Period covered: September 21, 2020–September 22, 2021. All dates below are U.S. broadcast dates, rather than Canadian advance broadcasts or filming dates.
1. Season dates
| Date | Numbered episode | |
|---|---|---|
| Season premiere | September 21, 2020 | 8,361 |
| Season finale | September 22, 2021 | 8,609 |
The soap’s official YouTube archive identifies episode 8,361 as “S34 E1.” Its official streaming archive places episode 8,609, dated September 22, 2021, at the end of Season 34. The September 21 premiere date is corroborated by the distribution catalogues. YouTube
Archive qualification: the official website currently displays contradictory dates for the opening episode, while some outside databases shift the season numbering. The dates above follow the official YouTube season designation, cross-checked against broadcast listings.
2. Characters and actors
Characters are alphabetized by surname, using their familiar names during this season. Characters without an established surname appear separately.
The list covers the principal cast, identified recurring characters and named guests. A completely exhaustive list of uncredited extras cannot be established from the available archives.
Characters with surnames
| Character and performer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Julius Avant portrayed by Obba Babatundé | Brief return involving Zende. |
| Deputy Chief Bradley Baker portrayed by Dan Martin | Investigates Vinny’s death. |
| Justin Barber portrayed by Aaron D. Spears | |
| Paris Buckingham portrayed by Diamond White | Introduced during the season. |
| Zoe Buckingham portrayed by Kiara Barnes | |
| Dr. Campbell portrayed by Tina Huang | Steffy’s obstetrician. |
| Sheila Carter portrayed by Kimberlin Brown | Returns in August 2021. |
| Pamela “Pam” Douglas portrayed by Alley Mills | Returns for Steffy’s wedding. |
| Hayes Forrester Finnegan portrayed by Samantha Worden and Piper Harriot | Newborn son of Steffy and Finn. |
| Jack Finnegan portrayed by Ted King | Finn’s father. |
| John “Finn” Finnegan portrayed by Tanner Novlan | |
| Li Finnegan portrayed by Naomi Matsuda | Finn’s adoptive mother. |
| Bridget Forrester portrayed by Ashley Jones | Guest appearances. |
| Douglas Forrester portrayed by Henry Joseph Samiri | |
| Eric Forrester portrayed by John McCook | |
| Ridge Forrester portrayed by Thorsten Kaye | |
| Steffy Forrester portrayed by Jacqueline MacInnes Wood | |
| Thomas Forrester portrayed by Matthew Atkinson | |
| Zende Forrester Dominguez portrayed by Delon de Metz | Adult recast and return. |
| Quinn Fuller Forrester portrayed by Rena Sofer | Filed under Fuller. |
| Florence “Flo” Fulton portrayed by Katrina Bowden | Receives recognition from the Logan family. |
| Shauna Fulton portrayed by Denise Richards | |
| Dr. Joyce Griffith portrayed by Lisa Canning | Returns in September 2021. |
| Brooke Logan Forrester portrayed by Katherine Kelly Lang | Filed under Logan. |
| Donna Logan portrayed by Jennifer Gareis | |
| Hope Logan Spencer portrayed by Annika Noelle | Filed under Logan. |
| Katie Logan portrayed by Heather Tom | |
| Summer Newman portrayed by Hunter King | Y&R crossover guest. |
| Dr. Ricks portrayed by Vasthy Mompoint | Appears in the aftermath of Vinny’s death. |
| Bill Spencer portrayed by Don Diamont | |
| Kelly Spencer portrayed by Avalon Gray and Colette Gray | Daughter of Steffy and Liam. |
| Liam Spencer portrayed by Scott Clifton | |
| Michael Turner portrayed by Jarvis George | Caseworker involved in Steffy’s rehabilitation. |
| Vincent “Vinny” Walker portrayed by Joe LoCicero | |
| Carter Walton portrayed by Lawrence Saint-Victor | |
| Charlie Webber portrayed by Dick Christie |
The main ensemble is documented in contemporary cast records; the guest appearances, children and later arrivals are corroborated by casting reports and episode records. soaphub.com
Characters without an established surname
| Character and performer | Role |
|---|---|
| Carmen portrayed by Jaida King | Forrester model. |
| Charlene portrayed by Emma Smith | Forrester model. |
| Emily portrayed by Edelyn Okano | Nurse. |
| Eva portrayed by Kelly Kruger | Forrester publicist. |
| Jerry portrayed by Petri Hawkins-Byrd | Minister officiating Steffy and Finn’s wedding. |
| Joanne portrayed by Christina Carlisi | Midwife assisting with Hayes’s birth. |
| Maxie portrayed by Sierra Paxton | Forrester model. |
| Sequoyah portrayed by Shireen Crutchfield | Forrester model. |
Additional small roles include the hotel assistant manager portrayed by Nick Waters, the Forrester pilot portrayed by Dwayne Standridge, and nurses portrayed by Gabrielle Tranchina and Thais Menendez. Daytime Royalty
Children and continuing cast-list entries requiring qualification
- Beth Spencer portrayed by Madeline Valdez and Penelope Valdez: these are the performers associated with Beth during this period, but I could not securely establish a newly filmed appearance within the season.
