Image: Disney
1/111
<p>Welp, at least he got to attend son Chase’s wedding on <em>General Hospital</em>. But no sooner had the bouquet been tossed than the Chase brothers’ dad passed away in his sleep, bringing to an end the primetime mainstay’s four-year run in the role.</p>
Image: Priscilla Grant/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
2/111
<p>In the middle of May, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> revealed that the daytime newcomer, who has Down syndrome, had been cast as Sweet Bits regular Felicity.</p>
3/111
<p>Dang it. A bright light since joining <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em> in Season 19, Mika’s portrayer would only be coming back for Season 21 to give Yasuda a proper sendoff.</p>
Image: Nino Muñoz/Disney
4/111
<p>As <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em> neared the end of Season 20, the news broke that Schmitt’s portrayer would only be returning for Season 21 for long enough to wrap up his character’s storyline.</p>
Image: Virginia Sherwood/NBC
5/111
<p>As May sweeps got underway, the primetime mainstay announced that her third season as Lt. Kate Dixon on <em>Law & Order</em> would be her last. Luckily, the procedural was likely to be around for centuries to come, so if the alum of <em>The Practice</em> ever changed her mind…</p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
6/111
<p>“I’m leaving the soap world,” the<em> Days of Our Lives</em> veteran <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/730192/thao-penghlis-leaving-tony-dimera-exit/" target="_blank">told Soap Opera News</a> in May 2024. “There are changes happening that I can’t discuss right now. It feels like it’s coming from somewhere else, maybe with a different writer. When people start taking you for granted, you change.” Later, the actor, who touched down in Salem in 1981 as Tony (and then lookalike Andre), tweeted that “nothing is final.” So was he <em>done</em>-done or just done? Tune in tomorrow.</p>
Image: Getty Images
7/111
<p>After 12 seasons as <em>Chicago Fire</em>’s Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden, the OG exited the NBC drama as a series regular — but at least he was expected to continue on in a recurring capacity.</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
8/111
<p>May 2, 2024, was a weird day for kids on <em>General Hospital</em>. Not only did this newcomer step in as a temporary replacement for Lily Fisher as Georgie, but another youngster was recast — permanently.</p>
Image: ABC screenshot (2)
9/111
<p>We really liked Enzo De Angelis (left) as Liz’s son Aiden on <em>General Hospital</em>. But he was swapped out for another actor in early May nonetheless.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
10/111
<p>In early May, it was announced that the daytime legend would be appearing on <em>General Hospital</em> as Neil’s attorney brother, Fergus, who was instrumental in getting Alexis disbarred. In other words, we’d be getting a rematch of <em>Santa Barbara</em> supercouple Mason and Julia (whom Davies and Nancy Lee Grahn played in the 1980s)!</p>
Image: Peaco*ck screenshot
11/111
<p>May 1 marked the first <em>Days of Our Lives</em> appearance by this primetime vet, who’d beencast as EJ’s no-nonsense assistant, Rita.</p>
Image: ABC
12/111
<p>Though the <em>General Hospital</em> Emmy winner was supposed to return as Spencer once he was done filming Season 2 of Ryan Murphy’s <em>Monster</em>, our sister site <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/comings-and-goings/727335/nicholas-chavez-not-returning-as-spencer/" target="_blank">TVLine</a> reported in April that nope, the actor was gone for good.</p>
Image: Netflix screenshot
13/111
<p>We’d have to wait until <em>Heartstopper</em> Season 3 dropped in October to see the <em>Bridgerton</em> heartthrob in action, but in April, it was announced that he’d joined the cast of the LGBTQ+ romantic dramedy as Charlie’s celebrity crush. Also new to the Emmy-winning series would be <em>Agent Carter</em>’s Hayley Atwell as Nick’s aunt and <em>Ray Donovan</em>’s Eddie Marsan as Charlie’s therapist.</p>
Image: Paul Skipper/JPI
14/111
<p>For a while there, we were worried that the actress wasn’t going to be returning to <em>Days of Our Lives</em> for its farewell to Hope’s father, Doug (and his late portrayer, Bill Hayes). Thankfully, it turned out that our fears were unwarranted.</p>
Image: Virginia Sherwood/NBC
15/111
<p>Three weeks after Sam Waterston’s <em>Law & Order</em> exit, the Scandal POTUS stepped in as new D.A. Nicholas Baxter.</p>
