Already have an account?
Get back to the
Casting

A First Look at Annika Noelle as THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s New Hope!

Tags:

Ever since Kim Matula left THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL, fans have been wondering if Hope would return one day, and now she is on her way back! However, with Matula busy with her new FOX sitcom LA TO VEGAS, the role will now be played by Annika Noelle. The recast is scheduled to make her debut on January 8, but the soap offered a sneak peek of the actress on the set via their Instagram!

“Welcome, Annika, to the family!” declared Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke). “So great to have you with us at B&B! So happy to have you as my daughter! And thank you, Jacob Young (Rick) for taking this pic of us! You should’ve been in the pic, too!” And looking at the two women, Noelle looks like she really could be Lang’s daughter!

This is Noelle’s first daytime drama, although she did appear as Sami Nelson in VENICE: THE SERIES, the web soap from former B&B actress Crystal Chappell (ex-Danielle). She also appeared in a couple episodes of the ABC Family drama CHASING LIFE.

The character of Hope was born in 2002, and played by a series of child actors, including Rachel and Amanda Pace, before being aged to a young woman when Matula took over the role in 2010. However, after five years on B&B, the actress decided to leave, making her final appearance in December of 2015. Since that time, Matula has made brief guest appearances in two episodes in 2015 and one in 2016.

Back in August of 2015, Matula shared a throwback pic to the time Hope had a bad fall and admitted to fans she would not be returning to B&B. “I’m still exploring another side of life! However, it truly means a lot that you miss her so much!”

Since leaving B&B, Matula found success starring as Tiffany, one of the “bachelorettes” on season two of Lifetime’s hit series, UNREAL. And then revealed that she was working on a brand new film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson!

Fighting With My Family is an upcoming comedy/drama based on the life of WWE superstar Paige and will star Johnson as himself, alongside Lena Heady, Nick Frost, and Vince Vaughn. Matula will be playing Jeri-Lynn in the film.

“Taking a break in the ring,” Matula joked on Instagram. “Moments before I dropped my phone on my face. JK… or am I?”

Although Matula didn’t share any photos of herself in costume in the ring, she reported really enjoying filming in London. “You guys,” she wrote, “this was a seriously incredible experience. I can’t wait for everyone to see this movie!”

The actress also declared she was “beyond excited” to be cast in the FOX comedy series LA -> VEGAS where she stars opposite Dylan McDermott as a flight attendant. While the series doesn’t premiere until Tuesday, Jan. 2, you can watch a preview of it right now!

So while it’s wonderful that Matula has found success after B&B, unfortunately for her fans, it ruled out a return to the soap. But now, with Noelle stepping into her shoes, Hope will soon be back in Los Angeles and ready to dive into more drama with the Logans, Forresters, and Spencers!

For more on your favorite B&B stars — past and present — keep reading the CBS edition of Soaps In Depth magazine!

More From CBS Soaps In Depth

Everything You Need to Know About Hope’s History on B&B

B&B’s Linsey Godfrey Opens up About Surviving Sexual Abuse

B&B Alum Jennifer Finnigan Welcomed a Beautiful Baby Girl!

Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items. Use right arrow key to move into submenus. Use escape to exit the menu. Use up and down arrow keys to explore. Use left arrow key to move back to the parent list.