Soap Opera Comings and Goings: Huge Stars Back, Big Exit Date Revealed

What are the latest comings and goings casting moves for 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 29, 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 big stars are set to make their exits.

Days of our Lives

It’s good news/bad news on the leading lady front over at Days of our Lives. On a positive note, Kristian Alfonso will be part of the show’s goodbye tribute to actor Bill Hayes and his character, Doug Williams. Alfonso has portrayed Doug’s only daughter, Hope Williams Brady, dating back to 1983. The actress was back at the show’s Burbank studios filming scenes last week. 

Meanwhile, another very popular leading lady, Arianne Zucker, filled viewers in on what she believes will be her final airdate as Nicole Walker DiMera: Monday, July 29. The actress shared the news via her YouTube channel. (You can watch her message to fans here.) Zucker filed a lawsuit against Corday Productions, which produces Days of our Lives, executive producer Ken Corday, and former executive producer Albert Alarr in February for harassment, discrimination, negligent hiring, negligent supervision, retaliation and wrongful termination. The actress first debuted as Nicole in 1998.

General Hospital

A missing Cassadine is set to resurface on General Hospital this week. Adam Huss is back as the incarcerated Nikolas on Monday, April 29. Look for the character to receive a prison visit from his ex-wife, Maura West’s Ava. Huss made his last appearance on the soap in  February.

Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) upcoming wedding will mean another big return for the Port Charles-based soap. Ellen Travolta will be reprising her role as Gloria Cerullo, the grandmother of the bride. She’ll begin airing on Monday, May 13.  

The Bold and the Beautiful

A beloved Forrester is heading home to The Bold and the Beautiful. Ashleigh Brewer, who originally portrayed Eric’s (John McCook) niece Ivy from 2014 to 2018, returns to the show on Tuesday, April 30. During her initial run on the soap, her character was romantically involved with Scott Clifton’s Liam. Brewer’s credits include stints on the long-running Australian soaps, Neighbours and Home and Away. 

Clint Howard pops back in as Tom, the homeless man who has information about Sheila’s (Kimberlin Brown) “death.” He airs on Monday, April 29.  

Tracey Bregman wrapped up her quick visit as Lauren Fenmore Baldwin. The actress took her The Young and the Restless character back to Genoa City.

The Young and the Restless

Daytime vet Christopher Cousins debuts as psychiatrist Alan Laurent on Tuesday, April 30. The character, who has been mentioned as Ashley’s (Eileen Davidson) Parisian friend and confidante, appears in Genoa City this week. Cousins has previously appeared on Another World, As the World Turns,  One Life to Live, and General Hospital.

Colleen Zenk gets more airtime as Jordan Howard on Tuesday, April 30. Look for the character, who’s being held prisoner by Victor (Eric Braeden), to be interrogated by her captor regarding the missing Claire’s (Hayley Erin) whereabouts.