HOT – Thorsten Kaye is leaving The Bold and the Beautiful to star in Beyond the Gates
The sun is setting on one of daytime television’s most iconic figures—or is it just rising on a new beginning?
After more than a decade captivating audiences as the conflicted and charismatic Ridge Forrester, Thorsten Kaye is rumored to be making a monumental shift that could forever change the landscape of The Bold and the Beautiful.
From passionate love triangles to dramatic boardroom showdowns, Kaye’s Ridge has been the emotional linchpin of the CBS soap since 2013. But now, industry insiders and storyline developments suggest the Emmy-winning actor may be preparing to leave B&B to join the cast of the network’s groundbreaking new daytime drama, Beyond the Gates.
If true, it would be the end of an era—and the beginning of something extraordinary.
A Decade of Ridge: Kaye’s Indelible Impact
Thorsten Kaye took over the role of Ridge Forrester in 2013, following the departure of original actor Ronn Moss. What followed was a complete reimagining of the character. Kaye’s Ridge was grittier, more emotionally complex, and refreshingly unpredictable—a man torn between legacy, love, and personal redemption.
His performance earned critical acclaim, culminating in back-to-back Daytime Emmy Awards in 2023 and 2024 for Outstanding Lead Actor. Kaye brought gravitas and sensitivity to a character often caught between two women: the ever-resilient Brooke Logan (Catherine Kelly Lang) and the soulful Taylor Hayes (currently played by Rebecca Budig).
But portraying the emotionally tormented Ridge hasn’t come without a price.
The Real-Life Crossroads
Behind the scenes, Kaye’s grueling bi-coastal commute—from his home on the East Coast, where he lives with Emmy-winning actress Susan Haskell and their two daughters, to B&B’s Los Angeles set—has taken a toll. Friends close to the actor suggest he may be yearning for stability and fresh creative territory.
Adding fuel to the fire? The debut of Beyond the Gates—CBS’s bold new daytime drama created by former B&B head writer Michelle Valene. Premiering in February 2025, the show centers around the DePri family, a powerful and enigmatic clan residing in a gated Maryland community. As the first predominantly Black daytime soap since Generations (1991), Beyond the Gates is already being hailed as a cultural and creative milestone.
A Strategic Transition: The Crossover That Changes Everything
The connection between The Bold and the Beautiful and Beyond the Gates runs deeper than just CBS branding. Valene’s exit from B&B to create Gates reportedly left the door open for narrative crossovers—and Kaye’s Ridge is about to walk through it.
In a surprise announcement, CBS revealed an upcoming crossover episode featuring Ridge Forrester and Beyond the Gates heroine Donnie DePri (portrayed by Carla Mosley). This tantalizing event is being framed as more than a ratings stunt—it could be a soft launch for Ridge’s permanent transition to the new series.
The Italian Epiphany: Ridge’s Emotional Reckoning
On-screen, The Bold and the Beautiful is crafting what may be Ridge’s most dramatic arc yet—one that artfully mirrors Kaye’s potential departure.
Currently, Ridge is in Italy for a Forrester fashion event, where an unexpected crisis sparks a moment of profound clarity. During a yacht photoshoot off the Amalfi Coast, Brooke is thrown overboard, and Ridge leaps into the sea to save her. It’s a pulse-pounding rescue that doubles as a metaphor for the character’s journey—diving headfirst into emotional truth.
According to showrunner Brad Bell, Ridge’s time in Italy will lead to a revelation: Brooke has always been his destiny. The heroism isn’t just physical; it’s emotional. Despite his engagement to Taylor, Ridge realizes that his heart belongs to Brooke, setting the stage for a painful and possibly final separation from Taylor.
Taylor’s Breakdown – The Fallout Begins
As Ridge leans into his rediscovered love for Brooke, Taylor Hayes is left shattered. Long-time fans will remember that Taylor has a history of medical crises linked to heartbreak, including an episode of Broken Heart Syndrome. Early rumors suggest that Taylor may suffer a similar fate following Ridge’s breakup, creating emotional and medical stakes that threaten to upend the Forrester family once again.
Rebecca Budig has reinvigorated the role of Taylor with strength and vulnerability, but this dramatic exit from the Ridge-Taylor storyline raises serious questions: Will Taylor leave Los Angeles to recover? Or will she fight for Ridge one last time?
Beyond B&B: A New Horizon for Kaye
The timing is uncanny. Beyond the Gates offers Thorsten Kaye an opportunity to evolve artistically. Unlike B&B’s sometimes formulaic love triangles, Valene’s new series explores social class, generational trauma, and cultural identity through an ensemble of richly drawn characters.
For an actor like Kaye—who’s expressed discomfort with Ridge’s cyclical romantic indecisiveness—this shift could be creatively liberating.
If Ridge is written off B&B, it may not be death or disappearance. Instead, fans might see the character slowly re-establish his life elsewhere—perhaps even falling in love again within the world of Beyond the Gates.
CBS Denials and Fan Speculation
Despite the chatter, CBS supervising producer Casey Kasprzyk has labeled rumors of Kaye’s exit as “pure trash.” Still, soap fans know better than to take such denials at face value. In the world of daytime television, real exits are often disguised by misdirection, especially when high-stakes storylines and crossover events are in play.
Fans have taken to social media in droves, speculating about Ridge’s fate. Some are thrilled by the idea of a fresh start in Beyond the Gates, while others lament the possible end of “Bridge” and fear a gaping hole at the heart of B&B.
Legacy of a Leading Man
No matter what happens next, Thorsten Kaye’s contribution to The Bold and the Beautiful is undeniable. From epic love scenes with Brooke and Taylor, to fierce family showdowns with Eric, Thomas, and Steffy, Kaye’s Ridge has been the emotional backbone of the series for over a decade.
His portrayal has transformed Ridge from a romantic caricature into a flawed but deeply human character—one fans could root for, rage at, and relate to.
What Comes Next?
As The Bold and the Beautiful gears up for its 39th season premiere on September 15, 2025, the show finds itself at a pivotal juncture. If Thorsten Kaye transitions into Beyond the Gates, it could mark the beginning of a new era in daytime TV—one where crossover storytelling and shared universes bring unprecedented depth and dynamism.
Whether Ridge sails off into a new future or stays anchored in Los Angeles, the drama is just getting started.
Stay tuned. In the world of soaps, nothing is ever truly final—especially when love, legacy, and ambition collide.
Next up: Liam Spencer’s messy return to romantic chaos and how Luna’s love life might just spark a Forrester family implosion.