News
Could Y&R be recasting the role of Heather Stevens?
According to Soap Opera Digest, The Young and the Restless is currently in an active search for an actress to fill a contract role of a character in her mid-20s, described as “quick witted and high spirited” with “a lot of heart”, and “while she is self assured, she is unaware of the dynamite affect she has on men.”
The role begins taping in October. This has left soap insiders to presume that the talent search is to recast the role of Heather Stevens most recently played by Eden Riegel, and before the Vail Bloom.
So is there any actress familiar to soaps that you could see as the new Heather? What are your suggestions? Let us know!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Chris McKenna On Jack’s Reaction to Carly Cheating On Him with Valentin: ‘Heartbreak and Absolute Rage and Humiliation’
The stage is set for next week on General Hospital, after yesterday’s May 1 cliffhanger, when Brennan (Chris McKenna) sneaks into Carly’s (Laura Wright) house and heads up to her bedroom, bursts in the door and finds her between the sheets, albeit at that moment alone.
However, Jack is already armed with plenty of ammo, he saw two glasses of wine in Carly’s kitchen, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) already lit the fire, by telling him her mother was seeing someone else, the WSB bureau chief then went to visit Carly’s ex, Sonny (Maurice Benard). The mobster’s reaction pretty much sold Jack that Carly must be sleeping with another man.
As Jack goes to check out the situation to confirm his suspicions, Carly and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) have just hit the sheets, after fighting their attraction once again for each other. Now comes the moment of truth that Carly has been sleeping with Brennan’s sworn enemy, Valentin.

Courtesy/ABC
In a preview of what’s to come, Soap Opera Digest spoke to both Chris McKenna and Laura Wright where they talked about the upcoming scenes. McKenna expressed, “This has been coming for such a long time.” He also previews, “Brennan comes at her pretty aggressively.”
THREE’S COMPANY
Wright added, “Carly didn’t expect Brennan to walk into her bedroom! He doesn’t have a key. It’s late at night. She thinks she and Valentin are in the clear. She sees that he’s so angry and so worried about being cheated on… but not that he’s sorry for lying to her face or because her daughter is in danger because of him!”
As to how Jack will handle the situation from here and finding out that Carly is with Valentin, McKenna confirms, to expect, “heartbreak and absolute rage and humiliation” from Jack. He’s thinking, ‘This can’t be real. This can’t have happened. I can’t be this stupid. I can’t have been this blind.’ And as to Jack’s current state of mind, coming into the situation, “Jack is drunk and a little unhinged and the audience finally gets a glimpse of what’s going on underneath that rigid exterior.”
Needless to say, the fallout will be huge, and McKenna is proud of the trios work in the scenes, sharing that Laura Wright was a fantastic as ever, and that GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini was on the set the entire time with Laura, James and him, making this story point play out to its full effect.
So, are you excited to see how what goes down between Brennan, Carly and Valentin and the fallout? Do you think this will cement Carly and Valentin as a couple, or will Carly regret what she’s done to Jack? Weigh-in on how you hope this all plays out via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
Calderon took to his Instagram story and simply shared, “Thank You, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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I think Natalia Livingston (ex- Emily, GH) would be great in this role. I’ve always been a big fan of hers, and I think she could pull this off well.
you know natalia would be awesome in the role of heather……
I agree she would excell in that role!
Y&R has shown a lack of talent with recasting roles in the past couple of years. I’d rather not push things and risk getting another miscast in the role. Just bring Val Bloom back to the part. She was fine.
The girl who replaced eden riegel on amc would be a good choice and kind of funny.
Couldn’t they just bring Vail Bloom back? I always liked her as Heather.
Why not bring back Vail Bloom? We, well *I*, need actors and actresses on this show that are reminiscent of the actual Y&R, not MAB’s Y&R.
And I know this is off-topic, but if MAB is really going to reunite Adam and Sharon, then I am CONVINCED this show is scheduled for cancellation and TPTB are trying to guarantee a deep-seated level of apathy in its viewers.
Prove me wrong, somebody please.
I agree with you, Devoted Fan. I think the Adam storyline has been bungled beyond the point of credulity. Yes, we allow for some crazy plot paths in daytime drama but this rollercoaster has not been a good ride. The MAB Y&R seems to allow for such character shifts and ignorance of histories and relationships just to fill a quick arcs that do not build with suspense or build on histories, and then end without resonance for new paths.
i have to agree, bring back Vail Bloom – she started off shaky, but really grew in the role and was very sexy! meanwhile if Sharon (my favorite character!) goes back to Adam I may seriously have to take a sabbatical from the show. I don’t care if he saved her entire family from a burning barn, it would be character assassination for Sharon – not to mention lazy writing!
and is there any doubt that Debbie Morgan is going to play Yolanda, Devon’s mother?
Vail Bloom was great she was sexy and she had chemistry with people on the show. But I will gurantee she will hire an actress that is well known that lost her job and you are suppose to accept her in that role. MAB is only still there because she is family. Y&R has become so disconnected I FF thru it whenever I do watch!!
I feel Gina Tognoni would be an excellent recast for the role of either “Heather or Victoria”. She is one of the best actressess on daytime TV.
I love Gina, but there is no need to replace Victoria. I love, love, love Amelia Heinle…and I don’t think there’s any need for a recast with her.
Explain this to me:
Described as “quick witted and high spirited” … “while she is self assured, she is unaware of the dynamite affect she has on men.”
She’s quick witted and unaware of the affect she has on men. What kind of contradiction is that? In any case, must be a polar opposite of Sharon.
As for Heather, sure she’s a legacy character. But let her go. Just as long as she doesn’t die.
Hey guys after checking other boards I don’t think this is a recast for Heather I think it may be for Noah’s age group! But with this nut case who knows I am talking about MAB!!!!
But as I can add into this Vail Bloom was never a bad actress why Nelson Branco ragged on her acting all the time I do not know. She sure looked hot in a bathing suit!
Bring back Vail Bloom.
I would have to disagree with an earlier post that mentioned Y&R has had some poor casting choices as of late; case in point.. Jessica Collins. She has been amazing to watch… not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but she’s a very fine actress, and holds her own with Genoa City’s elite. I’m looking forward to seeing her story unfold more and more eacy day.
I am thrilled to see Eden go. I never liked her portrayal of Heather and I truly hated that they let Vail go. If they do recast the part, I hope they do a better job than last time. And what about Yolanda? Wasn’t she supposed to be dead?
Bring back Vail Bloom she was great! I also love Jessica Collins as Avery! I hope her and Nick get together.
I completely agree with the others that say Vail Bloom should return to the role of Heather Stevens. Eden Riegel is a terrific actress. Unfortunately, she just doesn’t fill the shoes of Vail who gave Heather Stevens a strong and stubborn personality. I guess we’ll see what happens in the coming weeks or months but I say bring back Vail Bloom.