As Young & Restless Brings Back Alumni Galore, a Surprising Character Rises to the Top of Fans’ Wish List
Tuesday, February 21st, 2023
We asked and boy did you answer!
As The Young and the Restless has been gearing up to Genoa City’s big bi-centennial celebration that just so happens to coincide with the show’s 50th anniversary, they’ve been pulling out all the stops with a slew of returns. Daniel’s moved back home, Heather returned to town and we got news just last week of five very familiar faces returning for the big celebration.
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So naturally, we thought it would be nice to hear from the voice of the fans about who you wanted to return to the show for Young & Restless’ 50th anniversary. We posted that question on Facebook and, well, you answered!
We got nearly 500 comments and though there was a decent spread of characters and actors, one name overwhelmingly kept coming up: Doug Davidson’s Paul Williams! Drucilla, Malcolm, Dylan, the Brooks sisters — heck, even Andy popped up — but more than anyone else, over and over again the fans demanded that Paul be brought back.
And hey, we get it. He was an integral part of the show for decades and while the character is supposedly still around, the way the show’s been handling his absence has been downright baffling.
He’s still with Christine, yet he’s never seen with her. Heather mentioned visiting her dad, but it’s not something that’s happening onscreen. It would make sense to bring him back for the 50th and finally at least show folks that Young & Restless didn’t just turn him into some invisible ghost.
“Can’t you see me?! I’m right here! Hello!”
Credit: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
But will the show actually listen? Davidson himself said that his role is over, and he seemed definitive enough that we suggested Young & Restless finally deal with his baffling absence. But the fans know who they love and what they want. And that kind of demand isn’t to be taken lightly.
After exclaiming that she wants Paul back, Nicole Kuntz added, “Hey, Young and the Restless, pay attention to what fans want!”
Diana L Burkett, on the other hand, didn’t have much hope. But she still made her feelings clear. “Obviously the writers don’t pay any attention to what is being said on these sites because the biggest majority of the responses here have asked them to bring Paul back. But will they? No! So, I will add my request (or demand) to see Paul back in GC. Will someone please listen to what the viewers want?”
That’s a great question. Will they? The folks at Young & Restless can’t be unaware of the fan demand to see Paul return. But will that be enough to get him back on the screen in March? Is the show saving some of its biggest returns as a surprise for the event itself?
We guess only time will tell.
Check out our photo gallery of all the folks coming to Genoa City!
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Image: Sean Smith/JPI
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<p>If there’s anyone who can cover the bi-centennial celebration that’s bringing all of Genoa City together for the show’s 50th anniversary, it’s troublemaker and journalist Leanna Love! Then again, since the last two times she stopped by town was to cover murders, we have to wonder if something more sinister might happen as well! </p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
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<p>It’s been almost 20 years, but Mamie is returning to Genoa City in March! The Abbott’s beloved housekeeper left to travel the world back in 2004 and hasn’t been seen since. But now she’ll be coming home to visit the Abbotts and reconnect with her great-niece and nephews, Lily, Devon and Nate!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>We’ve always got the exact same smile on our faces when the fan fave brings Nina back to town. And that’s exactly what she’s doing as part of the 50th anniversary celebration, marking Nina’s first appearance since early 2021. </p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
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<p>Danny is headed back to Genoa City once again in March for the show’s 50th anniversary. With Daniel still in town with his mom, it’s always good to have a family reunion. But with Paul MIA, maybe it’s time for Danny to reconnect with his beloved Cricket! </p>
Image: Jesse Grant/JPI
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<p>It looks like the Romalotti family is going to be whole for the first time in years when Gina returns to town this March to share the screen with her brother, Danny for the first time since 2013! Anyone else miss Gina’s? </p>
Image: CBS Screenshot
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<p>Just in time for Lauren’s Lifetime Achievement Award (and Tracey E. Bregman’s 40th anniversary episode) Fen came back to Genoa City with a Fenmore’s buyer — who also happened to be his new boyfriend, Trey! (Apparently Fen came out to mom and dad offscreen?)</p>
Image: Courtesy of Lily Brooks O'Briant, Aaron Montgomery/JPI
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<p>Daniel’s family is about to get a refresh as daytime newcomer O’Briant brings his and Daisy’s daughter, Lucy, back to Genoa City with Heather. Will she and mom be sticking around long enough to complicate dear old dad’s reconnection with Lily? Time will tell!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Yes, it’s true, Paul’s much-missed daughter is headed home — and just in time for Valentine’s Day! Daniel’s estranged ex is stopping by for a “visit” in February, with daughter Lucy in tow. And if there’s one thing we know, it’s that Genoa City could always use another lawyer!</p>
Image: Matthew Olsen
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<p>We’re about to get a peek into what Diane was up to in her “dead” years as the longtime <em>Passions</em> vet brings Jeremy Stark to town. The two characters apparently “shared a connection,” but as to what that is — or how… intimate it got — we’ve yet to learn! </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Phyllis and Danny’s son is headed back home as Daniel returns to town in the fall. We’re holding out hope that it’s not just a quick visit to help celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary but that the actor and his longtime character might stick around for a little while! </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Upon finally learning that Chelsea was his birth mother and cousin Connor his brother, Johnny had some growing up to do. And we mean that literally! After nearly ten years, newcomer Mishkind took over the role from twins Holden and Ryan Hare.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>When Chancellor-Winters wanted to go public with their IPO they needed someone with the expertise to help. Enter Audra Charles, played by actress and model Silver. We soon learned that she was also Noah’s heartbreaking London ex and started wondering what other Genoa City connections she may have…</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p><em>Young & Restless</em> ratcheted the anticipation up to near-unbearable levels with the announcement that the <em>One Live to Live</em> vet would be joining the show in a mysterious role. Heck, they played their cards so close to the vest, it took several appearances before we learned that he was playing Katherine’s long-lost son and Devon’s long-lost dad, Tucker McCall!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Nikki and Phyllis’ unholy alliance got a bit of a boost over the summer when they brought investigative journalist Talia Morgan to town to help dig up dirt on Diane. And in the process, the soap got to showcase <em>The Talk </em>cohost Natalie Morales’ acting chops!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>When Leigh-Ann Rose was unfortunately unavailable due to a scheduling conflict, <em>Young & Restless</em> brought in daytime vet Boutte — who had appeared on <em>Days of Our Lives</em> on and off from 2004 to 2007 — to temporarily fill Imani’s shoes!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>It’s always a good time when Chapman brings Michael and Kevin’s perpetually gold-digging mom back onscreen, and Gloria’s summer return in 2022 was no exception! </p>
