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John "Finn" Finnegan is a fictional character from the original CBS Daytime soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful, portrayed by Tanner Novlan.

Created by executive producer Bradley Bell in 2020, the character made his first appearance on July 23, 2020, and was introduced as the doctor who treated Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) after she sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, and developed a dependency to her pain pills. In addition to the character's presence as part of an opiod addiction storyline, Finn evolved and became Steffy's love interest, subsequent to the pair meeting originally when she landed at the hospital, and both experiencing an immediate attraction to one another and, essentially, fell in love at first sight. Months later, Finn impregnates Steffy, the duo gets engaged, and then delivers their son via home birth. Both opted to give him the full name him of, Hayes Forrester Finnegan.

TV Source Magazine acclaimed Finn as a "strapping young doctor" who infused "a breath of fresh air" to the show, meanwhile, journliast Carly Silver from Daytime Confidential asserted that the character was a "good seed." Commonly referred to by the portmanteau "Sinn" in magazines, on social media and internet message boards, the pairing of Finn and Steffy attracted a large fan following. Novlan has become popular with viewers and his introduction and performance in the role has received much praise from critics.

Casting
Tanner Novlan's daytime television debut and casting was exclusively reported by TVLine on July 9, 2020 alongside Delon de Metz' as a recast of Zende Forrester Dominguez. Novlan was previously known for appearing as "Bad Actor" in a Liberty Mutual commercial and guest starring apperances on primetime series such as Modern Family,  Mohawk Girls, Rizzoli & Isles, and Roswell, New Mexico. Soap Hub specified that Novlan, as Dr. John "Finn" Finnegan, was tapped to play Steffy Forrester's (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood)'s potential love interest.

With the accompanying news that the series will return with original episodes on July 20, 2020 after fourth months of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States production shutdown, Deadline announced that Novlan's first onscreen appearance was slated to be July 23, 2020. On June 17, 2020, the series also become one of the first U.S. scripted television series to resume tapings, although production went on a one-week hiatus to accommodate modifications to its protocols.

Novlan revealed that he had indeed booked the role back in March 2020, and had to keep it quiet due to the coronavirus shutdown. He explains that "I wasn’t able to speak about it or tell anyone about it because we didn’t know how long the shutdown was going to be.” Novlan felt that he was in bit in a pickle due to the fact, that “my family, my mom especially, has been a life- long B&B fan. I mean, she loves the show. Our family dog’s name was Thorne — with an e — so I remember ever since I was young hearing the theme song, hearing the storylines, so it was so exciting, and a real honor to be welcomed into that family.” When speaking about the shooting method, Novlan, express that "I don’t know their old way of filming, so this is my new normal," but "it’s been such a unique process but it’s been amazing how all the producers have come together to figure this out and put forth these groundbreaking guidelines, making things safe and efficient and being able to work around all of this and keep everything alive."

Interestingly, Novlan is married to Kayla Ewell who is a Bold and Beautiful alum for playing Caitlin Ramirez. She returned to play an intimacy double or a stand-in (from September 2020 to March 2021) for Wood as a result of the onset protocols. Due to social distancing on set slowly coming to an end in the filming process, since May 2021, Novlan and Wood, began filming their own closeness and intimate scenes.

Characterization
On the conceptualization and significance of the character's name, particularly of "Finnegan", Bradley Bell reveals in TV Soap Australia, that the name was an inspiration taken from past cast members such as Finnegan George, who portrayed Will Spencer from 2018 to 2019 and Jennifer Finnigan, who had played the role of Bridget Forrester from 2000 to 2004. He also denotes that it honors "all the great 'Finnegans' we've been in touch with over the years" and that Bell, himself, expresses that has "friends with the name Finn." He adds on that "it seemed to fit [Novlan] and its unique."

Bell describes Finn as a "young, accomplished, kind, handsome doctor." Bell continues in explaining that "he’s a fresh new presence. Finn has some mystery to him." Novlan notes that Finn "is a helper. it’s in his nature. He’s a doctor. I think he can’t help but fall for a girl like Steffy. He’s got a big heart. Maybe too big. And I think sometimes that gets him into trouble." Carly Silver from Daytime Confidential called Finn a "good doctor" and a "good seed." Meanwhile, Soap Central described Finn as a "hot new doc" and "Mr. Wonderful." TV Source Magazine desginated Finn as a "strapping young doctor" who instilled "a breath of fresh air" to the canvas.

