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‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Rebecca Budig on Brad Bell’s Plan to ‘Draw Out’ and Play the Long Game with Taylor/Deacon/Sheila (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: Howard Wise/Bell-Philip Prods

On The Bold and the Beautiful, the big question is: what will Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) do, if and when she finds out that her husband Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) has fallen deeply for his therapist, Dr. Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig), while she keeps pontificating how ‘grateful’ she is to Taylor for saving her rocky marriage.

But where does the story go from here? Will Sheila be collateral damage as Deacon and Taylor can’t deny their feelings for each other? Will she revert to the Sheila of old and find a way to drive a wrecking ball through their secret relationship (although half of their loved ones already know) and seek revenge?

During this week’s visit to You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, Rebecca Budig, Sean Kanan and Kimberlin Brown weighed-in on the future of Taylor, Deacon and Sheila during a livestream chat, where they also addressed several questions from fans who joined in.

Photo: JPI

However, when discussing how they see their on-screen drama unfolding, Rebecca Budig shared that she had been told by The Bold and the Beautiful’s executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell, that for this particular romance, triangle, etc, he wants to take the long game approach instead of a simple resolve.

Rebecca revealed, “I will tell you that Brad said he really wanted to ‘draw this out’, and I like that. They’ve taken some time with it, because, you know, a lot of these shows (soap operas), they don’t really take a lot of time to develop any relationships anymore. Everything’s so fast. So, it’s been really fun because I got to develop a relationship with Deacon, but also with Sheila.”

Sean Kanan added, “I think one of the things I’ve noticed, and yes, we move quickly, but we’ve all been doing this a long time in this show. This is my 25th year, and I have learned that even though you don’t always know where the bullet train is headed, that Brad knows what he’s doing, and always brings it around and always brings a crescendo of a confluence of storylines together. And in knowing that, it kind of takes some pressure off. You then can really be in the present and go, ‘I don’t need to worry where this is going. I just need to play what’s in front of me and know that he’s going to deliver great story.”

Photo: JPI

While Kimberlin Brown gave the teasiest of teases, “I would say, don’t change the channel because it’s gonna be big. I wish I could tell you more, it’s gonna be big.” Just how far Sheila might go this time, given her historic track record, from starting out as nasty nurse Sheila on The Young and the Restless, to shooting her own son and daughter-in-law, Finn (Tanner Novlan) and Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), on B&B remains to be seen!

In case you missed it, you can check out our live chat with Kimberlin, Sean and Rebecca below. And, make sure to catch Rebecca along with Greg Rikaart (Leo, Days of our Lives) on their CBS branded podcast series, Soapy, which this week features legendary casting director, Judy Blye Wilson (All My Children, The Young and the Restless).

Now weigh-in: do you want to see the Taylor/Deacon/Sheila story drawn out and built up, so when Sheila does find out, it’s a bigger fallout, or do you want Sheila to find out sooner and later, and if she does, how do you want to see her handle it? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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i will say i wasn’t really liking rebecca busing as taylor until she got involved as deacons therapist! many will gripe but i am liking this triangle and am watching to see where it goes .

i really wasn’t liking rebecca budig as Taylor until she became Deacon’s therapist ! i am watching and look forward to see where this triangle goes .

Love Rebecca as Taylor

I don’t know how any actors on this show can in all good concience work with very vocal Trump supporter Kimberlin Brown considering what he is doing to the USA! I live in Canada and what he is trying to do to us up here is utterly terrifying! He is really putting us Canadians through the wringer.

I don’t understand how any actor can support such a man yet so vocally. Just the sight of Kimberlin Brown gives me the absolute creeps. She is the reason i quit watching this show many years ago!!

Oh, please. I enjoy an actor for there performance, regardless of their political views. I’m in Canada too. Would you rather have us aligned with China or Russia lmao? Not everything is all bad or all good in a person and that includes Trump!

Love Kimberlin love Donald love America and so glad I’m not from Canada

Give it a rest or maybe you need to talk to the families who have been attacked and killed by illegal aliens I don’t care what people say who read cue cards for a living either side and should not be a side protect Americans you want to blame someone blame Congress for both sides more interested in power and money hell have not balanced a budget in 40 years so glad I do not have children who get to try to pay off 38 trillion and climbing in debt.Schumer Clinton Obama bush all etc don’t give a shit about you . Now learn to deal with it. I’m disgusted that here we go again more money that we don’t have so chew on that.

I don’t know what you are trying to say. All I know is that I live in Saskatchewan and all my friends across Canada are terrified about what Donald Trump would like to do to us with tariffs and his constant threats to take us over and turn us in to the 51st state!

