Soap Opera Casting Shocker: Maternity Leaves, Big Exits, and New Faces in 2026! (2026)

Soap Opera Casting News: Maternity Leave, Big Exits, and Recasts

Here's a round-up of the latest 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.

Maternity Leave and Exits:

• Christel Khalil is on maternity leave as Lily Winters, with her character leaving Genoa City for several weeks.
• Cait Fairbanks' Tessa Porter makes a tough decision with Sharon's support.
• Peter Blake exits Days of our Lives, with his character pronounced dead.
• Alice Halsey's Rachel Black resurfaces, while Marissa Reyes' Ari Horton is set to depart.

New Characters and Returns:

• Brayan Nicoletti debuts as RJ Forrester, launching a new rivalry with Will.
• Eric and Donna Forrester return, with John McCook and Jennifer Gareis reprising their roles.
• Jordi Vilasuso portrays Grayson Perez, a new lab tech at Garland Memorial Hospital on Beyond the Gates.

Story Arcs and Screen Time:

• Roger Howarth continues his story arc as Matt Clark/Mitch Bacall.
• Sydney Bullock gets more airtime as Dylan, interacting with Steffy, Liam, and Electra.
• James Patrick Stuart's Valentin Cassadine takes a risk, while Lisa LoCicero and Wally Kurth return as Olivia and Ned Quartermaine.

Key Returns and Exits:

• Matt Clark returns after being declared dead for 20 years.
• Kevin Collins exits Port Charles, taking Ace with him.
• Nazneen Contractor and Tim Lounibos return as key legal players for Willow's trial.

Upcoming Episodes:

The week of January 12, 2026, promises more drama and surprises as these stories unfold. Stay tuned for more updates on your favorite daytime dramas!