Hello everyone, and welcome back to Trend Street! If you’re a soap fan, buckle up because 2025 has already delivered some of the wildest casting shakeups across The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, and Days of Our Lives. From jaw-dropping exits to shocking returns and even a few legendary recasts, the soap world is buzzing. Let’s dive into the comings and goings that are making headlines this year.

This fall, Bold and the Beautiful broke new ground when Harrison Conn became the first actor to play a gay fashion designer on the soap. Meanwhile, fan favorite Jacqueline MacInnes Wood—yes, Steffy herself—is officially back on set. After maternity leave, the mother of five has returned to filming and her scenes will start airing next month. Also back in the Forrester orbit is model Laney, portrayed by Heidi Angererman, who will share more screen time with Crew Morrow. And get ready—Matthew Atkinson has stepped back in as Thomas, just in time to throw a wrench in Ridge and Brooke’s endless wedding cycle. Plus, Murielle Helaire is reprising Daphne right as Carter and Hope’s relationship begins to crumble.

Over in Genoa City, the casting carousel has been just as wild. Matt Cohen, best known to General Hospital fans as Griffin, is debuting as Detective Burrow on The Young and the Restless. Soap vet Tamara Braun is also shaking things up, playing Sienna—a brand-new character with mysterious ties to several Y&R regulars. Adding even more excitement, GH star Roger Howarth is making the leap to Y&R in a still-secret role that fans are dying to uncover.

And speaking of swaps—this year has seen one of the most talked-about soap trades in history. Billy Flynn exited Days of Our Lives and is now set to play Cain on The Young and the Restless, while Connor Floyd stunned fans by leaving Y&R to take over as Chad on Days. As if that weren’t enough, longtime Y&R alum Daniel Goddard (Cain) has resurfaced on General Hospital as shady Professor Dalton. It’s the kind of soap shuffle that keeps fans glued to their screens.

Meanwhile, Rory Gibson wrapped his run as Noah Newman on Y&R, only to reappear on General Hospital as Michael Corinthos—talk about a career leap! Lucas Adams from Days is now stepping into the Noah role in Genoa City, and fans are already buzzing about the change.

On the GH front, big names have shocked viewers this year. Kelly Thiebaud reprised Britt in a surprise twist—she’s alive and well. Six-time Emmy winner Erika Slezak will join later this fall in a brand-new role, with speculation running wild that she could be connected to Monica Quartermaine. Even more, Chris McKenna has replaced Charles Mesure as Brennan, adding new intrigue.

Beyond daytime’s “big four,” other projects are stirring too. Beyond the Gates delivered its first major recast with Ted, while David Lambie Freeb joined as Isaiah. And singer Ken has been added as Madison, a love interest for Chelsea.

Back in Genoa City, Michelle Morgan returned as Amanda in the ongoing Aristotle Duma mystery. Germaine Rivers made his debut as Nate’s brother Damian earlier this year but was shockingly killed off in France. And fans were stunned when Ray Wise returned as Ian after an eight-year break, though his supposed end may not be permanent. Alongside him, Colleen Zenk wrapped her short but memorable run earlier this year.

From returns nobody saw coming to exits that left fans heartbroken, 2025 has already proven to be one of the most unpredictable years in soap history. And if we’ve learned anything, it’s that in daytime drama, nobody ever stays gone for long.