April 4, 2007 – A television first is coming to an end — for now. All My Children stars Eden Riegel (Bianca) and Jeffrey Carlson (Zoe) will last appear on the daytime drama on April 26. The two have been part of a highly visible, five-month storyline that introduced viewers to the transgender lesbian character Zoe in late November 2006.

The actors were under short-term contract, and the story was launched with the expectation it would wrap up in early 2007.  Riegel regularly returns to the New York-based series for short stints to play the lesbian daughter of Erica Kane. The actress is returning to her home in Los Angeles, while Carlson will headline a Washington, D.C., production of Hamlet at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. All My Children producers have left the door open for a future return by both actors.

Zoe's male-to-female transition is a series television first. GLAAD has collaborated with All My Children since last fall, helping educate those behind the scenes to ensure Zoe’s story was told accurately and with integrity. "This kind of visibility has had a tremendous impact in introducing millions of daytime viewers to a transgender person," says GLAAD Entertainment Media Director Damon Romine. "We have heard the stories from people whose hearts and minds have been changed by this story, and GLAAD looks forward to a time in the future when both Bianca and Zoe return to All My Children."

In March, the series marked another first when six real-life transgender people appeared on the show, sharing their personal stories in unscripted scenes when Zoe attended a support group. [ watch ]

Riegel's Bianca character came out in 2000 and quickly became a beloved daytime heroine, but the actress' frequent absence from the show to pursue other acting opportunities often stirs up a fan frenzy. As Bianca leaves Pine Valley for Paris, Riegel issued the following statement to her supportive fans: 

"I am so glad to have this opportunity to thank all those awesome fans that are always prepared to protect me, no matter what. But this time I am very okay, I promise.

"When I came home last fall to my All My Children family, it was only ever for a short-term contract. In fact, I stayed longer than I originally expected because I couldn't let go of the story so soon! You see, L.A. has been very good to me since I moved there two years ago. I am happy, and in love with my life there. That said, given the opportunity to come back and play sweet Binx, in another groundbreaking story, in the show I love, with the people I practically grew up with? That was too good to resist.

"Thank goodness I did. I got to follow Bianca through yet another chapter, see her change and evolve, and tell a story that is very important to me. This year, with constant support and involvement by GLAAD, AMC took on the story of a transgender woman, Zoe, coming out of the closet and beginning her transition process. And they told it right. My hat is off to AMC and ABC for taking this bold step.

"I heard all the skepticism early on, and I was concerned that we would not find an audience for Zoe's story. But AMC fans are consistently open to good story; they embraced Zoe like they had Bianca. I am really proud to have been a part of this story, proud of Jeffrey's performance, proud to call him my pal. He says he's keeping me, so I got a new friend out of the deal.

"I am a very, very lucky girl, for so many reasons. I am ever fortunate that ABC and all the people who make the show tick have allowed me to come back to visit from time to time. I hope I am not saying goodbye for good. In my heart I never will. Paris is just a plane ride away... L.A., too."