Novlan emphasizes that Finn "really does have other people's best interests in mind, although that can sometimes get cloudy." Alternatively, Novlan indicates that "being a doctor, Finn is obviously very patient. He’s pretty black and white and analytical." Novlan accentuates and underlines that Finn "has been able to kind of change the perspective of a lot of the other characters that have been in these storylines for a while now and there’s a fresh face to deal with. Maybe he doesn’t have all the knowledge of the past but sees the situation for what it is in the moment and I think that’s really refreshing for the B&B fans." Janet Di Laura from Soap Hub characterizes Finn as "kind and caring, smart and savvy; the type of man worthy of the Forrester fashion heiress."

Entertainment Weekly exclusively reported on June 21, 2021, that Charmed, General Hospital actor and soap veteran Ted King and Days of Our Lives alum Naomi Matsuda have been casted, as Finn's parents, Jack and Li Finnegan, respectively, in what will be the part of the development of Finn's "very dramatic backstory." King will first air on July 30, 2021, while Matsuda will make her first onscreen debut on August 2, 2021.

Relationship with Steffy
Previewing Finn's introduction as the romantic interest for the established character of Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) in the summer of 2020, Bradley Bell expresses that Steffy "is an accomplished mother, businesswoman, and fashion icon. She's an independent woman. Finn is a doctor and has his own life and his own desires and goals separate to hers. They're two complete individuals who can hopefully find a special love with one another."

Finn enters the canvas as the emergency physician who treated Steffy after she gets involved in a motorbike accident. When Steffy wakes up at the hospital, the pair immediately locks eyes with one another, highly suggesting a love at first sight experience between the two. After she gets discharged from the hospital, Finn prescribes Steffy, pain pills, most specifically, opioids for her hip pains and backaches. Due to his realization that he resides in close proximity to her, Finn also soon began visiting Steffy and provided her with medical care, psychological counselling and friendship. Steffy began feeling vulnerable, and the pair open up and bond, to one another about their past emotional burdens, simultaneously burgeoning an attraction for each other. On Finn's attraction to Steffy, Novlan notes that "I think he's slowly learning more and more about her, because, at first, he is very professional and very clinical. But as he sees the dynamics of the [Forrester] family, and he's able to observe the relationships that are around her, and he learns how amazing she is, and of course, how beautiful and intriguing and interesting a woman she is, how could you not get sucked in?"

Finn had accepted to prescribe Steffy an extra set of a bottle of pain pills at a moment of time but refused to continue thereafter due to their addictive nature. Bell, indicates, "it’s fertile ground for the building of a new romance” when referring to Finn coming to Steffy's aid as she deals with both her physical and emotional pain and growing dependency on her pain pills. He later reveals to Steffy that in order to maintain his professionalism and ethics, that it would be more plausible, that he no longer acts as her medical doctor and that he will refer her to another physician. Finn precisely confesses that he has developed romantic feelings for her. Steffy admits that she shares those sentiments and the duo passionately kiss for the first time.

Later, Finn alongside, Steffy's father Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) and ex-husband Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton), set an intervention for Steffy, after she is found passed out on her couch after taking unprescribed pain pills. Finn agrees to place Steffy in rehabilitation facility and vows to help her every step of the way. Subsequent to her stay at the facility, the pair express love for another and agree to begin an intimate relationship. On their relationship, Novlan declares that “it’s time that Steffy meets a man with a new set of values, and a new version of what passion and love can bring. She just had her daughter and I think she’s ready. Finn seems to have her best interests in mind, and I think that’s a good thing for Steffy.”

Months later, Steffy finds out she is pregnant. However, due to a drunken stupor that culminates into a one-night stand with Liam, she is unsure of her unborn child's paternity. In spite of the betrayal, Novlan asserts that "Finn loves Steffy very much and he’s really praying this goes his way,” Novlan continues to emphasize that “[Finn] hopes in his heart that the baby is his. There’s a lot riding on this test!” Finn alongside Steffy's brother, Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson), later learn together that he indeed was the biological father of Steffy's unborn after a paternity switch orchestrated by Vinny Walker (Joe LoCicero) had originally and falsy claimed Liam as the father of the child.

