News
B&B’s EP and Head Writer, Brad Bell Confirms Luna’s ‘Dead’ and Arrival of R.J. Forrester Recast
The Bold and the Beautiful is stepping into 2026 with some changes to the younger set of the characters at the CBS daytime drama series. According to longtime series executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell, any question out there that Luna Nozawa is supposedly alive, after she was run down by a car off-screen, should be put to bed.
In a 2026 preview discussion with TV Insider, Bell commented on the status of groundbreaking Daytime Emmy winner, Lisa Yamada (Luna) who in October of 2025 became the first Asian-American performer to win a Daytime Emmy in its 52-year history for her work as the villainess young woman with a penchant for murder, kidnapping and more.
Bell explained, “Luna is dead. We all saw it. I mean, Lisa Yamada — wow. And to cap it off with an Emmy and to have her bring levity and that spark in her eye and the unique delivery? What a joy she was to work with and what a wonderful person. She took that character and ran with it, and it was so wonderful collaborating with Lisa.”

Photo: JPI
With Luna out of the picture, the head honcho and scribe, says that in the new year, viewers should watch for a different set of twists and turns. “We have a new group of young characters being featured. We’ve signed Sydney Bullock as Miss Dylan and Brayan Nicoletti playing R.J. (Forrester). We’re at a great time in the show where you have that next generation to play with their core family members.”
With the official word that as had been teased over the B&B holiday party, Nicoletti is taking over the role of Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) and Brooke’s (Katherine Kelly Lang) son from Joshua Hoffman who last played the part from 2023-2024. The role has also been played by several other actors over the years including: Anthony Turpel, Jack Horan and Mace Coronel.
In addition, it looks like Bell is positioning and hinting at a rivalry between Will and R.J. which then leads to most likely a quadrangle involving Miss Dylan and Electra. “Now that Luna is dead, it’s smooth sailing for Will (Crew Morrow) and Electra (Laneya Grace) but that begins to see some bumps in the road,” shared the exec. “They know Miss Dylan is living in her car, so they’re going to find a little place for her to stay at the beach house until she gets her footing and finds that next teaching job. And we will have another Spencer/Forrester rivalry with Will and RJ, so that’s going to be some fun. Years ago, when R.J. and Will were born, we thought, ‘Well, we’re never going to be around to see these guys acting as adults against one another,’ and here we are.”
So, what do you think about Brad Bell confirming the death of Luna Nozawa? Do you believe the story has ended? Also, how do you feel about yet another R.J. recast? Are you interested to see the younger set now featuring Crew Morrow, Laneya Grace, Brayan Nicoletti and Sydney Bullock? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
I thought Joshua Hoffman was great in the role, why the recast
Right? Joshua was a doll.
He was!
I WISH THEY COULD BRING LUNA BACK AS A LONG LOST TWIN THAT HER MOTHER NEVER KNEW EXISTED.
Luna was the girl I enjoyed her but I dont think Luna is dead I think bell is pulling our leg
He was a horrible actor, I was happy to see him go.
I so agree, he was a terrible actor at least for this role with Luna. He was to immature, with the persona of a highschool reject. Her child be cat as sometimes younger brother it something.
I am all for a RJ/Will rivalry, but making Electra a Forrester was a mistake because RJ is related to her. And IF Dylan is really Diana Marone, that means she is Ridge’s half-sister and RJ’s aunt.
The actress portraying Dylan has been upped to contract status, so she will end up being related to someone on the show. They need to bring Amber Moore back to LA with Rosie in tow. RJ could be paired with Rosie and Brooke would FLIP. There would also be some drama bc Amber could go design at LOGAN, Deke aka Lil Eric is there, so there is alot to mine there considering Amber was his adoptive mother. Or they could bring back Sally. The new RJ is HOT.
Electra gets on my nerves so I hope Dylan is mean to her!
Why would they paired Rj with Rosie they are cousins because Rj and Marcus is cousins Donna is Marcus Mother so brooke and Donna are Sisters
@ Richard, Ridge is not really a Forester he’s a Marone, so a RJ & Electra hookup wouldn’t be taboo. I don’t remember ROSIE, can you help me there?
Yep let’s look for hot actors that can’t act that’s the ticket . A different audience and that’s ok in the past you looked for a Tom p a David Tom a Billy Miller etc now days you don’t just somebody who looks pretty . Signed off and won’t complain you have politics involved with everything and I’m worn out .
Too funny, but so true!
This is great. We need fresh stories. Tired of the brooke taylor ridge triangle. I was beginning to wonder if B&B needed new writers. I will take a new generation instead. Great!!!
The problem is, we’ll… Different characters same stories .
I love the show. I wish it lasted longer. It has too many commercials and not enough story. Why can’t that last as long as theother two stories.
Agree!
I really was tired of the Luna story……always getting away with her antics. It had gotten old.
I definitely agree that the Luna storyline had gotten old and washed up just like Sheila. I mean they actually made her into a rapist, that was going too far.
If Luna came back I was done. They need better writers.
Maybe if Luna came back and had gotten help. She could come back as a good, kind, really helped people and fit in with everyone. Got to know her dad.
This RJ looks like he can’t act either, who is running casting lol
“Luna is dead. We all saw it”.
We did? I don’t remember seeing Luna’s body after Dylan hit her with the car?
I don’t believe that Luna is really dead. Why would the show get rid of an Emmy award winning performer? Plus, the actress playing Luna is excellent and is exciting to watch!
I think she had another acting job.
We saw Sheila dead how many times??? Lol
Bingo about Sheila dying. She changed her appearance to look like Lauren Fenmore on Y&R, was shot dead, and so many other times. Luna is fine cause she has other jobs, now an EMMY, and doesn’t want to give her life and opportunity to the SOAP WORLD.
Wheres Thomas in these teasers!! He and Hope have sooo much super couple potential! Less Ridge and Brooke and more Hope and Thomas!
Can’t we let Liam and hope be happy for 5 minutes?
Yes and then Liam falls of a cliff into a boiling cauldron of oil
I truly don’t understand the need to recast R.J. Joshua Hoffman was excellent in the role, he’s a much better actor than Crew Morrow. As for Dylan, I really hope the reveal is coming that she’s Sheila’s daughter. But they’re going to have to retcon her parentage if they want to pair her with R.J. since they’d be related if Dylan is Massimo’s daughter.
As for Luna, I really hope she isn’t dead. And frankly, I doubt she is, regardless of what Brad Bell says. We didn’t actually see her die, and she’s too good of a villain and actress to keep down for long. I have a feeling we’ll see her back in about 9 months with the baby she supposedly miscarried to cause drama for the show’s most boring couple, Will & Electra.
I agree.
I know Crew is painting by numbers it’s all very boring. I loved Joshua as RJ!
I like the Luna character but hated it when all the other people started attacking her/ racist overtone and Dr. Breckenridge bring more Black people on with good story lines and show more designs in the fashion not interested in the gay couple
Geez
Lets ask for representation for one demographic and lets shoot down another!
I don’t mind the plan just described. My biggest worry is Luna coming back. I’ve had enough of her and it’s the same old garbage. We need new people and new story lines and more new people to go around for relationships. I think everyone in Genoa City has been married to the same person at least twice and their
Kids are going to be marrying their cousins, aunts and uncles. Let’s pick this SOAP UP. I’ve been watching since 1976.
How do we know Luna is dead all we know is that she was hit by a car
I guess now we know from hearing from the writer Bell
I hate that the character Luna has been missed by my watching. I had a love her character. Congratulations for Lisa Yamada for earning a Daytime Emmy for Groundbreaking Actress.
Luna should come back
For the redundancy of B&B story lines, Brook -Ridge-Taylor; Stephie- Liam – Hope, Brook-Ridge-Bill-Deacon- Oliver-Rick-James. And any other Man BROOK hasn’t slept with.
What could LUNA offer in a new storyline ( even if she was made good and likeable)
I’m excited about the prospects of Fashion, and Fashion house rivalry between Forester, Logan, and potential crossover relationships between B&B,, BTG, and the Y&R (MARCHETTI, FENMORES, SALLY’S DESIGNS). Brings new competition and possible couples mixing and matching.
I don’t know any normal female that would put up with the crap from Ridge! If I was Brook I would have squashed him like a bug! I am sick of I don’t want you, because I want her instead and vice versa!!! time is alright but not 25,000 times! Move on!
It’s sounds like fun a fun sistuation but I dont think luna dead I’m just waiting to see where the story line is going with Mrs dylan.
Why would he lie
Because of soap blogs/bloggers who ruin the fun
Wouldn’t it be nice if Sally would return to help out Katie now that would be something else Spectral and Logan please bring Sally back
Sally is ensconced on Y&R.
It great back Douglas and Rosie as couple
News
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali

Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.

Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”

Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere

CBS daytime dramas, Beyond the Gates and The Young and the Restless go head-to-head when two featured cast members from each show compete on the syndicated game show, Flip Side for its season 3 premiere.
Hosted by Jaleel White (best known as Steve Urkel from Family Matters) and filmed near Atlanta, Georgia, daytime drama fans should circle Monday, September 14th when you can catch: representing Team BTG, Colby Nixon (Kat Richardson) and RhonniRose Mantilla (Chelsea Hamilton), and Representing Team Y&R, Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) and Lily Winters (Christel Khalil).
In the upcoming soap opera showdown, the competing teams will win prize money for the charities of their choosing, when White tests both teams on how they think opposite groups of people feel about the same topic, and to see which team will make it to the final round.

Photo: CBS
Flip Side’s loglines shares that it’s “an original, laugh out-loud survey-based game show that pits two teams of contestants against each other, testing them on how they think opposite groups of people feel about the same topic. The teams compete for a shot at $10,000 by guessing the top answers based on anonymous surveys – which can be provocative, surprising, and often humorous. Throughout each episode, host Jaleel White brings a fun and comedic energy to the show while also guiding the contestants through the questions.”
Season three leans deeper into exploring relationships, dating, social behaviors and everyday life situations that viewers can relate to. Season three also features multiple celebrity episodes benefiting charity kicking off with the CBS soap showdown.
In addition to airing Monday to Friday in syndication on stations across the country, Flip Side has a second run on Game Show Network. So, check your local listings for times in your area, or catch Flip Side on GSN.
So, who do you think wins the soap opera showdown between BTG’s Colby and RhonniRose vs. Y&R’s Bryton and Christel? Make your picks in the comment section. But first, check out a bit of the action from the episode below.
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