\
FANS of the iconic soap opera have expressed their thoughts on the recent recasting of Taylor Hayes.
Taylor Hayes is a character in The Bold and the Beautiful, described as a world-renowned psychiatrist. And recently the actor for the role in the soap was recast – with fans divided.
6
6
6
The character of Taylor was originated by Hunter Tylo during the episode dated June 6, 1990.
Hunter then exited the series in 1994 but returned several months later before leaving again in 1996 after being cast on Melrose Place.
She then returned again before the character was killed off, last appearing in October 2002.
Hunter then reprised Taylor as a ghost in 2004 before returning as a regular in April 2005, with the character revealed to be alive before she exited the show again in July 2013.
She then returned several times making guest appearances before making a comeback from April 2018 to March 2019 on a recurring basis.
Krista Allen then took on the role when the character made a comeback in 2021, with her at the helm from December of that year until November 2023.
And now Rebecca Budig has taken over as the actor behind the iconic role, but some fans aren’t happy.
‘NOTHING PERSONAL’
“Nothing personal against the new Taylor recast but…..this just doesn’t work,” said one fan on Reddit before they wrote out a lengthy post about why.
The poster explained that they were not familiar with Rebecca Budig’s previous soap work, adding, “but judging from her performance in her new role replacing the iconic character Taylor Hayes on B&B, she is clearly talented.”
They explained that her talent is “not the issue” and that Rebecca is “lovely and solid”, but added how they think “she doesn’t fit in this role”.
“I tried all week, and each time she got into a dialogue requiring historical references, I cringed,” the poster admitted, noting, “Didn’t buy it.”
“Is it her age, perhaps, as many have mentioned—simply too young to be legitimately mother to Steffy and have the long history with Ridge and Brooke, both in their 60s? Maybe. That is indeed both irritating and distracting to the long-time viewers.”
MISSING THE OG
The original poster added how the original Taylor actor was “adored” and everybody was saddened when she left, with fans even more jarred when Krista departed abruptly.
Cast of The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful has been on air since 1987, and has hosted many stars over the course of its long run.
Matthew Atkinson – Thomas Forrester
Kimberlin Brown – Sheila Carter
Scott Clifton – Liam Spencer
Delon de Metz – Zende Forrester Dominguez
Don Diamont – Bill Spencer Jr.
Joshua Hoffman – R.J. Forrester
Sean Kanan – Deacon Sharpe
Thorsten Kaye – Ridge Forrester
Katherine Kelly Lang – Brooke Logan Forrester
John McCook – Eric Forrester
Annika Noelle – Hope Logan Spencer
Tanner Novlan – John Finnegan
Romy Park – Poppy Nozawa
Lawrence Saint-Victor – Carter Walton
Heather Tom – Katie Logan
Diamond White – Paris Buckingham
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood – Steffy Forrester Finnegan
Lisa Yamada – Luna Nozawa
“So this recasting feels forced and, most of all, unwelcome,” they concluded.
Commenting on the post, one fellow soap fan said, “I will hold my judgment for a few months, as we go through this with every recast. If she still feels off in a few months, then I will complain.”
“There is nothing about her that is right for her to be playing Taylor,” added a second.
“I have no problem with the casting, the character is just awful now,” offered a third, with another agreeing, “Agree, she comes back and this world-renowned psychiatrist is just a bitter mean girl.”
FANS WANTED KRISTA BACK
Earlier this summer, fans wanted Krista to make a return when it was hinted that Taylor could be coming back to the soap.
In June fans on X discussed if Taylor should return to the soap, with one writing at the time, “I would love to have Taylor back onscreen the way William Bell wrote Taylor. Strong independent witty and vulnerable. Brad Bell doesn’t know how to honor his father’s legacy.”
“No, not unless they brought back Krista and put her on an ironclad contract with a high guarantee. They won’t, so I don’t,” a second agreed.
‘TAYLOR IS NEEDED’
Krista previously spoke about the role of Taylor and how when she left, it was the “right move” for her.
Krista told Soaps SheKnows that she was content with her decision to leave the show and move to Atlanta, Georgia, but added that she felt Taylor should be back in the show.
“Taylor is needed. There’s a big fanbase that wants to see her be there for her kids, and who want to see this woman they’ve loved for decades find happiness,” she explained.
6
6
6
