Rebecca Budig, best known for her portrayal as Greenlee Smythe of “All My Children” and Michelle Bauer on “Guiding Light,” is making a return to daytime television, taking over the role of Dr. Taylor Hayes on “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
Budig made her debut on the CBS daytime drama series during the tale end of the Tuesday, August 6 episode when viewers got to see the face of the mystery woman who had been watching Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) from afar while the two had been spending time together in Monaco celebrating the re-launch of Brooke’s Bedroom line.
In her first scenes, Taylor is seen calling her daughter Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), telling her that she’s heading home to Los Angeles as she looks on at Brooke and Ridge, who are shown embracing one another.
In speaking with PEOPLE, Budig shares that she’s looking forward to fans’ responses about her take on the character, previously portrayed by Hunter Tylo and Krista Allen (“Days of our Lives”).
“I just hope they’re open to that idea and interpretation of it and that they just believe the relationships between Taylor and Ridge and Taylor and Brooke,” Budig says, adding, “I always thought that ‘All My Children’ might’ve been the best job I ever had in terms of the people all really getting along, but I truly get the vibe here that it’s that one in a million group of people that is just collaborative, kind, supportive and just very welcoming. So I’m excited. Really excited.”
A four-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee, Budig most recently portrayed the role of Hayden Barnes on “General Hospital,” following her successful runs at “Guiding Light” and “All My Children.” Speaking of the latter series, where Budig appeared off and on from 1998-2011, the casting of the actress at “The Bold and the Beautiful” marks a reunion for her and co-star Thorsten Kaye, who previously portrayed Zach Slater on the ABC daytime drama series.
In 2022, Budig co-starred in the CBS original movie Fit for Christmas, opposite The Talk co-host Amanda Kloots. Following the cancellation of “All My Children” in 2011 and in between appearances on General Hospital, Budig has also appeared in the films “Bad Parents” and “Getaway.” She’s also appeared in episodes of such shows as “Blue Bloods” and “L.A.’s Finest.”
Budig’s additional credits include appearances in episodes of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “How I Met Your Mother,” as well as competing in and winning “Skating with the Stars,” an offshoot of “Dancing with the Stars.”
In 2014, after the birth of her daughter, Budig was inspired to write about her experience for the short film “About a Girl,” in which she also starred. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter and two dogs.
Watch a clip of Budig making her debut as Taylor below.
“The Bold and the Beautiful” airs weekdays on CBS. Stream anytime Live and On Demand on Paramount+.