Image: Disney
16/111
<p>No way would the matriarch of the Cerullo family let granddaughter Brook Lynn tie the knot without booking a return trip to Port Charles. This time, <em>General Hospital</em> scene stealer Gloria was even bringing husband Carmine (with George Russo stepping in for John Capudice).</p>
Image: Nelly Kiss/CBS/Getty Images
17/111
<p>The <em>Young & Restless</em> alum — he was Noah for a hot minute — planned to leave <em>FBI: International</em> and his role of Supervisory Special Agent Scott Forrester at the end of the CBS drama’s Season 3.</p>
Image: Getty Images
18/111
<p>Right after Kleintank’s exit, this <em>Chicago Med</em> vet was set to make his entrance in the last two episodes of <em>FBI: International. </em>Could a Season 4 regular gig be far behind?</p>
Image: CBS, John Paschal/JPI
19/111
<p>Turns out there’s an upside to a nervous breakdown, at least in the case of <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Ashley. The show snagged the scene stealer who played <em>One Life to Live</em>’s Cain to recur as her shrink, Alan Laurent.</p>
Image: Getty Images
20/111
<p>The <em>NCIS: Los Angeles</em> vet, who played Special Agent Kensi Blye for all 14 seasons of the <em>NCIS</em> spinoff, signed up to reprise her role in the 1,000th episode of the mothership.</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
21/111
<p>There were probably better times to start recurring on<em> Station 19</em> than during its final season, but we were still glad to see the familiar face (from <em>Queer as Folk</em> and <em>Hacks</em>) in action as first-responder-for-hire Dominic. Here, his patient seems to be saying, and we don’t blame her, “Oh my God, have you <em>seen</em> how well that uniform fits him?!?”</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI, NBC/Getty Images
22/111
<p>The OG <em>Days of Our Lives</em> cast member, who played unlucky-in-love ex-nun Marie, was among the alumni set to return for the soap’s farewell to the late Bill Hayes and his character, Doug.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
23/111
<p>Also headed back to <em>Days of Our Lives</em> for the show’s tribute to Hayes was this fan favorite, who played Doug’s granddaughter, Ciara.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
24/111
<p><em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Eli and Lani booked a flight back to Salem so that they could be there to support his grandmother Julie in her hour of need.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
25/111
<p>No way could <em>Days of Our Lives</em> say goodbye to Doug without bringing home Belle and Shawn for the occasion.</p>
Image: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
26/111
<p>On April 10, 2024, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> announced that “we’re seeing some newcomers in Salem” and shared a photo of two them. One was this alum of Apple TV+’s <em>Nova Vita</em> with Marci Miller (ex-Abigail). Who was Jimenez playing, though? The show wouldn’t say, although it seemed likely that she was going to be Camila Banus’ successor as Gabi. In the picture with Jimenez was another fresh face…</p>
Image: Antony Platt/AMC
27/111
<p>This new arrival on <em>Days of Our Lives</em> previously appeared on such series as <em>The Haves and the Have Nots</em> and <em>The Dead Girls Detective Agency</em>. He was also one of the few good things about <em>The Walking Dead: World Beyond</em>. (He’s wearing his soldier-boy garb from that show above). The identity of his new character was also kept secret. Gabi’s brother, Dario, maybe? A re-recast Sonny?</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
28/111
<p><em>Days of Our Lives </em>revealed that it was bringing this vet back to play the role she originated, Jennifer, for a Thanksgiving celebration and to join in the memorial for the late Bill Hayes’ character, Doug.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
29/111
<p>Needless to say, if <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Jennifer was coming back, on-again/off-again husband Jack would be, too.</p>
Image: 20th Century Fox Licensing/Everett Collection
30/111
<p><em>9-1-1</em> tapped the <em>Cosby Show</em> vet for a four-episode arc as Amir, a hospital burn unit nurse with ties to Bobby’s past.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
31/111
