Betty Anderson - Production

Production

In February 1957, it was announced actress Terry Moore was campaigning for the role in the first film adaptation. She was cast a month later. In the TV series, the character was supposed to be killed during a car accident in the 11th episode. However, the character's portrayer, Barbara Parkins, proved to be so successful, that she stayed on the show for its entire run. In a late 1965 interview, the actress said about her role:

"I'm lucky in the role I have. Mine was the big story when the series started off. I haven't had much to do lately, but when I do have scenes, they are important to the plot, You might say I'm the salt and pepper in the stew."

Parkins was the only female star to remain with the series through its entire run (1964–1969). In 1966, she was nominated for an Emmy Award as Best Actress in a Lead Role in a Dramatic Series, but lost to Barbara Stanwyck for The Big Valley. About losing the award, on her 22nd birthday, Parkins told the press:

"I was hurt, but if I had to lose I was glad it was to Barbara Stanwyck, who is a grand lady and fine actress. I would have hated to lose to Anne Francis. I don't care much for her work. A woman should be feminine and not go around hitting people with judo chops the way she does in that Honey West show."

Eventually shedding her "other side of the tracks" image, Betty endured many of the trials and tribulations of soap opera life. The character achieved such popularity that when the show ended its run, producer Paul Monash developed a spin-off series, The Girl from Peyton Place, for Parkins. However, when co-star Ryan O'Neal, who played her husband, declined to participate, the project was shelved. Nevertheless, Parkins insisted she often felt very insecure on the set, saying

"Sometimes I think I hold myself in too tightly. I would watch Lee Grant do those wild things when she played Stella Chernak and think I should try something like that, but when I did I was pathetic. I'm very critical of what I see of myself, but I did get an Emmy nomination, didn't I?."

In the first reunion film, Parkins was approached to reprise her role, but she declined. Janet Margolin was assigned as her replacement.