All dates below refer to the original US broadcasts. Canadian broadcasts sometimes aired a day earlier, which explains some discrepancies in contemporary recaps.
1. Season dates
| Date | Episode | |
|---|---|---|
| First episode | September 1, 2017 | #11,254 |
| Last episode | August 31, 2018 | #11,508 |
| Number of episodes | 255 |
These boundaries are recorded in the season episode guides. However, I could not independently confirm both endpoints in an accessible CBS archive or on the official YouTube channel. They should therefore be treated as corroborated episode-guide dates, rather than dates directly verified against the official sources you requested. CBS’s press archive does explicitly identify the March 2018 anniversary material as Season 45. TheTVDB.com
2. Characters and actors
The following list covers the principal cast, recurring characters, children and significant returning guests, alphabetized by the surname used here. Married names and alternative surnames appear in parentheses.
Completeness note: I cannot certify this as an exhaustive list of every credited speaking part across all 255 episodes. In particular, minor day players and every performer used in historical flashbacks would require checking the individual closing credits.
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Ashley Abbott | portrayed by Eileen Davidson |
| Billy Abbott | portrayed by Jason Thompson |
| Jack Abbott | portrayed by Peter Bergman |
| Johnny Abbott | portrayed by Holden and Ryan Hare |
| Katie Abbott | portrayed by Sienna Mercuri |
| Kyle Abbott | portrayed by Michael Mealor |
| Traci Abbott | portrayed by Beth Maitland |
| Cane Ashby | portrayed by Daniel Goddard |
| Charlie Ashby | portrayed by Noah Alexander Gerry |
| Lily Ashby (née Winters) | portrayed by Christel Khalil |
| Mattie Ashby | portrayed by Lexie Stevenson |
| Sam Ashby | portrayed by Jake and Ryan Loo |
| Michael Baldwin | portrayed by Christian LeBlanc |
| Gloria Bardwell | portrayed by Judith Chapman |
| Graham Bloodworth | portrayed by Max Shippee |
| Chris Brooks | portrayed by Trish Stewart |
| Leslie Brooks | portrayed by Janice Lynde |
| Lorie Brooks | portrayed by Jaime Lyn Bauer |
| Mackenzie Browning Hellstrom | portrayed by Kelly Kruger |
| Simone Burch | portrayed by Shanica Knowles |
| Mariah Copeland | portrayed by Camryn Grimes |
| Hilary Curtis | portrayed by Mishael Morgan |
| Farrah Dubose | portrayed by Erika Girardi |
| Lauren Fenmore Baldwin | portrayed by Tracey E. Bregman |
| Kevin Fisher | portrayed by Greg Rikaart |
| Jill Foster Abbott | portrayed by Jess Walton |
| Scott Grainger | portrayed by Daniel Hall |
| Raul Guittierez | portrayed by David Scott Lago |
| Devon Hamilton | portrayed by Bryton James |
| Helen Hamilton | portrayed by Sitara Hewitt |
| Nate Hastings | portrayed by Brooks Darnell |
| J.T. Hellstrom | portrayed by Thad Luckinbill |
| Reed Hellstrom | portrayed by Tristan Lake Leabu |
| Juliet Helton | portrayed by Laur Allen |
| Benjamin Hochman | portrayed by Ben Hermes |
| Brittany Hodges | portrayed by Lauren Woodland |
| Chelsea Lawson Newman | portrayed by Melissa Claire Egan |
| Dina Mergeron | portrayed by Marla Adams |
| Shauna Nelson | portrayed by Camryn Hamm |
| Abby Newman | portrayed by Melissa Ordway |
| Christian Newman | portrayed by Jude and Ozzy McGuigen |
| Connor Newman | portrayed by Gunner and Ryder Gadbois |
| Faith Newman | portrayed by Alyvia Alyn Lind |
| Julia Newman | portrayed by Meg Bennett |
| Nicholas “Nick” Newman | portrayed by Joshua Morrow |
| Nikki Newman | portrayed by Melody Thomas Scott |
| Noah Newman | portrayed by Robert Adamson |
| Summer Newman | portrayed by Hunter King |
| Victor Newman | portrayed by Eric Braeden |
| Victoria Newman | portrayed by Amelia Heinle |
| Crystal Porter | portrayed by Morgan Obenreder |
| Tessa Porter | portrayed by Cait Fairbanks |
| Arturo Rosales | portrayed by Jason Canela |
| Rey Rosales | portrayed by Jordi Vilasuso |
| Ravi Shapur | portrayed by Abhi Sinha |
| Zack Stinnett | portrayed by Ryan Ashton |
| Phyllis Summers | portrayed by Gina Tognoni |
| Esther Valentine | portrayed by Kate Linder |
| Jordan Wilde | portrayed by Darnell Kirkwood |
| Christine Williams (née Blair) | portrayed by Lauralee Bell |
| Paul Williams | portrayed by Doug Davidson |
| Neil Winters | portrayed by Kristoff St. John |
| Alice Johnson | portrayed by Tamara Clatterbuck |
The cast is cross-checked against historical cast listings, contemporary appearance records and CBS publicity photographs. The latter directly confirm several anniversary returnees. The children’s casting is also supported by contemporary coverage. Soap Opera Network Community
A casting distinction: Bayley Corman’s temporary portrayal of Summer belongs to October 2018, in Season 46, so Hunter King is the Summer listed for this season.
