B&B’s Kiara Barnes Shares Exciting News!
It looks like Kiara Barnes’ decision to exit the role of THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Zoe for the Fox reboot of FANTASY ISLAND has paid off: FOX has picked up the drama series for a second season! The renewal news was announced by Deadline, with the site sharing that the contemporary version of the classic series (which ran from 1977-’84) ranked as the network’s top new scripted program in the coveted 18-49 age group and was also FOX’s most-streamed new drama series.
FANTASY ISLAND stars fellow daytime alum Roselyn Sanchez (Pilar, AS THE WORLD TURNS) as Elena, a descendant of the original series’ Mr. Roarke, who is continuing her family’s legacy as the hostess at a luxury island resort that gives visitors the chance to live out their dreams. Barnes co-stars as Ruby, who originally arrived at the resort as a 75-year-old guest with terminal cancer but got a second chance at life when she found herself 50 years younger and healthier — and became Elena’s right-hand woman (taking on the role of Tattoo from the original series).
“Thank you so much everyone!” an ecstatic Barnes wrote on Instagram. “What an incredible opportunity it was to shoot the first season, [and I] can’t wait to do it all again. See you soon. Thank you for all the love and support!”
Luckily for fans of the summer drama series, they won’t have to wait until next summer to return to the resort: A two-hour holiday episode of FANTASY ISLAND, titled “Welcome to the Globe,” will air on Tues., December 21, at 8 p.m. EST.
“Fantasy Island has been such a blessing and an incredible set to be a part of,” the B&B alum wrote when the season finale aired in late September. “Playing Ruby means much more than you’ll ever know. Thank you for following along for the journey.”
Sadly for fans of the actress’ turn as Zoe Buckingham on B&B, this means that if the soap wants to bring that character back to the canvas, they’ll have to recast the role since Barnes is going to be quite busy for the foreseeable future!
The second season of FANTASY ISLAND is expected to air next summer on Fox.
