Denise Richards Returns to 'The Bold and the Beautiful' After Four-Year Hiatus

The Hollywood star is returning to familiar territory! After several years away from "The Bold and the Beautiful," the actress is heading back to the CBS soap — and she is already teasing more trouble ahead for Shauna Fulton.

Denise Richards is set to return to "The Bold and the Beautiful" as Shauna Fulton after a four-year hiatus from the soap opera. She will officially reprise her role in the episode airing May 28, marking her latest return to the long-running daytime drama after previously leaving the series in 2021.

Denise Richards at "The Bold and the Beautiful" BBTV Launch Event at Wheelhouse on March 26, 2026, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

"It's nice to be back," Richards, 55, said. "It feels like I never left." The actress added that returning to the set felt comfortable because of the welcoming environment behind the scenes, sharing:

In a preview of the upcoming episode, Shauna reconnects with Bill Spencer and his son Wyatt Spencer at Spencer Publications, immediately bringing her signature charm and confidence back to the screen.

Richards' return also coincides with Darin Brooks stepping back into the role of Wyatt Spencer. Brooks previously exited the show in 2024.

Denise Richards at the 53rd annual Saturn Awards at Hilton Universal City Hotel on March 8, 2026, in Universal City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Richards Said the Cast Made Her Return Easier

Although Richards has spent decades working in television and film, she admitted joining a long-running soap opera initially felt intimidating. "It can be very intimidating going into a set where people have worked together for so long," she explained.

Still, the actress said the cast quickly made her feel comfortable. "Everyone's just very embracing and very supportive," Richards shared. "The actors I was working with made it so much easier to step back in."

She also said returning alongside Brooks made the experience even more enjoyable. "I loved that Darin was returning too," Richards said. "I like that with Wyatt and Shauna, our characters, we're light and fun."

The actress added that part of the excitement came from not always knowing where the storyline would go next until new scripts arrived each week.

Denise Richards Once Thought Soap Operas Were Too Overwhelming

Richards first joined "The Bold and the Beautiful" in 2019 after years of working in films including "Wild Things," "Drop Dead Gorgeous," "Starship Troopers," and "The World Is Not Enough."

Denise Richards during BravoCon 2025 at Caesars Forum on November 14, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

However, she revealed that her first experience auditioning for a soap opera did not go as planned. "I tested years ago when I first started acting for 'General Hospital' and didn't get it," she recalled.

Denise Richards at the "Starship Troopers" cast panel during the 2025 Los Angeles Comic Con at Los Angeles Convention Center on September 28 in California. | Source: Getty Images

The actress remembered briefly panicking over how she would memorize everything before receiving advice from fellow soap actress Rena Sofer. According to Richards, Sofer encouraged her to focus on one scene at a time instead of becoming overwhelmed by the number of pages.

The approach helped Richards settle into the demanding production schedule, and she now encourages other actors to try working on a soap opera at least once in their careers. For Richards, returning to Shauna now feels much less intimidating — and much more like coming home.