It’s happened to all of us, and it can be hard: our favorite soap goes off the air, and we are left with a feeling of loss that defies rational logic. We know that these are fictional stories, but we get so attached to our favorite characters, don’t we? After spending years watching heroes and their families grow, and gasping as those villains we love to hate stirred up trouble for them, it’s hard to say good-bye when a beloved show leaves the air.

One way to compensate for the loss is to start following a different show. You may choose a soap that aired in the same time slot as the one that’s been cancelled, or you may choose based on what your friends watch. Maybe you hear that a favorite actor from your old show is moving to another, and you follow him there. However you get there, entering a new soap world can be daunting. There are so many complex relationships to understand, and coming in right in the middle of the ongoing action can be confusing at first. Luckily, there are some great resources to get you filled in and feeling at home in no time!

First, you should take some time to look through the official website for the show. Most provide character biographies, and some delve extensively into the background of their most prominent characters to clue you in on where they came from, who their friends are, how many times they’ve been married and to whom, and whether they have any children. Reading through the bios can give you a great foundation that will make watching the show a richer experience.

In addition to learning more about the characters’ histories, it’s helpful to learn more about the actors themselves. Continue looking through the show’s website to find actor biographies, behind-the-scenes photos and videos, and maybe even cast blogs. You’ll quickly get to know the people who put on your soon-to-be new favorite show.

Even after gaining some foundational knowledge, you are bound to have questions as you watch new episodes. The best place to find answers quickly is on a forum. Most show websites have their own forums, and of course we have a great one here at BellaOnline. Soap fans check in to show-related discussion boards and post questions and opinions to fellow fans. If you join a forum, you’ll meet seasoned veterans who will remember every plot detail, as well as new watchers like yourself. Don’t be afraid to post a question if you are confused about something you saw on today’s episode – forum members will be happy to help connect the dots for you.

While the loss of a show can be heartbreaking, we do thankfully have other soaps to try out. Using these tips can help you move on and start calling a new show home before you know it. Happy watching!