All dates below refer to the original US broadcasts. The season numbering follows the show’s official archive and YouTube channel.
1. Official season dates
| Date | Episode | |
|---|---|---|
| Season premiere | September 18, 2017 | #7,674 — S31 E1 |
| Season finale | September 14, 2018 | #7,926 — S31 E253 |
| Total | 253 episodes |
The official YouTube uploads explicitly identify both episodes as belonging to Season 31 and provide their original broadcast dates. The show’s official streaming archive independently confirms the 253-episode total. Some third-party databases incorrectly label this period “Season 32.” YouTube
2. Characters and actors
The list below includes the principal cast, recurring characters, children and identified named guests. Characters are alphabetized by surname, using maiden names where this avoids confusion; characters without an established surname appear separately.
Scope: this is a researched character list, but I cannot certify every minor speaking role or unnamed day player without checking all 253 closing-credit sequences.
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Julius Avant | portrayed by Obba Babatundé |
| Maya Avant Forrester | portrayed by Karla Mosley |
| Nicole Avant Dominguez | portrayed by Reign Edwards |
| Vivienne Avant | portrayed by Anna Maria Horsford |
| Xander Avant | portrayed by Adain Bradley |
| Lieutenant Bradley Baker | portrayed by Dan Martin |
| Emma Barber | portrayed by Nia Sioux |
| Justin Barber | portrayed by Aaron D. Spears |
| Zoe Buckingham | portrayed by Kiara Barnes |
| Dr. Campbell | portrayed by Tina Huang |
| Sheila Carter | portrayed by Kimberlin Brown |
| Pamela “Pam” Douglas | portrayed by Alley Mills |
| Saul Feinberg II | portrayed by Alex Wyse |
| Bridget Forrester | portrayed by Ashley Jones |
| Eric Forrester | portrayed by John McCook |
| Ivy Forrester | portrayed by Ashleigh Brewer |
| Rick Forrester | portrayed by Jacob Young |
| Ridge Forrester | portrayed by Thorsten Kaye |
| Ridge “R.J.” Forrester Jr. | portrayed by Anthony Turpel |
| Stephanie Forrester | portrayed by Susan Flannery — voice only |
| Steffy Forrester | portrayed by Jacqueline MacInnes Wood |
| Thomas Forrester | portrayed by Pierson Fodé |
| Thorne Forrester | portrayed by Ingo Rademacher |
| Quinn Fuller Forrester | portrayed by Rena Sofer |
| Taylor Hayes | portrayed by Hunter Tylo |
| Brooke Logan | portrayed by Katherine Kelly Lang |
| Donna Logan | portrayed by Jennifer Gareis |
| Hope Logan | portrayed by Annika Noelle |
| Katie Logan | portrayed by Heather Tom |
| Jarrett Maxwell | portrayed by Andrew Collins |
| Alison Montgomery | portrayed by Theodora Greece |
| Dr. Phillips | portrayed by Robin Givens |
| Detective Alex Sanchez | portrayed by Jeremy Ray Valdez |
| Coco Spectra | portrayed by Courtney Grosbeck |
| Sally Spectra | portrayed by Courtney Hope |
| Shirley Spectra | portrayed by Patrika Darbo |
| Bill Spencer Jr. | portrayed by Don Diamont |
| Caroline Spencer II | portrayed by Linsey Godfrey |
| Kelly Spencer | portrayed by Gabriel Sporman; additional newborn performers include William Gueringer and Wilder Stimson |
| Liam Spencer | portrayed by Scott Clifton |
| Will Spencer | portrayed by Zane Achor, then Finnegan George |
| Wyatt Spencer | portrayed by Darin Brooks |
| Carter Walton | portrayed by Lawrence Saint-Victor |
| Charlie Webber | portrayed by Dick Christie |
Historical appearance records support the main and recurring cast. Separate casting reports establish the doctors, Will’s recast, Kelly’s newborn performers and Stephanie’s voice appearance. Soap Opera Network Community
Characters credited without an established surname:
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Danny, Bikini Bar bartender | portrayed by Keith Carlos |
| Darlita | portrayed by Danube Hermosillo |
| Emmy | portrayed by Sheryl Underwood |
| Ken, IT specialist | portrayed by Danny Woodburn |
| Mateo, Forrester estate employee | portrayed by Francisco San Martín |
| Othello | portrayed by Othello Clark |
| Simon | portrayed by Achileas Andreas |
These guest roles are documented in contemporary casting coverage and appearance records. TVmaze
Children who should not automatically be added: Lizzy Forrester’s documented last appearance was September 6, 2017, before this season began. Douglas remains relevant to Thomas and Caroline’s story, but I did not establish a new on-screen appearance within these season boundaries. TVmaze
3. Main storylines
Bill and Liam’s war over Spectra Fashions
The season opens with Liam using evidence of Bill’s involvement in the Spectra fire to challenge his father’s control of Spencer Publications. Liam’s determination to help Sally intensifies the conflict.
