First Look: ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Cast Reunites to Celebrate 38 Years (PHOTO)
Exclusive
The Bold and the Beautiful will celebrate 38 years on the air on March 23, and has released a brand-new cast photo exclusively on TV Insider.
Bradley Bell, the executive producer and head writer of the show, grew up with television playing a pivotal role in his formative years. His parents, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, were the co-creators of The Young and the Restless and B&B, and Bill Bell had been the head writer at Days of our Lives prior to that, so soaps were undeniably the family business.
“We never sat at the dining room table,” recalls Bell. “There were always trays in front of the TV, where we would watch the VHS tapes that were mailed special delivery to Chicago [where he was raised]. As a kid I was watching Days of Our Lives until the age of 9 when Young and Restless was created, and then we were watching all of those together. To hear my dad do his editorial while the show was on was just an incredible opportunity to absorb it and either feel like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m getting this,’ or, ‘I need to run from this,’ and from an early age, it clicked with me. I love television and I love soaps.”
One of the soaps he loved, however, was on a competing network. “I was a big All My Children fan,” Bell confides. “I can say that now that my dad has passed away, but I told him once and it did not go over well. He was very upset. But when I was in college, I would look at all the other shows. I would see how they would do their story arcs differently from my dad and it was just something that grabbed me.”
So, when his parents began creating B&B in 1986, Bell was firmly on board to be a part of the new endeavor. “I remember the whole casting process at the end of ’86 and early ’87, before we premiered on March 23rd of ’87,” he says. “You never quite know when you’re putting together an original cast, how the chemistry will be, but we knew that Ronn Moss [then-Ridge Forrester] and Katherine Kelly Lang [Brooke Logan] and Joanna Johnson [Caroline Spencer] had great chemistry from the get-go.”
The hiring of Susan Flannery (Stephanie Forrester), who had previously played Days’ Laura Horton when Bill Bell was the head writer of the show, took place at the famed Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills. “My father loved working with Susan Flannery, so she wasn’t in the casting process,” Bell explains. “That was actually a meeting between my dad and Susan, and I was there. He floated the idea and she accepted. Imagine the two of them having martinis and talking about a new series. It was all relatively new to me. I had never really gotten to know a lot of the actors, but then meeting Susan, I was like, ‘Wow, OK, this is a matriarch. She packs a punch,’ and my dad said, ‘She’s the most brilliant actress,’ and, of course, she is.”
Having John McCook (Eric Forrester) and Lang on the show since the first episode has provided a welcome stability to the canvas. “It’s unnatural for actors to take on a role and play it this long,” Bell points out. “By nature, they take on different parts and become different characters, but these two, their commitment to the show, their love for the show and their leadership, on and off screen, John and Kelly are a dream. I’m grateful for them every day.”
Bell has so many notable moments and memories from the past few decades, as well as storyline highlights. “So many of them stand out in both directions because you don’t know whether a story will sink or swim and some of them, admittedly, were kind of bombs,” he confesses. “You roll the dice and see where it takes you and if for some reason it doesn’t work, it’s a disaster. But I loved everything [the late] Darlene Conley [Sally Spectra] did. I loved the comic relief the Spectra group provided. I loved the rivalry between Sally and Stephanie. I loved Stephanie’s stuff on Skid Row [in 2010] and dying in Brooke’s arms [in 2012]. The scenes with Amber [Moore, Adrienne Frantz] doing the baby swap [in 1999] were great. The addition of Jacqueline MacInnes Wood [as Steffy Forrester in 2008] turned the show upside down and she is an incredible actress, a wonderful person to work with and so talented, as is Annika Noelle [Hope Logan]. Don Diamont was amazing when he joined the show [in 2009] and gave us Bill Spencer and he’s defined that character so sharply.
“Having lost Susan and Ronn [in 2012 when they opted to leave], there were questions of, would that be the demise of the show, but Thorsten Kaye came in [in 2013 as Ridge] and Kelly found new avenues with him. I look at the current cast photo, and am grateful that we have such incredible talent on the show right now. I just think that they’re wonderful and wonderful people as well.”
