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The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera, created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. It debuted on March 26, 1973. The longest-running cast members are Melody Thomas Scott and Eric Braeden, who portray Nikki and Victor Newman, having joined in February 1979 and February 1980, respectively, [1] [2] making them two of the longest-tenured actors in American soap operas. Jeanne Cooper, who portrayed the soap opera's matriarch Katherine Chancellor, previously held the record for the series' longest-running cast member, airing from November 1973 until her death in May 2013. [3] Kate Linder, who has portrayed Esther Valentine since April 1982, serves as the third longest-running cast member. [4] [5] Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair) and Jess Walton (Jill Abbott) share the title of fourth and fifth longest-tenured actors on the soap. The following list is of cast members who are currently on the show: both main and recurring members, as well as those who are debuting, departing or returning to the series.