Mary Kay Adams has seen the light. Guiding Light, that is. Next month, she will return to the soap as troublemaking temptress India von Halkein, a role that made her one of the most popular daytime stars of the '80s. India will make a surprise arrival just as her ex-husband Phillip is about to marry Harley. (But don't assume the obvious: Executive producer Paul Rauch plans to romantically team Adams with two-time Emmy winner Jerry verDorn, as Ross.)
In rejoining the New York soap, the feisty, formidable actress-a descendant of presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams-has made a declaration of independence from Hollywood and prime time, where, she says, "Strong women are still considered a threat no matter how much progress we think has been made. I was always being asked to tone down and soften up my characters. I grew so tired of that routine." Though much sought after as a guest star (Everybody Loves Raymond, Diagnosis Murder, Babylon 5), Adams says her recurring role as the Klingon Grilka on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is the only one in which "kicking ass was encouraged. I didn't have to melt into the background so my leading man wouldn't be upstaged. I crave being asked to deliver, which is why I love playing India: I get to be forthright and antagonistic and drive a story, and still be glamorous and funny. I feel like I'm coming home."
