Home> General Soap Operas> news
There’s a big return, a shocking exit and a comeback rumor in the soap opera world this week.
By Janet Di Lauro
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.
The Week of May 12, 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
on Friday, May 16. The actress is back to kick off a front-burner story arc. Morgan originally joined the soap as Hilary Curtis in 2013, but the character was killed off in 2018. She returned to the show in 2019 as Hilary’s long-lost twin.
A popular duo is heading home to Genoa City, too. Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian will be reprising their roles of Christine Blair Williams and Danny Romalotti soon. Bell released the news via an Instagram post featuring a photo of herself with Damian and Michael Graziadei, who plays Daniel. “Happy to be back for guaranteed good days ahead with these two!” noted Bell.
Cait Fairbanks gets more airtime as Tessa Porter. She’s back this week for some emotional scenes opposite Camryn Grimes’ Mariah beginning Monday, May 12.
Days of our Lives
Chadwick Hopson has joined the DAYS fold as Kevin, a character connected to Dr. Russell’s lab. The role is recurring. The actor makes his first appearance on Monday, Wednesday, May 12, in scenes with John-Paul Lavoisier’s Philip, and also airs on Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16.
Michael Dietz is returns as Dr. Jeffrey Russell, the man perfecting the serum that could save the ailing Bo (Peter Reckell). He interacts with Mary Beth Evans’ Kayla, Stephen Nichols’ Steve, and Brandon Beemer’s Shawn on Friday, May 16
Alice Halsey pops back in as Rachel Black. Look for the tyke to celebrate her birthday on Wednesday, May 14. She’ll celebrate with her TV parents, Eric Martsolf’s Brady and Stacy Haiduk’s Kristen, Dan Feuerriegel’s EJ, and Martha Madison’s Belle.
Rachel Boyd’s Sophia Choi is also commemorating her birthday this week. On Thursday, May 15, the character toasts her special day with Leo Howard’s Tate.
General Hospital
Sad news for Parry Shen fans. The actor has wrapped up his latest run as Brad Cooper on GH. The lab technician quit his job and left Port Charles after exposing Portia’s (Brooke Kerr) latest crime to Drew (Cameron Mathison) and receiving a huge payoff. Shen, who has recurred on the soap since 2013, resurfaced in August of 2024. The door remains open for Shen’s return at a later date.
After Chris McKenna, who plays Jack, posted a behind-the-scenes photo with his former One Life to Live co-star Jessica Tuck — the pair played siblings Joey and Megan on the defunct soap — rumors have begun circulating that Tuck might be returning to GH. The actress played Cassandra Pierce, a drug trafficker with ties to Valentin (James Patrick Stuart), from 2017 to 2019. When last seen, Cassandra was kidnapped by a mysterious man wearing a ring with Cassadine family crest.
Beyond the Gates
Keith D. Robinson debuts as Dr. Ted Richardson on Thursday, May 15, replacing Maurice Johnson. The actor, who starred as Joel Rawlings, the Green Ranger in the TV series Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, has a long list of primetime credits, including American Dreams, Saints & Sinners, and A Million Little Things. He also appeared in the films Dreamgirls and Dear John.
