Courtney Hope Teases What’s Next for Sally on THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL (EXCLUSIVE)

What began as a fight for her life has become a fight for true love in the eyes of THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Sally. And while it’s anyone’s guess where her tumultuous journey will lead, Soaps In Depth spent a little time with her portrayer, Courtney Hope, to discuss the saga that’s brought her to this new crux!

Suffice to say, it’s never exactly “good news” when one’s character receives a fatal diagnosis on screen, and Hope admitted she was a little unnerved when it first started playing out. “But [executive producer and headwriter Bradley Bell] and I had a really good conversation about it, and I ended up being very excited,” the actress explained. “Sally had never dealt with something like this before, so I was game to explore this kind of challenge.”

Viewers watched voyeuristically through the exam-room window when Sally learned her initial diagnosis. Not being privy to what Dr. Escobar was telling her felt both maddening, appropriately “soapy” and, in Hope’s opinion, true to life. “That private moment of silence felt similar to when you’re in shock,” she explained. “Everything around you kind of muffles out, and you can’t hear anything. So the way they shot it kind of mirrored that, and I thought it was really well done.”

That nebulous diagnosis, however, meant Hope couldn’t do much in the way of research to help convey Sally’s illness. Still, symptoms like hand tremors and lightheadedness came easily to the actress as she dove into her scenes. “My body would really react when [Sally] would get worked up,” she said. “I’d go back to my dressing room, and my hands would still be shaking!”

Sally’s ordeals also reminded Hope to count her own blessings. “Life is so unpredictable, and this [storyline] has definitely made me take a step back and appreciate my health,” she said. “My priorities and perspective have changed a little, and I have so much appreciation, as always, for my loved ones and my life.”

As someone who’s fiercely protective of her character, Hope admitted it was tough to see the redhead at her lowest in recent months. “I hate seeing Sally hurt and sick — that’s really heartbreaking.”

Of course, viewers now know that Sally’s “diagnosis” was, in fact, part of a scheme — concocted with the help of the ambitious Dr. Escobar — designed to bring once-and-current lover Wyatt back to her side. “From day one, she’s always fought for who she is and what she loves,” said Hope of her alter ego’s determination. “She’s lost so many of her dreams when it’s come to her career and her romantic life, but she won’t go down without a fight!”