<p>Or should we simply say “Not going after all”? Rumors of <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> baddie Sheila’s death were, as usual, exaggerated. Since that wasn’t her on the slab — the 10th toe was the giveaway for fiancé Deacon — it was only a matter of time before her portrayer was back in action.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
32/111
<p>During an April visit to <em>The Locher Room</em> podcast, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> star Deidre Hall (Marlena) revealed that after nearly 40 years away, Loring was returning to the soap as Liz Chandler.</p>
33/111
<p><em>General Hospital</em> tapped the daytime newbie to sling hash as Hunter, the new manager of Port Charles hot spot Bobbie’s.</p>
Image: Disney
34/111
<p>Don’t let the scrubs fool ya. The “Dr. Millin” that this head turner introduced on <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em> in April hadn’t been to medical school; he was just Jules’ social-media influencer brother.</p>
Image: ABC
35/111
<p>Midway through the final season of <em>The Good Doctor</em>, ABC’s medical drama jabbed a scalpel into our hearts by brutally murdering the fan favorite’s Asher Wolke. And just as his boyfriend was waiting to propose, too!</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
36/111
<p>On her very first day as Nina’s assistant Madison on <em>General Hospital</em>, the Port Charles newcomer wore the pained expression for which we expected her to have a whole lotta use — especially if Drew was going to keep bypassing her desk to march straight into the <em>Crimson</em> editor’s office.</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
37/111
<p>A recurring player on <em>General Hospital </em>since 2023, Cross made his first appearance as Detective Bennet in months in April 2024 so that the police academy instructor could question the wisdom of Anna inviting Mob flunky Dex to start playing for the cops’ team instead of the robbers’. Maybe next Bennet will get a first name?</p>
Image: NBC
38/111
<p>With six, you get… going? Apparently so. After appearing in just a half-dozen Season 12 episodes of <em>Chicago Fire</em>, the <em>Bold & Beautiful</em>, <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em> and <em>Haves and the Have Nots</em> alum was written off as Derrick Gibson.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI (3)
39/111
<p>This was no April Fool’s Day prank: As March passed the baton to the month after it, the recognizable character actor — a fave from <em>The People Under the Stairs</em> — booked a return engagement as possibly the only nerd ever to walk among <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em>: Carl the Hospital Janitor.</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
40/111
<p>The soap legend — <em>Another World</em> playboy Cass Winthrop from 1982-99 — revealed during a <em>Locher Room</em> visit that he was set to return to <em>Days of Our Lives</em> briefly after more than four decades as Julie’s brother, Steve.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
41/111
<p>In the spring of 2024, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> revealed that the insta-fave had decided to trade his role of Tate for the honor roll to focus on his college studies. At once, a called was placed to bring…</p>
Image: CW Network/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
42/111
<p>The <em>Legacies</em> vet, a skilled martial artist, was ready and willing to kick butt as <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ new Tate.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI (3)
43/111
<p>No way could <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> hold a funeral for the demented Sheila Carter without her longtime <em>Young & Restless</em> victim Lauren Fenmore showing up to dance on the psycho’s grave.</p>
Image: Netflix screenshot
44/111
<p><em>Heartstopper</em> fans were gutted to learn ahead of Season 3 of the Netflix coming-of-age dramedy that scheduling conflicts had prevented the Emmy winner from reprising her role of Nick’s mum, Sarah. But, said series creator Alice Oseman, “If we get a Season 4, I would love for Olivia to be a part of it again!”</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI (3)
45/111
<p>We doubted — or at least hoped against hope — that it wasn’t au revoir for good when <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> shipped off Douglas and dad Thomas to Paris in late March 2024. But after the latter’s <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/news/723171/steffy-gaslights-hope/" target="_blank">deeply disturbing breakup with Hope</a>, we could understand why maybe the character was due for a French twist.</p>
