The Young and the Restless is an American CBS soap opera which debuted on March 26, 1973. [1] This is a list of its characters that debuted or will debut in 2024, in order of first appearance. The first character to be introduced was Seth Morgan (Brian Gaskill), the sponsor of Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), who debuted on January 8. Alan Laurent (Christopher Cousins), a psychiatric and friend of Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), made his first appearance on April 30. Additionally, multiple other characters appeared throughout the year.
Seth Morgan, played by Brian Gaskill, made his first appearance on January 8, 2024. [2] [3] The character and casting was announced on December 29, 2023. [4] The character was introduced as the sponsor of Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), whom she meets at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, with Seth being described as the man who would "Nikki Get Her Life Back on Track". [4] Gaskill, who had previously appeared on five other American soap operas, recorded his audition at his home and found out over several weeks that he had won the role, which he found "pretty affirming" as he had not auditioned for some time. [2] Following the casting announcement, Gaskill spoke about it on his Facebook page, saying that he felt "honored" to be on the soap. [5] Gaskill had previously been unsure of whether he would appear in daytime television again due to there being less soap operas and opportunities than there used to be. [2] He found adjusting to The Young and the Restless's climate stressful "in a good way", and revealed that he had previously spoken to some of his co-stars, such as J. Eddie Peck, on Facebook before he began working on set. [2] Speaking of the character, Gaskill explained: "As of now, Seth is a good person but he's certainly not a hero. He feels reachable and comfortable for me. In recent years, when I look at the kind of stuff that I would really like to be doing, Seth falls into that category. I usually try to find some lightness where it's dark and darkness where it's light, and I'm just trying to find that balance. This character sort of seems to allow all of that. So far, it's been an incredible experience." [2] On March 5, 2024, Gaskill made his final appearance as Seth, with the character being killed-off. [6] [7] Following the episode being aired, Gaskill confirmed the departure with a statement on his Instagram page, where he explained that he enjoyed working on the soap with the cast and the rest of the team, and called it "incredible" to have received "so much support" on social media. [8]
Seth becomes the sponsor of recovering alcoholic Nikki, who has relapsed after having had alcohol injected into her veins by Jordan Howard (Colleen Zenk). Nikki drops him as a sponsor when she finds out that he has drunk alcohol and tells him that she cannot be around him. The following month, he meets "Isabelle", not knowing that she is Jordan in disguise, who claims to be a friend of Nikki's who wants Seth and Nikki to reconnect. He and Nikki later meet, where she tells him about Jordan and he tells her about his encounter with "Isabelle". Having figure out that Jordan is Isabelle, Seth confronts her and tells her that she is going to bring her to the police. Jordan pretends to agree to his plan, but when they are outside, she kills him by pushing him into an incoming vehicle.
Prior to his first appearance, Amy Mistretta from Soaps She Knows called having Gaskill appear on the soap a "real treat". [4] Mistretta's colleague, Charlie Mason, wrote that he had "high hopes" for the character, partially due to Seth not being related to other characters in the show. [7] Following Seth's death, Mason wrote that he would miss the character and called him "a short-term pawn in Crazy Aunt Jordan's game of Kill the Newmans." [7] Mason believed that Seth had made the "fatal mistake" by confronting Jordan. [7] Terrell Smith from What to Watch wrote that Seth's departure would upset fans, commenting, "Gaskill had a good run on the soap, and it's sad to see him leave". [9] EmilyAnn Jackman from Pennlive.com wrote that Seth's death "took a lot of fans by surprise" due to it being an exit "most probably didn't see coming", and she reported how fans commented on his Instagram statement to "express their shock" regarding his departure. [10]
Alan Laurent, played by soap veteran Christopher Cousins, made his first appearance on April 30. [11] Alan - who had already been mentioned in prior episodes - was reported to appear in multiple episodes in a recurring role. [12] [13] Alan will be introduced as a psychiatrist and friend of Ashley Abbott's (Eileen Davidson) from her time in Paris. [12]
