Frankie Hubbard - Casting

Casting

Child actor, Durrant Murphy, Jr. originates the role in early 1984. In 1986, the character is aged significantly when Z. Wright steps into the role. Wright departs from the series in 1991 along with Debbi Morgan's Angie. In 1993, Alimi Ballard steps into the role on Loving. After Loving's final episode in November 1995, Ballard would then carry the character over to The City last appearing in 1996. In March 2002, with new head-writer Richard Culliton at the helm, AMC releases as casting call for the role of "Frank". The shows refusal to comment on the role leads to much speculation among fans and the soap press that the character is Frankie Hubbard. Later it is reported that Two time Emmy winner, Kevin Mambo (ex-Marcus Williams; Guiding Light) was being considered for the role of Frank. After much speculation, in May 2002, Jason Olive is cast in the role which is confirmed ABC later confirms as Frankie Hubbard. The show was also looking to recast the role of Angie due to Morgan being unavailable. Olive first appears in the role on July 22, 2002. The recast was a part of Culliton's attempt to draw from the show's then 33 year history. However, with the hiring of a new head writer, Gordon Rayfield, the role is short lived and Frank is quickly written with Olive making his last appearance on December 23, 2002. On December 14, 2007, rumors began swirling that both Morgan and Williams would reprise their iconic roles in the new year. Speculation follows with fans believing that new comer Sterling Sulieman, who had recently been introduced as the character of Dre would turn out to be Frankie. In December 2007, ABC officially announced that both Morgan and Williams would be returning to the series for long term stints. On December 12, 2007, Cornelius Smith Jr. debuts in the recurring role of Quentin. On January 21, 2008, it confirmed on-screen that Quentin is actually, Frankie, using his middle name as an alias. In March 2008, Smith is upgraded to contract status. Starting in April 2009, Smith is off-screen for several weeks as his storyline takes Frankie back to Iraq. However, then head writer, Charles Pratt, Jr. confirmed that contract negotiations led to Smith's temporary departure and he finally reprises the role on June 5, 2009. Smith last appeared as Frankie in the final episode of All My Children on September 23, 2011.