Image: Disney
46/111
<p>Before <em>Station 19</em> shut its doors forever, in through them once more walked this <em>Young & Restless</em> alum as Emmett, the ex of Travis’ who was destined to blow up his new relationship with Eli.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
47/111
<p>We could only hope that <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> was going to be perking up Liam’s love life when it was revealed that the Aussie actress would be returning as his former romantic interest, Ivy.</p>
Image: CBS screenshot
48/111
<p><em>Young & Restless</em> announced in March that the towhead, who’s been playing Kyle’s son Harrison since his debut in May of 2021, would be recast come April.</p>
Image: CBS, CBS screenshot
49/111
<p>Aaand this is the moppet (left) that <em>Young & Restless</em> picked to succeed Enriquez (right) as Jack’s grandson.</p>
Image: ABC
50/111
<p>Before <em>The Good Doctor</em> finished making rounds, original cast member Antonia Thomas set a return engagement as Dr. Claire Browne. She’d even be around for the series’ send-off.</p>
Image: ABC/Getty Images
51/111
<p>Also scrubbing back in to <em>The Good Doctor</em> was the Season 6 regular who played Danny Perez.</p>
Image: Allan Gould/TV Guide/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Derek Storm/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
52/111
<p>The former child star of <em>Gentle Ben</em> was tapped by <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> to play a homeless man who holds the key to an ongoing mystery. Maybe he’ll reveal how in all these years Forrester Creations has never had a gay designer!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
53/111
<p><em>Days of Our Lives</em> finally brought back “Elani” — but only long enough for the couple to rest assured that her mom Paulina was going to be OK.</p>
Image: CBS screenshot
54/111
<p>Lily returned to <em>Young & Restless</em> on March 13, 2024. And thanks to boyfriend Daniel’s hookup with his ex, the fireworks were cued up, um, a nanosecond later.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI (2)
55/111
<p>In March, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> temporarily had the actress step in for Jessica Serfaty as Sloan. Gotta say, as recasts go, this one was a home run!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
56/111
<p><em>Bold & Beautiful</em> let us see Sheila stop breathing after being stabbed during a murder attempt on daughter-in-law Steffy. But was the hellcat really out of lives? TBD.</p>
Image: CBS screenshot
57/111
<p>It was last call for <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Seth when he raised a glass to Jordan’s charade. Busted, she gave him a fatal nudge into oncoming traffic.</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
58/111
<p><em>General Hospital</em> didn’t even bring on the soap vet who originated the role of Olivia Jerome back in the 1980s to kill off her demented character. (For the second time.) She was just said to have been rubbed out during a February-sweeps prison transport.</p>
Image: NBC
59/111
<p>“The time has come for me to move on and take Jack McCoy with me,” the <em>Law & Order</em> mainstay said in February. “There’s sadness in leaving, but I’m just too curious about what’s next. An actor doesn’t want to let himself get too comfortable. I’m more grateful to you than I can say.” And vice versa, buddy.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
60/111
<p>Smith and Chyz are tackling two iconic roles on<em>Days of Our Lives</em>as they’ve been tapped to play a young Alice and Tom Horton in flashbacks following the family’s longtime home burning down during February sweeps.</p>
Image: © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
61/111
<p>Less than a month after the actresses took off from <em>Days of Our Lives</em> so that Nicole could get daughter Holly into rehab, they were back. But, given what was <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/soapbox/717325/arianne-zucker/" target="_blank">going on behind the scenes</a>, how long Zucker would be sticking around remained a big question mark.</p>
Image: JB Lacroix/ WireImage/Getty Images
62/111
