Y&R Casting Changes

The casting changes have begun at The Young & The Restless as three actresses have been let go this week. Y&R recently got a new executive producer in Jill Farren Phelps, and with many regime changes some people lose their jobs.

The first announced on Thursday was Genie Francis who plays Genevieve. The character came to town and was revealed to be Cane's (Daniel Goddard) mom. We saw her interact with her former husband Colin (Tristan Rogers who is also no longer on Y&R), Jack (Peter Bergman) and Victor (Eric Braeden). None of these relationships worked out, so it seems like her lies to Victor about not recognizing him will end her story.

The second announced officially on Friday was Marcy Rylan who plays Abby. Abby is the daughter of Victor and Ashley (Eileen Davidson). Abby dated Daniel (Michael Graziadei), had unrequited feelings for Devon (Bryton McClure) and started seeing Carmine (Marco Dapper). Due to the character's ties, I wouldn't be surprised to see Abby back on canvas played by another actress in the future.

The third announced on Friday was Debbi Morgan as Yolanda aka Harmony. There was an earlier tweet, but it was only confirmed today. Harmony is Devon's biological mother, and had a romantic past with Tucker (Stephen Nichols). She reunited and was able to stay sober. After sleeping with Tucker, she got involved with Neil (Kristoff St. John), who ironically enough played her brother on Generations over 20 years ago.

While Genevieve and Harmony aren't core characters, Abby is the child of long term Y&R characters. I feel for the actresses in this situation. With Genie of course I hope we all get to see her on General Hospital again some day soon. With Debbi and Marcy, I think how it was great that they were able to find work when the soaps they were on All My Children and Guiding Light ended respectively. I wish them all luck in future endeavors, and wonder if this is the beginning of a large cast upheaval at Y&R.