The TV Watercooler had the opportunity to catch up with The Bold and the Beautiful star Jacqueline MacInnes Wood!
The Canadian actress opens up about Steffy’s latest ordeal, her fierce loyalty to the Forrester family and company, her closeness with her mother Taylor (Rebecca Budig), her rivalry with Hope (Annika Noelle), and the safety Steffy has found with Finn (Tanner Novlan).
Steffy almost died at the hands of Luna (Lisa Yamada). Did it get claustrophobic in that cage?
Luckily, I did not get claustrophobic, but it was pretty funny because once you’re in there, you’re kind of in there – it’s a whole thing to unlock it! For continuity purposes and the way we move so quickly, you have to make sure everything’s right, so they have to lock it every single time.
Lisa Yamada did a phenomenal job. We worked so well together. I was really excited to work with her. I wasn’t expecting that storyline! It just turned so quickly. Like I’ve always said, “You never know what the writers are going to throw at you,” but I was not expecting that.
We had the Hope (Annika Noelle) and Finn (Tanner Novlan) situation and then I went right into a cage. We worked our butts off! Steffy was in that cage for many days, but we were also filming that for a few days, so my throat [also went through it] because I was just screaming. There were some emotional scenes, but I got through it.
Steffy’s been put through so much trauma. Do you think they’ll ever have her look back and explore some of her fears? From all the stuff with Sheila to even being kidnapped as a kid. There’s so much stuff that can come bubbling up.
I think so, I mean, I always think it’s right there. You know, we always try to keep Steffy’s composure and try to have her be poised, but it’s [always] brewing. She’s fiery! It takes that one thing to set her off.
I always like to say that Steffy is fierce and loyal, but there’s a lot of trauma there. There are so many things that she has been through. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I try to play a lot of that in my scenes. We’re human – some days you’re fine and then some other days, you’re not. It can be likeable, but it can also [make her] unlikable. But that’s who Steffy is. She’s very protective of her family, and the family name.
She’s protective of her whole family, not just Finn. She’s a mama bear to her children. So, it takes that one thing to possibly set her off and she’ll turn into a warrior. She’s feisty and really, really fun to play!
But I do understand that she’s been through everything – from her daddy issues to being kidnapped and having her mom being gone for so long. She hasn’t been able to lean on her mother. [She lost] Phoebe. The list goes on and on. So, I try to always have something there because I don’t think she’s ever had it perfect, right? I think that sometimes she can be addicted to the drama.
Is she still packing heat? I mean Sheila’s (Kimberlin Brown) just walking around Il Giardino. I’ll never forget when Steffy popped her one in that hotel room.
I know! She has to keep her head on a swivel! She has to be constantly cognisant of her surroundings, that’s for sure! Because she’s a mom, she has to be protective of Kelly and Hayes.
The rivalry with Hope is alive and well. She’s on probation with Steffy over the kiss with Finn and Hope for the Future underperforming. How would Steffy react to finding out that Hope has started an office romance on the down low with Carter?
The rivalry is back! It obviously started with Hope kissing Finn and Steffy finding out about that. Her target is Hope and it may be a little bit personal, but it’s also business too. The Hope for the Future line is underperforming.
But ultimately, she does want the company to succeed, and the numbers are doing well – which helps Steffy. Clearly, Hope has her eyes on Finn – which came out of nowhere. The gloves are off!
She doesn’t know about Carter just yet, but I think it will be pretty explosive when she finds out. [It’s jeopardizing] the Forrester name and that is what’s important to Steffy.
Carter and Steffy have been friends for a long time, so would you also consider that a betrayal, especially after when happened with Carter and Quinn and what Eric went through?
Yes! Yes! Thank you for reminding me of that! There’s been so many stories. My goodness!
That’s why I love these interviews, and I always love when people DM me on social media because they remind me of things and you’re right, I’m going to play into that [Carter’s affair with Quinn] tomorrow because I forgot! I’m going to lean into this!
Steffy’s got her mom back! What has it been creating that mother/daughter chemistry with Rebecca Budig (Taylor)?
Rebecca is so wonderful. Steffy is, of course, thrilled to have her mom back. There’s nothing like it and she’s really close with her mother. Steffy has been through a lot, so it’s nice being able to lean on her, and yeah, Rebecca is wonderful. Oh my gosh, we have such a good laugh in between the scenes. She’s just so additive to the group and is so kind and patient.
Rebecca gives a new spin to Taylor, which is fun. Steffy really needs her mother. Taylor’s not being honest right now about being terminally ill, but there’s no bond like Steffy and Taylor. They’re just so extremely close.
What can you tease for us for when Steffy does find out about Taylor’s illness? Does she have a moment to get mad, or is right in there going, “Oh, no! How can I help?”