<p>The doctor is in… sorta! It was our sister site <a href="https://tvline.com/casting-news/general-hospital-eva-larue-cast-blaze-mother-1235168061/" target="_blank">TVLine</a> that first reported <em>General Hospital</em> had invited former <em>All My Children</em> M.D. Maria Santos to scrub in — but not as her old character, a new one: Blaze’s hom*ophobic mother, Natalia.</p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images
63/111
<p>After six seasons away from <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em>, Arizona’s portrayer was set to scrub back in, ABC announced in February. The guest star wasn’t coming back alone, either.</p>
Image: Rich Polk/Getty Images
64/111
<p>The <em>Morning Show</em> and <em>Dead to Me</em> vet would be joining Capshaw on <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em> in Season 20 as a fellow pediatric surgeon whose good intentions don’t always yield the best reactions.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
65/111
<p>In February of 2024, <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/717071/arianne-zucker-sues-producer-albert-alarr-ken-corday/" target="_blank">TMZ reported</a> that the <em>Days of Our Lives</em> vet had, in effect, been dismissed as Nicole months after she spoke out about allegations of misconduct on the part of since-axed EP Albert Alarr. In response to her ouster, Zucker filed a lawsuit against the show for sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, negligent hiring and supervision, and wrongful termination.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
66/111
<p><em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Officer Goldman has been slowly moving from background to foreground as we get into the new year, but is she a <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/716853/who-is-officer-goldman-the-mole/" target="_blank">trusted cop or duplicitous mole</a>? The jury’s still out, but we always welcome an addition to the Salem PD!</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
67/111
<p>Jagger is back on<em>General Hospital</em> after nearly 30 years, but this time, he’s played by a brand new face, has moved from cop to FBI agent and prefers to go by his actual name: John!</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
68/111
<p>Just when Trina was going to need old pal Cameron the most, <em>General Hospital</em> revealed that it was bringing him home to Port Charles. Sadly, not to stay.</p>
Image: Ralph Bavaro/NBC/Getty Images
69/111
<p>It’s hard to imagine <em>Law & Order</em> without Jack McCoy. But after the February 22 episode of the long-running procedural, we wouldn’t have to: It would be the last for the veteran actor, who joined the show back in Season 5. And taking his place?</p>
Image: ABC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
70/111
<p>Dun-<em>dunn</em>! No less than <em>Scandal</em>’s former POTUS was tapped to be <em>Law & Order</em>’s new D.A.</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
71/111
<p>To accommodate the actor’s temporary absence, <em>General Hospital</em> had Spencer plunge to a watery “grave” as part of Esme’s co*ckamamie plan to get baby Ace back.</p>
Image: ABC
72/111
<p>Esme’s plot worked out even worse for her than it did Spencer: Her portrayer was supposedly not going to be making another splash on <em>General Hospital</em> following the vixen’s death.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
73/111
<p>In February, <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Chelsea and Adam got a slightly late Christmas present — or a very early one for 2024? In any case, son Connor returned to Genoa City. (Ornaments not included.)</p>
Image: Disney/Getty Images
74/111
<p>The son of <em>General Hospital</em> star Maurice Benard (Sonny) wrapped his return engagement as Josslyn’s troubled classmate Adam in early February.</p>
Image: ABC
75/111
<p>After <em>General Hospital</em> — technically, Spencer — let Nikolas run off with baby Ace, Esme was so beside herself that she turned to Mommie Dearest Heather.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
76/111
<p>We couldn’t help but hope that <em>Young & Restless</em> planned to put Devon and Abby’s relationship to the test when the Emmy winner teased her return as Amanda. And no, that can’t be the same couch on which she caught them cheating, can it?</p>
Image: Paramount Network
77/111
<p>According to TV industry newsletter <a href="https://puck.news/newsletter_content/what-im-hearing">Puck</a>, <em>Yellowstone</em> co-creator Taylor Sheridan has written the back half of the Paramount Network hit’s fifth and final season without John Dutton in it.</p>
Image: ABC
78/111
