Y&R Comings & Goings: Ashley and Traci Exit, Amanda Returns, and a DAYS Star Joins Genoa City!

Who is leaving Y&R and who is returning in winter 2025?

Soaps Spoilers has the scoop about which soap opera stars will be making an appearance on CBS’ The Young and the Restless and which are leaving in the winter of 2024. Let us know in the comments who you’re excited to see return or leave!

We hope our guide will help you recognize when to watch Y&R for new appearances or when to say goodbye to an actor.

Y&R Canadian day ahead recaps are live at 4:15 PM EST daily. If you’re looking for more casting notices, check out the comings & goings section for Y&R.

Two big exits come at the same time

Eileen Davidson only returned this week, and now she’s leaving with Beth Maitland as sisters Ashley and Traci take off for New York City to find some closure after the Alan/Martin fiasco. They will return at some point, as always. Look for Traci to say goodbye to Jack (Peter Bergman) at the end of the Monday, April 14th episode.

Daytime Emmy Winner returns!

Reported March 17: Daytime Emmy award-winning Mishael Morgan is returning to Young and the Restless as a guest for an arc this spring, according to Deadline. She’ll be back as Amanda Sinclair. No details as to what her story arc will be about.

Morgan, who left Y&R in February 2024, is taping scenes this week. Folks can look for her on the Hallmark Channel and Women’s Network, where she is starring in Hearts Around the Table: Shari’s Second Act. It premieres this Saturday, March 29.

David Pressman makes a short appearance

David Pressman portrayed the landlord of the Havenhurst Psychiatric Clinic on Friday, March 14. He was in scenes with Nick (Joshua Morrow), Chance (Connor Floyd) and Billy (Jason Thompson). There is no word on whether he will return or what his ties are, if any, to Alan (or is he Martin) (Christopher Cousins).

Billy Flynn Joins Y&R in a newly created role

Billy Flynn has been a staple at Days of our Lives, portraying Chad DiMera since 2014. It was revealed today that he’ll be exiting Days and taking on a brand new role on Young & Restless come spring. When more details come in, we’ll keep our readers apprised. 

The actor has been nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor category. In an interview with TV Insider, the actor said, “I am grateful for my years at DAYS; it changed my life in the best ways. I’ve always said these stories we tell are like doing a play, and I’ve spent the last 10-plus years playing this amazing character and telling one of the all-time great love stories.” Looking ahead to his future on the Y&R canvas, he added, “And now I’m excited for this opportunity and to test myself in a new way.”

Eric Braeden Opens Up About Y&R — “I’m Still Here”

Eric Braeden is going nowhere

Eric Braeden had made Victor Newman a household name since 1980 when he initially joined Young and Restless as a guest. The actor celebrated 45 years as “The Great and Powerful” Victor Newman this year, a milestone to take pride in.

Braeden spoke with TVInsider about the tragic wildfires in LA that left him and his family homeless when his house burned to the ground. While he and his family go through this painful chapter in their lives, it sparked rumors across social media that maybe the actor would consider leaving the soap.

Braeden declared that he has no plans to step away from the job anytime soon. “No,” he says firmly. “There were moments, obviously, during negotiations and all that where you say, ‘OK, that’s it. Bon voyage,’ and then it always works out. But the actors I used to work with in the ’60s on nighttime television and film are either not working or they’re gone, passed away. I’m a stubborn son of a bitch. I’m still here.”

When asked to name something the wishes he could have played more during his time with Y&R, he told the outlet, “Well, I kind of regret that there wasn’t this ongoing relationship with Ashley [Abbott, Eileen Davidson] — that could have always been looming in the background — but other than that, to be frank with you, no. I have enormous respect for the writers because I would not want to do what they do. I really would not. I don’t know how they do it. Do I disagree sometimes? Well, of course. Sometimes you do, but it is my task to make it real. That is the challenge and it’s more of a challenge than you realize. But writers are the most unsung people in this business, really. I also know from my son. I know what he goes through when he writes a script.”

As you can see, the man isn’t going anywhere. Viewers can expect to see more of Eric Braeden and Victor Newman daily on CBS. “You got that?”

Jermaine Rivers

Jermaine Rivers joins Young and the Restless as Damian King.

Rivers has performed in TV shows such as Fatal Attraction, Devious Maids, MacGyver and The Resident and he’s been seen in The Sacrament, Magic Mike XXL and Den of Thieves. He’s also well known for his role as Shatter, in The Gifted.

Rivers will first air in USA on February 3 in scenes with Nathan Owens, who plot twist, has been pretending to be Damian all along but who is actually a friend named Holden.

Nathan Owens Twist

Reported in 2024, Nathan Owens, who portrayed Cameron Davis on Days of our Lives, is joining Y&R. He’ll be seen starting Wednesday, January 8. Though the name of his character, it’s safe to assume he’s Damian, Nate Hastings’ (Sean Dominic) half-brother. 

The twist? On the Canadian January 31st episode, it turns out that Owens is actually Holden and he meets with the real Damien.

Since his 2012-2013 run on Days of Our Lives, Owens has played Jesse Morgan on Devious Maids. He’s also been in Batwoman and, most recently, a holiday movie, A Season to Remember, on Hallmark.

Colleen Zenk says goodbye

Colleen Zenk leaves Y&R as Jordan in a final way after the character succumbs to death after drinking tea laced with a bottle of sleeping pills.

We have our Damian?

Nathan Owens, who portrayed Cameron Davis on Days of our Lives, is joining Y&R. He’ll be seen starting Wednesday, January 8. Though the name of his character, according to Deadline, hasn’t been released, it’s safe to assume he’s Damian, Nate Hastings’ (Sean Dominic) half-brother. 

Since his 2012-2013 run on Days of Our Lives, Owens has played Jesse Morgan on Devious Maids. He’s also been in Batwoman and, most recently, a holiday movie, A Season to Remember, on Hallmark.

Since this posting, we learned that Owens is Holden, not Damian. 

Telma Hopkins brings the detective back to Genoa City

Telma Hopkins returns to Y&R as Detective Denise Tolliver. We last saw Hopkins in August of 2021. Hopkins returns at the request of Amy (Valarie Pettiford) to find her son, Damian. There’s no word on the first airdate but the casting calls usually go out within two months of their first appearance. We’ll update you when we know more.

Are you excited to meet Damian?

Those struggling to figure out where they’ve seen Hopkins, she was Rachel Crawford in Family Matters and Phyllis Thorne in Half & Half (alongside Pettiford).

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