Soap Opera’s Year-End Review For 2024 – Best Character Return

As 2024 wraps up, it’s natural for soap opera fans to be reflective of the year that’s gone by.
Character returns in daytime drama have been explosive over the past 12 months, so which were the best of the best?

The Bold And The Beautiful – Ivy Forrester

Ivy Forrester (Ashleigh Brewer) has had two returns in 2024, once in April and more recently in October.

She returned to L.A. from living in Sydney, Australia in the spring, and shockingly shared a steamy lip-lock with Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton) – something that has yet to be further explored on canvas.

While her more recent comeback hasn’t been overly shocking, it did accomplish a lot. She not only brought her niece, Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) into the picture, who sparked a romance with the single Will Spencer (Crew Morrows)

Electra’s entry on the canvas has also allowed resident stalker, Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) to enter the equation to cause some drama. Ivy’s returns definitely had an impact on storylines through this domino effect, in 2024.

Days Of Our Lives – Gabi Hernandez

Days of Our Lives (DOOL) fans hated to see Camila Banus exit the role of Gabi Hernandez in November 2023; however, it was clear that her departure left a massive hole in storylines without the feisty character always stirring the pot.

Actress Cherie Jimenez entered the little town in June of this year and hit the ground running.

She blew the Baby Jude Brady (Oliver McLarty) secret out of the water, essentially causing the breakup of Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker) and EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel), got manipulated by the town’s new creepy stalker, Connie Viniski (Julie Dove), and also ended Stabi for good by sleeping with Stefan DiMera’s (Brandon Barash) brother, her nemesis, EJ.

Gabi is drama, but drama is also entertaining, which is what Jimenez always brings to the screens whenever she graces the canvas.

General Hospital – Jason Morgan & Lulu Spencer

General Hospital (GH) fans know that “best return” feels a bit like a toss-up between Jason Morgan (Steve Burton), who had an explosive comeback back in March 2024, and Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins Bruening), who recently (and finally) woke up from her four-year coma.
Both characters dived into action from the moment their faces hit the canvas, and GH fans everywhere are just happy that Port Charles’ prodigal son and daughter are officially back in town … for good (or for now).

The Young and the Restless – Ian Ward

The Young and the Restless (Y&R) fans expected to see Jordan (Colleen Zenk) return at some point in 2024, as they know mere cell bars can’t hold this woman back.

So, when it was revealed that both she and her new partner, Ian Ward (Ray Wise), were behind Heather Stevens’ (Vail Bloom) murder and not Sharon Newman (Sharon Case), Y&R viewers were shocked.

It’s been a hot minute (8 years) since Ian has stirred up trouble, and in the short time he’s been back, he’s managed to unalive one GC resident, send Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, flip Sharon’s world upside, and frame (technically) two people for murder.

Imagine what chaos is in store for fans, come 2025 if Ian is still around! Who was your favorite character returning in 2024? Comment below and visit this site for the best news, spoilers, and updates in daytime drama.