?it is really.i account all the episodes one and one.thanks.

I was at this site some weeks ago and either missed this page for RH or it is new. I am delighted to have found so much info. both on the cast and the story line. RH was being aired on Soapnet (89) on cable, and then out of the blue they redid the schedule which was to exclude that great show. It now airs one day (sun.) from 6;30am to 7;00 it comes to 1 hr. of watching. I have read so much lately all over the net, wherever soaps are discussed, as to how much shows like this are missed. AW was pulled completely. I think that the nostalgia for saner time in our history is a big part of why this show is now getting so much attention. It would be great if it were put out on DVD and that way the really avid viewer can just purchase it. Well that was my thought and thanks for letting me express it. imm

I really have a question about Michael Levin, He was a substantially great actor ... and I can't find anything much he did after Ryan's Hope.

I would so be interested in what type profession he found a liking for after Ryan's Hope ???? Would anyone know anyway to be in touch with his agent or self or fan base person ????

Thanks. There is just nothing like the older shows... the character structure is never as Good in the shows of today, as it WAS with RYAN's HOPE. I miss stories of the Regular people, the Above Common characters on this show. I was so sorry to see the original drama go off air.

They were the First Show Ever (to my study) to do a GHOST story with Mary Fenelli (Kate Mulgrew) returning to give profound truths and messages to Jack ! I loved those scenes and Am Now WAITING for them to return to that time on the soap-net reruns.

I Have A Complilation Tape of Most All of the Jack Fenelli scenes ...

Thanks to anyone who can offer information about Michael Levin.