'The Bold and the Beautiful' Heading to Australia To Shoot On Location

The Bold and the Beautiful is less than two months away from reaching its 30 anniversary on the air. As part of the celebration, the CBS soap opera is heading to Australia in February to shoot multiple episodes on location.

"This will be an epic celebration for our fans around the world," said executive producer and head writer Bradley Bell in a statement. "We are preparing to film the most glamorous location shoot in soap opera history. Collaborating with Qantas, Network TEN and CBS, viewers will witness romance, high style, jaw-dropping twists, harrowing stunts and major cliffhangers, all hallmarks of Bold and Beautiful."

Actors making the February 12-17 trip Down Under include Scott Clifton (Liam), Don Diamont (Bill), Thorsten Kaye (Ridge), Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), John McCook (Eric), Rena Sofer (Quinn) and Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy). Ashleigh Brewer (Ivy), who previously played Kate Ramsay on Network TEN's Neighbours, will be among a number of Australian celebrities featured in the episodes.

The last time the soap went to Australia was in 2007 in honor of the show's 20th anniversary. TEN aired the premiere episode of B&B on November 23, 1987, and has been the Australian home of the iconic series ever since.

Sneak Peek: Rick and Maya's Wedding on 'The Bold and the Beautiful' (Spoilers)

Maya interrupts her wedding to confront her father.

The wedding of Rick Forrester (Jacob Young) and Maya Avant (Karla Mosley) begins Monday, August 10 on CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. But like many a soap opera wedding, including this one for television’s first transgender character to exchange vows, the celebration will include some intense family drama.

In the sneak peek clip below, the wedding is interrupted when Maya confronts her conservative father Julius (Obba Babatunde) about his feelings toward her transition.

"I will not be publicly embarrassed by my own flesh and blood!" Julius says, adding he's there to give her away.

"You can't give away something you've already thrown away," Maya tells her father.

Watch below:

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Premiered 28 Years Ago Today

Today is the 28th anniversary of The Bold and the Beautiful's premiere on CBS.

In January 2015, B&B taped its 7,000th episode on The Bradley P. Bell Stage 31 at CBS Television City.

“Twenty-eight years on television is a tremendous achievement,” said Executive Producer and Head Writer, Bradley P. Bell. “I work with a brilliant ensemble of cast, production crew, writers and staff. I am grateful to CBS for their unwavering support and for their longstanding commitment to The Bold and the Beautiful. None of this would be possible without the steadfast loyalty and dedication of our fans around the world.”

The only American daytime drama set in a real, and not fictional location, B&B prides itself on setting the bar by frequently taking production out of the studio and on location. Fall 2014 marked the eleventh international remote taken by B&B in the show’s 28 year-history, going to the Netherlands with cast members Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer), Darin Brooks (Wyatt Spencer) and Ashleigh Brewer (Ivy Forrester). Previous international locations include Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE , Paris, France, Monaco, Puglia, Italy, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Sydney, Australia, Portofino, Italy, Venice, Italy, Lake Como, Italy and Barbados. Additionally, B&B has taped in numerous U.S. locations around Southern California, on the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas and multiple times in Aspen, Colorado.

In June 2014, B&B received its ninth Golden Nymph Award at the International TV Audience Awards in the “Telenovela/Soap Opera” category at the Monte Carlo Television Festival. In 2011, B&B received its third consecutive Emmy® award for “Outstanding Daytime Drama Series”. In 2010, Guinness World Records® named The Bold and the Beautiful the Most Popular Daytime Soap Currently on TV.

Watch the very first episode of The Bold and the Beautiful in today's Soap History column.

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Cliffhanger Masterpiece: Maya's Secret Revealed! (Video)

Karla Mosley as Maya Avant

The Bold and the Beautiful has been consistently excellent over the past few years but the show topped itself today with the reveal of Maya Avant's (Karla Mosley) secret.

[Wednesday episode spoilers below]

Confronted by her little sister, Nicole (Reign Edwards), viewers seemed headed for one of the typical, and overused, soap "secret" staples: Maya used to be a prostitute or Maya was actually Nicole's mother instead of her sister. But neither thing happened. B&B went somewhere new.

"You're not my sister, Maya. You're not Maya at all," an emotional Nicole said. "You're Myron, my brother."

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Time-Lapse Video of The Bradley P. Bell Stage 31

On Wednesday, CBS dedicated Stage 31 to B&B executive producer and head writer Bradley P. Bell.

In anticipation of the show's 7,000th episode, The Bold and the Beautiful created a time-lapse video of what goes into creating the Bradley P. Bell Stage 31 for a production day. Watch the video below and be sure to tune in Friday, January 23 for the 7,000th episode of B&B.

Special 7,000th Episode of 'The Bold and the Beautiful' To Air January 23

The Bold and the Beautiful will celebrate the show's 7000th episode on Friday, January 23. A special milestone episode will break format and feature a retrospective documentary that showcases the most iconic moments and the history of the show’s creation, commentary from the cast, fashion throughout the decades, unforgettable guest stars, original screen test footage and more.