Finn rushes to Steffy and attempts to stop her from leaving town for Paris to reveal the celebratory news, as she, herself, opted not to burden Finn, by letting him raise another man's child. Novlan underlines that "Steffy was running away and here’s a guy who has put his life on the line and said, 'I’m going to stick by you,' and trying to get through to her. She’s going to try to say, 'Oh, you don’t have to do that.' She feels that 'if you love them, let them go,' kind of thing." With such a happy-filled revelation, Finn then proposes to Steffy, and she quickly accepts. Later, with the accompanied assistance of a midwife, the pair welcome their biological son, Hayes Finnegan (Samantha Worden), at home, via water birth.

Storylines
Finn comes upon his patient, fashion icon and business executive, Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), at the hospital, after she collided with the vehicle of Bill Spencer, Jr. (Don Diamont) while she was out riding her motorcycle. The two develop an instant connection when Steffy opened and locked eyes with Finn, and thus, experiences love at first sight. After successfully treating Steffy, Finn discharges her and prescribes her pain medications for pain relief.

Finn later visits Steffy at her home, as she had forgotten her discharge paperwork, and he revealed to her that he lived nearby and decided that he opted to bring them in person. He tells Steffy that in spite of his professional name being Dr. Finnegan, he can call her "Finn", as akin to what his college classmates and closed ones call him. He asked Steffy that due to their proximity that if he could come by more often and see her. Steffy accepts and expresses that she would highly appreciate that. Suffering from her injuries and excruciating pain, Steffy pleaded to him that she needed more pain pills, and Finn was reluctant to do so due to their addictive nature. Steffy reveals to Finn the past emotional burdens that have been affecting her, including the dissolution of her marriage to ex-husband and father of her daughter Kelly, Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton), the death of her twin sister Phoebe Forrester (MacKenzie Mauzy), the lost of the adoptive child that she named in honor of said twin sister as well as the missing presence of her mother Taylor Hayes (Hunter Tylo) in town. Finn reveals to her, that he himself, also in the past has felt similar emotional pain and felt that his life has shattered all around him, creating an emotional bond between the two. At another visit, he eventually agrees to prescribe Steffy another set of prescription pills in order to aid with her pain but then refuses on another occasion, which discourages a desperate Steffy.

Liam visits Finn at his office in the hospital, to get some insight of Steffy's current condition and state of mind, and through this conversation, Liam finds out that Finn has been visiting Steffy at her home, reminiscent of house calls. This revelation prompts Liam to begin questioning Finn's motives and objectivity and he ponders if Finn has a romantic interest in Steffy. Finn assures Liam that his primary concern is Steffy's recovery and her health.

Thereafter, Finn goes to Steffy's home and expresses to her that while it has been wonderful getting to know her, that since he has begun developing romantic sentiments for her, that it would not be wise, for him to continue to her personal physician and he would refer her to another professional, and thus it was time for them to go their separate ways. Steffy refuses and expresses to Finn that she always feels good when she is around him and that she would like him to continue to treat her. Steffy confesses that she herself begun developing romantic feelings for him and plants a kiss on him. The two agree to explore how things could go.

Steffy later takes a pill from an illegal bottle of set provided by Vinny Walker (Joe LoCicero), which causes her to pass out in custody of her daughter Kelly. Liam enlist the help of Finn and Steffy's father, Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) to stage an intervention and convince her to admit she has a problem and agree to enter drug rehabilitation facility. Finn agrees to place Steffy in an institution that would best fit her needs. He began visiting Steffy routinely at the facility. With the assistance of Steffy's caseworker, Michael Tanner (Jarvis George), Finn convinces Steffy to use her status as a public figure to make a video, tell her story, and to aid others to seek help if they have developed an addiction. Finn then excitedly tells Steffy that her treatment has been completed and that she could go home. He opts to drive Steffy home and surprises her with her daughter at home by contacting Steffy's nanny. Liam finds out and is infuriated that Finn bypassed him and his wife Hope Logan (Annika Noelle), to have Kelly arranged back at Steffy's home. Liam confronts Finn, and accuses him of attempting to circumvent him out of Steffy's life and attempts to discourage Steffy to date Finn. Liam eventually agrees to leave Steffy and Finn alone and agrees that Steffy can decide what to do with her personal life, and out of respect for his wife, Hope. Finn and Steffy thereafter professed their love for one another and agree to begin an intimate relationship.

