‘B&B’ 2026 Preview: New R.J. Forrester, a Deacon & Taylor Romance, and More
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After a year of major story developments, The Bold and the Beautiful is building toward an even more eventful 2026, with a particular focus on the next generation. “It’s exciting,” says executive producer and head writer Bradley Bell of the year ahead. “We have a new group of young characters being featured. We’ve signed Sydney Bullock as Miss Dylan and Brayan Nicoletti playing R.J. [Forrester]. We’re at a great time in the show where you have that next generation to play with their core family members.”
While the younger story was fueled, in part, by Luna Nozawa’s (Lisa Yamada) machinations, viewers shouldn’t expect an encore in 2026. “Luna is dead,” Bell confirms. “We all saw it. I mean, Lisa Yamada — wow. And to cap it off with an Emmy and to have her bring levity and that spark in her eye and the unique delivery? What a joy she was to work with and what a wonderful person. She took that character and ran with it, and it was so wonderful collaborating with Lisa.” Behind the scenes, the show’s move to a new studio has opened up creative possibilities that Bell says are already paying off. “It’s amazing,” he notes. “We had a handful of sets at our old stage, and now we have three times the size. I would have to choose to write in certain sets, and now, at any time, I could write 12 sets in an episode. I don’t have to think of what’s on the floor and what needs to be trucked in or trucked out, and the turnover days. It’s just really, really wonderful.”
See the new R.J. Forrester, played by Brayan Nicoletti, below with Thorsten Kaye and John McCook!
Laurette McCook/Instagram
The soap also went big visually in 2025, filming on location in Naples and Capri. While no destination has been selected for 2026, Bell is open to traveling again. “I’m sure we’ll be doing a great location,” he offers. “We haven’t decided where that will be yet. Now, we’re just really enjoying our new studio and our bigger space and some new, creative minds that we’ve brought into the mix. I feel like we’re on a roll and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Another backstage change includes Casey Kasprzyk, who was promoted from supervising to executive producer in October. “He really runs the booth and so much else,” lauds Bell. “My role has not changed. I look at other shows, and they have five and six executive producers. He’s earned it, and it’s wonderful to have him as an EP.”
As 2026 kicks off, B&B will continue to lean into the formula that has sustained it for nearly four decades. “We have new characters, we have some romance ahead,” he teases. “And have a wedding coming up in 2026.”
Here’s what’s in store for…
Spencer vs. Forrester
“We’re really fortifying our families. We’re going to have some fashion drama. The new fashion house [Logan] is well underway, and it’s very exciting to be back in a rivalry, which we did for so long with Forrester and Spectra and other ones along the way. Katie [Logan, Heather Tom] is determined to succeed in her new fashion house, fueled by Brooke [Logan, Katherine Kelly Lang], who’s going to have many issues with her sister doing this. Bill’s [Spencer, Don Diamont] chased Brooke a number of times, but he’s grown out of that. Really, through almost losing Liam [Spencer, Scott Clifton], he’s become not so much about money and toughness, but about leading the family. He wants to be a better Bill. So, it’s great to have the Spencers united as a force, and Ridge [Forrester, Thorsten Kaye] and Brooke united and pitting those two companies, those two families, against one another. This should be a great, fresh new rivalry, and everyone’s going to be wrapped up in it.”
Eric Forrester
“Eric [John McCook] is going to rebel. He feels like best intentions be damned. He’s the founder of that company [Forrester]. He always felt that he would have a place there until the end, and then to have Ridge wanting to take over, even though he’s been working beside him all these years, it upsets him. Eric is going to find a new avenue to channel his passion, which is design.”
Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
Will Spencer, Electra Forrester, Miss Dylan, and R.J. Forrester
“Now that Luna is dead, it’s smooth sailing for Will [Crew Morrow] and Electra [Laneya Grace] — but that begins to see some bumps in the road. They know Miss Dylan [Sydney Bullock] is living in her car, so they’re going to find a little place for her to stay at the beach house until she gets her footing and finds that next teaching job. And we will have another Spencer/Forrester rivalry with Will and RJ, so that’s going to be some fun. Years ago, when R.J. and Will were born, we thought, ‘Well, we’re never going to be around to see these guys acting as adults against one another,’ and here we are.”
Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
Carter Walton and Daphne Rose
“Daphne [Murielle Hilaire] is an incredibly successful woman in fashion and fragrance, but she fell for Carter [Lawrence Saint-Victor], and Carter didn’t see it. Now he sees it clear as day that she is the one who knows him and loves him and understands him, and he is determined to make her his bride. They’re going to get married and want to start a family right away. That’s their path. They’ll have an interesting story as they’re wanting to start this family, and they’ll also be involved in other stories, some interesting, unforeseen plots that are unfolding. We’re going to see a completely different side to Daphne.”
Taylor Hayes, Deacon Sharpe, and Sheila Carter
“I felt I had to bring the Taylor [Rebecca Budig]/Brooke/Ridge triangle to a conclusion. It’s been decades, and at some point, Ridge can only be in the middle of something without being too cruel for so long. Brooke and Ridge, from year one, have been destined to be together, and Taylor has always been second place with Ridge for most of her life, so I wanted her to find a man who totally appreciates her for the knockout that she is, and it happens with Deacon (Sean Kanan). He’s married to someone who has a very checkered past, and although he believes in Sheila’s [Kimberlin Brown] renaissance, other people, not so much. So Deacon really wants his family back, and it’s a lot to sacrifice to be with Sheila. But Deacon grows so fond of Taylor that he doesn’t want to put Taylor in harm’s way. Right now, Sheila thinks Taylor really saved their marriage — and in a way she has — so she’s grateful to Taylor, but little does she know that these psychiatric sessions have a little heat in them. And when she finds out, watch out.”
Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
Steffy Forrester
“Steffy will be involved in a story with her mother. Steffy, who has feared for her life and her family’s life because of Sheila, does not want her mother involved with Sheila’s husband. It’s a hard no. Steffy is really determined to protect her family and not allow Taylor to go down this path at all.”
Deke Sharpe and Hope Logan
“I love Harrison Cone. He’s really special and a great actor. Deke doesn’t care for Sheila at all, along with Hope [Annika Noelle], and that’s a big part of their story, trying to get their dad to leave Sheila. And Steffy’s trying to get Taylor not to get involved, so it’s a family can of worms. Deke also has aspirations to design. He’s going to run into some roadblocks along the way.”
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C
Taylor and Deacon do not belong together! If B&B is hiring new actors for new characters, they can hire a new man entirely for Taylor
68
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C
You go Katie, Brooke always thinks she controls everything, noooo to the new rj
55
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J
The writers focused on Brooke and Bill. Katie could have blasted Brooke for taking away her job without even telling her. Hope most likely lands up over at Logan with Deke. I have no confidence in these writers but this storyline could drive the show since they don't have Luna to win another Emmy.
2
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G
I don not like the new RJ
37
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C
Agreed & he has no resemblance to his parents at all. Kind of kills the storyline. Find someone more fitting.
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D
Yup I thought the other one was worse!
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C
Sorry but yukkkkk on new RJ you've got to be kidding me.
36
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A
Deke n Hope will go to work for Katie. FC will fall hard n Eric will step back in, bad luck Ridge
30
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C
Agree. FC never really embroidered Hopes line anyway. Thomas needs to stay way, he's old news.
3
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B
Eric should work with Katie since Forrester is pretty much done with him. Deke and Hope definitely should follow Katie. Forrester's designs are outdated. But please give Hope something to do besides letting others takeover what's supposed to be her fashion line! Eric and Dylan should design together and they should get Dani from Beyond the Gates to headline their first campaign with new, bold, modern and edgy designs.
Remember Forrester didn't want Dani in the past and now only with Andre, who does not want to model.
Pamela from BTG should work with Katie to get Dani signed.
Now that's would be some drama for us all!
29
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J
If they go down the route with Taylor/Deacon, Id rather B&B ship Sheila to Genoa City. I think its a terrible move to have Sheila go psycho. If they go that route then they should kill off Sheila for good. There would be no path back for the character. And if they break up Deacon and Sheila what storyline could Sheila possibly have? There is no Luna, and her clearly is not interested in relationship.
25
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S
Taylor and Deacon? Nooooo. Don't like the new RJ, the old RJ was a better fit regarding looking like Ridge and Brookes' son. Katie should include Deke and Hope at her new Fashion House. Forester doesn't deserve Hope, and Deke could really show his skills there. Forester didn't want him cos the spoilt brat arrived.
23
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J
I feel bad for Rebecca Budding. She's fantastic and she portrays the worst character. Putting Deacon and Taylor together shakes things up but for what? Sheila would be finished, Ridge gets jealous and then we have Steffy yelling all day every day which us exhausting.
13
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D
Eric should be their secret couture designer for Logan!
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L
Deacon and Taylor = No No
These writers need to do better.. the same old same old.. boring
19
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C
Agree, need to find a sexy, age appreciate actor for Taylor or have her move away. Her role is not reaya big part of the show really. Just my opinion.
3
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D
Yes what happened to the voluptuous Taylor! Why all the scrawny looking ones.
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B
Leave Katie alone bill bell
6
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G
The new RJ is totally the wrong look!!! What were you thinking??? YUCK!!!
2
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B
I haven’t watched a soap opera since All My Children ended. I got into B&B since 2025 and really wish it would be an hour long! Half hour is too short especially with all the commercials! Please surprise us and extend the time as the show and us viewers deserve it! Thank you!
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G
I don't care for Hope or Deke. Forrester could do themselves a favor to be rid of them and Brooke. That whole Logan group is putrid. 😶🤥🤢🤮
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W
Taylor is the only person who had total integrity next to great Stephanie Forrester ( wife of Eric),why does writers want to destroy that? Having feelings for a patient and giving advice to plant seeds of doubt about having Sheila as wife ( as a phychiatrist she knows the impacts) and for deacon,he married against everyones opinion including his children,so now he is upset they don't approve?
This is not the way to go driving Sheila back to dark, when she came a long way
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P
Put Taylor with Bill lol.
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W
make doubts in deacons mind and having feelings for deacon is completely wrong and Sheila don't deserve her marriage destroyed ( she has grown out of her mistakes,) and deacon gone to Taylor because Sheila didn't tell that Luna is alive ( knowing deacon will handover Luna without giving a chance to Luna, now he is doing far far far wrong thing by betraying Sheila, Sheila had a good excuse -- to save the grand child, deacon has no excuse,so is Taylor the so called good doctor,)
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A
Please let Carter have a decent relationship, get marry, and have a kid. He deserves a break!
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