News
Jason Thompson Talks With ET Canada About His New Y&R Gig, Playing Billy Abbott, and Upcoming Fatherhood!
Courtesy/ETCanada
The Young and the Restless Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) received a visit from ET Canada, when they stopped by the set of the number one American soap opera to catch up with the Canadian-born soap star!
During their video segment, Thompson shared his enthusiasm in stepping into the role of bad boy- gambler-drinker-father-businessman-lover, Billy Abbott, and all that comes with that. Jason also shared that in a short amount of time he is already learning from his new A-list Y&R castmates.
Jason expressed that what he is loving about playing Billy thus far is that he has a really big heart, and that the guy, “doesn’t always make the right decisions sometimes, but he tries to come from the right place.”
As soap fans know, Thompson and his beautiful wife Paloma Jonas are expecting their first child. ET Canada asked Jason if he is ready to be a dad to which Jason replied: “It’s something I have always wanted, and I have an amazing woman to do it with. This kid has already hit the jackpot with her.”
Watch the ET Canada visit with Jason Thompson here.
So, what did you think about Jason’s thoughts on the character of Billy Abbott, and that he is happy in his new soap home? Are you excited for him that he will soon be a first-time real-life dad? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
General Hospital
Blythe Howard Joins the Cast of ‘General Hospital’ as Monet: Who is She Connected to in Port Charles?
General Hospital continues to add new characters to the canvas. Now comes word of the arrival of Monet, a savvy lawyer played by Blythe Howard. Look for Monet to debut in Port Charles next week on the Wednesday, September 23 episode.
According to TV Insider, “Monet arrives in town as a litigator who recently joined Miller & Davis, the firm run by Diane Miller (Carolyn Hennesy) and Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn), and meets with a Port Charles resident in need of legal counsel.”
In a statement, General Hospital’s executive producer, Frank Valentini shared, “I am very excited to welcome Blythe Howard to the cast of General Hospital. Look for her to have an unexpected connection to a beloved Port Charles resident.”
FROM TELEVISION TO CANCER SURVIVOR TO GIVING BACK
If Howard looks familiar you may have seen her on several television series including: Yellowstone, Power Book IV: Force, Walker, 9-1-1: Lone Star, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, CW’s Dynasty, Silicon Valley plus David Fincher‘s Mindhunter.
Photo: ChemoQueens
Blythe is also a cancer survivor having cofounded Chemo Queens with her sister Kelsey Howard. The company creates products for people undergoing cancer treatment, including a patent-pending cold cap design.
In recent months, General Hospital has brought in several new actors for brand new roles or recasts. They include: Alimi Ballard (William Baines), Jonathan Bennett (Joe Fitzpatrick), Kearran Giovanni (Dr. Nichols), Dean Geyer (Tristan Roberts), Kelly Kruger (Serena Baldwin), Kayden Brennan Tokarski (Scout Cain) and Troy Lennon Appel (Hudson Parker). You can now add Blythe Howard to this list.
So, who do you think Monet has an unexpected connection to that is a “beloved” Port Charles resident as teased by Frank Valentini? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
While Finn (Tanner Novlan) is unaware that his wife Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) is pregnant and that she is supposedly carrying Carter Walton’s (Lawrence Saint-Victor) child on The Bold and the Beautiful, Tanner Novlan is keeping busy, not only on the CBS soap, but in an upcoming new feature for the streamer Roku entitled Cowboy Hearts.
Laguna Beach star Kristen Cavallari is the lead opposite Novlan. The log lines of the story tease, “When a no-nonsense reality TV producer (Cavallari) is sent to Georgia to oversee the reboot of the hit dating show ‘Cowboy Hearts,’ she expects chaos behind the scenes, not romantic sparks with the cowboy himself (Novlan). Now, with the cameras rolling and her job on the line, she’ll have to decide if love is worth going off script.”
Taking to his Instagram to confirm his casting, Tanner Novlan shared, “Cowboy Hearts coming to @therokuchannel early ‘27!” The caption was posted alongside two photos of Tanner in the film wearing a cowboy hat, and a video with Tanner shirtless in said cowboy hat, but riding a horse. Tanner’s wife, former B&B actress, Kayla Ewell (ex-Caitlin Ramirez) joked in the comment thread, “Can you bring the cowboy hat home?”