- Will Spencer portrayed by Finnegan George: retained in contemporary cast lists, but a Season 34 on-screen appearance could not be verified.
Neither should be assigned an invented appearance or departure date. Likewise, Maya Avant, although still included in some contemporary cast lists, does not have a verified new appearance here. soaphub.com
3. Principal plots
Steffy’s opioid dependency and recovery
Following her motorcycle accident, Steffy becomes dependent on prescription pain medication. Vinny supplies additional pills, and her behavior increasingly alarms Liam, Hope, Ridge and Finn.
After a confrontation over Kelly’s safety, Steffy accepts that she needs treatment. Her rehabilitation includes working with caseworker Michael Turner. Finn supports her recovery, and their relationship develops beyond his former role as her doctor. Celebrating The Soaps
Quinn and Shauna’s scheme against Brooke and Ridge collapses
Quinn and Shauna’s manipulation of Ridge’s supposed divorce and Las Vegas marriage is exposed. Ridge abandons the planned vow renewal with Shauna and reunites with Brooke.
Eric is furious with Quinn for interfering in his son’s marriage. Quinn’s own marriage becomes increasingly strained, setting the stage for her relationship with Carter.
Thomas and the Hope mannequin
Thomas becomes fixated on a mannequin resembling Hope and experiences disturbing hallucinations. Liam sees Thomas kissing it and mistakenly believes that Hope is being unfaithful.
Thomas’s condition develops into a medical emergency. His recovery becomes part of his attempt to rebuild trust with Hope and the family.
Liam and Steffy’s affair and the paternity deception
Believing that Hope has betrayed him, Liam sleeps with Steffy. Both subsequently confess to their partners.
Steffy discovers that she is pregnant. A paternity test initially identifies Liam as the father, but Vinny has altered the result, hoping that Liam and Hope’s separation will give Thomas a chance with Hope. Finn is ultimately established as the baby’s father.
Zoe, Carter, Zende and Paris
Zende returns from Europe and attracts Zoe’s attention despite her relationship with Carter. Paris arrives and becomes interested in Zende, provoking her sister’s jealousy.
Carter discovers Zoe’s divided loyalties. Although Zoe tries to repair their relationship, Carter’s growing involvement with Quinn makes reconciliation impossible. Paris and Zende begin a relationship. soaphub.com
Quinn and Carter’s affair
Quinn and Carter confide in each other about their unhappy relationships and begin sleeping together. Shauna initially helps conceal the affair.
Paris discovers the truth, and Brooke exposes Quinn during her vow-renewal ceremony with Eric. Eric initially rejects Quinn, then reconciles with her.
By the season’s final weeks, Eric reveals that he has erectile dysfunction and proposes that Quinn continue a sexual relationship with Carter. Ridge becomes suspicious and hires Justin to investigate. soaphub.com
Vinny’s death, the cover-up and Justin’s betrayal
Liam strikes Vinny with Bill’s car. Bill removes evidence and conceals what happened, while Liam struggles with guilt. Both eventually face imprisonment.
Thomas discovers a video showing that Vinny deliberately stepped into the car’s path, intending his death to implicate Liam and clear the way for Thomas and Hope.