3. Main storylines
Dina’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and Graham’s manipulation
Dina’s increasingly troubling behaviour forces Jack, Ashley and Traci to confront her declining health. Her Alzheimer’s diagnosis becomes a central family storyline, combining the practical demands of care with unresolved resentment over her earlier abandonment of her children.
Graham’s apparently devoted companionship conceals an ulterior motive. His connection to Ashley’s biological father, Brent Davis, helps explain his hostility towards the Abbotts. His attempts to control Dina culminate in a fatal confrontation in January 2018. en.wikipedia.org
Jack’s disputed paternity and the battle for Jabot
Dina’s recollections raise the possibility that John Abbott was not Jack’s biological father. The apparent revelation destabilizes Jack’s identity and his position at Jabot, where his insistence on blood-family leadership has already damaged his relationship with Ashley.
Kyle’s return adds another ambitious participant to the corporate struggle. Billy eventually takes the chief executive position, while Jack searches for evidence about his parentage. The full explanation of the manipulated paternity evidence comes in Season 46. soapcentral.com
Zack’s trafficking operation
Abby believes that Zack’s dating application, DesignDate, represents both a promising business opportunity and the beginning of a romance. The business is actually connected to a sex-trafficking operation.
Sharon’s efforts to help Crystal, Tessa’s younger sister, bring her into the investigation. Alice Johnson’s involvement reconnects the plot with Sharon’s past. Scott and Abby’s dangerous encounter with Zack ends when Crystal shoots him. Soap Opera Digest
Scott, Sharon and Abby
Scott’s relationship with Sharon unravels after he sleeps with Abby. The secrecy surrounding their involvement prolongs the damage, particularly when Sharon discovers the betrayal. Scott ultimately leaves Genoa City in January 2018. Entertainment
Cane and Lily’s fractured marriage
Cane’s involvement with Juliet and her pregnancy have left his marriage in crisis. Lily pursues a divorce, while their children struggle with the family’s instability.
Juliet’s death following an emergency delivery leaves Cane raising their premature son, Sam. Lily gradually reconnects with Cane and accepts Sam into their family; the couple renew their vows in February 2018. IBTimes
Chelsea’s fraud and Christian’s paternity
Phyllis investigates suspicious activity surrounding Chelsea’s business. As Chelsea’s deception becomes harder to conceal, her relationship with Nick collapses.
Chelsea leaves town with Connor. Nick subsequently learns that Adam, rather than Nick, was believed to be Christian’s biological father. The revelation fuels another bitter conflict with Victor over the child. inquisitr.com
J.T.’s abuse of Victoria and the cover-up
J.T. returns in December 2017 and resumes his relationship with Victoria. His behaviour becomes controlling and violent. He also attacks Victor, leaving him seriously injured.
In April, Nikki strikes J.T. with a fireplace poker while protecting Victoria. Believing him dead, Nikki, Victoria, Sharon and Phyllis conceal the body. Their shared secret becomes a continuing source of fear and conflict.
J.T.’s “death” is only apparent: his survival is revealed in 2019. soapoperadigest.com
Nick’s rebellion against Victor
The conflict over Christian pushes Nick towards a more aggressive approach to his father. He impersonates J.T. to frighten Victor and undermine Newman Enterprises, before establishing his own company, Dark Horse.
