NBC's quirky 'Passions' gets renewed

LOS ANGELES, May 30 (UPI) -- NBC has given an eighth season nod to its supernatural daytime drama, "Passions."

The show produced by NBC Universal Television Studio put a new spin on the traditional soap opera by adding fantasy to the romantic mix. Veteran actress Juliet Mills heads the cast as a 300-year-old witch.

"'Passions' continues to attract a loyal fan base as well as a youthful audience that appreciates its wildly inventive story lines," The Hollywood Reporter quoted NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly as saying. "We are glad to continue our creative relationship with the show as a reflection of our commitment to daytime programming."

The network is building on the broadcast fan base by creating an online spinoff, "The Cove," which is scheduled to debut later this year, the Reporter said.