Todd Manning

Todd Manning
One Life to Live character
Roger Howarth as Todd Manning
Portrayed by	Roger Howarth (1992–2003, 2011–2013) Trevor St. John (2003–2011)
Duration	1992–1998 2000–2013
First appearance	December 1992 (December 1992)
Last appearance	August 5, 2013 (August 5, 2013)
Classification	Final, regular
Created by	Michael Malone and Josh Griffith
Introduced by	Linda Gottlieb (1992) Susan Bedsow Horgan (1996) Jill Farren Phelps (2000) Frank Valentini (2011–2012) Jennifer Pepperman (2013)
Book appearances	Patrick's Notebook
Crossover appearances	General Hospital
Trevor St. John as Todd Manning
In-universe information Other names Ted Lampley Todd Lord Occupation Media proprietor Businessman Editor-in-chief Family Lord Father Victor Lord Mother Irene Manning Adoptive parents Peter Manning Barbara Jones Brothers Victor Lord, Jr. Sisters Tina Lord Half-brothers Tony Lord Half-sisters Victoria Lord Meredith Lord Spouse Blair Cramer (1995–1997, 2001–2002, 2013–present)[a] Téa Delgado (1997–1999)[b] Sons Jack Manning Daughters Starr Manning Danielle Manning Grandchildren Hope Manning-Thornhart Grandparents Albert Manning Aunts and uncles Clayton-Powell Lord Gwendolyn Lord Abbott Nieces and nephews Megan Gordon Brian Kendall Daniel Wolek Kevin Buchanan Joey Buchanan Jessica Buchanan Natalie Buchanan C. J. Roberts Sarah Roberts Sam Manning Victor Lord III First cousins Clayton-Powell Lord II Richard Abbott Other relatives Peter Manning Martha Manning Powell Lord III Duke Buchanan Kevin Buchanan Jr. Megan Buchanan Bree Brennan Chloe Brennan Ryder Ford Liam McBain Zane Buchanan

Thomas Todd Manning^[1] is a fictional character from the American daytime drama One Life to Live (OLTL). Created by writers Michael Malone and Josh Griffith, the role was originated in 1992 by actor Roger Howarth. Todd was a college student and fraternity brother to Kevin Buchanan, Zach Rosen, and Powell Lord. In 1993, following a storyline in which he becomes acquainted with Marty Saybrooke, he initiates a gang rape on her with the help of Zach and Powell. The storyline was considered groundbreaking by television critics. Its main players—Howarth, Susan Haskell (Marty), and Hillary B. Smith (Todd's lawyer Nora Hanen)—won Emmys in 1994, as did Malone and his writing team. Howarth left the role in 2003; it was recast with Trevor St. John, physically altered by plastic surgery. In 2011, Howarth returned to OLTL; it was disclosed Todd had been taken hostage and St. John's version of the character was really Todd's identical twin brother, Victor Lord, Jr., conditioned to assume Todd's place.

Todd was initially a short-term villain, but his popularity with the audience and critics inspired the writers to forgo killing him or permanently sending him to prison, like most soap operas had done with rapists in the past. While keeping aspects of his personality dark or violent, they had Todd exhibit a conscience and compassion. They took steps to redeem him and made him an integral part of OLTL's canvas, despite Howarth's objections to a redemption storyline. With the use of literary techniques for the redemptive arc, the writers borrowed from nineteenth-century melodrama and Gothic traditions, and literature such as Frankenstein. Todd became the product of an affair between his father, Victor Lord, and his mother, Irene Manning, which provided him a fortune and ties to other major characters, including his sisters, Tina and Victoria Lord. An important aspect of the character became his appearance, most notably the scar on his right cheek, which emerged as synonymous with him and served to remind him of his past misdeeds against Marty. Music and the use of humor were also key to Todd's development. Although he formed many relationships (including with his wives, Blair Cramer and Téa Delgado), and fathered children, a defining characteristic of his personality was his resistance to close relationships and sexual intimacy.

The drive to redeem Todd eventually drew Howarth, who always saw Todd as a villain, to leave the show for a year; he was uncomfortable with the redemption storyline and with many fans' positive reactions to Todd. Recasting Todd years later with St. John was generally considered successful by viewers and critics. St. John, instead of imitating Howarth's portrayal, brought his own spin to the character. After OLTL's cancellation in 2012, Howarth brought Todd to General Hospital (GH), but returned, along with St. John as Victor Jr., to the online version of OLTL in 2013, which was cancelled after one year.

Todd has been the subject of numerous soap opera articles, feminist studies, and inspired the creation of a doll in his likeness. He has remained a popular and controversial figure since his creation, and is considered one of soap opera's breakout characters.

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