Justin suppresses the evidence and imprisons Thomas while attempting to take control of Spencer Publications. Hope helps free Thomas, the truth emerges, and Liam and Bill are released. Justin’s relationship with Bill collapses. soapoperanetwork.com
Hayes’s birth and Sheila’s return
Steffy gives birth to Finn’s son, Hayes. Finn’s parents, Jack and Li, arrive ahead of the couple’s wedding.
After the ceremony, Sheila Carter reveals that she is Finn’s biological mother. Steffy and the Forresters are horrified, while Finn struggles with his desire to know her.
Sheila pressures Jack, who already knows her secret: he is Finn’s biological father, although Finn believes that Jack adopted him. That secret is not yet publicly resolved by the end of this season. soaphub.com
Flo’s acceptance into the Logan family
Katie encourages Brooke and Donna to reconsider their treatment of Flo. The sisters recognize her connection to their late brother Storm and offer her a place in the family and at Forrester Creations.
Wyatt proposes to Flo, but their engagement does not lead to a wedding during Season 34.
4. Recasts and SORAS
| Character | Casting change | Date | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zende Forrester Dominguez | Delon de Metz succeeds Rome Flynn | October 7, 2020 | Adult-to-adult recast accompanying Zende’s return. |
| Hayes Forrester Finnegan | Samantha Worden, followed by Piper Harriot | Worden is credited during summer 2021; Harriot’s takeover is documented August 27, 2021 | Infant casting change. |
Delon de Metz’s debut is confirmed in a contemporary interview. Contemporary casting notices identify Worden for August 26 and Harriot for August 27; some episode databases overlap their credits. soaphub.com
No child-to-adult SORAS was identified during Season 34. Douglas continues to be played by Henry Joseph Samiri, and Kelly by Avalon and Colette Gray.
Outside this season: Krista Allen’s debut as Taylor Hayes takes place in December 2021, during Season 35. soapoperanetwork.com
5. Births
Hayes Forrester Finnegan — July 1, 2021
Parents: Steffy Forrester and John “Finn” Finnegan.
Hayes is born during a water birth at Steffy’s cliff house, assisted by Finn and midwife Joanne. His name honors Steffy’s mother, Taylor Hayes.
The birth is shown on July 1, 2021, following the labor scenes at the end of June. No other principal-character birth was identified within this season. Donna Interferes
6. New characters
| Character | First appearance | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Turner | October 13, 2020 | Caseworker assisting Steffy during rehabilitation. |
| Paris Buckingham | November 2, 2020 | Zoe’s younger sister; later works with the Forrester Foundation. |
| Dr. Ricks | April 12, 2021 | Medical character appearing after Vinny’s death. |
| Hayes Forrester Finnegan | July 1, 2021 | Steffy and Finn’s newborn son. |
| Jack Finnegan | July 30, 2021 | Introduced as Finn’s father. |
| Li Finnegan | August 2, 2021 | Introduced as Finn’s mother. |
| Jerry | August 6, 2021 | Minister conducting Steffy and Finn’s wedding. |
These introductions are documented by contemporary casting notices, CBS photographs and episode recaps. soaphub.com
Finn is not a Season 34 newcomer: Tanner Novlan’s debut occurred in July 2020, during the preceding season. Zende and Sheila are returning characters.
7. Departures
| Character | Date | Circumstances |
|---|---|---|
| Vinny Walker | April 6, 2021 | Dies after being struck by the car Liam is driving. Joe LoCicero subsequently appears in nightmares, flashbacks and the video explaining Vinny’s actions. |
| Zoe Buckingham | July 6, 2021 | Kiara Barnes’s final episode. Zoe leaves for Paris after learning of Carter and Quinn’s affair. |
Vinny’s death and Zoe’s final broadcast are documented in contemporary reports. soapoperanetwork.com
Other recurring characters finish short visits or become less prominent without a formal farewell. Jennifer Gareis’s move from contract to recurring status is not Donna Logan’s departure.
Sally Spectra’s departure from B&B occurred before this season; her arrival on Y&R occurs during this period.