<p>After taking some time off in the wake of her mother’s passing, the Emmy winner who plays Josslyn on <em>General Hospital</em> was set to return to work in February 2024. Needless to say, that meant that…</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
79/111
<p>The sub that <em>General Hospital</em> brought in during Eden McCoy’s absence had wrapped her stint in Port Charles.</p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
80/111
<p>Color us surprised when <em>Days of Our Lives</em> sent Nicole off to Italy with her daughter in January — at least for now! Nicole’s got <em>a lot</em> of unfinished business in Salem.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
81/111
<p>Holly barely got to play with the big kids on<em>Days of Our Lives</em>before a drug overdose put her in a coma. And in January, she was packed off to Italy for miracle treatment to wake her up.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
82/111
<p>Kids — they grow up so fast and move on so quickly! It seems like only yesterday that <em>Days of Our Lives</em> SORAS’d Tate — technically, it was October 2023 — and in January, the character was shipped off to rehab. At least for the moment.</p>
Image: Trae Patton/NBC/Getty Images
83/111
<p>The alum of <em>American Auto</em> was tapped to turn up the heat in <em>Fire Country</em> Season 2 as Bode’s cellmate, Cole.</p>
Image: ABC screenshot
84/111
<p>If you blinked, you might’ve missed him. Turned out, <em>General Hospital</em> had only brought Nikolas back for long enough to convince son Spencer to let him take baby Ace and run.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/CBS
85/111
<p>Only three months after announcing that he was <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/comings-and-goings/695693/darin-brooks-out-wyatt-leaving/" target="_blank">done at <em>Bold & Beautiful</em></a> as Wyatt, the Emmy winner was booked for a brief return.</p>
Image: Paramount +
86/111
<p>In mid-January, the<em> Criminal Minds: Evolution</em> actor announced on X that “sadly, my days of playing Will LaMontagne Jr. are over.”</p>
Image: Lia Toby/Getty Images
87/111
<p>Just in time for <em>The Good Doctor</em> to hang up its scrubs, the actor who plays Dr. Jared Kalu was promoted to series-regular status.</p>
Image: CBS screenshot
88/111
<p>On second thought, make that “Out?” After pulling off what may have been the surprise of the decade by showing up out of nowhere as crazy Aunt Jordan on <em>Young & Restless</em>, the <em>As the World Turns</em> legend appeared to wrap her run when the villainess was carted off to jail. But as her nefarious character would point out, appearances can be <em>very</em> deceiving.</p>
Image: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
89/111
<p>The <em>Right Stuff</em> vet nabbed the plum part of Stabler’s kid brother Joe Jr. in Season 4 of <em>Law & Order: Organized Crime.</em></p>
Image: Disney
90/111
<p>What? We can’t keep him? Apparently not. No sooner had <em>General Hospital</em> aired Bobbie’s memorial service than Lucas’ portrayer ended his return engagement.</p>
Image: Getty Images
91/111
<p>Is it hot in here, or is it just that the <em>Chicago Fire</em> favorite returned as Kelly Severide in Season 12 after a sudden departure the previous season?</p>
92/111
<p>The <em>General Hospital</em> alum, who’d played Bobbie and Tony’s ill-fated daughter B.J. from 1986-94, returned in angelic form to interact with Mom’s loved ones at her funeral.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
93/111
<p>Only days after giving birth to her and fiance Brock Powell’s son Bridger, the <em>Young & Restless</em> Emmy winner was back at work as Mariah.</p>
Image: ABC
94/111
<p>Good news for fans of <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em>’s “Schmico.” As production got underway on Season 20 of the ABC drama, the network revealed that Nico’s former portrayer was scrubbing back in.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
95/111
<p>MIA from <em>Days of Our Lives</em> since October 2023, the scene stealer brought Kristen roaring back in January — and no, not <em>just</em> to appreciate the finer points of Brady’s sexy stubble.</p>
Image: © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
96/111
<p><em>General Hospital</em> couldn’t bid adieu to Bobbie without bringing back Felix to say goodbye to the fellow nurse with whom he brought down the house in 2018.</p>
Image: ABC
97/111
