This article has been updated with information on General Hospital's Ingo Rademacher taking over the role of Thorne. To read the update, click here.
Call it the recast no one saw coming. With the recent departures of Pierson Fodé and Rome Flynn, it has widely been expected that both Thomas and Zende would soon be returning with new faces. The CBS soap, however, will be recasting another role: Thorne Forrester.
Winsor Harmon, who joined The Bold and the Beautiful in 1996, revealed on Twitter that B&B's executive producer/head writer, Bradley Bell, had informed him that the show was going to be recasting Thorne.
"Just spoke with Brad Bell and at this time he's decided to RECAST THORNE," Harmon shared before offering whomever is hired for the role "continued success."
Just spoke with Brad Bell and at this time he's decided to RECAST THORNE. I wish the new actor and the show continued success.
— Winsor D. Harmon III (@winsorharmon) September 23, 2017
The move is somewhat surprising, since Thorne has rarely been seen on-screen in recent years. Thorne was taken off contract back in 2010 and has appeared on a recurring basis since then. The character's last significant appearance came in 2015 when his daughter, Aly, was killed off.
While it's unclear exactly why B&B has decided to recast Thorne, it might have something to do with another recast. When B&B opted to recast the role of Ridge Forrester in 2013, the show's then-new hire Thorsten Kaye was more than a decade younger than the previous incarnation of Ridge, played by Ronn Moss. In real life, Kaye is several years younger than Harmon. It's possible that the show wants to recast the role of Thorne to keep the characters' ages in check.
Regardless of reason, fans were quick to express their surprise and disappointment. Reactions have ranged from "This is ridiculous" to "WTH is Brad thinking? You ARE Thorne!" Another fan questioned the need to recast, writing: "Why bother recasting, writers haven't given @winsorharmon a story line for years."
Why bother recasting, writers haven't given @winsorharmon a story line for years. Sad ??
— Sherri (@socalla) September 24, 2017
At least one other recurring member of the Forrester family expressed some concern. Tracy Melchior, who appeared as Kristen Forrester on a contract basis from 2001 to 2003 but has appeared only sporadically since, said that she won't be answering any phone calls from CBS Daytime. You know, just in case.
Crap! I am definitely not answering my phone for awhile! @CBSDaytime @BoldFanCBS @SoapOperaNewss @soapcentral https://t.co/RFeNIWwrNL
— Tracy Melchior (@tracymelchior) September 24, 2017
Harmon is the third actor to play Thorne, following Clayton Norcross and Jeff Trachta. Trachta recently stole the spotlight as "Dancing Trump" on NBC's reality competition America's Got Talent.
A spokesperson for The Bold and the Beautiful was not immediately available for comment.
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