Photo: JPI
KRISTEN CAVALLARI RETURNS TO ACTING AFTER 15 YEARS
Cavallari also recently starred as herself in an episode of ABC’s 9-1-1: Nashville, but Cowboy Hearts marks her first acting role in 15 years since she appeared in an episode of ABC comedy series, The Middle. Earlier in her career, Kristen appeared in the Laguna Beach spinoff, The Hills (as herself), plus episodes of Veronica Mars and CSI: NY.
The partnership of Roku and Cavallari comes from her having the biggest unscripted launch ever on the Roku platform with The Reunion: Laguna Beach. Now, Cowboy Hearts will launch sometime next year with Cavallari saying in a statement to Deadline, “I’m so excited to be stepping back into acting and getting to do something completely different with a rom-com. After such a great experience working with Roku on The Reunion: Laguna Beach, it feels especially exciting to be working with their team again — but this time for a scripted film. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
MORE THAN JUST BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL
As for Tanner Novlan, he has been playing Dr. John Finn Finnegan since July of 2020 on the CBS daytime drama series. He’s also well known for his role as the bad actor/ spokesperson in the Liberty Biberty commercial spots for Liberty Mutual, and his recurring role on Roswell, New Mexico.
Novlan is no stranger as a leading man in rom-coms, too. He previously appeared in 2019’s My Best Friend’s Christmas, 2022’s Christmas Class Reunion, and 2024’s Debbie Macomber’s Joyful Mrs. Miracle.
So, intrigued to see Tanner in Cowboy Hearts when it comes out next year? On B&B, do you think Finn is really the baby-daddy to Steffy’s unborn baby that will be revealed later down the road? Let us know via the comment section.
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Tonight on September 15, R. J. Decker’s returns for its second season immediately following the season 35 premiere of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. In the season premiere, as previously reported Lucas Adams (ex-Noah Newman, The Young and the Restless, and ex-Tripp Dalton, Days of our Lives) is one of the guest stars.
The season 2 premiere will also server as a crossover event with cameos from Dancing with the Stars pros Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy, as well as The Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei, who won the Mirror Ball Trophy in season 33.
In the logline for tonight’s episode pf R.J. Decker (10 pm ET/PT) entitled, The Point of Us Breaking, a reunion with an old prison acquaintance pulls R.J. into a string of daring bank heists as the fallout from Victor Ochoa’s death deepens.
Photo: ABC
WHO IS LUCAS ADAMS PLAYING ON R.J. DECKER?
Taking to his Instagram story from the set of R. J. Decker, Lucas Adams, in what looks like prison garb, explains a bit about the character he plays in the crime series. ‘What’s up? It’s Lucas Adams, and I play Liam Jansen. I’ve got myself into a sticky situation, hopefully me and my little dog can get out of there safely!”
R.J, Decker stars Scott Speedman in the leading role as the private investigator. The series is inspired by Carl Hiaasen’s 1987 novel Double Whammy, the popular, comedic ABC crime drama follows disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con R.J. Decker as he reinvents himself as a P.I. in South Florida.
Photo: JPI
HOW DID NOAH NEWMAN LEAVE GENOA CITY?
Lucas Adams departed The Young and the Restless on-screen back on the August 3, 2026 episode when Noah and Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun) decided to leave Genoa City and head back to Los Angeles to get away from Matt Clark (Roger Howarth).
Adams had portrayed Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Sharon’s (Sharon Case) son for a little under a year having debuted on November 4, 2025. Previously, Adams played Tripp Dalton on Days of Our Lives from 2017-2024 with multiple runs on the soap opera.
R.J. Decker airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC and be released on Hulu the following day with some major rebroadcasts of new episodes including tonight’s which can also be seen next Sunday on September 20 at 8pm ET.
So, will you be checking out Lucas Adams in the season two premiere of R.J. Decker? Let us know via the comment section below.
Blythe Howard Joins the Cast of ‘General Hospital’ as Monet: Who is She Connected to in Port Charles?
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Tanner Novlan Set to Star in Roku Rom-Com ‘Cowboy Hearts’
DANCING WITH THE STARS Season 35 Premiere: Which Male Impressed on Night One? Who Was Sent Home?
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Carter Has a Way Out and Implores Steffy, “Say You’ll Be Our Donor and Surrogate!”
TUNE-IN: ‘R. J. Decker’ Season 2 Premiere: Y&R and DAYS Alum Lucas Adams Guest Stars
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson to Star in New Holiday Movie
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
RATINGS: ‘General Hospital’ Shows Most Gains in Total Viewers Week-Over-Week and Up in Key Demo
Y&R’s Co-Head Writer Jamey Giddens, Ahead of November Stories and Scripts Debut with Dan O’Connor, Explains How Fall Tees Up Their Plans for Genoa City
‘General Hospital’s’ Bluesy Burke Marks 1 Year as Charlotte Cassadine: ‘It’s The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received’
DANCING WITH THE STARS Season 35 Premiere: Which Male Impressed on Night One? Who Was Sent Home?
