The Bold and the Beautiful has filled in one of the most persistent blank spots in its canvas - the often MIA, always underdeveloped role of Beth Logan - by adding versatile actress Robin Riker to the cast.
"Beth, who has been mysteriously absent during the harrowing series of tragic events that her children have recently endured, including Storm's suicide and Katie's heart transplant, is forced to face her children and reunite with her family," executive producer and head writer Bradley Bell said in announcing the casting coup.
Leaving New York City and the theater scene she's worked in for the last few years wasn't a hard choice once Bell began persuading her to take the role, Riker explains.
"I had a talk with Brad Bell and he made it sound like such a lovely invitation," Riker smiles. "And I love to accept invitations."
Riker becomes the fourth actress to play Beth in B&B's 20-year history. Previous Momma Logans include Judith Baldwin, who originated the role in 1987, and Marla Adams, who appeared in 1991. The role is perhaps most associated with Nancy Burnett, who began appearing as Beth in 1987 and made guest appearance on the show through 2001.
Riker arrives at B&B with a long and impressive resume behind her. Some of her best-known recent roles have included stints on provocative dramas like HBO's Big Love, Cold Case, and Boston Legal. She has also flexed her comedic muscles on the sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle. Riker has two ACE Award nominations for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her lead role on Brothers. An episode of the quirky comedy Get a Life featuring Riker was chosen by TV Guide as one of the fifty funniest moments in television history.
In 2007, Riker won an Ovation Award from the Los Angeles Stage Alliance for her role as La Marquise de Merteuil in a production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
Spritual Warriors, an independent film Riker made with her husband, Evan A. Nesbitt, was released in 2008. The movie is now available on DVD.
Riker debuts at Beth Logan on June 18th.
