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
- Steve Burton exits GH temporarily, confirming a hiatus as Jason, with plans to return this summer.
- DAYS says goodbye to Billy Flynn as Chad, while Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey return full-time as Lani and Eli.
- Y&R welcomes back Christel Khalil and Beth Maitland, with Roger Howarth also filming new scenes as Matt.
- Michael Damian and Lauralee Bell return to Y&R for key scenes tied to Daniel, Mariah, Abby, and Dominic.
- B&B features more airtime for Ivy and Donna, while the DWTS dancer cameo wraps after Daphne’s bridal shower.
- Across all five soaps, the week mixes major exits, fan-favorite returns, and story-driven recurring appearances.
The Week of February 16, 2026
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.
General Hospital Casting
In a stunning move, Steve Burton is exiting his role as Jason Morgan. The actor announced that he’s taking a hiatus from GH via Instagram on February 10. In fact, he’s already filmed his last episode. “Hey everyone, I wanted to share that I’ll be taking a short break from General Hospital,” posted Burton. “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family. I’m grateful for all the support and will be back this summer.”
Maxie (Kirsten Storms) awakening from her coma means more airtime for Bradford Anderson. The actor is back as Damian Spinelli this week. Look for Amanda Setton’s Brook Lynn to counsel the character on Wednesday, February 18.
Paige Herschell returns as Jacinda. The character celebrates Valentine’s Day with Rory Gibson’s Michael on Monday, February 16. Herschel shared her thoughts about her role on the soap and how it’s developed.
Kathleen Gati resurfaces as Dr. Liesl Obrecht. She shares scenes with her onscreen daughter, Kelly Thiebaud’s Britt on Monday, February 16.
Days of our Lives Casting
Billy Flynn’s last airdate on DAYS as Chad DiMera has arrived. The actor, who made his debut as Chad in 2014, says he departs Salem on Tuesday, February 17. Flynn has since moved over to The Young and the Restless, where he is portraying Cane Ashby.
Exiting the soap with Flynn are his TV children: Cary Christopher, who plays Thomas, and Autumn Gendron, who plays Charlotte. The kids head to Arizona with their TV dad on Tuesday, February 17.
Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves are back for another appearance as Jack and Jennifer Deveraux. The duo wishes their family members well as they leave Salem on Tuesday, February 17.
Meanwhile, another popular couple is returning to the soap full-time. Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey are heading back to town as Lani and Eli Grant. The two actors exited the soap in 2022, but continued to make appearances periodically. Stowers recently reflected on her long road back to DAYS.
Ivan G’Vera makes a surprise return as Ivan Marius, Vivian’s (Louise Sorel) longtime servant and partner in crime. The character returns on Friday, February 20, to tie up loose ends from their latest scheme.
Peter Porte is featured prominently this week as Dimitri Von Leuschner. The character and Leo (Greg Rikaart) work together to try and clear Dimitri’s name on Monday, February 16, Thursday, February 19, and Friday, February 20.
Stacy Haiduk is back as Susan Banks on Monday, February 16. She interacts with Dan Feuerriegel’s EJ as the mother and son bond.
Alice Halsey returns as Rachel Black. Look for Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) to set boundaries for their troubled daughter on Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 19.
Maggie Carney pops in as Rita, EJ’s trusted assistant. She’s questioned about Cat (AnnaLynne McCord) on Friday, February 20.
The Young and the Restless Casting
Christel Khalil has reported back to work as Lily Winters on Y&R. The actress, who’s been off on maternity leave and recently gave birth to her third child, shared a photo of herself pumping iron with her newborn strapped to her chest. Shortly thereafter, she took to Instagram stories to share a selfie of herself and leading man Billy Flynn with the caption, “Guess who’s back…?!” Khalil made her last appearance on the soap on January 7, when Lily announced that she was leaving town to spend time with her daughter, Maddie. The character will return to the air in a few weeks.
Also returning to the Y&R fold is Beth Maitland as Abbott sibling, Traci. She shared the news on Facebook, saying, “Returning even briefly to my happy place brings me so much completion. Doing what I feel meant for.”
Matt Clark’s reign of terror isn’t over. Actor Roger Howarth is back at the soap’s CBS studios filming new scenes as the villainous character. He posted the news via an Instagram story featuring a photo of his parking spot on the Television City lot. Expect to see Howarth, who last aired in January, resurface in March.
Melissa Ordway returns as Abby Newman Winters. She shares scenes with Bryton James’ Devon on Monday, February 16 and appears again on Friday, February 20.
Michael Damian is back for another stint as Danny Romalotti this week. The actor offers counsel to his TV son, Michael Graziadei’s Daniel. Damian was last seen in November 2025, when Danny and Christine headed off on their honeymoon following their big splashing wedding.
Joining Damian is Lauralee Bell, who plays his wife, Christine Blair Romalotti. Look for Bell to have intense scenes with Camryn Grimes’s Mariah, Ordway’s Abby, and Ethan Ray Clark’s Dominic on Friday, February 20.
The Bold and the Beautiful Casting
Ashleigh Brewer gets more screen time at B&B. Look for the over-reactive Ivy Forrester to eavesdrop on a conversation between Crew Morrow’s Will and Laneya Grace’s Electra this week. Here’s how viewers feel about Ivy interfering in the couple and Dylan’s (Sydney Bullock) lives.
Jennifer Gareis is back as Donna Forrester. She airs on Tuesday, February 17, and throughout the week, while Eric (John McCook) deals with the stress of his professional secret.
Dancing With the Stars pros Gleb Savchenko and Marcquet Hill wrapped up their cameo appearance. The duo appeared as male dancers at Daphne’s (Murielle Hilaire) bridal shower. Hilaire recently weighed in on Daphne’s fast engagement and marriage to Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor).
