Danielle "Dani" Spencer is a fictional character from the CBS American soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful, played by Crystal Chappell.

Executive producer Bradley Bell decided to introduce the character in order to explore attitudes towards same-sex marriage.

In April 2012, it was announced that Crystal Chappell – who had not appeared on daytime television since being let go from another soap opera, Days of Our Lives, in 2011 – had been cast as Danielle Spencer for The Bold and the Beautiful's first same-sex storyline.

I want to do this story because I listen to all the political debates on the subject of same-sex marriage and can't believe I share the same country with people who think so differently about human rights.

[3] Bell was determined to not make the same mistakes that happened in Chappell's lesbian pairing on Guiding Light, where the couple did not kiss.

[3] Johnson revealed that she was initially surprised when Bell asked her, but they then laughed and she joked to him, "Just make sure you get me a hot wife", which, according to her, "he did".

[4][10] The couple move to Los Angeles and Danielle interviews for a job for Karen's half-brother, Bill Spencer Jr. (Don Diamont).

[4] Bradley Bell, the executive producer of The Bold and the Beautiful, used Bill's reaction to finding out that Danielle and Karen a couple as a way to explore attitudes toward same-sex marriage.

[9] Johnson revealed, "After I started playing Karen [in 1991], I remember doing a fantasy scene that showed what life would have been like if Caroline had not died of cancer.

[8] Johnson revealed that "When we first met up at the show we had to shoot some photos — vacation-type snapshots of Karen and Dani to put on the mantel — and I felt kind of nervous and awkward.

"[8] In July 2012, it was reported that the "broader story" for Danielle and Karen would be "refocused" due to Johnson being unavailable to film more episodes for The Bold and the Beautiful as she was busy with other projects.

[5] However, it was confirmed that Chappell would remain as Danielle, with a The Bold and the Beautiful spokesperson saying that viewers "can look forward to continue seeing more of Caroline's other mom, Dani".

[5] In 2013, Danielle and Karen rejoice after successfully help Bill Jr's wife, Katie Logan (Heather Tom), seize full control of Spencer Publications.

They begin a romance, which is disapproved of by Karen's father, Bill (Jim Storm), who makes her keep it a secret as he does not want it to the damage the company, Spencer Publications.

Thomas is supportive and apologises for asking about Caroline's father, but Danielle and Karen are happy that he wants to find out more about her daughter.

Bill's wife, Katie Logan (Heather Tom), later walks in on Karen and Spencer and tells them that she relieved that she can stop pretending that they are not a couple as she had been suspecting that they were.

Danielle tells Karen that she believes that she made the right decision as the money gave Caroline a good life and great opportunities.

[11] Danielle and Karen's relationship storyline resulted in The Bold and the Beautiful being nominated for "Outstanding Daily Drama" at the 2013 24th GLAAD Media Awards.

"[9] Jamey Giddens from Daytime Confidential called Danielle and Karen Katie's "Sapphic Sisters-in-law" and wrote that "Grrl power is in full effect today" after the three characters had successfully seized control of Spencer Publications.