As for what’s coming up on the soap, Bell teases, “We have the Nozawa family with great actors and a story that’s unraveling through through Finn [Finnegan, Tanner Novlan]. I’m excited that not only will Luna [Nozawa, Lisa Yamada] find her father at long last, but she’s going to find her grandmother too, Sheila Carter [Kimberlin Brown]. So that’s going to give us a whole new avenue to play with Lisa and Kimberlin. We have the business story with Ridge and Eric, determined to come back to the place that Eric founded, and how will that roll out with Carter [Lawrence Saint-Victor] and Hope and Brooke, who has been put in a very difficult position. We have Rebecca Budig [Taylor Hayes] on board, and she is a dream. The character of Taylor is going to see some new challenges. We have a great story for Liam [Spencer, Scott Clifton] coming up as well, which I am very excited about.”
With Beyond the Gates set to premiere on February 24, Bell feels there is a lot of good news about daytime after years of doomsday headlines that the genre was dying. “I think that soaps are good drivers [of viewership] because our fans are so loyal,” he points out. “I think Days airing directly on Peacock is great evidence that we do have value on the streaming platforms and with the beginning of Beyond the Gates, it shows a resurgence and interest in soap operas and a healthier environment for these daily shows.”
As he looks ahead to the 38th anniversary in March, Bell can’t help but marvel at the longevity of the show. “When we started B&B, Y&R was in the 3,000s in terms of episode numbers and I remember when Y&R hit episode 4,000, I thought, ‘Gosh, that’s such a huge number,’ ” he reflects. “But now, we’re doing episode 9,504 and it’s at a point where the numbers are staggering. I look at myself in the mirror sometimes and think, ‘You’ve spent your whole life doing this. Are you crazy?’ But then I think of what a wonderful life it’s been, and to create stories and have fun and have people watch it and care about these characters is something very special.”
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Who is in the picture next to Liam? I think Taylor needs to leave and never come back. She could die of broken heart syndrome. I dont like hope and Carter together.
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Taylor should take a permanent leave
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Ivy? Maybe
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Agree about Taylor. I liked Hope with Thomas, but Steffy had to ruin that.
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The woman, whose face is missing in the photo, is Ivy.
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So aggravated with the long drawn out conversations! More action scenes would be great!
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I like Ridge with Brook , not Taylor. I like Stephanie with Finn and I like Hope Ridges older son together… I can’t think of his name. I think the writers should slow down a bit though with all theses actors breaking up, getting with this one getting with that one going back to the other one staying with them for a while, then breaking up, going back to going and hooking up with somebody else 😂 When I was a young girl thought of going in the acting career , soaps…
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Agree. I like ridge and Brook together as well. I do wish Ridge wasn't so cocky. He's not God's gift, so quit acting like it. It's nauseating sometimes. He's better with Brooke and needs to appreciate her
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🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Every character is a Super Hoe
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Well I see Taylor in the photo - right next to Ridge, so I guess the show is keeping her around. UGH!! I fast forward through the scenes with Ridge and Taylor. I'm disgusted and it makes me mad every time I see them together. So different than I feel when I see Ridge and Brooke together. I would love it if Finn and Steffy broke up. Let her feel some of the heartbreak she caused Hope - when she got in Thomas's ear and drove a wedge between him and Hope. How about a storyline like that writers???
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Bradley Bell is the worst I will never forgive him for breaking up Thope which was the best pairing on this show but he chooses to pair people with zero chemistry and to top it all off MA who plays Thomas isn't included in the cast photo not to mention the fact that he pairs Carter with Hope who have no chemistry at all pair Thope again and the ratings will go up again this show has lost more than 65K plus Bell can't get fired because he has that bulletproof contract he was wrong for getting rid of MA as Thomas bring the actor back and the character.
34 5
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No there suck as couple. Granted did fast forward but their made no sense. Did not watch for 4 months because of Hope and Thomas!
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Thomas was a psychopath.
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I totally agree! Thomas and Hope were the best couple the show has ever had, besides Ronn Moss and KKL. And what do they do? Split them apart, and Matt Atkinson disappears from the show without a word. Terrible decision. Go back to fashion shows. Bring Thorne back. Stop making Steffy such a bully. Have Thomas come back and win Hope back.So many possibilities! Be like Y&R!
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I couldn' t stand Thomas character hated when he was with Hope. They need to bring the old Hope back. Why did they break up Hope and Liam. They have made Hope a bed hopper does Bell dislike woman all of woman on the show are terrible. I hope new soap have better writing but by prewives it doesn't look like it..Guess I'll look at the Chicago Fire and Med better writing
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I think Stephanie should get it by hope and Brooke. I’m about to stop watching after 30 yrs because of this bull between ridge and booke. I would love for Stephanie to be gone.
