Here are the latest comings and goings casting news from all five daytime dramas: The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, and Beyond the Gates.
Key Takeaways
- Ray Wise returns to Y&R as Ian Ward, haunting Mariah in a vision on Friday, January 2.
- Nick calls Matt Clark’s bluff as Roger Howarth’s villain continues his run in Genoa City.
- Tessa explores her feelings for Daniel and receives a promise that could change their dynamic.
- Kirsten Storms teases Maxie’s return to GH after months off the canvas due to health issues.
- Parry Shen is officially back as Brad Cooper, reuniting with Britt just in time for her birthday.
- Nazneen Contractor resurfaces as Justine Turner, sharing scenes with Dante on GH.
- Jordi Vilasuso joins Beyond the Gates in a new role set to debut in 2026.
- Kenny Lattimore makes a special musical appearance on BTG for New Year’s Eve.
The Week of December 29, 2025
Find out if any of your favorite actors and actresses from yesteryear are returning to the shows you watch, if any newcomers have been cast in contract, recurring, or day-player roles, or if any popular performers are about to make their exit.
The Young and the Restless Casting
Ray Wise makes another appearance as Ian Ward on Y&R. The former cult leader haunts Mariah (Camryn Grimes) in a vision on Friday, January 2. Wise last aired on the soap in October. The actor discussed his last run on Y&R in a previous interview with Soap Hub.
Roger Howarth continues his stint as the dastardly Mitch Bacall/Matt Clark. Look for Joshua Morrow’s Nick to call the character’s bluff on Monday, December 29. (Y&R fans have mixed feelings about the character’s return, after being declared dead some 20 years ago.)
Catherine Kresge is back as Annie Stewart. The crooked cop interacts with Howarth and Tamara Braun’s Sienna on Monday, December 29 and Friday, January 2.
Cate Fairbanks gets more airtime as Tessa Porter. The character explores her feelings for Daniel (Michael Graziadei) on Wednesday, December 31, and receives a promise from him on Friday, January 2.
General Hospital Casting
Big news for fans of GH’s Kirsten Storms. The actress, who has been off the canvas as Maxie Jones since the summer, while she relocated to Nashville and dealt with a serious medical issue, recently took to social media to report on her condition and her pending return to the soap. Storms explained that she was holding off on brain surgery after meeting with a new neurosurgeon and wished her fans happy holidays. Then she gave them the “present” they’ve all been waiting for. “And maaaaybe you will be seeing me back in Port Charles soon,” teased Storms. Maxie has been in a coma since August, when her character was shipped off to a long-term care facility in Boston.
Speaking of happy returns, Parry Shen is finally back as Brad Cooper. The character resurfaced last week to reunite with his bestie, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud). Britt looks to celebrate her birthday on Tuesday, December 30, so it’s likely her BFF will be on hand again. Shen recently gave fans the lowdown on Brad and Britt’s onscreen reunion.
PC’s assistant district attorney is back on the scene. Nazneen Contractor gets more airtime as Justine Turner. Look for Justine to meet with Maurice Benard’s Sonny on Monday, December 29, and confer with Dominic Zamprogna’s Dante on Friday, January 2.
Beyond the Gates Casting
Daytime vet Jordi Vilasuso is joining the BTG cast in an undisclosed role. He’s set to debut in 2026. Vilasuso has a long career in soaps. He previously played Tony Santos on Guiding Light (2000-2003), Griffin Castillo on All My Children (2010-2011, 2013), Dario Hernandez on DAYS (2016-2017), and Rey Rosales on Y&R (2018-2022).
Kenny Lattimore makes a special appearance on Thursday, December 30. Look for the R&B singer to perform on New Year’s Eve.
Days of our Lives Casting
After a two-year absence, Peter Porte returns to DAYS as Dimitri Von Leuschner. The character, last on the canvas in December of 2023, arrives just in time for Leo (Greg Rikaart) and Javi’s (Al Calderon) wedding. He makes his first appearance on Friday, January 2. Check out some interesting facts about Porte.
Leann Hunley is back as Anna DiMera. Tony (Thaao Penghlis) and Anna to share a joyous reunion on Tuesday, December 30.
Bryan Dattilo gets more airtime as Lucas Horton. He interacts with his TV mom and brother, Lauren Koslow’s Kate and John-Paul Lavoisier’s Philip, on Monday, December 29.
Dan Gauthier continues his stint as Peter Blake. The actor recently discussed his daytime comeback. He works opposite Stacy Haiduk’s Kristen, Billy Flynn’s Chad, and Penghlis’ Tony on Wednesday, December 31.
Haiduk also appears as EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) quirky mom, Susan, this week. Look for the mother and son to interact on Tuesday, December 30.
Tina Huang is back as Melinda Trask on Wednesday, December 31. She shares screen time with Martha Madison’s Belle and Rachel Boyd’s Sophia.
Alice Halsey airs as Rachel Black on Wednesday, December 31. Look for the character to get a surprise visit from her TV dad, Eric Martsolf’s Brady.
The Bold and the Beautiful Casting
Sydney Bullock is back on the B&B scene as Dylan. (Here’s what fans had to say about the character’s role in Luna’s death.) She shares scenes with Crew Morrow’s Will and Laneya Grace’s Electra.