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Carter Has a Way Out and Implores Steffy, “Say You’ll Be Our Donor and Surrogate!”
Soap Alums Remembered During In Memoriam Segment at 78th Emmy Awards; Patrick Muldoon Omitted
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Break Up After Realizing They Can’t Trust Each Other
Franco LoPresti and Sydney Malakeh Makes Their ‘Days of our Lives’ Debuts: What Were Your First Impressions?
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He was probably licking his chops AND shaking in his boots to play Billy Abbott. First, as an actor, how fun would it be to play Billy with so many quirks? His character on GH became stale. They just didnt have anything for him to do until he and his family sadly left the show. Now he gets to play a character where there is always something going on and his cast of characters are legends. Thats the shaking in the boots part! Not only being recasted as a popular character but he has to act with Jess, Eric, Peter,ect. That had to be nerve racking BUT Jason is a pro and he MAY just end up being better than Billy Miller. Give him some time but MAYBE?
I agree.
And actually, I know it is early and all, but I already
do like Jason better than Billy Miller in the role.
Billy Miller was great as Billy BUT Jason Thompson is a way better actor. Sometimes that doesnt matter, sometimes you are successful because of the character but JT’s strength is working with kids and you saw, day one, him and Delia’s scene was great!
Me,not so much.Where,all of a sudden,did he get that deep voice!Nope,don’t like him
I think JT’s already better than Miller as Billy Abbott. JT is a really good actor and he’s charming. Miller also is charming, but his acting skills are fairly limited. In fact, Miller has really been struggling since the Jason reveal and it’s painful to watch him.
I’m happy for JT that he has such a juicy role, and happy for me that I get to see him in a role that already gives him more to do than he had at GH.
Trudy, I was going to go there about Billy Miller over at GH but I didnt. BUT, since you brought it up, I agree, Billy Miller has been sleep walking though his scenes. I dont know if he is bored or what but it has been tough to watch. Maybe its a writing issue? I do know that this has turned out as bad as the whole Fluke fiasco!
hi Timmm..
I feel bad for Billy Miller under the snooze writing of J&S of the Jason character..
He has been written into a coma, he can only act/do what they give him and the material J&S have written for Billy/Jason is horribly dull/lackluster..
At times I can imagine RC writing for Billy/Jason and it would be total high suspense drama not this snore fest he has been given..
Poor Billy probably falls asleep on set, and I don’t blame him, I fall asleep too..
Timmm
I think that Billy Miller just isn’t a good fit for Jason Morgan. Billy has a lot of charm and energy, so much energy that he’s often jittery on camera. All of that worked reasonably well as Jake Doe, but doesn’t work at all as Stone Cold Jason Morgan.
I think that the writing doesn’t help – dragging out the reveal and still dealing with his memory loss more than a year into his tenure is just painful. He needs more story. They could start with him finding himself as a father with both boys and looking for the truth about what happened to Jake on Cassadine Island and to himself, as well.
It looks like it’s painful for him, too. He just hasn’t found a way into this role, but I don’t think it’s a lack of trying. He seems like he’s trying hard to me, but just not finding his character. I think soap acting is a very tough job: lots of lines to learn; one or two rehearsals, one or two takes; and a new director every episode. Reading JT’s exit interview on this site gave me a new appreciation for hard these actors work. So I feel sorry for Miller and wish that the GH writers would just start writing him as Jason 3.0 and target the character to Miller’s strengths as an actor.
@Timmm… I’m in complete agreement with you in regards to Jason’s
stellar performance on Y&R, his character Billy is multi faceted.. He’ll
be juggling quite a few balls at the same time, which will keep it interesting
& Jason interested. Unlike Billy Miller on GH who has been dialing in his
performances of late…
really nice post, Timmmm
1. i’m just so happy to see the Abbotts in front row seats again… Jason Thompson has brought game on… The Abbotts are in full force! I LOVE IT. dang the tired Newman
2. just seeing the pedigree and high brown from which to cull;
Jess Walton : Jill Foster Abbott Chancellor….. whodathunk! ? ! ? her alone is more than enough energy for Jason Thompson acting chops
LOL… I still can’t believe it tho… he’s been awake … since??? last Wednesday … and still no sign of Jill?