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Time for Stephanie, Taylor, and Ridge to go on a long, long vacation. Let Hope and Brooke shine. Let Brooke have a new love who will not be flighty.(it should not be Bill)
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Steffy is a self righteous bully.
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There is definitely no chemistry between Hope and Carter. It's sickening watching them together on this show. It needs more action the repeated sentences of everyone is so boring I have to fast forward a lot of it also. I don't want to quit watching but...
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Yes. But I do not like Daphne Rose. Can't stand her fake accent and do not like her looks at all. She's not as beautiful and irresistible as they're trying to make her. She's average at best. I like Hope with Thomas, but if course The Devil Steffy had to ruin that.
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Steffy cannot leave the show! Idk why people keep saying that. She is key to the show and her grandmother’s heir. I hope Carter and Hope fall! So wrong what they did!
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Wrong how they went about it, but it was because of Steffy that they did. Steffy is a bully, the devil. I agree she shouldn't leave the show, but would love to see her eat some humble pie! She's controlling, and if you've ever been in a controlling relationship,bits awful.
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Rj is gone?
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Bradley Bell got rid of him and Thomas he is the worst of the worst.
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I thought Thomas was just on leave ?
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Nope that was just an excuse.
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RJ was the son . He did wonderful . Crazy to let him go . He should be on !!
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Where is Donna? Please bring someone in for Brooke and get rid of Taylor and Steffy. Ridge should have been gone a long time ago.
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Donna is standing next to Eric.
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They need to put Donna back with Justin and Eric should be paired with someone new.
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Ridge is key to the show. Steffy too. Hate Ridge back with Taylor though
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Absolutely hate that Finn is Luna’s Father. Cannot watch anymore. Hate Taylor back with Ridge. Why would you make Finn Luna’s dad!!!!!!
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Katie needs a love interest.
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I believe a that Sheila and deacon will get a divorce , and Sheila will take Eric away from Donna, and when Finns wife ,finds out that crazy luna is Finns daughter ,they will get divorce .and she tells Finn get the he'll of her house ,and she goes with dollar bill ,
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DAYS is my most traditional daily soap since I began watching it & AW in 1970. I didn't get into GH until 1993 but now not only do I watch it daily in a group via Zoom but it is my favorite. I watch both of them for the whole show despite who I might be shipping. I do not FF any of the show itself, ever. I have watched B&B but I am not now. I'm looking forward to Beyond the Gates! When I last watched B&B it was for Maya's story. I love reading some of the things in this article! I wish only good things for all soaps still on today! I adore KKL! I miss Flannery.
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I don’t particularly care for this Taylor and I hate to say she looks ridiculous with Ridge. Get a new Taylor please. Steffy is a witch.
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Please please change the script MR. Z Bell and make someone else LUNA’ father. I literally cannot watch anymore.. losing a longtime fan from the beginning!!!
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#1 why the hell did bumbling Bell get to of Thomas????!!!! Big mistake I almost stopped watching.
Thank goodness the who’s the daddy storyline is ending.
Why would Bell get rid of Ridge, Steffy & Eric when they & their company are the SHOW!!!! What make it the freaking Logan show🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮 they are boring.
Not digging the new Taylor at all….tge only time Bell brings her back is to break up R&B & they are boring enough them & their destiny bull crap.
Hope and Carter are creeping. Hope is clueless & has no business trying to Forrester Creations & for goodness sake’s give her a freaking life out side of Forrester!!
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B&B has gotten unrealistic and stupid. Used to watch regularly and stopped during the Quinn-kidnaps-Liam era. But the Ridge-nowitsBrookenowitsTaylor is so stupid, I mean, Brooke is fickle?? What's with Ridge? And the company takeover stuff? I swore off it and am done with it.
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I think Taylor is very anorexic! She is a good actress, but who can watch that sack of bones go to bed! Very unappealing, ugh.🤮 I'll be so glad when Steffy gets shot off her high horse!! When she's treated all the. Logans like they were Low Life! May she please get her karmas?? As she accused Hope of so many wrongs, Finn; SHOW STEFFY, what it's like to be a lowlife!!!! And Luna's mom , She thinks all is well and she's done NO wrong! Poor Luna & Finn has suffered for HER selfish secrets!
