Spoiler Alert for Real-Life News! For fans of The Bold and the Beautiful, prepare for a significant, real-life update concerning one of its most legendary figures: Susan Flannery, the iconic actress who brought the indomitable Stephanie Forrester to life for a quarter of a century, has officially said goodbye to the United States and embarked on a brand-new chapter in Australia!
This major life change for the beloved CBS soap star was shared by her longtime friend and former co-star, Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke Logan), via an Instagram Story. Lang posted a heartfelt photo from Flannery’s farewell party, featuring herself, Flannery, and Ashley Jones (Bridget Forrester), along with other close friends. The caption succinctly conveyed the news: “Susan’s going away party…she is moving to Australia! We will miss you, Susan!!”
Ashley Jones also took to Instagram Stories to bid an emotional farewell to Flannery, underscoring the profound impact the actress had on the show and its cast. Jones’s message was a powerful tribute: “Susan Flannery played Stephanie Forrester for 25 years. Grateful we got to tell her yesterday what she meant to us. Emotional stories. Special stories. Susan elevated our show. She demanded the best. It was cool there, hearing Katherine Kelly Lang talk about all those years of Stephanie and Brooke. Susan is such a force. I learned so much from her.” This heartfelt post was accompanied by a photo of Flannery, Lang, Jones, and The Bold and the Beautiful supervising producer, Casey Kasprzyk, highlighting the deep connections forged over decades.
While Stephanie Forrester officially departed The Bold and the Beautiful in 2012, succumbing to lung cancer in a poignant storyline, her presence has always loomed large. She was a pivotal character from the very inception of the hit CBS soap in 1987, defining much of its early drama and rivalries. Fans had a moment of intense hope when Flannery made a brief, ghostly return in 2023, appearing to Eric Forrester (John McCook) when he was facing his own mortality. This cameo sparked widespread speculation and fervent wishes among viewers that the legendary actress might consider a permanent return, perhaps even bringing Stephanie back from the dead – a common trope in the world of daytime soaps.
However, Flannery’s definitive move down under now definitively squashes those hopes. While soap opera logic often dictates that “dead isn’t always dead,” Susan Flannery’s relocation makes any full-time return for Stephanie Forrester highly improbable. Soap Hub confirmed the personal and heartwarming reason behind Flannery’s significant life decision: she moved to Australia to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren, prioritizing family above all else. This move signifies a beautiful, new chapter for the actress, choosing to embrace a quieter, family-focused life away from the demanding world of Hollywood and the relentless pace of a daytime drama. While fans will undoubtedly miss the possibility of Stephanie’s return, this personal decision reflects a desire for connection and peace that is truly admirable. The Bold and the Beautiful continues to air weekdays on CBS, but without the physical presence of its original matriarch, who has now found her new home on another continent.