Nick also reunites with Sharon, although his renewed involvement with Phyllis threatens that reconciliation. soapoperanews.net
Devon and Hilary’s reunion and tragedy
Devon and Hilary rebuild their relationship and plan a family. Hilary’s support for teenager Shauna Nelson reveals a more compassionate side of her character.
A car accident involving Lily leaves Hilary critically injured and causes the loss of her pregnancy. Devon and Hilary remarry in hospital on July 26, 2018; she dies the following day. Devon’s grief fractures his relationship with Lily as her responsibility for the crash becomes clear. Soap Opera Spy
Mariah and Tessa
Mariah’s feelings for Tessa complicate her relationship with Devon, while Tessa’s involvement with Noah also comes under strain. Tessa’s use of Mariah’s private writing for a song damages their trust.
Despite these conflicts, their attraction develops into a romantic relationship during 2018. en.wikipedia.org
Summer’s return and Billy’s gambling
Summer returns with a more provocative attitude and pursues Billy, her mother’s partner. Meanwhile, Billy’s gambling relapse threatens his relationship with Phyllis and his leadership at Jabot.
Arturo’s relationship with Nikki, followed by his romance with Abby, introduces another source of Newman family tension. His brother Rey arrives near the season’s end. Soap Opera Spy
4. Births
| Child | Parents | Date and circumstances |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Ashby | Cane Ashby and Juliet Helton | November 2017. Born prematurely by emergency Caesarean section; Juliet dies from complications. |
The precise birth date needs qualification: character histories variously give November 8 or November 10, while contemporary US coverage places the emergency delivery storyline on November 9. I would therefore retain November 2017 rather than present one disputed day as certain. Les personnages| Soap-Passion
Hilary’s pregnancy ends after the July 2018 accident; it does not result in a live birth. en.wikipedia.org
5. Recasts and SORAS
| Character | Change | First appearance in the role |
|---|---|---|
| Kyle Abbott | Michael Mealor succeeds Lachlan Buchanan. | March 29, 2018 |
| Nate Hastings | Brooks Darnell succeeds Walter Fauntleroy, who briefly played Nate in 2011. | July 3, 2018 |
Neither is a child-to-adult SORAS: Kyle and Nate had already been portrayed as adults before these recasts. CBS confirms Mealor joined in March 2018; contemporary casting coverage supplies the exact debut dates. syndication.cbs.com
The conspicuous teenage SORAS of Charlie and Mattie Ashby, and the older recasting of Reed Hellstrom, occurred earlier in 2017, during Season 44. Their teenage actors continue through Season 45. Soap Opera Digest
6. New characters
| Character | Actor | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Ashby | Jake and Ryan Loo | November 2017 birth storyline; subsequently shown as an infant. |
| Simone Burch | Shanica Knowles | Early 2018. A singer associated with Devon’s music business and a potential romantic interest. |
| Arturo Rosales | Jason Canela | February 2, 2018. A contractor involved with Nick’s housing project, initially romantically linked to Nikki. |
| Helen Hamilton | Sitara Hewitt | February 2018; appearance documented on February 13. |
| Shauna Nelson | Camryn Hamm | March 2, 2018. A teenager whom Hilary mentors and supports. |
| Rey Rosales | Jordi Vilasuso | August 17, 2018. Arturo’s older brother, whose arrival connects with the J.T. investigation. |
The dates above distinguish character introductions from later changes to an actor’s contract status. For example, Arturo appeared months before Jason Canela became a contract cast member. Les personnages| Soap-Passion
Lola Rosales, Mia Rosales, Kerry Johnson and the recast Ana Hamilton belong to Season 46, beginning in September 2018 or later. Soap Opera Network Community
7. Departures
| Character | Date or period | Circumstances |
|---|---|---|
| Juliet Helton | November 2017 | Dies following the emergency delivery of Sam. |
| Zack Stinnett | November 17, 2017 | Shot by Crystal during the trafficking storyline’s climax. |
| Crystal Porter | November 2017 | Leaves after shooting Zack. |
| Scott Grainger | January 17, 2018 | Leaves following the collapse of his relationship with Sharon. |
| Graham Bloodworth | January 18, 2018 death storyline | Dies after the confrontation with Dina. |
| Jordan Wilde | February 5, 2018 | Final appearance in his run. |
| Chelsea Lawson Newman | February 26, 2018 | Flees Genoa City with Connor after her fraud is exposed. |
| Connor Newman | February 2018 | Leaves with Chelsea. |
| Reed Hellstrom | April 2018 | Leaves for boarding school amid the fallout from J.T.’s disappearance. |
| Hilary Curtis | July 27, 2018 | Dies from injuries sustained in the car accident. |
These include both story exits and the end of an actor’s run; they do not imply that every character received a formal farewell scene. IBTimes
J.T. requires separate treatment: he disappears after the April attack and burial, but subsequent appearances and the later survival reveal make “permanent departure through death” inaccurate.