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Like so many other fans, I like Ridge with Brook. I do like Hope and Carter together and want them to remain in control and kick Steffy to the curb! I have to say that the whole Luna story with her being out of prison, is stupid!!
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I record Bold and beautiful so I can fast forward over Ridge Taylor and Steffy. So it takes 10 min to watch the show. I wish they would get rid of Taylor, Steffy needs to be taught a lesson along with Ridge. Brooke can do better than Ridge. Hope things change soon. Not worth watching.
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I fast forward over them too and I totally agree with you.
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AGREE. Like go back to Bill, at least he cherished her.
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I am so with you on that point. I haven't even watched it in going on 2 weeks now. I'm over the same one story line. Brooke needs to move on to someone better. Steffy needs to be put in her place once in for all. Taylor throws crap at Brooke and Hope and turns around and does the same thing they did. She is no better. Ridge and Brooke were together and Taylor sleeps with him, ugh......she's no better.i might check back in, in about a month and see if anything may possibly be different at the time.
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Totally agree about Steffy. I view her as the devil. I can't stand that she doesn't get a cup of punishment for her actions. That would make a better story line than her constantly bullying people and getting away with it
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🤣😂🤣😂
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Sjv I agree with you Ridge, Taylor and Steffy I can’t stand their characters who's writing for the show. What grown daughters still wants their parents to be together. What woman would keep taking a man back again and again . Who could take a woman out of prison and have her in his house. Brook and Taylor characters are so stupid along with Rigid.. They write like we are so stupid. I tape it to so I can fast forward some days I don't watch it. If it goes off tv I wouldn't miss it. I really love the show years ago but the new writers where did they come from? Do they read our post or they just don't care. I could go on on.
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I agree. Taylor just takes ridge back every time. He left her on their wedding day, come on. That whole story line gets in my nerves. I've stopped watching for awhile. And am I the only one that wants to know why Finn was in Hopes office? They can do better.
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I do the same with Steffy and Taylor cannot stand either one, not caring for Finn either!!
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Why are only 1-2 Black cast members?
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Is the girl who plays Steffi on the bold and the beautiful, pregnant? She sure looks it. What do you have planned for her?
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I hate Brooke Logan!!!
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I think that I'm happy that there's a resurgence in the soap operas I used to watch them with my grandmother growing up and when they left I was just sad, and I know the Bold and the Beautiful, like it. Looking forward to Beyond the Gates, seems like that one's going to be juicy! And glad you guys stuck around! We'll be watching on the 23rd of March!
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I don't like Carter and hope together. I'm mad that they make Carter look like his character is so messed up. I thought when Carter signed those papers for that woman I thought that she was going to turn the paper back over to Stephanie and Stephanie and ridge was going to come in there and take their company back that's what should have happened but give Carter another chance and tell him once and for all leave hope alone or he has no job.Carter needs his own wife let him fall in love with someone and marry her hope needs to go with Thomas Liam needs to get a life cuz he's just waiting around for Stephanie Brooke needs to be back with ridge but Ridge need to get jealous let Brooke have a friend that comes into the picture and let Ridge get jealous of what he's missing I want somebody to lay them out Stephanie you had an affair with Bill so ridge you having affair with Taylor Liam you back and forth with Stephanie and Hope Sheila needs to just laid them all out because they think they're so better than somebody but all those faults that they have.
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However, you have some tremendous actors!
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There is too much superfluous repetitive dialog!!
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Still SEVERAL that need gone from BB in this picture. A day one viewer I am & it is hard at times
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First of all bring Thomas back he’s the one deserves to be there he’s great guy love Thomas and Hope they need to be reunited . Carter and Hope are boring
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Who is the female covered up by EXCLUSIVE SIGN
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Where is Thomas ? I didn’t see him ?
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I love Li and Jack dating again as well
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Love the diversity!
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Yes, please get rid of Taylor. I always liked Hunter Tylo as Taylor but this one is boring and doesn't look right for the part. I like RJ an̈d Ivy's niece together.
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Brooke and the logans and carter ,will get fired by ridge and his daughter ,ridges and Taylor's daughter will get a divorce from finn,after finding out that crazy luna is Finns daughter,and she will throw Finns ass out, and ridges daughter will go with Wyatt, and she and Wyatt, will have twins 👭
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Wyatt, like Thomas and RJ, has been given the Release by Bell.. as usual he's dumping good actors (minus RJ) so who knows what's up next
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