From devastating medical mysteries to fake deaths, shocking returns, and exits that felt far too final, B&B rewrote the rules of daytime drama this year. At the center of it all was Luna — a character whose descent into madness became one of the most unhinged arcs in the show’s modern history.

Luna: From Troubled Soul to Full-Blown Soap Insanity

Luna’s storyline didn’t just cross lines — it obliterated them. What began as a young woman clearly struggling with her mental health quickly escalated into something far darker. Viewers initially hoped Luna might get help, believing therapy or family intervention could save her. Instead, her arc spiraled into stalking, manipulation, and violent obsession.

The most shocking revelation came when Finn admitted the unthinkable: Luna wasn’t his cousin — she was his daughter. That bombshell alone would have been enough to fuel an entire year of drama, but B&B was just getting started. Luna’s instability escalated until it culminated in the explosive beach house shooting, after which she was declared dead.

Even actress Lisa Yamada’s emotional goodbye on social media convinced fans that Luna was truly gone. The fandom split instantly — some relieved, others heartbroken, many unsettled by how far the character had fallen. But in classic soap fashion, death wasn’t the end.

The reveal that Luna had been stolen from the hospital and secretly revived by her grandmother Lee pushed the story into full-blown madness. Her return wasn’t redemptive — it was terrifying. Luna became more dangerous, more manipulative, and more desperate for love than ever. Her toxic fixation on Will led to one of the show’s most controversial storylines, cementing her legacy as one of B&B’s most explosive villains.

Love, obsession, fake deaths, and criminal consequences — Luna didn’t just dominate 2025. She defined it.

Liam Spencer: The Death That Almost Was

While Luna’s arc shocked viewers, Liam Spencer’s storyline nearly broke them. Early in the year, Liam was diagnosed with what appeared to be an inoperable brain tumor. The show leaned heavily into the emotional weight of a man preparing to die — saying goodbye to his family, making peace with unfinished business, and confronting the fear of leaving his children behind.

Behind the scenes, even actor Scott Clifton believed this was the end. He publicly admitted he had emotionally prepared to exit the role. Fans braced themselves for one of the most heartbreaking deaths in B&B history.

Then came the twist.

The tumor wasn’t real. The scans had been tampered with. The million-dollar surgery? A scam. What followed was an avalanche of betrayal, as the truth emerged that the entire medical crisis had been orchestrated for money. Relief quickly turned to rage — and then terror — when Liam was later shot while trying to protect Steffy.

For weeks, Liam hovered between life and death, and viewers were emotionally exhausted. When he finally survived, it felt less like a plot resolution and more like a miracle. Liam didn’t technically exit the show, but the storyline played like a full farewell — and its reversal became one of the most shocking decisions of the year.

Thomas Forrester: The Return That Meant Nothing

Thomas Forrester’s 2025 arc was brief, confusing, and deeply frustrating. His return teased massive potential — unresolved feelings for Hope, renewed rivalry with Ridge, and the chance to explore the consequences of his past behavior.

Instead, Thomas appeared, nearly assaulted Brooke, and disappeared again almost immediately. Fans barely had time to process his presence before he was gone. Storylines that could have added depth — his reaction to Hope’s engagement, a possible romance with Ivy, or real accountability — were left untouched.

His exit felt less like a creative decision and more like a missed opportunity.

Nick Marone and the Love That Wasn’t Meant to Last

Nick’s return briefly reignited hope for longtime fans craving nostalgia and emotional depth. His scenes with Brooke hinted at a possible escape from her endless cycle with Ridge. For a moment, it felt like Brooke might finally choose a different future.

But that hope was short-lived. Nick’s presence served only as a catalyst to reunite Brooke and Ridge once again after her near-fatal fall overboard. He exited almost as quickly as he arrived, leaving fans wondering why he was brought back at all.

Real Life Meets Fiction: Steffy’s Temporary Exit

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood’s real-life maternity leave forced B&B to write Steffy out during one of the show’s most chaotic periods. The solution was classic soap drama: Steffy fled Los Angeles with her children to escape the violence and emotional turmoil surrounding Luna and Liam.

Her return, however, was anything but peaceful. Steffy came back stronger, angrier, and determined — heading straight to prison to confront Luna. The exit and return worked seamlessly, blending real-life necessity with high-stakes storytelling.

Eric Forrester: The Exit That Feels Like Goodbye

Perhaps the most haunting storyline of 2025 belongs to Eric Forrester. John McCook’s portrayal of a man grappling with age, legacy, and erasure struck a deeply emotional chord. Eric’s forced retirement felt less like a celebration and more like a funeral — not just for his career, but for his place within his own family.

Yet even in decline, Eric wasn’t finished. His secret work on a new fashion line hints at rebellion, reinvention, and possibly the ultimate comeback. Fans are torn between fearing a permanent goodbye and hoping for a legendary final act.

A Soap Year Turned Up to 100

2025 was chaotic, emotional, devastating, and undeniably unforgettable. The Bold and the Beautiful pushed its characters — and its audience — to the edge, delivering one of the most intense years in its history.

If this is what the show was willing to do in 2025, one question remains: how much further can it go in 2026?