Exclusive: B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Breaks Down Steffy’s Hope Drama

Bold and Beautiful‘s Steffy has certainly shaken things up at Forrester Creations by firing Hope, killing the Hope For The Future line, taking on Carter and throwing a wrench in her father, Ridge’s, relationship with longtime love Brooke. Soap Opera Digest spoke with Steffy’s portrayer, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, to get her take on the new wave of drama in her character’s life.

Soap Opera Digest: Can you take us back to that moment Steffy walked in and saw her husband with Hope and tell us what was driving Steffy in that moment to do what she did?

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood: She was already convinced that Hope was manipulating everyone to keep Hope For The Future line and that Hope was after Finn. This was just it for her. What she saw was unexpected but it was the straw. Steffy is done.

Digest: Do you think she was justified in her decision?

Wood: Absolutely. The woman needed to be fired and held accountable for her many actions – this was divine timing.

Digest: As much as it shocked and angered Steffy to see Hope in a seemingly close moment with Finn, do you think there was a part of her that was relieved she could finally, cleanly fire Hope and not get pushback from her father?

Wood: So happy to get rid of Hope. It was great to see Ridge back her up on this decision. He also has to hold her accountable. There’s no place for backstabbing and manipulating anymore. Steffy is clear that Hope will take advantage, just like Brooke did and does.

Digest: Were you surprised that Ridge completely supported Steffy’s decision to fire Hope, despite knowing that it would cause issues with Brooke?

Wood: Steffy was so angry and I think Ridge got that. He felt she was warranted in her decision and it did make Steffy proud that she was backed up by her co-CEO regardless of his personal feelings for Hope’s mother.

Digest: What do you think his support meant to Steffy?

Wood: More than anything. Ridge’s support put Steffy and Ridge squarely where they need to be, in charge of Forrester Creations without interference and without Hope trying to get between Finn and Steffy.

Digest: As Ridge and Brooke try to navigate the fallout of what Steffy (and by extension Ridge) has done, what is going through Steffy’s mind about the part she played?

Wood: She feels bad that her dad is going through it, but not enough to take any of it back. She’s proud of Ridge for doing what she thinks is right, regardless of the fallout.

Digest: Do you think there is a part of Steffy that is looking a few steps ahead and enjoys seeing the stumbling block that’s now there for Ridge and Brooke, hoping it could push her father closer to reuniting with Taylor?

Wood: I’d be lying if I said Steffy didn’t think about that during the aftermath.

Digest: How is it working with Rebecca Budig and her version of Taylor? Is there anything she brings to the role/the work process that has changed anything for you with how you approach their mother/daughter dynamic?

Wood: Rebecca is amazing. Such a dynamic actress. She brings her everything to the role and she’s an amazing screen partner. She’s very giving professionally (and personally) and our work dynamic is 100 perent in sync.

Digest: There is so much water under the bridge between Steffy and Hope. They sparred over Liam for years, Steffy had to turn her adopted daughter over to Hope, everything with Thomas, Hope becoming infatuated with Finn and more. Do you think there is anything Hope can say or do that will change Steffy’s opinion of her?

Wood: Nope. Steffy is done.

Digest: Your confrontation scenes with Annika Noelle (Hope) are always explosive. Do you two look forward to them? How do you approach those scenes?

Wood: It is so much fun working with Annika. I am always happy when Steffy gets to stand up for herself and throw down at Hope. Annika is great. We’ve been doing this for so long, we both get immersed in character and just go for it!

Digest: When it comes to the future of Forrester, there is now the additional element of Carter — even if Steffy doesn’t know about it yet. What do you think about the developments with his character’s big dreams for Forrester, coupled with his secret romance with Hope?

Wood: Keep watching!

Digest: Are you looking forward to the fallout, going toe-to-toe with Lawrence Saint-Victor in a whole new dynamic for Steffy and Carter?

Wood: Of course. It’s always a delight to play something different, especially with someone you’ve been working with in the same capacity for so long.

Digest: At this point, do you think Steffy has any regrets about kicking Hope to the curb?

Wood: Um, no. Steffy is glad she’s gone. She’s away from Finn and it’s the right financial answer for the company.

Digest: Does Steffy’s talk with her cousin Zende, and seeing how the repercussions of her decision to fire Hope affected him, do anything to change how Steffy views her decision?

Wood: Well, look. Zende is a really talented designer and Steffy knows that. She also loves him because he is her cousin. But she’s not seeing anything other than Hope out at Forrester. Period.

Digest: You’ve been quoted as saying you enjoy when Executive Producer/Head Writer Brad Bell writes Steffy into a predicament. Would you like to see this move blow up in her face (metaphorically of course)?

Wood: I do!  It’s wonderful when Steffy is in normal CEO, mom, and wife mode, which is totally possible in real life. But I’m always grateful to Brad Bell when he writes strong Steffy. Steffy with a purpose. Steffy in a predicament. All I can say is it will get more intense, more fabulous and the twists will blow Steffy – and hopefully the audience – away.