Bill’s skyscraper project subsequently leads to the demolition of the Spectra building while Liam and Sally are inside. Believing they may die, they kiss. Their survival leaves Liam facing the consequences of that moment with Steffy. The official season synopsis identifies the father–son conflict over arson as a central storyline. Plex
Steffy sleeps with Bill
Liam’s admission that he kissed Sally devastates Steffy. She turns to Bill, and they sleep together.
Steffy later discovers she is pregnant and secretly arranges a paternity test. The result identifies Liam as the father, but Liam’s discovery of the test exposes her night with Bill and shatters their marriage. The betrayal also destroys what remains of Liam’s trust in his father. The Bold and the Beautiful
Hope returns and the triangle resumes
Hope returns from Europe in January 2018 and rebuilds her place at Forrester Creations, relaunching Hope for the Future. She supports Liam during his separation from Steffy, and their relationship becomes romantic again.
Bill stages misleading evidence suggesting that his involvement with Steffy is continuing. Wyatt initially passes the misinformation to Liam, then reveals the manipulation as Liam prepares to marry Hope. Their first wedding attempt is halted. IBTimes
Who shot Bill?
After alienating relatives, employees and former partners, Bill is shot in March 2018. The investigation produces numerous suspects, including Ridge.
Liam begins to fear that he was responsible. The eventual revelation is that Taylor shot Bill, believing he had harmed Steffy. Bill’s decision to conceal Taylor’s responsibility gives him further leverage over Steffy. The Bold and the Beautiful
Kelly’s birth, Hope’s pregnancy and Steffy’s choice
Steffy gives birth to Kelly in June. The baby’s arrival brings her and Liam closer, but Hope’s subsequent pregnancy makes their relationships more complicated.
After further heartbreak, Steffy briefly considers marrying Bill. She ultimately rejects that arrangement and chooses independence, motherhood and her position at Forrester Creations. Hope and Liam marry in August, with Steffy attending. inquisitr.com
Brooke and Ridge reunite
Brooke’s disillusionment with Bill opens the way for another reconciliation with Ridge. Thorne returns from Paris and initially presents a romantic alternative, but Brooke chooses Ridge.
Their February wedding reunites the family. However, their support for their respective daughters repeatedly creates friction: Brooke champions Hope, while Ridge defends Steffy. The Bold and the Beautiful
Wyatt, Katie and Thorne
Wyatt and Katie continue their secret relationship, then face Bill’s hostility when he discovers it. Their romance eventually ends.
Katie grows closer to Thorne, who supports her concerns about Bill’s inconsistent involvement in Will’s life. By the finale, Katie is pursuing sole custody and Thorne proposes marriage. The Bold and the Beautiful
Sally’s second start
Thomas’s return briefly revives Sally’s hopes for their future. After learning that Caroline’s supposed terminal illness was a deception, he reconnects with Sally and they leave together.
Sally later returns alone after the relationship fails. She bonds with Wyatt and begins rebuilding her career, eventually working within the Forrester fashion world. soapcentral.com
Sheila’s campaign against Quinn
Sheila continues trying to reclaim a place in Eric’s life. She recruits Mateo to seduce Quinn and undermine the marriage, but the scheme fails.
Her story gradually recedes, and her final appearance in this run occurs in March 2018. wiki.autismit.com
Emma, Xander and Zoe
Forrester’s younger generation expands with intern Emma Barber and Xander Avant. Their developing romance is disrupted by Xander’s former girlfriend, Zoe Buckingham.
Zoe’s arrival connects with threatening online messages and creates personal and professional tension. She subsequently gains work as a Forrester model, keeping her close to Xander and Emma. soaphub.com
4. Recasts and SORAS
| Character | Change | Date | SORAS? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorne Forrester | Ingo Rademacher replaces Winsor Harmon. | November 27, 2017 | No — adult-to-adult recast. |
| Hope Logan | Annika Noelle replaces Kim Matula. | January 8, 2018 | No — Hope was already an adult. |
| Will Spencer | Finnegan George replaces Zane Achor. | August 15, 2018 | Yes, a modest childhood age-up, rather than a child-to-adult transformation. |
Contemporary reports confirm all three debut dates and specifically describe Will as having been aged for the recast. Michael Fairman TV
No major child-to-adult SORAS is established during this season. Thomas’s recasting with Matthew Atkinson and Douglas’s older-child recasting with Henry Joseph Samiri occur in 2019, during Season 32. en.wikipedia.org
5. Births
| Child | Parents | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Spencer | Steffy Forrester and Liam Spencer | June 4, 2018 — episode #7,852 | Born following Steffy’s fall and premature labour. Named after Liam’s late mother, Kelly Hopkins. |
The birth takes place on June 4; the following episode develops Steffy and Liam’s first moments with their daughter. Gabriel Sporman plays Kelly during this season, with additional newborn performers credited around the delivery. IMDbPro
Hope is pregnant by the end of Season 31, but Beth’s birth belongs to January 2019, in Season 32.
