If you’ve spent any time at all watching the high-stakes, fashion-forward drama of Los Angeles lately, you definitely know the face. He’s the guy who brought a bit of sanity to the Forrester-Logan-Spencer vortex. I'm talking about the man behind the stethoscope. Tanner Novlan is the actor who plays Finn on The Bold and the Beautiful, and honestly, he’s become a bit of a phenomenon since he first walked onto the set in 2020.
But here’s the thing. While most fans know him as Dr. John "Finn" Finnegan—the patient, almost saint-like husband to Steffy Forrester—there is so much more to this guy than just delivering lines about Sheila Carter’s latest breakdown.
The Man Behind the Lab Coat
Tanner Novlan isn't actually some slick L.A. native who grew up in the shadow of the Hollywood sign. Nope. He’s a farm boy. Specifically, he was raised on a massive 3,500-acre wheat and canola farm in Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan. If you've ever been to rural Canada, you know that’s about as far from the glitz of The Bold and the Beautiful as you can get.
He moved to Los Angeles when he was 18, and he didn't just land a lead role on a CBS soap overnight. He put in the work. He modeled for brands like Guess and Tommy Hilfiger while he was grinding through acting classes. It’s that "overnight success that took fifteen years" kinda story.
You might also recognize him from somewhere else, and no, it’s not another soap.
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That "Liberty Biberty" Guy
One of the funniest things about Novlan’s career is that before he was a heartthrob doctor, he was a "bad actor." Literally.
If you remember those Liberty Mutual commercials where the actor keeps messing up his lines and eventually says "Liberty Biberty"—yeah, that was him. It’s a total 180 from the serious, analytical Finn. It shows he doesn’t take himself too seriously, which is probably why he’s so well-liked on set. Even in 2025 and 2026, people still bring up that commercial to him.
Why the Character of Finn Changed Everything
When Finn first showed up, he was just Steffy's doctor after her motorcycle accident. Fans were skeptical. We'd seen plenty of guys come and go. But Novlan brought a "good seed" energy—as critics like to call it—that the show desperately needed.
The writers threw him into the deep end pretty fast. Think about it:
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- He survived being "murdered" by his own biological mother (Sheila Carter).
- He was held hostage in a secret room while his adoptive mother, Li, kept him alive.
- He’s had to navigate the "Sinn" (Steffy and Finn) fanbase, which is basically one of the most vocal groups in daytime TV history.
Honestly, the chemistry between Novlan and Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy) is what keeps the show's engine running these days. Even when the storylines get a bit "unhinged"—like they did throughout 2025—the audience stays invested because they like him.
His Life Away from the Cameras
Off-screen, Novlan is actually married to another soap vet. His wife is Kayla Ewell. You might remember her as Vicki Donovan on The Vampire Diaries, but she also had a stint on The Bold and the Beautiful years ago as Caitlin Ramirez.
Talk about a small world.
During the pandemic, when TV sets had super strict rules about distancing, Kayla actually stepped in as an "intimacy double" for Finn’s love scenes. So, if you were watching those early Steffy and Finn romantic moments and thinking they looked very comfortable together, well, that's because they were actually a real-life married couple.
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They have two kids now: a daughter named Poppy and a son named Jones. When he’s not being a dad or a doctor, he’s usually playing hockey with a group in L.A. called "Bad Boys Skate." He’s a Canadian, after all; the ice is in his DNA.
What’s Next for Finn in 2026?
As we move through 2026, the drama for who plays Finn on The Bold and the Beautiful isn't slowing down. If you've been following the recent spoilers, you know things are getting tense. Between Sheila’s constant shadow and the family friction over Carter and Hope, Finn is usually the one caught in the middle.
Fans have been pretty vocal on platforms like Reddit, hoping to see Finn get a bit more of a "backbone" against the Forresters. Whether he remains the moral compass of the show or starts to develop a darker side is the big question everyone is asking right now.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a "Sinn" shipper or just a fan of Tanner Novlan’s work, here’s how to stay in the loop:
- Follow the Real Source: Check out Tanner’s Instagram (@tannernovlan_) for behind-the-scenes look at the set and his life in L.A.
- Catch the Crossovers: Keep an eye out for his Hallmark movies. He recently starred in Debbie Macomber’s Joyful Mrs. Miracle and Christmas Class Reunion. It's a great way to see his range outside of daytime drama.
- Watch the Credits: Sometimes the show uses his real-life family in background shots or special episodes, so keep your eyes peeled.
The role of Finn has evolved from a guest-star doctor into the literal heart of the show. Tanner Novlan took a character that could have been boring and made him essential. Whether he’s dealing with Sheila Carter's latest scheme or just trying to have a quiet dinner with Steffy, he’s the reason many people are still tuning in every weekday afternoon.