Soap Opera Comings and Goings: Leading Men Returning, Supercouple Switching Shows

What are the latest casting moves 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  July 1, 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 performers are ready to exit.

General Hospital

Leading men are on the move over at General Hospital. Jonathan Jackson, who originated the character of Lucky Spencer in 1993, is stepping back into his role as Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura’s (Genie Francis) son. Jackson, who made his last appearance on the soap in 2015, is set to debut later this summer. Word is the stint long term. 

Bryan Craig, who was killed off as Morgan Corinthos in 2016, is resurrecting the popular character. The actor will be back for one episode in August. Craig last aired as Carly (Laura Wright) and Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) son via a vision in 2018.  

Meanwhile, another male star is leaving the soap. Michael Easton announced that he has finished his run as Dr. Hamilton Finn via a video posted on Instagram. “I’ve always been partial to the Irish good-bye,” said Easton.. “That’s where you leave the party without actually telling anyone you’re gone. But I thought you all deserved better. So I just want to let you know that I just filmed my final scenes here at General Hospital.” Easton made his last appearance on the soap on June 27. 

The Bold and the Beautiful

It’s time for another CBS soap crossover.  Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian, who play Christine Blair and Danny Romalotti on The Young and the Restless, are crossing over to their sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful. Look for the pair, who have been traveling with Danny’s world tour, to be in town for a concert performance in Los Angeles. Their scenes are set to air in August. 

Bell has been on B&B before when Christine’s legal services were needed back in 2007. However, it marks Damian’s first stint on the show.

After long absences, two actors are back on the scene. Ted King returns as Jack Finnegan, Finn’s (Tanner Novlan) father, and Aaron D. Spears makes an appearance as Bill’s (Don Diamont) former pal and attorney, Justin Barber, on Monday, July 1.

Diamond White continues her run as Paris Buckingham. Look for Thomas’ (Matthew Atkinson) fiance to air on Wednesday, July 3, Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5.

Clint Howard pops back in as Tom. He airs on Monday, July 1.

Hollis W. Chambers clocks in as Hollis, the Il Giardino bartender. He appears on Tuesday, July 2.

Days of our Lives

Julie Dove is heading back to Days of Our Lives as Connie Viniski. The character debuted in 2023 as a client of Sloan’s (Jessica Serfaty) and later had a disastrous blind date with the late Li Shin (Remington Hoffman). Dove begins airing again on Friday, July 5, when Connie attends EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) press conference. She’ll interact with Cherie Jimenez’s Gabi. She’s back for a short yet surprising story arc. 

Tina Huang gets more airtime as Melinda Trask this week. She’ll share formidable scenes with Dan Feuerriegel’s EJ on Monday, July 1. The actress will also be back on Friday, July 5, when she interacts with Stacy Haiduk’s Kristen.

The Young and the Restless

Connor Floyd is no longer listed as a contract player on The Young and the Restless’ closing credits. The actor, who plays Phillip “Chance” Chancellor IV, has apparently been downgraded to recurring status with the soap.

Jess Walton makes another appearance as Jill Abbott. On Monday, July 1, she engages in a heated video call with Jason Thompson’s Billy Abbott.

Christopher Cousins will return as Alan Laurent on Monday, July 1. He will share a warm moment with Beth Maitland’s Traci Abbott.

On the casting front, Y&R is looking for Dr. Bauer, a female in her mid-40s to 50s, to play an intelligent medical professional. The character is described as someone who takes her job very seriously and approaches her patients and their families with empathy.

That was Nancy De Mayo portraying Dr. Hammond. The character shared scenes with Adam (Mark Grossman) and Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) to update them on their son Connor’s (Judah Mackey) battle with OCD.