The Bold and the Beautiful has released a casting call for the role of Karen Spencer, a part currently being played by Joanna Johnson. The role is listed as a recurring role with the possibility of becoming a contract role.

Johnson originated the role of Karen in 1991, when she appeared as the long-lost twin sister of Caroline -- another role she'd originated and played from 1987 through 1990. Johnson's most recent B&B appearance was in July.

In May 2012, Johnson came out publicly and expressed that she'd been worried that being a lesbian would hurt her chances of being a successful daytime actress.

"Daytime is a whole different world than prime-time or theater or film.... I was so worried I wouldn't be employable as an actress if people knew I was a lesbian," Johnson revealed. "Or that I wouldn't be believable in romance stories. I had to deal with a lot of self-loathing."

In addition to acting, Johnson has an incredibly successful career behind the camera. She serves as executive producer of the ABC Family hit, The Fosters, which recently had its run extended. It is believed that Johnson's work on The Fosters has made her unavailable to continue as needed on B&B.

A request for comment from a B&B spokesperson was not answered at post time.