Five characters who need to return to The Bold and the Beautiful

The Bold and the Beautiful has a wealth of characters who exist off-screen but who could turn up the drama dial if they were on-screen.

This week saw the return of three too-long-absent B&B characters, but that doesn't mean that there still isn't room for other characters from The Bold and the Beautiful's recent past to also make a return.

Thorne Forrester

There seems to be no rhyme or reason that only one of Eric Forrester's kids is on the canvas when the rest of them are spread out all over the world. Thorne was a major B&B player for decades and has a wealth of history and story behind him. He could be a literal thorn in Ridge's side when it comes to Brooke as he was in the past. And he could even see if another go-around with Katie might work.

When Thorne was around for just a few short days during Eric's illness late last year, his presence filled a void in that brief amount of time. It feels like a no-brainer to bring him back permanently.

Rick Forrester

Rick is yet another one of Eric's sons who is never around and who we have barely heard about in years. Plus, he is Brooke and Eric's son, which makes his history and dynamic on the show different.

The last we heard about Rick, he was working at Forrester Creations overseas and had split with his wife, Maya. We have no idea what really happened to their marriage and what Rick's love life has been like. Perhaps he needs to return home and explain what went wrong with Maya -- and even bring a new love interest with him to shake things up.

Maya Avant

When Maya arrived back in L.A. to tell the Forresters that she and Rick split up, she disappeared off the face of the soap earth soon after. We haven't heard a word from or about Maya for several years as she raises one of Brooke's grandchildren, the other girl named Elizabeth. Hope's Beth has a cousin out there with the same name, but they never get to play together.

Maya was also a groundbreaking character, as she was one of soaps' only transgender characters and was the first transgender woman in daytime history to marry. Maya's story resonated, especially after her family was introduced to the canvas and her father, Julius, struggled to accept her.

Zoe Buckingham

When Zoe left town, she had just broken off her engagement to Carter Walton, leaving Paris to carry on as the only Buckingham sister in town. We've barely heard a word from her or about her since, but we did learn why she considered her sister to be a bit overbearing.

What if Zoe were to return to L.A. with a little bundle of Carter joy with her, meaning she was pregnant when she left town and didn't bother telling anyone? That would give Carter a story and shake up his life a bit, something that is sorely necessary. With Paris back and engaged to Thomas, it could cause even more conflict, since Zoe also almost wed Thomas.

Quinn Fuller

Carter could have double the fun with exes who suddenly skipped town if Quinn were to return. Her exit was mind-boggling, anyway, and maybe we can get a real explanation this time. All she did was leave Carter a goodbye note that barely made sense after they struggled so hard to be together. Shauna's explanation a few weeks later left just as many questions.

A character like Quinn adds something to the canvas. Her scheming ways are always there, she's not afraid to stand up to Brooke or even slap her, and she has ties to several men in town other than Carter. Her previous paramours include Eric, Bill, and Deacon -- and even a foray into kissing Ridge.

Which characters do you want to see return to B&B? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.