Lauralee Bell Directing A New Soap!
For decades, Lauralee Bell has been the heart of The Young and the Restless—the steady, graceful presence behind Christine Blair’s most triumphant moments, heartbreaking losses, and lifelong rivalries. But while her on-screen world has just wrapped one of its most nostalgic storylines with Christine and Danny’s long-awaited wedding, the actress herself is quietly stepping into one of the most powerful roles of her career. And this time, she’s not just acting. She’s building a soap.
And not just any soap—a prime-time one.
Lauralee Bell isn’t slowing down. She’s leveling up.
A Soap Legacy Evolves
Christine Blair’s love story may have come full circle in Genoa City, but Lauralee’s evolution behind the scenes has only just begun. While fans rewatched every tear, smile, and vow from Danny and Christine’s emotional reunion, something much bigger was happening off screen. Lauralee was preparing to make her return not just as a performer—but as a creator.
Her latest venture is a brand-new prime-time soap opera currently in development alongside soap veteran Martha Byrne, best known for her unforgettable role on As the World Turns. The pairing alone is a powerhouse move. These are two women who know what makes soap fans tick—characters you root for, grudges that last generations, betrayals that break families apart, and twists that leave viewers gasping.
And Lauralee isn’t just dipping a toe into producing. She’s diving headfirst.
A New Dynasty? Lauralee Hints at the Show’s Tone
While details about the plot remain tightly under wraps, Lauralee dropped one tantalizing hint:
She wants the series to capture the vibe of Dynasty.
Think luxury dripping with venom.
Glamour hiding rot underneath.
Power struggles wrapped in diamonds, lies, and family dinners where the silverware is sharp—and so are the insults.
Lauralee knows the genre. She grew up in it. And she knows the audience is hungry for the kind of weekly, slow-burn drama that prime-time giants haven’t delivered in years.
According to her, the industry has been through a strange season—quiet one moment, unpredictable and explosive the next. But now? There is real interest. Meetings are happening. Calls are being taken. Networks are circling.
This isn’t a passion project being written in a corner.
This is a show that could actually happen.
Soon.
Lauralee Bell: More Than an Actress
This new venture isn’t even the first time she has stepped behind the camera. In 2013, Lauralee won an Emmy for her emotional short-form drama mI promise—a project she wrote, directed, starred in, and executive produced.
That alone proves she has the creativity, discipline, and vision to build a series from the ground up. But a prime-time soap is a different beast—larger, splashier, more demanding. And yet Lauralee seems completely ready.
She’s not chasing a trend. She’s honoring a legacy.
After all, she comes from soap royalty.
Her parents, William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, created both The Young and the
Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. Her brother, Brad Bell, has been the executive producer and head writer of B&B for nearly 30 years.
This isn’t just a Hollywood family.
This is the family that built the modern soap opera.
If anyone was born to create a prime-time soap… it’s Lauralee Bell.
Would She Ever Direct Y&R or B&B? Fans Are Asking
In a recent interview, Lauralee was asked a question that made fans lean forward:
Would she ever step behind the camera to direct an episode of Y&R or Bold?
Her answer wasn’t a dramatic soap-style “absolutely not.”
Instead, she offered the most tantalizing four words:
“I never say never.”
And in soap language, that is practically a yes—just dipped in humility.
Lauralee also highlighted how proud she is of other actresses who have stepped into creative leadership roles. She gave glowing praise to:
- Heather Tom, who has become a standout director at The Bold and the Beautiful
- Elizabeth Hendrickson, who recently made her directing debut at Y&R
Lauralee is watching her peers evolve—and she’s cheering them on.
It raises a bigger question:
Could we one day see Lauralee Bell directing Christine’s biggest storyline yet?
Fans are already picturing it.
Christine’s Story Continues — And So Does Lauralee’s
Even with her growing list of behind-the-scenes ambitions, Lauralee made one thing clear: she is still fully committed to The Young and the Restless. She loves being back on screen, telling Christine’s story after years of sporadic appearances, and reconnecting with the character who made her a household name.
But creatives like Lauralee don’t stay in one lane.
They write.
They direct.
They produce.
They build worlds.
Her new prime-time project is the start of something bigger—something bold, something dramatic, something worthy of the legacy she carries.
Why This New Project Matters
It’s a seismic moment for the soap genre.
Daytime soaps have always dominated emotion. Prime-time soaps dominate spectacle. Mixing the two—using Lauralee’s decades of experience, her family legacy, and her Emmy-winning instincts—could create a show that rejuvenates serialized TV for a whole new generation.
Imagine the intricate character webs of Y&R…
…infused with the glossy intensity of Dynasty…
…broadcast to a national audience hungry for weekly drama again.
Lauralee isn’t just making a show.
She might be reviving an entire era.
What Comes Next for Lauralee Bell?
While the industry awaits confirmation from studios and networks, fans are already buzzing. Every hint, every interview, every subtle clue has sparked speculation:
- Will the new soap feature multigenerational family rivalries?
- Will it lean more toward glamour or grit—or both?
- Could Y&R actors make cameos?
- Might Lauralee eventually direct or write for multiple shows at once?
One thing is certain: Lauralee Bell’s next chapter is going to be big.
And the soap world is watching.