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The Bold and the Beautiful

The Bold and the Beautiful is an American daytime television soap opera created by William J.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Bold and the Beautiful is an American daytime television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. It premiered on March 23, 1987, and is set in Los Angeles, California, where it follows the Forrester family and their fashion business, Forrester Creations. The series is known for crossovers with The Young and the Restless and for its long-running ensemble cast.

Premise

The show is set in Los Angeles and focuses on the wealthy Forrester family, whose personal relationships are intertwined with the world of fashion at Forrester Creations. Like many soap operas, it emphasises romance, betrayal, family conflict, and business rivalry.

Production history

The Bold and the Beautiful was created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell and first aired on CBS in 1987. It was developed as a companion series to The Young and the Restless, and the two programmes have shared characters through crossover storylines.

Cast and characters

The ensemble cast has been led for many years by John McCook as Eric Forrester and Katherine Kelly Lang as Brooke Logan. The series has introduced a large number of recurring and supporting characters over time.

Reception and awards

The series has received major daytime television recognition, including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards. It is also widely distributed internationally and has been cited as one of the most widely watched soap operas.

Key facts

  • The series is also commonly abbreviated as B&B.
  • It was created as a sister show to The Young and the Restless.
  • The story centres on the Forrester family and their haute couture fashion business.
  • John McCook and Katherine Kelly Lang are the show’s longest-serving actors.
  • The series has won 77 Daytime Emmy Awards, including three for Outstanding Drama Series.
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Canadian context

The series has been broadcast internationally and has had a long viewership outside the United States, including in Canada through daytime television distribution, making it familiar to Canadian soap-opera audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Bold and the Beautiful?
It is an American daytime soap opera about the Forrester family and their fashion business in Los Angeles.
When did it first air?
It premiered on March 23, 1987, on CBS.
Who created the series?
William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell created the show.
Where is it set?
It is set in Los Angeles, California, mainly around the Forrester family and Forrester Creations.
Is it connected to The Young and the Restless?
Yes. It was launched as a sister series, and the two shows have shared crossover characters.
Who are the longest-serving cast members?
John McCook and Katherine Kelly Lang are the longest-serving actors on the series.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bold_and_the_Beautiful
    Supports: Premiere date, creators, setting, CBS network, main premise, awards, and long-running cast information.
  2. CBS — https://www.cbs.com/shows/the_bold_and_the_beautiful/
    Supports: Network airing, series description, and Los Angeles fashion-family premise.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Bold_and_the_Beautiful_cast_members
    Supports: Longest-serving cast members John McCook and Katherine Kelly Lang.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradley_Bell
    Supports: Background on the show's creation and long-running production leadership.