At a visit to Steffy's workplace, Forrester Creations, Finn encounters Steffy's brother, Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson), who has a history of mental illness and obsession and also had a strong rivalry with Liam over Hope's affections. Thomas reveals to Finn, his contempt for Liam and to be wary and careful of Liam, due to his inability of commitment and tendency of flip-flopping between Steffy and Hope. Finn begins to suspect Thomas' odd behavior when he (evident delusions) that Hope express romantic interest of him. Thomas denies saying that, however, Finn still thinks the behavior was suspicious and reports back to Steffy. Thomas assures both Steffy and Finn, that he is genuinely has let go of his obsession with Hope. Later, Finn pays Thomas a visit to his apartment to see how he is doing, and concludes that Thomas may be unwell. Finn then reveals it to Hope, that it may beneficial if she goes to see how Thomas how he is doing. Hope notices that Thomas has been talking a mannequin that is a replica of Hope, and began deluded to himself that it was a real-life person. Thomas then collapses, and Hope calls Finn. Finn procures the help of first responders, reveals to the Forresters, including, Steffy, that Thomas has suffered a brain injury. Finn takes part in a surgical operation and saves Thomas' life. As a showiness of gratitude, Steffy spends an intimate night with Finn.

Unbeknownst to Finn, Steffy had a drunken one-night stand with Liam prior, as Liam mistakenly believed Hope was kissing Thomas, which was actually Thomas kissing the mannequin made to look like Hope. Steffy emotionally confesses to Finn, and that she is pregnant, and isn't sure who fathered her baby. Finn confronts Liam the next day, and accuses him of having no integrity and principles, and using Steffy, and attempting to ruin their relationship. Finn then tells Steffy that he isn't at the stage of forgiveness but that he is willing to work with her on their relationship, overcome this hurdle, and hopes the baby she is carrying is his. Steffy expresses the same sentiment on multiple occasions. Steffy further reveals that she intuitively felt that the baby was Finn's. Finn tells Steffy that regardless who the father of the child is, he is willing to stand by her. Steffy and Finn take a paternity test, and to their dismay, the results came claiming that Liam fathered the baby. Finn then tells Steffy that he is not sure where he fits in her life, now that they believe that Steffy is going to have two children by Liam. An inconsolable Steffy pleads to Finn to not leave her, and to give their relationship another shot. Finn apprehensively agrees due to his love for her. Finn stands by his promise to stick by her and attends Steffy's first ultrasound with her.

Thereafter, Finn recognizes Vinny, who earned a position as a lab technician and who is also, Thomas and Steffy's childhood friend, at the hospital laboratory, and notices Vinny's evident cold demeanour towards him, which confuses Finn. At in another instance, Finn walks in on Vinny and Thomas, in that same laboratory, and overhears Thomas accusing Vinny of altering the paternity test in hopes of reklindling Thomas and Hope's relationship. Finn walks in and all three men engage in a physical altercation. Vinny confesses to them, that he indeed switched the results and Finn is the biological father of Steffy's baby. Vinny escapes the custody of both men, in order, to avoid jail. It is later revealed that the hospital opens an investigation, and Vinny is later arrested.

Finn spurts to Forrester Creations, hoping to tell, Steffy the good news, but learns from Ridge, that Steffy opted to leave to Paris with her daughter Kelly, in order to let Finn go and not have him endure the responsibility of raising a child that is his. Finn caught up to Steffy and reveals to her the celebratory news, that he was in fact the biological father of their child and that Vinny was spearheaded tampering of the test. Finn proposes to Steffy and she accepts. Steffy conquers that she knew her intuition was correct that the baby was Finn's and now she is finally at peace with her pregnancy.

Steffy still opts to leave town with her daughter up the Coast, however, due to scheduling conflicts, Finn is unable and has to remain in Los Angeles. He checks in with co-worker Dr. Ricks (Vasthy Mompoint) at the morgue due to the fact that both had to attend a conference together. Much to Finn's horror and shock, the body that Dr. Ricks was examining, was that of Vinny, who the night he had been out of on bail, had been the victim of a hit-and-run (it was later revealed that Vinny had died by suicide as he jumped in front of Liam's car). Finn calls Thomas to identify Vinny's body. Finn later joins Steffy on her trip out of town.