I am so proud to be a Canadian and all of this is very disturbing.

I forgot to add that Ms. Brown was one of my all time favorite daytime actresses so I was crushed to hear of her beliefs.

No one is illegal on stolen land.

I love this storyline and don’t mind at all that the storyline won’t be rushed. I’m also enjoying Katie starting her own LOGAN line with Bill and Eric!

Me too I love katie

I’m in this for the long haul! It’s interesting watching Deacon and Taylor getting more attracted to each other but yet fighting feelings and of course I have to see.how Sheila handles this.

Anything to keep Sheila around!

If this romance finally puts the final nail in the coffin of the Brooke, Ridge, Taylor triangle, I am all for it. Although I did want to see Sheila turn a corner and not return to type. However, if this triangle is going to be long lasting, let Sheila’s response be something more inspired than going crazy and trying to kill Taylor. Back in the day the soap’s bad girl always had lots of schemes to keep the main couple apart, without resorting to violence– cunning yes, crazy no.

Someone needs to tell Bell that Ivy is NOT a tennie bopper in Jr high !! Good grief !! Taylor should lose her license. The whole rushed lovestory is not believable!! Love Eric and Katie at Logans !!!! Finally , Brooke and Ridge will get thrown of their high “destiny” horse !!!!!!!

Hate Taylor and Deacon no chemistry. ! I guess , at least it’s NOT Ridge !! Wish they could have kept Nick around for Taylor ! Love the name “Trick !”

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Y&R Alum Thad Luckinbill Cast in New Thriller ‘Copperhead’

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Thad Luckinbill

Fans of The Young and the Restless have always loved Thad Luckinbill in his role as J.T. Hellstrom. Thad begun playing the part in 1999 and has returned to the CBS daytime drama series for multiple runs over the last few decades and a one-off appearance in 2023.

Since being away from the soap, Luckinbill has been extremely busy as a producer for his production company Black Label Media, and acting in other projects, as well.

Now comes word that Thad will be part of the featured cast of the new motion picture thriller Copperhead which is also under his Black Label Media Banner.

Log lines for the film share via Deadline, “Copperhead is catapulted forward when an undercover drug deal explodes into violence; a veteran detective is forced to team with a young federal agent to unravel the conspiracy within their elite task force.”

Photo: Paramount+

COPPERHEAD CAST

Taking to his Instagram, on his casting, Thad shared, “Very excited for this one! Incredible cast and crew!” Production on the film started back on September 14 in Oklahoma City. It’s been kept under wraps thus far, as to just who Luckinbill plays in the thriller.

The cast includes: Miles Teller, Leila George, Jason Momoa, Tenoch Huerta, Adria Arjona and Kiefer Sutherland. The latest additions to the ensemble cast along with Luckinbill are,Shea Whigham, Jamie Chung , Bobby Soto, Alejandro Speitzer, and Michael Raymond-James.

THAD ALSO APPEARS IN LIONESS

Luckinbill can currently be seen in the third season role of the Paramount+ thriller, Lioness, where he portrays CIA paramilitary/operations officer Kyle McManus, working closely with Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña) and the rest of the team. It’s a part he has played since 2023.  The series from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, revolves around the leader of a CIA team who enlists female operatives known as Lionesses to go undercover to fight the war on terror.

Thad and Amelia

Photo: JPI

SHARES TWO CHILDREN WITH AMELIA HEINLE

In real-life Thad shares two children with Y&R’s Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman): Thaddeus Rowe Luckinbill Jr. (born November 2, 2007): 18 years old and
Georgia March Luckinbill (born December 17, 2009): 16 years old.

So, excited to see Thad in his upcoming role in Copperhead? Do you hope he makes a return or limited run someday as J.T. Hellstrom on The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Nancy Lee Grahn Marks 30-Year Milestone as Alexis Davis; Co-Stars Share Heartfelt Video Tributes

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Nancy Lee Grahn and co-stars

It was back on September 26, 1996, that Nancy Lee Grahn took General Hospital by storm as legal eagle, Alexis Davis (born Natasha Cassadine). It’s hard to believe its been three decades since Alexis came to Port Charles, and along the way, Nancy took home two of her three Daytime Emmys for her enduring run on the ABC soap opera.

As the layers were pulled back on the life and times of Alexis, viewers learned she was the illegitimate daughter of Mikkos Cassadine. Helena Cassadine, Mikkos’ jealous wife, had slit the throat of Alexis’ mother, Swedish opera singer, Kristin Bergman, which as a young girl Alexis saw happen which caused her years of suppressed trauma.

