Soap Opera Comings and Goings: Baddie Back, Vet Out, Family Additions

Here are the latest comings and goings casting news from all four daytime dramas: The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, and The Young and the Restless.

Casting For The Week of October 28, 2024

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.

Days of our Lives

Get ready for trouble on DAYS. Louise Sorel returns as the Vivian Alamain on Monday, October 28. Sorel’s initial run as the diabolical villainess was from 1992 to 2000. She was back again from 2009 to 2011 and from 2017 to 2018. Robin Strasser portrayed the character in 2019, while Linda took a turn as Vivian in 2021. 

Sorel won’t be alone. She’ll be joined by her longtime Days sidekick Ivan G’Vera, who’s back as Ivan Marias. G’Vera portrayed Vivian’s devoted servant from 1992 to 2000 and made his last appearance in 2011. He starts airing on Monday, October 28.

Meanwhile, in a surprise move, Brandon Barash is out as Stefan DiMera. He makes his last appearance on Monday, October 28. Barash began portraying Stefan in 2019. He went on to play Stefan’s twin brother, Jake, from 2020 to 2023, before ultimately reverting back to his initial character in 2023. 

The Hernandez clan is getting a new member. Al Calderon debuts as Javi, Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Rafe’s (Galen Gering) cousin, on Monday, October 28. Calderon’s credits include The Dead Girl’s Detective Agency, The Haves and the Have Nots, and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. 

Madelyn Kientz makes another appearance as Sophia Choi. The character shares scenes opposite Leo Howard’s Tate on Wednesday, October 30.

General Hospital

Fans holding out hope for a beloved vet’s return GH won’t be getting their wish. Leslie Charleson, who began playing Monica Quartermaine in 1977 and made her last appearance on the soap in 2023, likely won’t be making anymore, according to Closer. A source close to the actress told the publication that due to health issues, it’s become increasingly difficult for Charleson “to get around,” and “although she’d be welcome back to the show with open arms, it’s unlikely she’ll ever return.”

Jens Austin Astrup has nabbed the role of Kai, a new student at Port Charles University. The character will be a new love interest for Tabyana Ali’s Trina Robinson. The daytime newcomer had a recurring role on Max’s Gossip Girl reboot and also appeared on a couple of episodes of King of Queens as Deacon’s (Victor Williams) son, Major. He’ll begin airing in November.

Finn Francis Carter is back as Rocco Falconeri). He airs on Wednesday, October 30 in scenes with his TV dad, Dominic Zamprogna’s Dante and again on Friday, November 1.

On the exit front, Robert Gossett has completed his run as Marshall Ashford. His character left town to go on tour with jazz great Wynton Marsalis. Gossett debuted as Marshall in 2021. 

Also out is Jophielle Love, who has departed her role as Violet Finnigan. Her character left Port Charles to live with her father. Love joined the soap in October 2019.

The Young and the Restless

Devon (Bryton James) and Abby’s (Melissa Ordway) upcoming wedding will have some familiar faces in attendance. Chene Lawson is headed back to the show as Devin’s birth mother, Yolanda “Harmony” Hamilton, while Loren Lott is returning as his sister, Ana Hamilton. Lawson made her last appearance on the soap in 2023. Lott has been off the canvas since 2019. Expect to see both characters back on screen in November. 

Valarie Pettiford makes her debut as Amy Lewis on Tuesday, October 29. The character, who was originally portrayed by Stephanie E. Williams in 1983, was last on the canvas in 1988. Pettiford is no stranger to the soap world. She previously played Courtney Walker on Another World (1988–1990) and Sheila Price on One Life to Live (1990-1994).

A few Genoa City kids will be on hand for Halloween episodes this week. Judah Mackey is back as Connor Newman and Paxton Mishkind appears as Johnny Abbott. In addition, Millie Ingle airs as Tess (Cait Fairbanks) and Mariah’s (Camryn Grimes) daughter, Aria, while River Ware appears as Abby (Melissa Ordway) and Devon’s son, Dominic.

The Bold and the Beautiful

Dick Christie is back on the canvas as Charlie Webber—the Forrester Creations head of security reports back for duty on Friday, November 1.