<p>After being spelled by <em>Hope & Faith</em> alum Nicole Paggi, Maxie’s usual portrayer reported back to work at <em>General Hospital.</em></p>
Image: JPI (2)
98/111
<p>Only a day after the actor announced that he was out at <em>Days of Our Lives</em>, he announced that he was headed back to <em>General Hospital</em> to raise Jason from the grave. Again!</p>
Image: ABC
99/111
<p>The Emmy winner revealed shortly after New Year that he had taped his last episodes as Harris on<em> Days of Our Lives </em>— and just as <em>General Hospital</em> seemed to be <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/713006/drew-new-jason-morgan/" target="_blank">crafting itself a new Jason</a>, too.</p>
Image: ABC; Jill Johnson/JPI
100/111
<p>In early January, the <em>General Hospital</em> fan favorite was again temporarily replaced by soap-hopper Lindsay Hartley, late of <em>Passions</em>, <em>All My Children</em> and <em>Days of Our Lives.</em></p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
101/111
<p>Only a day later, Sam’s usual portrayer was back on screen on <em>General Hospital.</em></p>
Image: ABC screenshot
102/111
<p>We had known for a while that <em>General Hospital</em> had greatly exaggerated rumors of Nikolas’ death. But we were still caught as off guard as Ava when her ex made a surprise appearance at her art gallery.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
103/111
<p>As 2023 was about to exit stage left, the news broke that <em>The Young and the Restless</em> had cast Brian Gaskill as Seth, whose acquaintance recovering alcoholic Nikki makes at an AA meeting. The soap vet was previously Bobby on <em>All My Children</em>, Rafe on <em>Port Charles</em>, Ozzy on <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> and Dylan on <em>Guiding Light.</em></p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images
104/111
<p><em>General Hospital</em> announced in late 2023 that it was bringing the actor back as Lucas for the saddest of occasions: its <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/general-hospital/news/711663/when-is-bobbie-spencer-funeral/" target="_blank">farewell to Bobbie Spencer</a>, the iconic character played by the late Jacklyn Zeman. Carnes was but one of many recasts of Bobbie’s adopted son but held the role the longest and played, arguably, the doctor’s most memorable storylines.</p>
Image: © Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
105/111
<p>Better late than never, it looked like<em> Bold & Beautiful</em> might provide #JusticeForEmma. Xander returned to the canvas full of accusations that Thomas was responsible for his ex-girlfriend’s murder. As luck would have it — good for Xander, bad for Thomas — Finn was only too happy to listen.</p>
Image: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images
106/111
<p>Given how far ahead <em>Days of Our Lives</em> tapes, it would be months after the <em>90210</em> alum’s casting was announced that she’d finally make her debut on Peaco*ck’s soap. But the description of her character certainly had us looking forward to it. Marin was said to be “the desire of many, but her heart belongs to only one man who continues to push her away for her own good.”</p>
Image: YouTube screenshot
107/111
<p>As intel about Season 3 of Netflix’s LGBTQ+ romance <em>Heartstopper</em> began to leak, creator Alice Oseman spilled the beans that this charismatic newcomer had been cast as Michael, Tori’s love interest from her first novel, <em>Solitaire</em>.</p>
Image: Art Streiber/NBC
108/111
<p>A <em>Chicago Fire</em> regular since Season 3, the actress’ departure during Season 12 was disclosed in November of 2023. Perhaps to give the show time to write a happy ending for “Brettsey”?</p>
Image: ABC
109/111
<p>Though the <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em> OG’s days as a series regular were behind her, she was set to make two appearances as Meredith in Season 20 of the long-running ABC drama.</p>
Image: CBS screenshot
110/111
<p>We didn’t even realize that she had left until poof…she was gone. In fact, by the time the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve, the <em>Days of Our Lives</em> vet who succeeded Hunter Tylo as Taylor on <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em> had taped her final episode, aired for the last time and moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta. Could one of these actresses be <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/news/710862/taylor-hayes-recast/" target="_blank">the show’s next Taylor</a>?</p>
Image: Lori Allen/NBC
111/111