6. New characters
| Character | Actor | First appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Mateo | Francisco San Martín | October 2, 2017 |
| Ken | Danny Woodburn | October 19, 2017 |
| Simon | Achileas Andreas | December 12, 2017 |
| Dr. Phillips | Robin Givens | February 2018 |
| Detective Alex Sanchez | Jeremy Ray Valdez | March 8, 2018 |
| Emma Barber | Nia Sioux | May 14, 2018 |
| Kelly Spencer | Gabriel Sporman and additional newborn performers | June 4, 2018 |
| Xander Avant | Adain Bradley | June 12, 2018 |
| Danny | Keith Carlos | June 15, 2018 |
| Zoe Buckingham | Kiara Barnes | July 9, 2018 |
These dates distinguish entirely new characters from returning characters played by new actors, such as Hope and Thorne. wiki.autismit.com
Reese Buckingham, Tiffany and Judge Craig McMullen arrive after this season’s September 14 endpoint.
7. Departures
| Character | Last appearance or departure period | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nicole Avant Dominguez | January 18, 2018 | Reign Edwards’s final appearance; Nicole’s life and work become centred in Paris. |
| Darlita | January 24, 2018 | Final documented appearance as the Spectra supporting cast is phased out. |
| Ivy Forrester | February 9, 2018 | Ashleigh Brewer’s original run ends. |
| Coco Spectra | February 9, 2018 | Disappears from the active canvas. |
| R.J. Forrester | February 2018 | Anthony Turpel’s run ends; no major farewell storyline. |
| Shirley Spectra | March 5, 2018 | Leaves the active story; her November guest return belongs to Season 32. |
| Saul Feinberg II | March 5, 2018 | Final appearance. |
| Caroline Spencer II | March 19, 2018 | Linsey Godfrey’s final appearance as Caroline. |
| Sheila Carter | March 23, 2018 | Final appearance in her 2017–2018 run. |
| Thomas Forrester | April 5, 2018 | Pierson Fodé’s guest return ends. |
| Sally Spectra | April 5, 2018 — temporary exit | Leaves with Thomas, then returns in June. |
| Rick Forrester | May 29, 2018 | Jacob Young’s final appearance; Rick subsequently lives in Paris. |
These are on-screen exits or final appearances, which can differ from the dates actors disappear from the contract credits. en.wikipedia.org
8. Returns of former characters
| Character | Actor | Return date |
|---|---|---|
| Thorne Forrester | Ingo Rademacher | November 27, 2017, returning from Paris with a new actor. |
| Donna Logan | Jennifer Gareis | December 22, 2017, for the family Christmas gathering; further appearances follow. |
| Hope Logan | Annika Noelle | January 8, 2018, returning from Europe with a new actor. |
| Stephanie Forrester | Susan Flannery | February 9, 2018 — voice only, heard by Brooke during the wedding celebrations. |
| Thomas Forrester | Pierson Fodé | March 9, 2018, for a short return ending April 5. |
| Taylor Hayes | Hunter Tylo | April 12, 2018, in a surprise episode-ending reveal. |
| Sally Spectra | Courtney Hope | June 15, 2018, after her temporary absence. |
| Bridget Forrester | Ashley Jones | August 20–22, 2018, for Hope and Liam’s wedding. |
Stephanie’s contribution is a newly recorded voice cameo, not a resurrection. Sheila’s original comeback began on June 9, 2017, during Season 30; Season 31 continues that existing run. The Bold and the Beautiful
9. Weddings and attempted weddings
| Couple | Date | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Brooke Logan and Ridge Forrester | February 8, 2018 | Marry at the Forrester estate; reception continues on February 9. |
| Hope Logan and Liam Spencer | May 24–28, 2018 | Wedding attempt halted after Wyatt reveals Bill’s deception. |
| Hope Logan and Liam Spencer | August 21, 2018 | Marry, with Carter officiating; reception continues on August 22. |
The official archive establishes Brooke and Ridge’s ceremony and the interrupted May wedding. Contemporary wedding photographs confirm Hope and Liam’s completed August 21 marriage. The Bold and the Beautiful
Katie and Thorne become engaged in the September 14 finale. Their September 2018 wedding occurs in Season 32. The Bold and the Beautiful
10. Deaths
No principal human character dies during Season 31.
Several events can cause confusion:
- Bill survives the shooting.
- Liam and Sally survive the Spectra demolition.
- Caroline’s supposed terminal illness is a deception; her actual off-screen death is announced in 2019.
- Stephanie remains deceased despite her February voice cameo. The Bold and the Beautiful
11. Y&R / B&B Crossovers
Y&R characters appearing in B&B
| Character | Actor | Dates relevant to Season 31 | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheila Carter | Kimberlin Brown | Her ongoing B&B run continues through March 23, 2018. It originally began June 9, 2017. | A continuing appearance by a character originally introduced on Y&R, rather than a new crossover visit beginning this season. |
Sheila is the significant shared-universe character present during this season. Her return began before Season 31, and she does not simultaneously appear in new Y&R episodes during this period. tvline.com
No new crossover visit by another active Y&R character was established between September 18, 2017, and September 14, 2018.
B&B characters appearing in Y&R
No confirmed B&B-character crossover into Y&R was established within these season dates.
