Kevin Lord Riley Buchanan
Father: Joe Riley
Portrayed in his early years by Morgan K. Melis (1976–1982) and Chris Cunningham (1982); later portrayed as a child by Jonathan Brandis (1982) and Ryan Janis (1983–1990); portrayed by Matthew Vipond (1990–1991), Joey Thrower (1991–1992), Kirk Geiger (1992–1994), Jack Armstrong (1994–1995), Ken Kenitzer (1995), Kevin Stapleton (1996–1998), Timothy Gibbs (1998–2001) and Dan Gauthier (2003–2007, 2009–2010)
Kevin was Viki and Joe Riley's first child, born in 1976. Their happiness was shattered when Cathy Craig kidnapped him as an infant. Months of uncertainty nearly destroyed Viki and Joe's marriage, but Kevin's safe return brought the family together again. Following Joe's death, Kevin and his younger brother Joey were adopted by Viki's new husband, Clint Buchanan.
Kevin married LeeAnn Demerest, Cassie Callison and Kelly Cramer. He and LeeAnn had a son, Duke Buchanan, while his child with Kelly, Kevin Jr., was stillborn. Duke's tragic death in 2006 brought another heartbreaking loss to the family, although Duke left behind a son, Zane, making Viki a great-grandmother.
Kevin shared a particularly close bond with his mother. He helped Viki through her struggles with multiple personalities and supported her during her battle with breast cancer. In one terrifying ordeal, Dr. Elliot Durbin, acting on Carlo Hesser's orders, attempted to condition Viki into killing Kevin. Ultimately, her love for her son proved stronger than the implanted suggestion.
Joseph Francis Riley Buchanan
Father: Joe Riley
Portrayed as a child by Ryan Morris (1980–1985) and John Paul Learn (1985–1990); later portrayed by Chris McKenna (1990–1993), Nathan Fillion (1994–1997, 2007), Don Jeffcoat (1997–2001), Jeremy Fonicello (1998, temporary), Bruce Michael Hall (2003–2004) and Tom Degnan (2010–2011)
Joey was Viki and Joe Riley's second son, born in 1980, just months after his father's death. Unlike his older brother Kevin, Joey never knew his biological father. When Viki married Clint Buchanan in 1982, Clint adopted both boys, giving them a new father and a loving family.
As a teenager, Joey stood by his friend Billy Douglas when Billy revealed that he was gay, even as the controversy created tensions between Joey and Clint. Viki was proud of her son for defending his friend. Years later, Joey's romance with Viki's longtime adversary, Dorian Lord, caused Viki considerable heartache and intensified their already bitter feud. During Viki's struggle with multiple personalities, her alter Jean Randolph imprisoned Dorian and forced her to end the relationship with Joey.
Joey married Kelly Cramer, Jennifer Rappaport and Aubrey Wentworth, although he had no children of his own. Despite living away from Llanview for extended periods, Joey remained devoted to his mother, returning home to be with her during her 2004 heart transplant ordeal.
Jessica Eugenia Buchanan
Father: Clint Buchanan
Portrayed as a child by Janelle and Tamara DeMent (1986–1988), Alex and Brittany Smith (1988) and Eliza Clark (1990); later portrayed by Erin Torpey (1990–2003), Maggie Andersson (1998, temporary) and Bree Williamson (2003–2012); Deanna DeVestern portrayed a young Jessica and Nadine Jacobson portrayed Jessica in 2008 flashbacks.
Jessica was Viki and Clint Buchanan's daughter, and her infancy brought one of Viki's most frightening ordeals. Allison Perkins kidnapped the baby as part of Mitch Laurence's plan, while Maria Roberts manipulated Clint into believing that Viki's alternate personality, Niki Smith, was responsible. Jessica was returned safely, but Clint's suspicion devastated Viki and drove them apart. Years later, the revelation that Jessica and Natalie were twins, and that Allison had switched them as infants, again turned Viki's world upside down.
Jessica married Tico Santi, Antonio Vega and Nash Brennan. During later periods when her alternate personality Tess was in control, she also married Robert Ford and Cutter Wentworth. Jessica had a daughter, Bree, with Nash and a son, Ryder, with Ford. Tragically, she also lost two daughters: Megan, fathered by Will Rappaport, who was stillborn following an accident involving Dorian, and Chloe, her second child with Nash, who was also stillborn. Nash's death brought further heartbreak to Jessica and her family.
Perhaps most painful for Viki was discovering that Jessica suffered from dissociative identity disorder, with alternate personalities including Tess and Bess. Learning that Jessica had been abused as a child while Niki Smith was in control left Viki overwhelmed with guilt. Despite the many tragedies and challenges Jessica faced, Viki remained a devoted mother, determined to help her daughter find peace and happiness.
Megan Gordon Harrison
Father: Roger Gordon
Portrayed by Jessica Tuck (1988–1992; 1992, 1993, 1999, 2004 and 2012 guest appearances)
Megan was the daughter of Viki and her first husband, Roger Gordon, born during their teenage marriage. Victor Lord had concealed both the marriage and the birth of their daughter, even arranging for Viki to be hypnotized to erase her memories. When the truth finally emerged in 1989, Viki was stunned to discover that Megan, the outspoken actress with whom she had frequently clashed, was actually her daughter. Viki subsequently had her marriage to Roger annulled. Despite their difficult beginning, mother and daughter gradually developed a deeply loving relationship.
Megan married Jake Harrison, the love of her life, in 1991. The couple had no children. Viki's devotion to Megan was tested when Carlo Hesser attempted to turn Niki Smith against her, ordering Viki's alternate personality to kill her own daughter. Fortunately, Viki's love for Megan proved stronger than Carlo's sinister scheme.
Tragedy struck when Megan developed lupus, eventually suffering kidney failure. Desperate to save her daughter, Viki donated one of her kidneys, but the transplant was unsuccessful. In February 1992, Megan died in Jake's arms, leaving Viki devastated. Although their years together had been painfully brief, the bond they had developed remained one of the most cherished relationships of Viki's life.
Natalie Balsom Buchanan
Father: Clint Buchanan
Portrayed by Melissa Archer (2001–2013)
Natalie was Viki and Clint Buchanan's daughter and Jessica's fraternal twin, although Viki had no idea she had given birth to two girls. As an infant, Natalie was taken by Allison Perkins as part of Mitch Laurence's scheme and raised by Walter and Roxy Balsom. When Natalie arrived in Llanview in 2001 claiming to be Viki's daughter, the revelation threw the Buchanan family into turmoil. Although Natalie and Jessica initially struggled with their complicated relationship, Viki gradually welcomed the daughter she never knew she had into her life. Years later, DNA testing confirmed that Clint was the biological father of both twins.
Natalie's marriages included Mitch Laurence, who had deceived her by using the name Michael Lazarus, Cristian Vega, and Jared Banks. Her marriage to Mitch was annulled. Jared was the son of Charlie Banks, whom Viki later married, creating another unusual connection within the family. Tragedy struck in 2009 when Mitch murdered Jared, leaving Natalie devastated. Viki put aside her own political ambitions, stepping down as Llanview's newly elected mayor to help her grieving family through the crisis.
Natalie later became the mother of Liam Asa McBain, her son with detective John McBain. Although her relationship with John was often complicated, Liam's arrival brought another grandchild into Viki's life. After the extraordinary circumstances that had separated mother and daughter for so many years, Viki and Natalie developed a lasting bond, with Viki remaining a source of love and support through her daughter's many challenges.