Prior to the character's first appearance, Diane Brounstein from Soap Opera Digest called Alan a "pivotal role". [12] Chris Eades from Soaps In Depth hoped that the character would be able to help Ashley, who he believed needs professional help due to her struggling with Dissociative identity disorder. [14] Kelli Boyle from TV Insider called Alan joining the Paris mystery storyline an "interesting twist". [13] Charlie Mason from Soaps She Knows named Alan as one of the best successes of the 2024 American May Sweeps, writing, "We may not be crazy about Young & Restless' story of Ashley's alters, but we love having Christopher Cousins around as Alan. Can we please keep the soap vet for [Ashley's sister] Traci?" [15]
Character | Episode date(s) | Portrayer | Details | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nadia | February 14 | Coco Nation | A child with pneumonia who Claire Grace (Hayley Erin) looks after at the hospital. They bond over their love of Greek mythology and Claire introduces Nadia to her mother, Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle). | [16] [17] |
Dr Alcott | March 4–5, March 19 | Catherine Dyer | The psychiatrist of Connor Newman (Judah Mackey). | [18] [19] |
Andre Hotchko | April 23 | Truck Driver | A truck driver involved in the kidnapping of Harrison Abbott (Redding Munsell). | [20] |
Dawn | June 3–4 | Gina Garcia-Sharp | The assistant of Tucker McCall (Trevor St. John) who helps him in Paris with his rivalry with Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver). | [21] [22] |
Doctor | June 17 | Marc Forget | A Parisian doctor who helps Tucker McCall (St. John) with a crisis. | [23] |
Miriam | July 22 | Isabella Dake | A friend of Faith Newman (Reylynn Caster). When she and Faith are talking, Lucy Romalotti (Lily Brooks O'Briant) approaches them and is excited to go with them to a pool party, but Faith tells that she is not allowed to come with them and she and Miriam leave. | [24] |
Brian Richard Gaskill is an American actor.
Victor and Nikki Newman are fictional characters and a supercouple from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. Victor is portrayed by Eric Braeden and Nikki is portrayed by Melody Thomas Scott. Together, they have shared three marriages and two children; Victoria and Nicholas Newman. The couple is often referred to by the portmanteau "Niktor" by fans on internet message boards and in magazines. Nikki was originally from the lower walks of life, having been a prostitute and stripper. After multiple failed relationships, she began a romance with Victor, who taught her about society. Nikki gave birth to Victoria in 1982, and the pair were married in 1984. Ashley Abbott then came between Victor and Nikki, causing them to divorce and each of them remarrying to Ashley and Victor's nemesis, Jack Abbott, respectively. However, the pair continued to be linked to one another, with an affair between the two resulting in second child Nicholas.
Victor Newman is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. He has been portrayed by Eric Braeden since 1980. Initially a guest character who was to last for eight to twelve weeks, Victor has evolved into the soap opera's leading male figure. Created by William J. Bell as a "despicable, contemptible, unfaithful wife abuser", the character was planned to be killed off and never heard of again. However, after Bell saw Braeden's performance, he decided to sign the actor onto a contract. Braeden was hesitant to work on a soap opera, but eventually signed a contract, and has remained on the series as a regular cast member for over 40 years. The character is widely described as a ruthless villain, while loving to those he holds dear. Over the years, he has also been the center of several controversial plots and relationships.
Nikki Newman is a fictional character from the American CBS daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless. Created and introduced by William J. Bell in 1978, the role was portrayed by Erica Hope, before Melody Thomas Scott took over in 1979. Introduced as a stripper, the character became well known for her relationship with businessman Victor Newman, a union that developed into a supercouple pairing that has spanned over four decades. She shares two children with Victor, Victoria and Nicholas Newman. In 2013, she reveals that she had previously given up a child for adoption, who is later discovered to be Dylan McAvoy. The character has also had several other notorious relationships, including Paul Williams, Jack Abbott, and Brad Carlton. Scott is considered an icon in the soap opera genre.