8. Returns of former characters
| Character | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Zende Forrester Dominguez | October 7, 2020 | Returns from Europe, now played by Delon de Metz. |
| Julius Avant | October 23, 2020 | Brief appearance involving Zende. |
| Bridget Forrester | November 2, 2020 | Calls Brooke from the hospital; makes further guest appearances during 2021. |
| Eva | November 2, 2020 | Returns as Forrester’s publicist. |
| Dr. Campbell | January 22, 2021 | Returns for Steffy’s pregnancy and paternity storyline. |
| Joanne | Late June–July 1, 2021 | Returns as the midwife assisting Steffy; previously helped deliver Douglas. |
| Pam Douglas | August 5, 2021 | Returns for Steffy and Finn’s wedding. |
| Sheila Carter | August 6, 2021 | Reveals herself to Finn after his wedding. |
| Dr. Joyce Griffith | September 6, 2021 | Returns in the medical scenes surrounding Sheila. |
Bridget and Eva’s November returns are corroborated by contemporary coverage. Sheila’s identifiable return and revelation occur on August 6, despite some advance reports announcing August 5. Michael Fairman TV
Returning Forrester models include Carmen on July 30, Maxie on August 2, and Sequoyah on September 7, 2021. Daytime Royalty
9. Weddings
Steffy Forrester and John “Finn” Finnegan — August 6, 2021
The wedding celebrations span August 5–6, with the vows and pronouncement taking place on August 6 at the Forrester mansion. Jerry officiates.
Sheila’s revelation follows the ceremony, transforming the celebration into the season’s major family crisis. TVMEG.COM
Other ceremonies
- Ridge and Shauna’s planned vow renewal: abandoned when the deception behind their supposed marriage is exposed.
- Eric and Quinn’s vow renewal, July 2021: interrupted by the revelation of Quinn and Carter’s affair.
- Wyatt and Flo: become engaged but do not marry during the season.
The vow renewals should be distinguished from new marriages.
10. Deaths
Vincent “Vinny” Walker — April 6, 2021
Vinny dies from injuries sustained when Liam strikes him with Bill’s car.
The story initially presents the death as a hit-and-run mystery. Later evidence establishes that Vinny deliberately placed himself in the vehicle’s path, hoping to have Liam imprisoned and bring Thomas and Hope together. soapoperanetwork.com
No other principal-character death was identified during Season 34. Sheila survives her medical episodes, and Thomas survives his earlier medical emergency.
11. Y&R / B&B Crossovers
Y&R characters appearing in B&B
| Character | Performer | B&B broadcast dates | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Newman | Hunter King | January 18 and 19, 2021 | Visits Spencer Publications and questions Bill, Wyatt and Flo about Sally Spectra. |
Summer investigates Sally’s Los Angeles history after Sally becomes her rival in Genoa City. Kyle Abbott does not appear on B&B: his Los Angeles scenes with Summer are broadcast as part of Y&R. soapoperanetwork.com
B&B characters appearing in Y&R
| Character | Performer | Y&R broadcast dates | Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sally Spectra | Courtney Hope | Beginning November 3, 2020 | Transfers to Y&R and establishes herself in Genoa City. |
| Wyatt Spencer | Darin Brooks | January 12 and 15, 2021 | Telephone appearance, followed by a Los Angeles meeting with Summer and Kyle. |
| Flo Fulton | Katrina Bowden | January 22, 2021 | Provides Summer with information about Sally’s deception. |
| Bill Spencer | Don Diamont | February 12, 2021 | Visits Genoa City and encounters Sally. |
| Shirley Spectra | Patrika Darbo | April 6, 2021 | Appears by video call with Sally. |
| Eric Forrester | John McCook | June 14, 16 and 17, 2021 | Participates in Sally’s maneuvering surrounding Summer’s Milan job opportunity. |
Flo’s appearance was initially announced for January 21 but aired on January 22 after a preemption. Eric’s three June appearances are specifically documented in contemporary reporting. soapoperanetwork.com
Sheila’s August return is a return to B&B, rather than a new visit from Y&R, where she had not been appearing. Similarly, Karla Mosley playing Amanda Sinclair on Y&R is a temporary recast, not a crossover by Maya Avant. soapoperadigest.com