GH fans have seen Alexis be very unlucky in love during her three decades, with several of her former suitors ending up dead! While others, she has a complicated relationship and past with including half-brothers, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), whom she shares a daughter, Kristina (last played by Kate Mansi), and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst), with whom she shares another daughter with in Molly (Kristen Vaganos). Alexis lost her eldest daughter, Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco) when the character tragically died, and who was a result of a fling with Julian Jerome (William deVry).

Alexis and Neal

Photo: JPI

NANCY LEE GRAHN RECEIVEs HIGH PRAISE FROM GH COLLEAGUES

Over the weekend, many of Nancy’s longtime fans, and several of her General Hospital co-stars and friends, saluted her with touching and witty video messages that were included in a special video released by Nancy Lee Grahn Events team.The video also harkened back to Grahn’s first scene as Alexis and a montage of her performances through the years.

Now below, here is what her GH co-stars, then and now, had to say about Nancy:

Dominic Zamprogna (Dante): “Nancy, I can’t believe you’ve been doing this since you were like five years old because you’ve been on the show for 30 years, and you can’t be more than 36-years old.  I love you. I think you’re amazing. Since day one, you’ve been one of the best actors on this show. I am honored to call you friend, and have me over for dinner again soon. Happy anniversary. Chow for now.”

Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina): “Hi, mom. Happy anniversary. I love you so much. You are an icon of icons. Look, I’m just your little student walking to rehearsal with my backpack and my lunchbox. But I miss you so much. No one’s like you. No one does it like you. No one acts like you. No one puts in new lines like you. No one. You’re just one of one, ma. I adore you. Congratulations on your anniversary. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you, but I’m sending you so, so much love.”

Kristen Vaganos (Molly): “Nancy! Mama, I could not have asked for a better TV family. I have said this a million times. I am so grateful to be born a Davis girl. I adore you. I think you are the most amazing, most hilarious diva that has ever lived.  I am sending you a huge, huge congratulations. I love you. I promise to ridicule your shoe choices, remind you how hot you are, and remind you of you’re blocking for the rest of time. Love you.”

Nancy Lee Grahn and Maurice Benard

Photo: JPI

THE MEN OF ALEXIS DAVIS

Wally Kurth (Ned): “Nancy, I am wishing you a happy 30-year anniversary on General Hospital. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years, but yet, I can. I have felt every year with you. I’m thrilled for you. In fact, I remember quite vividly when you came on the show. I think it was a Christmas episode and we were firing rubber bands at Christmas ornaments on a tree in some bar.”

He continued, “I just remember at the time, three of my favorite people and the creative force behind Ned had left the show. Claire Labine (former GH head writer) left. Francesca James (former director/producer), she had left, and Rena Sofer (ex-Lois) had left. I was really quite lost on the set. I didn’t know what I was doing there. And then you showed up, and you were fired up, and you wanted to make the best of this role. You wanted to make the best of your time, and honey, you did. You have made the best of it. You have made a mark and the audience I know adores you, and I adore you, and I’m thrilled for you. I wish you another 30 years. Actually, I don’t. We will be so old, no one will want to see us in another 30 years. (laughs). Anyway, Happy 30th anniversary.”

Rick Hearst (Ric): “I’m coming to you live from my hotel room where I stay when I come into town. Occasionally, but sometimes, I stay with you and we have dinner. So everybody thinks that we’re really married. God knows, we could be. The whole purpose for this, obviously, is to be one of the many, I’m sure, that’s celebrating your incredible 30 years on General Hospital alone, and you’ve also had such a long and illustrious career.”

He continued, “You are one of the most, and I say this with kindness, unique, loving, passionate, loyal, fierce people I know.  I am so, so happy for you. You brought life to everything that you’ve done. Whether it be in your family, whether it be in your work, whether it’s in your writing, or whether it’s in your advocacy. You are so many things to so many people. But to me, you will always be my dear friend, my second wife, and one of the most cherished relationships that I have in my life. I thank God for you, and I salute you. See you on set. Bring your script! ”

Julexis

Photo: JPI

Maurice Benard (Sonny): “Hello Nancy. First, I wanna say I don’t know how you do it. I know you’re talented, you’re funny, you’re cool, all that kind of stuff, and we did have the best sex scene in the history of General Hospital. Nobody can dispute that, even if I did have a cane. 30 years, it’s a long time. You’re one of the best. I always tell you that!”

William deVry (ex-Julian) took to Instagram and shared: “Nancy, congratulations on 30 years. I know how difficult that is for multiple reasons. Starting with more than 12 head writers, multiple executive producers, many leading men, many husbands. My God. The juggling one must do. The politics. Congratulations to you. 30 years, what an amazing accomplishment, what a career you’ve had. I look forward to seeing you soon. Take care.”