I think it’s a mixture of feelings. You’ll see Steffy and Taylor getting more closure on certain things coming up and being really open, honest, and raw with one another.
But yeah, in the moment, it’s kind of a switch [for the two]. They’ll switch roles and Steffy has to be the mama bear [to her own mother] in that situation.
And how will Steffy deal with Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) for keeping Taylor’s secret from Steffy?
I mean, there’s always fireworks with Steffy! There are always little zingers here and there, but she understands.
Steffy understands loyalty and having to keep the right secrets for the family. Yeah, he wasn’t going to out her mom. Of course, she wanted him to say something to her, but she’ll understand.
Steffy is also putting up with Brooke being co-CEO.
Yeah, absolute. Steffy is leading the company and she wants to take control of the company. She wants people like Ridge to trust her judgement. Like I was saying earlier, she’s thinking of the company and the Forrester name. It’s the brand. It’s kind of a shock to Steffy when Brooke came in and made certain choices knowing that she only modelled for the lingerie line.
Brooke has done a few things here and there, but she’s not like Steffy’s namesake. Steffy feels like the Forrester name is being tarnished a little bit. Steffy is just extremely protective, and when she’s protective of her family and company – that’s all she thinks about.
She would love for Brooke to step aside. She doesn’t really respect her opinion.
You mentioned the namesake! I feel as Steffy is getting older now, she’s definitely fitting into that OG Stephanie Forrester mold. Having acted opposite Susan Flannery, how does it feel that the stage has been set for you to take on that mantle?
I think it’s a huge honour. I love Susan Flannery. She’s absolutely wonderful. It does feel like it’s all kind of aligning the way it should, especially for Steffy. They always test things out with different storylines to see what works, but I feel that Steffy is being true to herself [at Forrester Creations] and she’s finally figured it out for herself.
I can say that for just people in general. We’re human, that’s what we do when we grow. We learn to be more ourselves. I think it comes in time. I think there comes a time when we get old and you just have zero Fs! You are who you are and if you don’t mesh well, or if you don’t like what I’m putting down, then it’s bye!
So, I think Steffy is really leaning into that. She is her namesake and she’s very comfortable with who she is.
Phoebe keeps getting mentioned… Did they ever toy with the idea of putting you in a blonde wig and maybe make her a baddie? I think Steffy and Phoebe stopped being identical twins at one point.
People have asked me that for many years! I worked with [MacKenzie Mauzy’s] Pheobe, a very long time ago. Very briefly.
Young Jacquie would have said “Yes! Let’s do it!” Older Jacquie would potentially do a storyline if it was smaller. It’s really down to the amount of dialogue that we already do and just the things in my everyday life that I’m juggling. We’re banging out four episodes a day! I don’t know if it would be something I would do for more than a month, just to try it out. I don’t think I would do it longer than that! I would say, “We need to bring in a Phoebe!”
Heather Tom (Katie) was recently added to the writing staff. She’s directed as well. Lawrence Saint-Victor is also writing. Would writing and directing ever be something you’d be interested in down the line?
Not right now, no. I really like the rhythm that we’re in. I think Heather’s doing a great job. I think Lawrence is doing a great job. I just love to root for everyone. I want everyone to feel that the sky is the limit! You go for it! But the season that I’m in right now, I love coming in, doing my job, and then I love being at home with my family and being a mom. That’s my other role and one of my most important roles. So, if it’s taking more time away from my children in this season, no, that’s not for me right now.
What can you tease for the SINN fans? I’ve read some of them want another SINNabun.
Oh, interesting! Okay – I’ll push for another SINNabun! That is super cute. I have not heard that. Oh my goodness.
You know what I think [about SINN] right now is that they are super sexy and fun. They’re just really settling into one another. They’ve been through so much, and they’re just finally getting to breathe.
Even though Hope went after Finn, Steffy still knows her husband. That kiss was her and not him. He’s super honest and she trusts him and they’re enjoying this moment. They can be super real with one another and he’s finally her safe space.
Do you think she’s at peace with him? He’s created a safe space for her that she never had with Liam.
Steffy loves a little drama here and there and can turn it on when she needs to, but her ultimate goal right now, after being through so much, is to feel safe.
She can’t be in this [high] adrenaline and cortisol [mode] where she’s wondering is something or someone is going to attack her or if someone is going to leave her. With all of her abandonment issues, it’s not good for her. It wouldn’t be healthy.
She really needs to take a breath and be with someone who she feels safe with, who’s rooting for her, and she doesn’t have to question his loyalty.
The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays on CTV and CBS. Canadians can also stream B&B on CTV.ca, and the CTV app. Stream The Bold and the Beautiful with AppleTV.