Upon their return to Los Angeles, Finn and Steffy reveal to Ridge that they spent months camping adventures with Kelly to Joshua Tree before their arrival of their child. At a check-up appointment, the duo also happily learn, the sex of their baby; a boy. Thereafter, they welcome their son, Hayes Forrester Finnegan (Samatha Worden), via waterbirth, as an honour to Steffy's mother, Dr. Taylor Hayes.

Critical and viewer reception
Soap Opera News ranked Novlan at #1 on its list of the "Top 15 Soap Newcomers of 2020" Next, Soap Opera Digest recorded that Novlan was one of their "Soaps Hottest Newcomers." Michael Maloney, from Soap Hub, honored Novlan in mid-January on their site with his first "Soap Hub Performer of the Week for The Bold and the Beautiful" and exclaimed that "as the story calls for Finn to stand up and be strong, we know that Novlan will deliver!" He later earned a second "Performer of the Week" honor from the website in March, for his performance during the paternity reveal and Finn's engagement proposal to Steffy. Soap Hub placed Novlan at #6 on its list of the "Top 10 Soap Opera Newcomers of 2020 We Absolutely Love" The site noted that Novlan, who is "tall, dark, handsome" and whose "calm demeanor" truly "embodies the perfect guy."

Charlie Mason in Soaps.com's "Daytime Soap Operas Best and Worst of 2020," Novlan was bestowed as the "Best Hire" of the year and the site expressed how he was "fitting in nicely as Finn" on the series. Chanel S. Garner from Soapcentral.com praised Novlan's casting, and emphasizes that "the high point of the year was learning that Tanner Novlan had taken on the role of Dr. John Finnegan." The site named that the series' "Best moment of the year" was when "Finn walks into Steffy's life." For the weeks of January 18-22 and February 15-19, 2021, Novlan was ranked at #10 on the basis of performances in their list of "Top 10 Soap Stars."

Less than a year into his tenure, Novlan's Finn pairing with Steffy proved to be well-received with viewers and critics alike, calling them a "handsome coupling" and "dynamic duo." Finn's relationship with Steffy garnered quite a vocal fan base very quickly with the duo debuting on fan polls in both magazines and online, praising their spitfire chemistry both during social distancing protocols as well as post restrictions. Charlene Bazarian notes that "Finn is the first man" in a very long time "who has captured Steffy’s heart and fans of [the show] are excited to see what’s in the future for this couple." Meanwhile, journalist Jeevan Brar from The TV Watercooler argued that "usually, it takes a while for audiences to warm up to not only a new character, but a new pairing. B&B fans quickly jumped aboard for [Finn], and for Sinn" SoapCentral.com named "Steffy and Finn" to be the show's "Best New Couple" of the year 2020. Meanwhile, Soap Opera News listed Steffy and Finn at #6 on its list of the "Top 10 The Bold and the Beautiful Couples for 2020!"

When Steffy learns she is pregnant and is uncertain whether her ex-husband Liam or current mate Finn, fathered her baby; for weeks, viewers were also left pondering the male parentage. On numerous online publications and social media sites, fans, more often than not, highly preferred Finn to be the father. In fact, a staggering 95 percent of readers of soapoperadigest.com voted that they wish for Finn to be declared as the unborn's biological father, in a poll that inquired "Who were you hoping would prove to be the father of Steffy's baby on B&B?" Such lopsided results conveyed the positively strong support from the audience of the Steffy and Finn relationship in spite of its novelty.

In July 2021, Steffy and Finn's welcoming of their son Hayes, via, waterbirth proved to be polarizing from audiences, however, earned much praise and acclaim due to the excellent intimacy factor. M. Skye from TVSource Magazine noted that the home birth displayed how "the chemistry between Jacqui [Wood] and Tanner [Novlan] was off the charts." Skye continued to write, "How could they take something like childbirth and make it sexy? Their natural chemistry oozed into all the moments, and they made giving birth look—erotic. They raised the bar, and I truly don’t ever want to see a normal soap opera birth again."