Soap Opera Comings and Goings: Fan Fave Villains and Heroine Returning
Fan favorite villains and a heroine are returning to soap operas.
Here are the latest comings and goings casting news from all five daytime dramas: The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, and Beyond the Gates.
Key Takeaways
- Major legacy returns headline the week, including Louise Sorel on DAYS, Morgan Fairchild on B&B, and Ray Wise on Y&R.
- Casting updates span all five soaps, with familiar villains, doctors, and family members reentering active storylines.
- GH brings back Kirsten Storms as Maxie, while Cameron Mathison remains on canvas as Drew.
- New and returning younger characters gain focus across B&B, GH, and Y&R, signaling shifting family dynamics.
The Week of January 26, 2026
Find out if any of your favorite actors and actresses from yesteryear are returning to the shows you watch, if any newcomers have been cast in contract, recurring, or day-player roles, or if any popular performers are about to make their exit.
Days of our Lives Casting
Get ready for big trouble on DAYS. Louise Sorel is reprising her role as the diabolical Vivian Alamain this week. Sorel, who originally brought the character to life in 1992 and has appeared on and off over the decades, last aired in April 2025. Check out Sorel’s most memorable moment from her years on the soap.
Richard Wharton is back as Dr. Wilhelm Rolf. The nefarious DiMera minion interacts with Emily O’Brien’s Gwen on Monday, January 26.
Peter Porte continues his stint as Dimitri Von Leuschner. Here are some interesting facts about the actor.
Hank Northrop returns as Liam Selejko. He shares scenes with James Reynolds’ Abe on Tuesday, January 27.
Tina Huang clocks back in as Melinda Trask. The attorney helps facilitate Thomas’ (Cary Christopher) custody agreement on Thursday, January 29, opposite Billy Flynn’s Chad, Melissa Reeves’ Jennifer, and Wally Kurth’s Justin. Christopher, who’s played Thomas since 2020, is set to depart the soap next month.
Alice Halsey gets more airtime as the troubled Rachel Black. The young actress works with Stacy Haiduk’s Kristen and Martha Madison’s Belle on Friday, January 30.