Ashley Abbott is a fictional character from The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, two American soap operas on the CBS network. She has been most notably portrayed by Eileen Davidson, who originated the role on June 11, 1982, before departing in 1988. Brenda Epperson portrayed Ashley from 1988 to 1995, before Shari Shattuck portrayed the role for the next three years, until Davidson's return on March 19, 1999. Davidson was nominated in 2003 for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and she later won that award in 2018.
Abby Newman is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The character was introduced on November 13, 2000, as the daughter of Ashley Abbott and Victor Newman. The role was portrayed by Darcy Rose Byrnes as a child until 2008, when the character was rapidly aged to a teenager, with Hayley Erin assuming the role the following year. In 2010, the character rapidly aged to adulthood, with Emme Rylan cast as Erin's replacement. Rylan was let go in 2012 due to budgetary cuts but returned months later in February 2013 on a recurring status following viewer complaints. However, her return was cut short once Rylan vacated the role to join General Hospital as Lulu Spencer. Melissa Ordway was then hired as her recast, who made her debut on April 16, 2013. Rylan compared Abby to her previous role, Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light, saying they were both wealthy heiresses who cause trouble. Upon Abby's return in 2013, Rylan felt that she had become "more mature".
Diane Jenkins Abbott is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The role was first portrayed by Alex Donnelley, who debuted in April 28, 1982. Diane was initially a two-day bit role, but was developed into a long-term character. Donnelley left the role two years later, returning briefly in 1986 before returning again fully in 1996. In 2001, Donnelley left again in what was supposed to be a storyline-dictated departure, however, the role was later recast with Susan Walters. After three years, Walters chose to drop to recurring status in 2004, but wasn't seen again until a brief guest appearance in February 2010. Seven months later, the role was recast a second time with Maura West, who took over in October; she exited in August of the following year. In March 2022, Walters returned to the role.
Philip Kiriakis is a character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera. Child actors portrayed the character of Philip until he was rapidly aged and returned under the portrayal of Brandon Tyler in October 1999. Tyler was quickly replaced by Jay Kenneth Johnson, who was in the role until leaving the show in December 2002. The character returned in May 2003 played by Kyle Brandt. After Brandt left the show in October 2006, Johnson returned to the role in January 2007 then left on April 20, 2011. In 2015, actor John-Paul Lavoisier was cast in the role; he was let go the following year, last appearing in December 2016. In 2019, Johnson reprised the role on the digital-only Last Blast Reunion series and returned to Days of Our Lives in August 2020; he later departed in December 2021. In August 2023, Lavoisier returned to the role before departing two months later; he resumed the role when Philip returned to Salem in October 2024.
Kyle Abbott is a fictional character from The Young and the Restless, an American soap opera on the CBS network. Introduced on January 8, 2001, the character is the son of businessman Jack Abbott and Diane Jenkins. For the character's first three-year run, he was portrayed by a series of infant toddler actors. In 2010, the character returned, portrayed as slightly older by child actor Garrett Ryan. After two years, he was rapidly aged to an adult, with Blake Hood stepping into the role in April 2012. Upon his return, Kyle began dating Eden Baldwin.
Christopher Maher Cousins is an American actor who has been acting in television since 1986. He is best known for playing conman Cain Rogan in forty-one episodes of the soap opera One Life to Live. Between 2009 and 2012, he played Ted Beneke in thirteen episodes of the AMC series Breaking Bad. In 2013 and 2014, he played Victor Doyle in seven episodes of the NBC series Revolution.
Theresa Donovan is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Introduced in September 1990, she was portrayed by several child actors until the character left the series in 1992, with further guest appearances in both 1996 and 1997. The character was reintroduced to the series in July 2013, under the portrayal of actress Jen Lilley, best known for her portrayal of Maxie Jones on General Hospital, and departed in November 2016. Lilley reprised the role in May 2018 for a three-month stint, departing again in July. Lilley briefly returned to the role in September 2023, with Emily O'Brien assuming the role in the following month.