The world of daytime television has been shaken to its core with news that feels as dramatic as any plot twist ever written. Susan Seaforth Hayes, one of the most beloved and enduring stars of Days of Our Lives, has just shared an emotional bombshell with her fans — and it’s not about Salem’s next scandal. This time, the drama is happening in real life.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Hayes revealed that one of her dearest friends and fellow soap royalty, Susan Flannery, is saying goodbye to Hollywood and moving to Australia. The announcement instantly sent shockwaves across the soap community, stirring a mix of nostalgia, sadness, and celebration.

For fans who have followed these icons for decades, this is more than a relocation — it’s the end of an era. And just like any great soap moment, it unfolded with a perfect blend of glamour, emotion, and history.

The Breakfast That Broke the Internet

Hayes’ post was more than just words — it was a snapshot in time, a candid photo taken at the iconic Art’s Deli in Los Angeles. Around the table sat three women whose names are etched into soap opera history: Susan Seaforth Hayes, Suzanne Rogers, and Susan Flannery.

“The Three Suzies,” as Hayes affectionately dubbed them, weren’t just enjoying breakfast. They were sharing a monumental farewell. Flannery, days after turning 86, is packing her bags and heading Down Under, leaving behind a legacy that stretches across Days of Our Lives and The Bold and the Beautiful.

The photo captured warm smiles, clasped hands, and the kind of deep, unspoken bond forged through decades of working together in an industry that changes at lightning speed. In her caption, Hayes wrote:

“Three Suzies have breakfast at Art’s Deli. The occasion? Susan Flannery, one of the great ladies of daytime — or anywhere she turns up — is moving to Australia. She was a beloved mentor to Suzanne Rogers when she first started on Days. To me, she was a colleague and a pal.”

It was a simple message, but to longtime soap fans, it carried the weight of a thousand storylines.

Why This Goodbye Hits So Hard

In the soap world, farewells are rarely permanent — characters rise from the dead, disappear for years, then return without a wrinkle. But this is real life. And the reality is that Flannery’s move marks a true shift, both personally for these women and historically for the genre.

Fans immediately flooded social media with reactions. Some were heartbroken, remembering Flannery’s commanding presence as B&B’s Stephanie Forrester. Others expressed joy, hoping this new chapter brings her peace and adventure. But all agreed — daytime television won’t be the same without her close by.

A Trio of Legends: Their Stories

To truly understand why this breakfast mattered so much, we have to rewind and look at the careers that made “The Three Suzies” household names.

Susan Seaforth Hayes — The Bridge Between Eras

Born July 11, 1943, Hayes has been part of Days of Our Lives since 1968, playing Julie Williams with a fire and elegance that made her one of the most iconic figures in soap history. Julie’s romances, heartbreaks, and fierce family loyalty have captivated audiences for over five decades.

Offscreen, Hayes’ real-life marriage to co-star Bill Hayes — Doug Williams on Days — was as legendary as any on-screen couple. They even made history as the first soap duo to grace the cover of TIME magazine in 1976.

Hayes remains the only actor to appear in Days across all seven decades of its run, making her a living bridge between the show’s early days and its modern era.

Suzanne Rogers — The Heart of Salem

Born July 9, 1943, Suzanne Rogers joined Days in 1973 as Maggie Horton, a character whose journey from wheelchair-bound farm girl to pillar of the Salem community has been nothing short of inspirational.

In real life, Rogers faced her own battles — including a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis in the 1980s. She returned to the show after treatment, incorporating her illness into Maggie’s storyline, making her a beacon of resilience for fans.

Her 50-year run on Days cements her as one of the longest-serving actors in soap opera history — and Flannery was there in the early days to guide her through the whirlwind of daytime fame.

Susan Flannery — The Queen of Daytime Drama

Born July 31, 1939, Flannery’s career has been nothing short of regal. She first won hearts as Dr. Laura Horton on Days of Our Lives in the late 1960s, delivering storylines that tackled mental health and family secrets with depth and nuance rare for the time.

But it was her role as Stephanie Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful from 1987 to 2012 that turned her into an icon. Stephanie was fierce, protective, and unyielding — a matriarch who commanded every scene. Her legendary battles with Brooke Logan remain some of the most-watched moments in soap history.

Flannery’s work earned her multiple Daytime Emmys and respect as both an actress and director. Her retirement in 2012 left a noticeable void in B&B — and now, her move to Australia marks an even bigger farewell to the industry she helped shape.

Why Australia?

While Flannery hasn’t revealed every detail behind her move, those close to her suggest a combination of factors: a desire for a quieter life after decades in the spotlight, the lure of Australia’s natural beauty, and possible family connections.

Fans are already imagining her enjoying sunsets over Sydney Harbour or relaxing on a Gold Coast beach. But they also know that for the first time in decades, Hollywood won’t have Stephanie Forrester just a short drive away.

The Emotional Weight of the Moment

What makes this farewell so poignant is not just the physical distance, but what it represents — the passage of time, the evolution of television, and the enduring power of real-life friendship.

The throwback photo Hayes shared alongside the breakfast snapshot drove this home. In it, the three women are decades younger, captured during the height of their soap careers. Big hair, bold makeup, and the unmistakable glint of ambition in their eyes.

Seeing those two images side by side — then and now — reminded fans that while storylines may end, the bonds formed on set can last a lifetime.

The Legacy They Leave

With Flannery’s departure, the “Three Suzies” breakfast becomes a symbolic torch-passing. Hayes and Rogers remain on Days, carrying forward the traditions and work ethic that defined their generation. But Flannery’s exit from the U.S. is a reminder that nothing stays the same forever — not even in the land of soaps.

Their collective careers have brought representation, tackled tough issues like addiction and illness, and given audiences decades of unforgettable storytelling. They’ve been mentors, colleagues, and friends, both on screen and off.

Fans React — and Reflect

Social media lit up with messages of love and gratitude. One fan wrote:

“Susan Flannery moving to Australia is the end of a soap era. Stephanie Forrester was my queen.”

Another shared:

“The three Suzies at breakfast made me cry. Legends, all of them. Thank you for the memories.”

It’s clear that while this chapter is closing, the impact these women have had will be felt for years to come.

What’s Next for the Queens of Daytime?

Hayes and Rogers continue to light up Days of Our Lives, with storylines that keep them at the center of Salem’s drama. Flannery’s future is less clear — but fans are holding out hope for the occasional cameo or interview from her new home in Australia.

One thing is certain: her move is not just a relocation. It’s a personal reinvention — and if anyone knows how to make a dramatic entrance into a new chapter, it’s Stephanie Forrester herself.

Final Curtain Call

As Susan Flannery steps onto that plane to Australia, she leaves behind more than just a career — she leaves a legacy of strength, talent, and fearlessness. For Hayes and Rogers, the breakfast was a bittersweet goodbye, but also a celebration of the decades they’ve shared in an industry like no other.

And for fans, it’s a reminder that while soap storylines may blur the lines between fiction and reality, the emotions we feel for these actors — and the connections they share with each other — are as real as it gets.

In the grand tradition of daytime drama, we say not goodbye, but until we meet again. Because in soaps, and in life, there’s always room for a surprise return.