Soap Opera Comings and Goings: Big Returns and Families Expand

Here is the up-to-the-minute casting report from all four daytime dramas: The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, and The Young and the Restless.

Soap Opera Casting For The Week of April 15, 2024

Are any of your favorite actors and actresses from yesteryear returning to the shows you watch? Have any newcomers been cast in contract, recurring, or day-player roles?

Days of our Lives

Big returns are on their way to Days of our Lives, most of which are connected to the memorial planned for the late Doug Williams and the actor who portrayed him, Bill Hayes. To date, Melissa Reeves (Jennifer), Matthew Ashford (Jack), Maree Cheatham (ex-Marie), Gloria Loring (ex-Liz), Martha Madison (ex-Belle), Brandon Beemer (ex-Shaw), Sal Stowers (ex-Lani), Lamon Archey (ex-Eli) and Victoria Konefal (ex-Ciara) have all been confirmed. Stephen Schnetzer (ex-Ben) and Bryan Dattilo, who recurs as Lucas, will also be attending.

The soap’s official Instagram account posted a photo of  Cherie Jimenez and Al Calderon, tagging them as “newcomers in Salem.” According to behind-the-scenes sources, Jimenez is the new Gabi Hernandez, last played by Camila Banus. Speculation is that Calderon could be another member of the Hernandez family, possibly Gabi’s brother, Dario.  

A popular vet is finally back on set filming: Judi Evans, who portrays Bonnie. Greg Rikaart (Leo) shared a photo of himself and Evans backstage at the show’s studios.

Cary Christopher is back for another appearance as Thomas DiMera on Friday, April 19. He’ll share scenes with his TV dad, Billy Flynn’s Chad.

General Hospital

Get ready for another member of the Cerullo family to surface for Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) wedding. Veteran actor George Russo has been cast as Brook Lynn’s grandfather, Carmine Cerullo, on General Hospital. Russo’s credits include the primetime series Shameless and the mini-series The Offer, among others. During the character’s original run from 1994 to 1996, Carmine was played by John Capudice. Russo begins filming this week and will start airing in May.  

That was Anzu Lawson portraying Sandrine, last week. The character was the dress designer, who presented gowns to Brook Lynn and her mother, Lois (Rena Sofer). 

The Bold and the Beautiful

Tracey Bregman, who made a crossover appearance on The Bold and the Beautiful during the week of April 1, is already back. Look for her The Young and the Restless character, Lauren Fenmore Baldwin, to air on Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19. She’ll share pivotal scenes with Sean Kanan’s Deacon as the pair discuss the “late” Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown). 

The Young and the Restless

Colleen Zenk is back on The Young and the Restless scene as the diabolical Jordan Howard. The troublemaker wreaks more havoc for Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and her family on Monday, April 15.

Newcomer Redding Munsell gets more airtime as young Harrison Abbott. The tyke assumed the role of Summer (Allison Lanier) and Kyle’s (Michael Mealor) son last week.