“7,000 episodes of television is an incredible achievement, and one we are tremendously proud of,” said Angelica McDaniel, Senior Vice President, Daytime, CBS Entertainment. “This milestone is a testament to the impact of Bill and Lee Bell on the genre, the passion and creativity of Brad Bell, his staff and crew and the unwavering support of our loyal fans.”

NEWS: B&B in the Emirates; Blake Berris Film; Donna Mills; Amanda Seyfried

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL lands in the Emirates
“Many people here come up, say how much they love the show,” Katherine Kelly Lang said. “I didn't know how popular it was here.”

For the Emirates, the three-day shoot is an opportunity to help develop the local entertainment industry. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the country’s two biggest cities, have each been working to entice filmmakers to the country.

Showrunner Brad Bell hopes the show’s Mideast foray changes viewers’ perceptions of the region.

“I was just struck by how wonderfully open and welcoming everyone was. Just the beauty and extent of all there is to see here in Dubai, it’s something that the world needs to see,” he said.

Dubai One’s B&B connection
“The B&B crew shot a mock scene for us," said THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT host Marwan Parham Al Awadhi. "It was the first time they’d ever done anything like this – it’s basically going to look like an episode of the show. We’ll be screening it at the end of our 27th birthday show.”

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Begins Filming in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (Spoilers)

Thorsten Kaye, Bradley P. Bell, Katherine Kelly Lang & Don Diamont.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL started shooting episodes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi today, making it the first overseas soap opera to ever film episodes in the UAE.

The three day shoot will take place in Dubai at Atlantis, The Palm, Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall Promenade and the Skydive Dubai Helipad, before moving to the UAE capital to film at the Emirates Palace, along the Corniche, at Yas Marina Circuit and the Marina.

"I've been fascinated with Dubai and Abu Dhabi for quite some time because of their spectacular skylines rising up out of the desert," said executive producer and head writer Bradley P. Bell, "and the fantastic convergence of diverse international cultures.”

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL And Pan MacMillian Strike Deal For Books Based On The Show

An Australian publisher has acquired the global rights to bring the lives and loves of the American daytime drama THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL from the small screen to the page. Two novellas, based on the long running soap, will be published in February by Pan Macmillan and its digital first imprint Momentum ("Forbidden Affair" and "Collision Course"). Another two will follow in April, and two more in June. This is the first time Pan and Momentum have collaborated.

Pan Macmillan is betting on a large cross over between romance readers and dedicated THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL fans. Established romance writers Amy Andrews, from Brisbane, and Shannon Curtis, of Sydney, have written the new love stories featuring the show's signature characters. All storylines are vetted by THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL showrunner Bradley Bell, who granted the franchise earlier this year.

“Love stories that have yet to be seen on television can now fully ignite between the covers of these novels,” said Bell. “This partnership with Pan Macmillan and Momentum expands the choices our fans have to be entertained by the signature characters of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.”

Thorsten Kaye Debuts as THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Ridge Forrester on December 13 (Promo)

Daytime Emmy Award nominee Thorsten Kaye joins CBS Daytime's THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL in the pivotal role of Ridge Forrester, beginning Friday, Dececember 13. Ridge left town in the fall of 2012, and will return to find many things very different from the way he left them.

Kaye is best known for his roles on ONE LIFE TO LIVE (Patrick Thornhart) and PORT CHARLES (Ian Thornhart) for which he was nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards, as well as ALL MY CHILDREN (Zach Slater) for which he was also nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards. His additional credits include a recurring role on SMASH (Nick Felder).

"Thorsten's powerful screen presence and vast range as an actor has intrigued me for years," said THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Executive Producer and Head Writer Bradley Bell. "The timing was right, so I took the opportunity to cast him in the role of Ridge Forrester. I'm confident Thorsten will make this role unique on every level."

Watch a promo for Ridge's return below:

Bradley Bell on B&B Recast: 'It May Take Some Time With This New Ridge For Viewers To Adjust'

In a new interview with TV Guide Magazine's Michael Logan, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL executive producer and head writer Bradley Bells shares his excitement over finally being able to add Thorsten Kaye to his show's cast (as Ridge Forrester) but understands it will be a bid adjustment for some fans.

Thorsten makes a fantastic Ridge — very different from [predecessor] Ronn Moss. He'll really electrify the show. Bill has been cock-of-the-walk for way too long. He needs a little competition! And that's exactly what he's going to get!

I don't think it will be like the switch in Jacks on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, when we went from Terry Lester to Peter Bergman. That change seemed to be embraced immediately because the two men were very similar in their acting styles. It may take some time with this new Ridge for viewers to adjust but I'm confident the audience is going to respect Thorsten and grow to love him in the role.

CLASSIC CLIP: Merry Christmas From The Bell Family

In 1968, Lee Phillip Bell welcomed her husband, Bill, and sons Billy (age 6) and Bradley (age 4 with his tongue out above, now executive producer and head writer of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL), as guests on THE LEE PHILLIP SHOW, her hugely popular local Chicago talk show that ran for years. Watch the segment below which was taped just before Lauralee Bell was born.