The year 2025 brought a wave of departures, deaths, and recasts across major daytime soap operas, including The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, and Days of Our Lives. From tragic actor losses to storyline-driven exits, these shifts altered beloved character canvases and sparked fan discussions.
In 2025, The Young and the Restless saw several key exits. Jordan Howard (Colleen Zenk) met her end in late January when poisoned by Claire Grace (Hayley Erin) during a confrontation at the Newman tack house. Ian Ward (Ray Wise) was shot by Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) in January but revived, later haunting Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes) in October and December. Cameron Kirsten's (Linden Ashby) hallucinations for Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) concluded in January. Amanda Sinclair (Mishael Morgan) returned in May but vanished in September without explanation. Chance Chancellor (Connor Floyd) was killed in July at Cane Ashby's chateau in France, drawing fan criticism for lacking an on-screen funeral. Other deaths included Damian Kane (Jermaine Rivers) and Cole Howard (J. Eddie Peck) in July. Summer Newman (Allison Lanier) departed for Italy in May after her contract ended. Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) and Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson) left in April for trauma recovery but returned for Thanksgiving and other events.
The Bold and the Beautiful featured Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) on maternity leave from July to September after welcoming her fifth son. Luna Nozawa (Lisa Yamada) appeared to die after being hit by a car, though fans suspect a return. Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson) made brief appearances in September and December. Douglas Forrester (Henry Joseph Samiri) returned briefly in December. RJ Forrester (Joshua Hoffman) exited abruptly in late 2024, with rumors of a recast by Brayan Nicoletti. Nick Marone (Jack Wagner) returned from June to August but disappointed with an unfulfilled romance arc for Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang).
General Hospital mourned real-life losses: Leslie Charleson (Monica Quartermaine) died January 12, with her character passing in September; Denise Alexander (Lesley Webber) in March; and Tristan Rogers (Robert Scorpio) in August, with character deaths planned for 2026. Storyline exits included Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober) shot by Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) in February, Natalia Rogers-Ramirez (Eva LaRue) overdosing in July, and Professor Henry Dalton (Daniel Goddard) in November. Lois Cerullo (Rena Sofer) left in October for a tour. Recasts featured Michael Corinthos (Chad Duell out January, Rory Gibson in May) and Jack Brennan (Charles Mesure out January, Chris McKenna in February). Sasha Gilmore (Sofia Mattsson) and Lucky Spencer (Jonathan Jackson) departed in 2025.
Days of Our Lives had recasts like Sophia Choi (to Rachel Boyd in February) and Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn out May, Conner Floyd in 2026). John Black (Drake Hogestyn) died June 2, prompting returns for his funeral including Hope Brady (Kristian Alfonso) and Bo Brady (Peter Reckell). Theresa Donovan (Emily O’Brien) exited March, Ava Vitali (Tamara Braun) April. The 60th anniversary in October brought back Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney), Eric Brady (Greg Vaughan), and others. These changes, often tied to actor contracts, health, or new projects, kept storylines dynamic amid fan backlash over abrupt or disrespectful exits.
