Stephanie Forrester (The Bold and The Beautiful) - Casting and Creation

Casting and Creation

The role of Stephanie was originally created for actress Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie, of Days) fame. But after Hayes turned it down, the producers contacted Hayes' former Days co-star Susan Flannery, and she eventually won the role. Jane Elliot was contacted by producer Gail Kobe for the role but lost to Flannery as the request of creator Bill Bell. Hayes did, however, appear in 2003 as Joanna Manning (Lauren Fenmore´s mother) in one episode. Stephanie has been played since the show's beginning in 1987 by Flannery, who, besides playing Stephanie, has also directed some of the show's episodes. In September 2007, Flannery asked the show for a medical leave, as she was suffering with fibromyalgia. Flannery along with John McCook as Eric Forrester, Katherine Kelly Lang as Brooke Logan and Ron Moss as Ridge Forrester were referred to as the "Core four", having been still present on the series since the show's beginning. However, on August 11, 2012, It was announced that after twenty-five years, Moss would be leaving the show, thus breaking up the core four, leaving only Susan Flannery, Katherine Kelly Lang, and John McCook as the sole remaining characters from the show's inception. On October 10, 2012, it was announced that Flannery had made the decision to quit the show as well after twenty-five years. During an interview with TV Guide, Bradley Bell announced that Stephanie's character will be killed off after she loses her battle with cancer. Bell said: "It is huge. And amazing. I knew this day was coming but I've been in denial about it. I've been loving and treasuring every one of these last few days we have with Susan." Flannery signed a contract that would allow the show to build a storyline surrounding her exit. Stephanie last appeared on-screen via flashback on November 26, 2012 and video recording on December 7 and 10, 2012.