BERLIN -- Sam Martin, a former vp at cable network HBO, is set to adapt a story line from hit German soap "Verbotene Liebe" (Forbidden Love) for the U.S. market.

Martin, through her new aid+abet shingle, has acquired the remake rights to "Christian & Olli," a popular "forbidden love" story line about a gay couple living together in Dusseldorf. Christian and Olli have become cult figures in Germany and globally through the spread of clips of the soap on YouTube. The original soap is produced by GrundyUfa in Germany and airs on public broadcaster ARD.

Aid+abet plans to adapt the story, setting it against the backdrop of present-day Portland, Oregon. Through Martin's production agreements, HBO Films and HBO Entertainment will have first-look rights at the property before it is shopped to other networks.

MICHAEL: Last week Sami and Rafe reconciled and now there is a terrible twist in the storyline that will impact their reunion. What do you think about it all? Quite heartbreaking!

GALEN: Rafe is in a very interesting position with Sami, trying to balance his personal life with his professional life. Obviously, not knowing if he is going to be able to bring baby Sydney back, and his belief in the system. He is trying to get the baby back and be there for the woman he loves. This child has been taken from her and it’s been tough.

And I don’t blame them. The show’s future is more important than two actors or characters.

I went up to Gary, and said “What’s happening. Which story direction are we headed in now?” He responded, by saying, “I’m not sure, but something is happening. I’ll get back to you. Let me put my ear to the ground because I think a big story is coming up for you. I’ll know in a couple of weeks!” [Laughs hilariously] A big story, alright! That story in which he referenced involved Sandra Robinson — and ultimately, our exit.

TVGuide.ca: Were you surprised at how angry fans were after your second firing? Fans were literally livid. And even the mainstream media was stunned. I had friends who had never watched DAYS calling me and asking me, “What the hell?’
DH: I was surprised. On Election Day, Nov. 4, I voted and went to the gym because I wasn’t working that day. The way it was presented to me was, I got a call from Ken Corday. He said, “Hey, Hogie, did you vote? Oh, great! So, by the way, listen, we’re taking you and Dee off camera for a period of time …” So I asked, “Define a period of time?” He said, “Well, you know how it goes. Writers change …”

TVGuide.ca: That’s funny because there wasn’t an official writer change at that time so clearly that’s more proof that Gary Tomlin and Chris Whitesell are writing the show and not “head writer” Dena Higley.
DH: I guess.

But back to my experience with DAYS — it’s hard not to take it personally when a show fires you twice in one year! I remember when John “died,” I had to go on an Australian press tour which I had already committed to before being let go. Want to talk about awkward? But I’m a professional, so I went with Dee and Ken Corday. That very day, John’s funeral scenes were airing in America, and despite the fact that Australia airs a couple of years behind, that’s all the press and fans Down Under were asking about. During a talk show, Ken said, “Well, we’re all family here.” And my thought was, “Well, I never killed my family members!”

TVGuide.ca: You’re a huge bookmark in my life. In 1985, I began watching soaps for the first time right around the time when John Black arrived in Salem, but you’re also the first person that prompted me to realize that I was gay thanks to that marvelous hairy chest of yours! My mother really hates you, by the way!
DH: [Laughs] Wow. That’s amazing. I’m honoured.

TVGuide.ca: James loved John and Marlena …
DH: But you know what? Dee and I were smart to never address him as actors but as characters. I remember when John Aniston yelled at him during the Emmy Awards complaining about how these snot-nosed kids were thwarting him after he outsmarted the CIA, etc.. Aniston was like, “Victor is smarter than that — something needs to change.” James’s response? “It will.” Well, literally the next day, a rewrite came in and Victor ended up in a coma after a heart attack! James was very passionate about the show. This is a testament to James’s power at NBC — the network was furious because John is Jennifer Aniston’s father, but all he said was, “You keep him happy. He’s off my show.” And as we know, James won that battle. But when James went to Passions, Victor miraculously came out of his coma. When it came to James, if he saw you out of character, you were done.

AMC's James Mitchell (Palmer) died today, Jan. 22, 2010 in LA of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, complicated by pneumonia.