News out of Monaco and the 65th annual Monte-Carlo Television Festival. The Bold and the Beautiful’s Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer) and his son, Oliver Bell, who have formed the microdrama company, Red Flair Entertainment, revealed on Sunday that they are already gearing up for season two of their just announced first foray into verticals, Hollywood Starlet.

As previously reported, the first season will be filmed at Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Hollywood where the CBS soap opera has called home since late summer of 2025,  and will star microdrama favorites, Eric Guilmette, Molly Anderson, and Bella Mraz.  Most of the talent is expect to be back for season 2.

Hollywood Startlet will bow in mid-August on aTwist, the new microdrama studio and platform founded by former studio execs: Jana Winograde, Susan Rovner and Lloyd Braun. According to Deadline, season 1 will be comprised of 44 episodes of 90-to-120 seconds apiece.

Photo: CBS

‘HOLLYWOOD STARLET’ WILL TELL STORY OF POWERFUL WOMEN AND FAMILY STORIES

While at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival, the Bells spoke on their new venture, with Oliver making it clear that what they didn’t like about the current state of most verticals are that they often tells stories which demean women, which harkens back to to China, were the microdrama was born.

Oliver explained, “I was watching ReelShort and a lot of these Chinese dramas, which I thought were very captivating. But then you’d see some parts that were degrading to women. For me, that was a little offensive. I thought we could do an American one where we have powerful women and lovely family stories. I felt like that wasn’t being seen.”

Photos: CBS

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL IN MONTE CARLO

While viewer should not expect any crossovers at this time with The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, Brad and Olive plan are to have their vertical series capture the spirit of those shows, in turn, swerving some less savory elements in the microdrama genre.

In addition, it was revealed as expected that stars of The Bold and the Beautiful who are making a public appearance at the festival: Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), Thorsten Kaye (Ridge), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), Tanner Novlan (Finn) and Kimberlin Brown (Sheila) are also in town for a remote shoot that will air most likely later this summer on the CBS soap opera.

So, looks like Brad and Oliver Bell have put a fast track on Hollywood Startlet seasons 1 and 2, and another B&B remote is on the way. Intrigued by the microdrama? Looking forward to seeing what befalls Brooke, Ridge, Steffy, Finn and Sheila in story while in Monte Carlo? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

This week on all-new episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful, keeping the secret that Hope (Annika Noelle) is the new lead designer of Logan from the Forrester family, or anyone employed at Forrester Creations is top of mind.

First, Will (Crew Morrow) is having a hard time not telling his girlfriend, Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) that Hope is now at Logan. Second, Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) is nosing around Spencer Publications and suspects that Katie (Heather Tom) poached Hope from her company.

Elsewhere, the highly-anticipated return of Sheila Carter begins when Kimberlin Brown comes back to the soap after a short hiatus. In the official B&B “Look Ahead” video teaser for the week of June 15-19, Deacon (Sean Kanan) and Taylor (Rebecca Budig) are making out, when suddenly they appear to have company. Is it Sheila? Whatever the case, Sheila’s true motives will be revealed. Is she going to seek revenge on Deacon and Taylor? Stay tuned.

Courtesy/CBS

Meanwhile, Wyatt (Darin Brooks) and Shauna (Denise Richards) have teamed up and have an offer to make to Bill (Don Diamont). Can these three work together and does it have more to do with the “Hope for the future” diamond?

SPOILERS

Take a look below at the official B&B spoilers for the action this week below.

Monday, June 15
Will struggles with keeping the truth from Electra.
R.J. and Dylan’s level up their friendship

Tuesday, June 16
Forrester eagerly anticipates the launch of Eric’s couture line
Steffy makes a promise to Brooke.
Zende turns to Carter for advice about his future.

Wednesday, June 17
Sheila’s return leaves Taylor and Deacon on edge.
Steffy’s last minute offer changes everything.

Thursday, June 18
Sheila reveals her true motives.
Dylan has a new boss at Forrester.

Friday, June 19
A bold proposal from Wyatt and Shauna catches Bill’s attention.
Brooke celebrates a bright future with Hope.