Now below, watch the ‘Cheers to 30 Years’ video in honor of Nancy Lee Grahn’s latest milestone with General Hospital.

Then, share your congrats for Nancy via the comment section and let us know your favorite Alexis Davis moments through the years too!

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Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ for the #3 Spot in Total Viewers

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Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The ratings are out for the week of September 7-11, 2026 and while all of the long-running daytime dramas were down in total viewers week-over-week, it was the newest soap opera on the block, Beyond the Gates, that showed gains and much promise. Let’s take a look.

According to Soap Opera Network, not only did Beyond the Gates add +12,000 tuning-in for the week, it is narrowing the gap between itself and current #3 soap, General Hospital in total viewers, and tied with the venerable ABC series for actual household ratings share.

Beyond the Gates averaged 1,689,000 for its audience for the week while General Hospital had 1,769,000, that’s just an 80,000 difference that separates the two shows. While Beyond the Gates had a year-over-year increase for the ratings week, GH showed the biggest loss of all the soaps year-over-year with -231,000 and the biggest loss in viewers week-over-week with -142,000.

Beyond the Gates

Photo: CBS

BEYOND THE GATES

In addition, Beyond the Gates once again bested GH in the key 18-49 women’s rating share and also for the week, the women’s 25-54 ratings share, now putting them firmly in the third place. It should be noted that both Beyond the Gates and General Hospital aired an encore presentation on Labor Day, September 7.

Here’s what had viewers tuning-in on Beyond the Gates: Hayley (Marquita Goings) faced mounting pressure as Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) grew suspicious of her lies and a major secret came to light. Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) went through a paranoid spiral noticed by Dani (Karla Mosley), while Heather Armstrong’s (Ashley Jones) behavior became increasingly unhinged, Deanna (Angela Fairley) reached a breaking point under mounting pressure and decided to return to school and Smitty (Mike Manning) was digging deeper into the death of Lia Whitmore.

Ned and Brook Lynn

Courtesy/ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

On General Hospital, the week in story was highlighted by: Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) admitting she was the other driver in Jordan Ashford’s (Tanisha Harper) accident, leaving Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) furious and demanding answers and ultimately Chase (Josh Swickard) walking out on Brook Lynn!

In addition, viewers witnessed, Anna (Finola Hughes) nearly killing Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), but instead firing a shot at a hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) as Jason (Steve Burton) tried to talk Anna down. Meanwhile, Drew (Cameron Mathison) and Ava (Maura West) dealt with the fallout and complications surrounding the disappearance of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna).

Steffy

Courtesy/CBS

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Over at B&B, the soap remained in second place behind sister soap, The Young and the Restless for the top spot in total viewers; although it should be noted they continued to close the gap for the race to #1. For the ratings period, The Bold and the Beautiful average 2,695,000 tuning-in, but was down week-over-week -83,000, but with the biggest soap gains year-over-year at this time with +228,000.

In other good news for the show, it came in at #1 for the key women’s 18-49 rating share defeating Y&R, and came in #2 for the women’s 25-54 rating share behind Y&R.

In story for the ratings week: Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) goes into panic-mode after a positive pregnancy and breaks the news to Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor). Katie (Heather Tom) tries to meddle in Will’s (Crew Morrow) love life with Dylan (Sydney Bullock), thus having Katie visit Electra (Laneya Grace) and telling the young woman to try to win Will back. Finn (Tanner Novlan) tries to give surrogacy advice to Carter and Daphne (Murielle Hilaire) unaware of his wife Steffy’s drunken night with Carter, and the true cause-effect of that moment.

Nick and Marie

Photo: JPI

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Once again, Y&R remained as the number one most-viewed broadcast television daytime drama of then all, clocking in with 3,059,000 tuning-in, but down -130,000 week-over-week, but still up + 159,000 year-over-year. Y&R also remained in the top spot for household ratings share and atop the key women’s 25-54 rating share.

In story for the week: Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) escaped custody and tracked down Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Meanwhile, Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Victoria (Amelia Heinle) continue their affair and are almost caught by Phyllis (Michelle Stafford). Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) and Marie (Jade Harlow) shared a heartfelt goodbye before she leaves town to continue her recovery. Jack (Peter Bergman) sets a trap for Patty as he collapses at Society.

Of note: Nielsen ratings are based on the Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel model.

So, what do you think about the latest ratings picture and how Beyond the Gates is gaining on General Hospital in total viewers while already besting them in both key demos? Which soap opera is piquing your interest the most? Which is not doing it for you? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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