Lauralee Bell Directing A New Soap!
In the ever-evolving world of daytime television, some stars fade quietly into the background after a major storyline wraps. Lauralee Bell, however, is not one of them. Fresh off Christine Blair’s much-anticipated dream wedding on The Young and the Restless, Bell is proving she’s nowhere near done dazzling audiences—both on-screen and behind the camera. In fact, she’s making one of the boldest career moves of her life: stepping into the arena of primetime soap operas as a producer and creative visionary. And yes, it’s every bit as iconic as it sounds.
For fans who have followed Bell’s journey for decades, this moment almost feels fated. She has always been a key player in the heart and fabric of The Young and the Restless, but now she’s embracing a new chapter—one that could redefine her legacy in the genre her family helped build.
A New Creative Frontier
While Christine and Danny’s romantic on-screen reunion has officially been sealed with vows and nostalgic fanfare, the actors behind the storyline—Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian—have shifted their focus to fresh creative pursuits. Yet it’s Bell’s latest project that has the industry buzzing.
She is currently developing a brand-new primetime soap opera in collaboration with Martha Byrne, beloved alum of As the World Turns. This partnership alone sends a clear message: Bell is not dabbling in primetime. She’s coming for it with intention.
What makes this move even more compelling is that Bell is no stranger to taking creative risks. In 2013, she earned an Emmy for her short-form drama mI Promise, a project she didn’t just star in—she wrote, directed, and executive produced it. That achievement quietly hinted at the powerhouse storyteller she would eventually become.
But this new series? It’s on an entirely different scale. Bell is describing it as a full-fledged primetime soap with the high-gloss flair of classics like Dynasty. Big emotions. Big power plays. Big stakes. In other words: she’s not coming to play—she’s coming to elevate the genre.
And according to Bell, the entertainment industry’s recent unpredictable cycle—slow, then suddenly frenetic—has actually worked in her favor. There is real interest from networks and production companies, and the team is waiting to see who will officially greenlight the project. Translation: this isn’t a pipe dream. This is a developing reality.
Nostalgia Meets Reinvention
One of the most endearing reveals from Bell during this process came from an unexpected place: watching The Summer I Turned Pretty with her daughter. While enjoying the show, Bell realized she deeply missed the anticipation tied to weekly episodic television—the very essence of classic soap storytelling. Waiting a full week for the next episode? For her, it wasn’t torture—it was a thrill. A tradition.
This perspective is shaping her new project in meaningful ways. Bell seems determined to blend the addictive emotional hooks of old-school soaps with the elevated production and narrative scope that modern audiences expect. If she succeeds, her show could reawaken the love of weekly must-see drama.
Would She Direct Y&R or B&B?
As fans digest the news of Bell’s primetime venture, a natural question has emerged: Does this mean she’s ready to step behind the camera on the soaps that made her a household name?
When asked directly if she would direct an episode of The Young and the Restless or The Bold and the Beautiful, Bell refused to shut the door. Instead of dismissing the idea, she offered a careful but tantalizing response: “I never say never.”
And coming from a Bell? That phrase is practically soap-opera code for “Oh, it’s absolutely possible.”
It’s worth noting that directing episodes of either show would be more than symbolic—it would be deeply personal. After all, Bell comes from what is arguably the most influential dynasty in American soap history. Her parents, the legendary William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, created both Y&R and B&B. Her brother, Bradley Bell, has served as executive producer and head writer of The Bold and the Beautiful for nearly 30 years.
The Bell family doesn’t just work in soaps. They are soaps.
So the idea of Lauralee stepping behind the camera on one of the family’s iconic series would be both poetic and powerful—a full-circle moment decades in the making.
Celebrating the Rise of Actor–Directors
Bell also took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on fellow colleagues who have made successful transitions from acting to directing. She praised Heather Tom—formerly of The Young and the Restless and now a prominent figure both in front of and behind the scenes at The Bold and the Beautiful. Tom’s evolution as a director has become an inspiring roadmap for many.
Bell also applauded Elizabeth Hendrickson, known for her layered performances on Y&R, who has also begun carving her space in the director’s chair. To Bell, watching her peers embrace filmmaking isn’t just admirable—it’s energizing. It signals a shift in the industry, one she seems eager to participate in, even if she isn’t sprinting toward directing… just yet.
A Storyteller Who Won’t Stay in One Lane
Despite her growing slate of projects, Bell emphasized how grateful she is simply to be back onscreen and deeply engaged in Christine’s storyline once again. The character has been a cornerstone of The Young and the Restless for decades, and Bell clearly values the opportunity to revisit Christine’s emotional journey with fresh perspective.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore the trajectory she’s on. Bell is a creator who thrives on expansion. Acting is one lane. Directing another. Producing yet another. And she appears ready to explore every pathway stories can take—whether in daytime, primetime, or beyond.
With her industry insight, family legacy, creative instincts, and undeniable passion for serialized drama, Bell’s upcoming primetime soap has the potential to be something rare: a modern show with the soul of a classic. A glossy, fiery story that brings viewers back to a time when families gathered weekly for their favorite dramas—only to spend the next six days talking about them.
Fans can only hope the networks recognize what a gem they’re being offered.
What Do You Think?
Should Lauralee Bell step behind the camera and direct an episode of The Young and the Restless or The Bold and the Beautiful? Would you watch the primetime soap she’s developing?
Drop your thoughts—because this is one soap legacy move we all have opinions about.