So, what do you think will be Sheila’s plan when she returns? Will she try to separate Deacon and Taylor? And will Steffy be the one to have solid proof that Hope is Logan’s new designer, and if so, who are you rooting for in the fashion wars? Are you Team Forrester or Team Logan? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

 

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On Thursday June 11, it was announced that The Bold and the Beautiful’s Bradley Bell (executive producer and head writer) is getting into the burgeoning vertical space, and will bring his first microseries, Hollywood Starlet, under his Red Flair Entertainment banner to aTwist (formerly MicroCo) the U.S.-based microseries studio and platform that is set to launch later this summer.

The upcoming microdrama is called Hollywood Startlet and will be led by vertical drama stars: Eric Guilmette (You Belong With Me, Tails of Christmas) and Molly Anderson (We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together) and Bella Mraz (Faceless). Guilmette will also serve as co-producer of the series.

Hollywood Starlet will film at Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Hollywood across multiple stages where CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful transitioned in 2025 after 38 years at Television City.

Photo: JPI

The upcoming microdrama was created by Brad Bell; directed and written by Kristen Brancaccio; and executive produced by Anthony Ferrari, Oliver Bell, Paxton Fuller and Graham Lawyer. Bradley Bell and his son Oliver Bell founded Red Flair Entertainment to specifically focus on elevated vertical series.

Microseries are serialized stories designed for mobile-first viewing: typically 40-60 episodes of one to three minutes each, built vertically, and consumed either in moments throughout the day or as a binge experience all at once. This is a fast-growing global category, generating an estimated $10 billion annually worldwide.

By combining Hollywood storytelling with a tech-first production and distribution engine, aTwist is focused on delivering quality vertical content alongside an engagement-driven platform for dedicated fan communities.

aTwist is founded by: chief executive officer Jana Winograde (former President of Showtime), chief creative officer Susan Rovner (former Chairman of NBCU Content and President of Warner Bros TV), and executive chairman Lloyd Braun (former Chairman of ABC Entertainment Group, studio and network, and Chairman of WME).

In a statement on Bell’s upcoming foray into microdramas, Susan Rovner expressed, “Brad Bell is one of the most influential creative forces in daytime television, and bringing him into the aTwist universe is a major moment for us. The Bold and the Beautiful has defined storytelling for decades, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with him as he brings that legacy into a new format with Hollywood Starlet. We think fans are going to love seeing this world evolve in such a fun, fresh way.”

aTWIST TO SERVE UP SLATE OF ORIGINAL MICRODRAMAS

With a track record of building iconic franchises, launching global hits, and transforming creative vision into scaled entertainment businesses, the aTwist leadership team will create a home for original verticals in a multitude of genres, curated acquired microseries, and creator-led innovative narrative storytelling – building a quality-driven, globally scalable microseries ecosystem, rooted in fandom, community, and storytelling excellence.

aTwist is creating original content that spans comedy, drama, unscripted, horror, and romance built for how mobile-first audiences consume content today. From fresh, bold ideas by emerging talent to exciting collaborations with existing IP, brands, and stars, aTwist is establishing a destination for audiences who want engaging stories anytime, anywhere. A platform built to create community around fandoms, a place where consumers can find stories built for joyscrolling, not doomscrolling.

In addition, aTwist recently announced a partnership with BET to develop and distribute microseries across linear and vertical platforms, with a first-of-its-kind windowing model bringing microseries to television while expanding storytelling rooted in Black culture and community. aTwist currently has more than 20 series in production across scripted, unscripted and animation formats, with a strong pipeline of series in development. The studio and platform will deliver a slate of originals that push the current microseries offerings, tapping into underserved fandoms across horror, thriller, comedy, drama, anime, sci-fi and more.

As soap fans know, The Bold and the Beautiful has aired on CBS for 39 years, and is the most-watched U.S.-produced daytime drama in the world. In addition to his work with The Bold and the Beautiful, Brad Bell is also an owner of its sister soap, The Young and the Restless, which has aired on CBS for 53 years.

Photo: EGuilmette IG

HOT STARS OF THE VERTICAL WORLD

Vertical drama leading man, Eric Guilmette recently participated in a livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel, along with other stars of the microdrama space including: Nick Rittaco, Sam Myserson and former General Hospital star, Robert Palmer Watkins (ex-Dillon Quartermaine). You can check that out below.

Now let us know, what do you think of The Bold and the Beautiful’s Brad Bell developing a microdrama company along with his son, Oliver, to bring new series to your phones and more? Might we soon see soap operas have side stories as well as companion to their main shows on network television? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.