More than one Bold and the Beautiful fan was blown away when soap hopper Rebecca Budig (famous for her turn as All My Children‘s Greenlee Smythe) made her debut as Taylor Hayes (M.D., don’t you know?) on August 6, 2024. For one thing, the recasting came totally out of the blue. For another, Budig is two years younger than Krista Allen, the actress she succeded in the role, and 11 years younger than Taylor’s most well-known portrayer, Hunter Tylo.

Rebecca Budig Talks Taylor Recast

When questioned about the age disparity by TVWatercooler, Budig mused: “Well, I think that’s why I ultimately thought I wasn’t right for it! Because I was younger than Hunter, for sure…

“There is an age difference, but that’s not for me to worry about. [Laughs] Ultimately, I’m a mom and I can relate to being a mom and caring about your kid and caring about grandkids. I’ve got many nieces and nephews that feel like my grandchildren. I think that it’s ultimately a “feeling” that you relate to.

“I was surprised but I was also super-excited because it’s such a great role. I really had no idea until I started to really dig deeper. For me in particular, I like playing someone that’s not a “bad girl.” It’s just fun. It’s different!”

ICYMI: REBECCA BUDIG DISHES ON THE REAL REASON FOR TAYLOR’S RETURN HOME

On reuniting with former AMC costar Thorsten Kaye (Ridge Forrester): “It’s funny because we’re friends and when I say friends, we actually hadn’t spoken in a really long time, but I have affection for Thorsten! I always have…I never really got to work with him that much. We had group scenes. I had scenes with him, Alicia Minshew (ex-Kendall Hart) and Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan Lavery; Drew Cain, General Hospital) – the four of us would be in scenes together, but I never got to work one on one with him.

“I always thought he was a terrific actor. Don’t tell him I said that! [Laughs]

“I always thought he was super fantastic and now that I’ve gotten to work with him, it’s been very rewarding and really fun.”

And as for the salient piece of advice that Brad Bell (executive producer and headwriter of B&B) offered her that suddenly clicked things into place, Budig relayed, “[He] said, ‘Listen, Brooke leads with her emotions. Taylor leads with her brain. That’s the difference between these two women.’ That really clicked with me because just like in life, you can be attracted to one person who brings out something in you, while another brings out something else. So, I can see where Ridge would be a little conflicted.”

What have you made of Rebecca Budig’s stint as Taylor? Let us know in the comments section below.

Catch up with Daily Drama on Social Media!
Subscribe to the Daily Drama Podcast on YouTube!
Follow our main Daily Drama Facebook page.
Check out our Daily Drama Instagram page.
Find us on our Daily Drama Threads
Spend time with Daily Drama on TikTok
Tweet with us on our Daily Drama X account

Exclusively for B&B Fans!
Like us on Facebook at Bold and the Beautiful Daily.
Connect with other fans in our B&B Facebook community group.