THE NEW MUSE OF MILAN: Daphne’s Arrival Sets Thomas and Carter on a Collision Course

LOS ANGELES, CA — The corridors of Forrester Creations are no stranger to beauty, but the air shifted the moment Daphne (played by guest star Elena Russo) walked through the glass doors. With an aura that blends the classic elegance of a young Stephanie Forrester with the modern edge of a Milanese runway, Daphne hasn’t just arrived in Los Angeles—she’s claimed it.

As the 2026 season of The Bold and the Beautiful heats up, spoilers indicate that Daphne’s presence is about to ignite a fire in Thomas Forrester, while simultaneously casting a long, competitive shadow over Carter Walton. For a company built on passion and prestige, the stage is set for a battle that is as much about the heart as it is about the boardroom.

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Part I: The Artist’s New Inspiration

Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson) has been in a creative lull since the fallout with Hope Logan. He’s been searching for a “vision,” a face that could define the next decade of Hope for the Future or perhaps an entirely new line. Enter Daphne.

Witnesses on set describe the “First Look” scene as a moment of pure cinematic magic. Thomas is sketching in the design office, frustrated with his work, when Daphne enters for a meeting with Ridge. The pencil stops. The world freezes. In Daphne, Thomas doesn’t just see a model; he sees a muse.

“It’s not just physical attraction,” a source inside the production reveals. “Thomas sees Daphne as the physical manifestation of his new aesthetic. She is sophisticated, untouchable, and fiercely intelligent. For an artist like Thomas, that is a dangerous combination.”

Part II: Carter Walton — The Disrupted Status Quo

While Thomas is seeing sketches and silhouettes, Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) is seeing a disruption. For years, Carter has been the stable, reliable cornerstone of the Forrester business and social circle. He is the man everyone turns to for legal advice, corporate management, and, more often than not, romantic support.

However, Daphne’s connection to Carter is rumored to be deeper than a simple professional introduction. Early spoilers suggest that Carter and Daphne share a history—perhaps from his time spent in Europe or a previous legal consultation that went unrecorded in the Forrester archives.

“Carter is used to being the most desirable man in the room,” says a soap opera columnist. “But when Thomas begins to fixate on Daphne, it triggers a competitive streak in Carter that we haven’t seen since his days fighting for Quinn. He isn’t just protecting the company; he’s protecting a territory he didn’t realize he still wanted.”

[Table: The Rivalry Breakdown] | Feature | Thomas’ Edge | Carter’s Edge | | :— | :— | :— | | Connection to Daphne | Artistic Muse & Creative Partner | Mysterious Shared History | | Motivation | Professional Redemption & New Love | Protective Instincts & Unresolved Past | | Potential Fallout | Rift with Ridge and the Logan family | Loss of Corporate Neutrality |

Part III: The Competition Beyond the Boardroom

The “competition” mentioned in the spoilers isn’t just about who gets to take Daphne to dinner at Il Giardino. It’s about professional standing.

Daphne isn’t just a pretty face; she is a savvy businesswoman with her own branding interests. As Thomas pushes to make her the exclusive face of Forrester’s new “Couture Line,” Carter—as COO—begins to raise “red flags.” Is he truly worried about the budget, or is he trying to keep Thomas away from a woman who knows his secrets?

Fans are already taking sides. #TeamThomas fans want to see the designer finally move on from his obsession with Hope and find a mature, equal partner. Meanwhile, #TeamCarter supporters are eager to see the lawyer step out of the shadows of the Forrester family and fight for his own happiness.

Part IV: The Hope Logan Factor

One cannot discuss a Thomas Forrester love interest without mentioning Hope Logan. Spoilers suggest that Hope’s reaction to Daphne will be “unexpectedly sharp.” After months of Thomas being her devoted (and sometimes obsessive) shadow, seeing him focus his intensity on a new, sophisticated woman like Daphne might stir feelings of jealousy she didn’t know she had.

“Daphne is everything Hope isn’t,” an insider notes. “She is worldly, aggressive, and doesn’t care about the Logan-Forrester feud. Watching Thomas sketch Daphne instead of her is a pill Hope might find very difficult to swallow.”

Part V: Who is Daphne, Really?

The biggest question remains: What is Daphne hiding? No one arrives in the world of B&B without a skeleton in their closet. Is she working for a rival fashion house? Is she the daughter of a long-lost Forrester enemy? Or is she simply a woman who knows exactly how to play two powerful men against each other to get what she wants?

The chemistry between Daphne and Thomas is said to be “electric,” but her scenes with Carter are “heavy with unspoken tension.” This suggests a love triangle that will dominate the 2026 spring season.

Conclusion: A Season of High Stakes

The Bold and the Beautiful is at its best when it mixes high fashion with deep-seated rivalries. With Daphne catching Thomas’ eye and Carter feeling the heat of new competition, the show is returning to its roots of glamorous conflict.

Thomas may have found his muse, but Carter may have met his match. As Daphne settles into Los Angeles, one thing is certain: the hierarchy at Forrester Creations will never be the same.