The Young and the Restless
Daytime Comings and Goings Week of March 16: Rachel Black Is Recast, Beth Maitland Is Back, and the Rotating Door Across All Five Soaps Is Spinning Fast
Rachel Black has a new face in Salem, Beth Maitland is back in Genoa City, and the revolving door across all five soaps is spinning fast.
RACHEL BLACK HAS A NEW FACE, BETH MAITLAND IS BACK, AND THE ROTATING DOOR ACROSS ALL FIVE SOAPS IS SPINNING FAST
TL;DR: Rachel Black has a new face in Salem, Beth Maitland is back in Genoa City after three months away, a wedding planner named Bijou is about to make things very interesting in Fairmont Crest, and fan favorite homecomings are right around the corner.
Days of Our Lives: A New Rachel Black Steps Into Salem
The biggest casting news of the week belongs to Days of Our Lives. Lorelei Olivia Mote makes her debut as Rachel Black on Monday, March 16, taking over the role from Alice Halsey, who exited earlier this month. Mote steps in immediately, sharing scenes with Deidre Hall‘s Marlena on Monday and appearing again on Friday, March 20, opposite Leo Howard‘s Tate. The young actress comes with an impressive resume that includes The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Riddle of Fire, and Daisy Jones and the Six. Brady and Kristen’s daughter is in good hands.
Also back in Salem this week: Colton Little returns as ISA agent Andrew Donovan, turning up in Alamainia on Thursday, March 19. Casey Moss resurfaces as JJ Deveraux, interacting with Tyler Joseph Andrews‘ Theo on Wednesday and appearing again Thursday. Hank Northrop is back as Liam Selejko, airing Wednesday and crossing paths with Marissa Reyes‘ Arianna on Friday. Bassel Alzaro brings hired gun Klaus to life on Wednesday and Thursday, keeping Vivian’s dangerous agenda moving forward. And Al Calderon made a brief but welcome reappearance as Javi Hernandez, surfacing just long enough to check in with Leo. Short but sweet, Javi. Short but sweet.
Got a theory about what Bijou the wedding planner is really going to shake up in Fairmont Crest? Send your wildest takes to amber@soapoperamagazine.com and we just might publish them!
The Young and the Restless: Beth Maitland Is Home and Shemar Moore Is Coming
After a three-month absence, Beth Maitland is back on the Young and the Restless canvas as Traci Abbott. She shares scenes with Melody Thomas Scott‘s Nikki on Monday, March 16, when Nikki goes looking for answers about Jack. Maitland last appeared in December 2025, and if the circumstances bringing Traci back involve a yacht and a certain psychopath, the Abbott family is going to need all hands on deck.
And speaking of hands on deck, Genoa City is still waiting. Shemar Moore is coming back as Malcolm Winters and Vivica A. Fox is returning alongside him as Dr. Stephanie Simmons, with their arrival said to have shocking and lasting implications for the residents of Genoa City. No air date confirmed yet but the anticipation is very real. Meanwhile, Christel Khalil is also on her way back as Lily Winters. No specific date has been confirmed but her return is coming, and Genoa City will feel it when she walks through that door.
General Hospital: Vernee Watson Returns and a Temporary Recast Steps In
Vernee Watson is back as Stella Henry on Monday, March 16, sharing powerful scenes with Donnell Turner‘s Curtis and Tanisha Harper‘s Jordan. Stella Henry in a room with Curtis and Jordan is never a small conversation and this week is no exception.
Patrick Scott Lewis makes another appearance as Congressman Ezra Boyle on Tuesday, March 17, subbing for Daniel Cosgrove, who was unable to report to the California set due to canceled flights during East Coast storms. The recast is temporary, and Cosgrove is expected back when travel allows.
The Bold and the Beautiful: Morgan Fairchild Is Back and the Logan Launch Rolls On
Morgan Fairchild is back as Dottie on Monday, March 16, on hand as the launch of Logan, Heather Tom‘s Katie’s new fashion house, continues to roll out. Jim J. Bullock is also on the canvas Monday as Dottie’s trusted assistant Joseph, proving that where Dottie goes, Joseph follows. Charlotte Constantin and Sissy Sheridan round out the week as Charli and Jessica, having appeared at the Logan launch festivities. The Bold and the Beautiful is dressing its world up nicely for this new chapter.
Beyond the Gates: A Wedding Planner Named Bijou and a Beloved Aunt Returns
Beyond the Gates has a full plate this week. Robert Christopher Riley‘s Carlton and Greg Vaughan‘s Kial will lock horns on Monday, March 16 over Nicole Dupree Richardson, because apparently one woman having two men vying for her attention in Fairmont Crest was not dramatic enough without adding a direct confrontation. Vaughan also returns Wednesday when Kial makes a surprising move.
With wedding drama kicking in on Monday for Chelsea Hamilton and Madison Montgomery, keep an eye out for Kenjah Madison Montgomery reprising her role and for guest star Shaquita Smith, who makes her debut as wedding event planner Bijou. Smith is best known for the supernatural drama Wicked City, currently streaming on AllBlk and AMC+, with additional credits including Survivor’s Remorse, NCIS: New Orleans, and New Amsterdam. She is going to fit right into Fairmont Crest.
Also back this week is Iona Morris Jackson as Monica, the Houston-based oncologist and favorite aunt of Ernestine Johnson‘s Shanice. Jackson, who once played Tamara Tunie‘s sister on As the World Turns, previously gave Keith D. Robinson‘s Ted a thorough grilling to determine whether he was good enough for her niece. She is back this week, and Shanice clearly needs her aunt in her corner.
Which of this week’s comings and goings has you most excited? And are you ready for Shemar Moore to walk back into Genoa City? Sound off below!
WATCH THIS: We gotta talk about those pods…
@soapoperamag EJ DiMera Got Handcuffed by Rafe Hernandez and We Are Not Okay! He ran a resurrection lab under Salem, kidnapped two people, and blackmailed half the town. Rafe showed up anyway. #DAYS ♬ original sound – Soap Opera Magazine
