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When you hear the word recast, there is always a certain expectation and often, apprehension about what is to come, especially in a role as iconic as Dr. Taylor Hayes on CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful. With her beloved predecessor, who originated the role in 1990, Hunter Tylo, declining to come back, the door was open for Days of our Lives alum, Krista Allen to audition and secure the role of the great doctor.
Taylor began her journey as a psychiatrist for the dying Caroline Spencer (Joanna Johnson) and ended up marrying Caroline’s husband after her death. She went on to have three children from the union as well as several hiatuses throughout Tylo’s portrayal. Depicted as a world-renowned psychiatrist, Taylor was introduced to act as a romantic lead for Ridge Forrester. In the beginning Taylor was shown to be an educated, level-headed alternative to Brooke, portrayed by Katherine Kelly Lang. While Brooke schemed and instigated, Taylor took a different approach to her relationship with Ridge Forrester, then-portrayed by Ronn Moss.
Most of her history has revolved around her relationship with love interest Ridge Forrester. Taylor battled Brooke Logan for Ridge’s affections and had many legendary bouts. During Tylo’s tenure, Taylor and Ridge achieved super couple status and became a very popular pairing. While Ridge and Taylor had their ups and downs, most of their dramatic twists were the result of Tylo vacating the role several times over the years. Most memorably Taylor’s two presumed deaths.
Krista Allen’s first scenes as the illustrious Dr. Hayes did not disappoint. Sharing her first scenes with her onscreen daughter, Steffy, portrayed by Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, the missing mother-daughter connection was restored, and Allen shined alongside the two-time Emmy winner, proving why she was in fact, the woman for the job. Effortlessly, Allen floated in, bringing the much-needed breath of fresh air, filling the void of maternal absence in the case of the Forrester siblings.
In addition to looking amazing opposite her TV daughter, Allen had noticeable sparks with Taylor’s former flame, Ridge, now portrayed by Thorsten Kaye. On Friday’s episode, even with the two across the room, fans were set ablaze and took to their social media accounts, praising the chemistry of the once beloved couple. While the excitement was anticipated, the actual scenes outsold.
With Steffy being summoned by Thomas to Forrester Creations, this leaves nothing but time for Taylor to catch up with her ex-husband. Sharing her regrets for all she missed over the years, the birth of her grandchildren, weddings, accidents, Taylor has a real moment with Ridge that instigates light flirtation that left some viewers saying “whoa, Ridge, you’re a married man.”
When Taylor admits to missing her kids, she also has kind sentiments for her ex. “I’ve missed you too, Ridge.” And Ridge also has an emotional response to her, telling her that he’s missed her smile and goes on to say how much he loves her ability to put others first. With genuine smiles present, Ridge and Taylor displayed their close bond, wowing the audience and reviving (possible) faith in a couple we’d long written off. Brooke Logan had better hold on to her pearls and her man.
Krista has yet to share scenes with her onscreen rival, Katherine Kelly Lang, who portrays Brooke Logan, but if the magic we’ve witnessed with her onscreen family is any inclination, the audience should be in for a treat once they romantic rivals come face to face. And one thing I am personally looking forward to is seeing Taylor interact with her new son in law as well as his volatile mother, Shelia, portrayed by Kimberlin Brown. Taylor and Shelia share an intricate history, as Shelia is responsible for one of Taylor’s “deaths.” With that being said, the sheer friction of their interaction should be a joy to watch Allen sink her teeth into.
With Ridge’s marriage in trouble (as it often is) because of Brooke’s former lover and father of her child, and Taylor being back in town, there is sure to be some drama from the old flames. Let the cat fights, husband stealing, and meddling in the affairs of their grown children’s lives begin.
Hunter Tylo will be dearly missed, she really breathed so much life into the character of Taylor Hayes, but we’d be lying if we denied Krista’s contributions thus far. She may be new to the role, but she’s captured the essence of classic Dr. Taylor Hayes, and I for one can’t wait to see more.
The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays on CBS. Episodes are also available on Paramount Plus.