Image: © Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
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<p>Esther’s love life got a bit of a boost when this sitcom vet swept her off her feet as Dwight. The romantic park date was just what she needed — and was just in time for Kate Linder’s 40th anniversary on the show!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Tessa got to reconnect with family for a bit when her sis, Crystal, returned for “Teriah’s” historic May 2022 wedding. Thankfully, there were no sex rings this time around. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Naturally, with Kyle returning, Summer had to come back with him. The two were married, after all. (In a fan-crushing off-screen wedding…) But longtime portrayer Hunter King was <em>not </em>making the trip back, so the show brought in soap newbie Lanier to take over without missing a beat.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Once Diane returned, it was a no-brainer for Kyle to come back and reconnect with his estranged mom. The only question was <em>which </em>Kyle, since Mealor had left the soap the previous year. Luckily, it didn’t take long to learn both character <em>and </em>actor were heading back to Genoa City! </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Diane turning up alive was <em>not </em>something any of us had on our 2022 bingo cards. But not only was her death greatly exaggerated, Walters was back in the role after <em>General Hospital</em>‘s Maura West had supposedly had her head bashed in by Nikki! Naturally, she was welcomed back with open <span style="text-decoration: line-through">arms</span> hostility. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Thank God for therapists! Chance began to deal with his PTSD when he started seeing a professional. And Jahi certainly brought plenty of professionalism to Dr. Huffman, after years of roles on <em>As the World Turns</em>, <em>One Life to Live</em> and <em>All My Children</em>. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>The good news? <em>Young & Restless</em> brought <em>General Hospital</em> alum Wang in to play Keemo’s previously unknown daughter, Allie. The bad news? Her dad had died. Off-screen. But at least her appearance gave Jack a granddaughter and Noah someone to pine over who was <em>not </em>married to his sister! </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Nearly a year after Ashland first showed up in Genoa City, <em>Young & Restless</em>‘ shocked us all with the news that Richard Burgi was out for breaking Covid protocol! Locke’s story wasn’t <em>quite </em>finished, though, so in February of 2022 the show tapped this beloved <em>Guiding Light</em> vet to step into his shoes. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Chance returned from the dead (again) and came home to Abby just in time for the holidays — with a new face, no less! Floyd was a daytime newbie when he stepped into the role at the end of 2021, but that didn’t stop the show from throwing him and Chance right into the deep end.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Just three years after Lynde’s last appearance as world-famous pianist Leslie Brooks, she popped up again to tickle the ivories (and us pink) at Ashland and Victoria’s extravagant wedding. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Jones hit the ground running in the fall of 2021 as the sleazy Gaines who showed up in town, blackmailed Ashland, offered to sell his story to Billy and… was sent off with hardly a peep by Victor. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>By the time Victoria and Ashland’s wedding rolled around, Noah was due to be taken off the backburner. And that meant Gibson stepping into the young Newman’s shoes in. Unfortunately, that also meant him falling for Tessa… as she prepared to marry his sister!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Well, it <em>seemed </em>like good news when Stitch came back to town in the summer of 2021. But, uh, well, we’ll just say it wasn’t. Mariah, girl, run away! Run — eh, too late. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Bryton James got to reunite with his <em>Family Matters</em> mom, Telma Hopkins, as private eye Denise Tolliver arrived on scene to find out what <em>really </em>happened to Amanda and Hillary’s dad. Spoiler Alert: It wasn’t anything good! </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Genoa City’s adorable quotient rose a few notches when Harrison finally showed up in town in May of 2021 to spend time with his parents — all three of them! </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Protect your peepers, folks! The <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> vet temporarily stepped into Amanda’s shoes after Mishael Morgan had to undergo emergency eye surgery. And she, as we all know, knocked it out of the park!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Amanda, Hilary and Imani’s grandfather, Sutton Aames, was a real piece of work when he showed up in the spring of 2021. Not only was he responsible for splitting the siblings up, it turns out he also killed Amanda’s dad! No wonder Imani looks so uncomfortable here…</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>Faith got a new look when Caster took over for Alyvia Alyn Lind after the latter landed a prime role in the Syfy horror show <em>Chucky</em>. And she showed up just in time for Faith’s life to turn into a horror show with car crashes, drinking problems and a <em>long-</em>delayed acute infection!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>It wasn’t an April Fool’s Day joke when the much-missed Neil’s only biological child, Moses, returned to town in 2021 as a teenager intent on following Nate’s footsteps to become a doctor. That didn’t pan out. For either of them. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p>By the time the soap vet brought Ashland Locke to town, we’d been led to believe that he’d be one of daytime’s greatest Big Bads of all time, capable of taking down Victor and his company and destroying Kyle. The truth proved somewhat less dramatic, but hey, who could live up to that setup?</p>
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