Ashley’s departure for Paris occurs in October 2018, in Season 46, rather than Season 45. soaphub.com
8. Returns of former characters
| Character | Actor | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Fisher | Greg Rikaart | Returns for guest appearances during the season following his earlier departure. |
| J.T. Hellstrom | Thad Luckinbill | December 12, 2017, his major return after several years away. |
| Mackenzie Browning Hellstrom | Kelly Kruger | March 2018, during the anniversary period and the J.T./Victoria storyline. |
| Brittany Hodges | Lauren Woodland | March 2018, initially for the anniversary reunion; later involved as a lawyer. |
| Raul Guittierez | David Scott Lago | March 2018, for the anniversary reunion. |
| Chris Brooks | Trish Stewart | March 2018, for the 45th-anniversary celebrations. |
| Leslie Brooks | Janice Lynde | March 2018, for the anniversary celebrations. |
| Lorie Brooks | Jaime Lyn Bauer | March 2018, for the anniversary celebrations. |
| Julia Newman | Meg Bennett | March 2018, for the anniversary celebrations. |
| Kyle Abbott | Michael Mealor | March 29, 2018, with a new actor. |
| Summer Newman | Hunter King | June 4, 2018. |
| Nate Hastings | Brooks Darnell | July 3, 2018, with a new actor. |
CBS’s anniversary photographs confirm the returning performers, although the archive’s photo dates do not consistently establish each character’s first broadcast appearance. For that reason, the anniversary returns are given by month where an exact day is not securely established. Photos
Two boundary distinctions: Alice Johnson’s return began in August 2017, and Dina’s in May 2017. Both continue into this season, but their initial returns belong to Season 44. Michael Fairman TV
9. Weddings and vow renewals
| Couple | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Victor and Nikki Newman | December 28, 2017 | Vow renewal. |
| Cane and Lily Ashby | February 14, 2018 | Vow renewal following their reconciliation. |
| Devon Hamilton and Hilary Curtis | July 26, 2018 | Remarry in Hilary’s hospital room. |
The first two are vow renewals, rather than new marriages. CBS’s official publicity explicitly confirms Devon and Hilary’s July 26 wedding. Series Schedule
Nick and Sharon’s planned wedding reaches its dramatic conclusion in October 2018, during Season 46.
10. Deaths
| Character | Date | Circumstances |
|---|---|---|
| Juliet Helton | November 2017 | Fatal complications surrounding Sam’s premature delivery. |
| Zack Stinnett | November 17, 2017 | Shot by Crystal while threatening Abby and Scott. |
| Graham Bloodworth | January 18, 2018 | Fatally injured by the toxic substance involved in his plan against Dina; life support is withdrawn. |
| Hilary Curtis | July 27, 2018 | Dies from injuries sustained in the car accident involving Lily. |
The pregnancy Hilary loses after the accident is a separate loss within the same storyline. IBTimes
Apparent death — J.T. Hellstrom: Nikki strikes him on April 13, 2018, and the women subsequently bury him, believing him dead. His survival is revealed in 2019, so he should not be counted among the season’s confirmed deaths. soaphub.com
11. Y&R / B&B Crossovers
Y&R characters appearing in B&B
Sheila Carter — portrayed by Kimberlin Brown
Sheila’s returning B&B storyline overlaps this entire period until March 2018. Her return began in June 2017, before the start of Y&R Season 45.
This is best classified as a continuing B&B run by a character originally introduced on Y&R, rather than a new crossover visit launched during Season 45. The retrieved crossover histories establish the overlapping run, but do not securely establish its precise final episode date. Fandom
I found no confirmed new visit by an active Y&R character to B&B between September 1, 2017, and August 31, 2018.
B&B characters appearing in Y&R
I found no confirmed B&B-character visit to Y&R within these season boundaries.
Eric Forrester’s 2017 Y&R appearance belongs to the earlier part of that year, outside this season’s September 2017–August 2018 window. Also, Kelly Kruger’s return as Mackenzie is not a crossover involving her B&B character, Eva: those are separate roles. Fandom