Y&R has to rectify this…. so damaging to their own show
otherwise… I’m loving the excitement this is generating… and Y&R needs this
they are #1 by default….
* high brown ; HIGH BROW
Thanks Patrick. They do this on GH to. You;ll see a character and then for no logical explanation they are missing and NEED to be there! Get Jill on set!
Timmm, Nanci, Trudy, su, Fanny,
I have been saying basically the same since the Jason reveal that Billy Miller is not even being Billy Miller on GH (that was when many were saying no one could touch his performances as Billy Abbott). I went back to GH because he was there, but I gotta tell ya, as much as I love Emme (went there for her too), Billy, and of course Maurice, they just can’t keep me tuning in. They have completely ruined any potential that Roger Howarth and Michelle Stafford had for any kind of characters as their characters currently are deplorable at best and horrible together.
I love GH but if ABC was looking to get out of the soap business, now is the time! There is not ONE story that I need to follow now or would be eternally scratching my head wandering how it ended if the show went off the air. THAT is a crime!
I disagree. Nina and Franco are doing just fine for me. I don’t care if I’m in the minority. Michelle is ‘doing’ much better as Nina than Gina as Phyllis. However, no one complains about that…..matter of opinion, I guess. I would much rather see Sam disappear than Nina. But, that would be unreasonable. In my opinion, Stafford is a much better actress.
As far as Jason Thompson, I was one of the first to sing his praises. But, he is not the Billy Abbott we knew. And, that’s fine. Jason Thompson is ‘tops’! Love his acting, in any role. Whereas, Billy a Miller is drowning as Jason Morgan. He is a different person, with a different personality and attitude. He will, therefore, bring his own kind of ‘WOW’.
I feel the same, Chrystie. The ones who have gone to GH just seem
so wrong there…never would have imagined before now that Billy Miller
could literally lull me to a nice catnap while watching him. But on GH,
the times I tuned in ( never watch GH), to see him or Michelle Stafford
for that matter, I am totally bored.
Timmm, Nancy, Trudy, Su, Danny and Christie,
I think that Jason did a good job as the nuBilly. I still don’t see him as Billy. I still see him Dr Patrick Drake. The scenes that Billy Miller had with Michael Muhney, during the time leading up to Delia’s death, were amazing. Of course, we agree to disagree. Cheers!
Give him time, give him time. BUT, you may never see Jason as Billy and thats okay to. I just know this, you will enjoy his acting. He is really good!
Abruzzfan – Before I forget, my Italian roots are in Abruzzo (Pescina)!!
I still see him as Patrick Drake – how could you not after his being on there for 10 years, but I see him as a BETTER Billy Abbott then the last two. I was just warming up to David Tom as Billy again and then they yanked him, but I never warmed up to Burgess Jenkins. I see Jason Thompson taking Billy Abbott to new heights (if the soaps continue). I know with Jason Thompson that he can play multi-faceted and that is what we are getting. It will be good. Just give it some more time.
I agree the final scenes with Billy Miller and Michael Muhney were incredible. Billy Miller was so good at playing Billy Abbott because he was able to be charming and naughty yet be a good father. He bores me to tears on GH.
Hi Timmm – Yes, I agree that Jason Thompson is a great actor, and I will eventually adjust and love watching him on Y&R.
Chrystie – Wow! My roots are from L’Aquila… neighbors and hard headed. LOL 🙂
I was starting to warm up to David Tom too just before they yanked him. It was very sad to see them yank the original. I thought that Burgess did a good job playing the darer Billy. Billy Miller won 2 Emmys for Billy Abbott in 2010 & 2013. He was such a great Billy! Even though I think we need new writers at GH, I could watch Billy Miller anyday, regardless of the slow writing.
I love my soaps. Hoping for a turnaround. It is so nice to share with fellow soap friends. 🙂
HE’S A GOOD GUY AND DESERVES NOTHING BUT THE BEST. Y&R definitely hit the jackpot with him!
That was a cute little video. I am HOPING that Y&R will live on for years to come so that we can see Jason Thompson sink his teeth into the character of Billy Abbott. Billy has been on this merry-go-round for a few years now. He is kind of a loafer that does not have a steady job. One of the worst storylines was burning down Gloworm (thereby ejecting the fabulous Judith Chapman from our screens) in favor of that stupid On the Boulevard restaurant that Billy bought and then it just kind of disappeared.
Add to the fact that we used to have Victor refer to Billy as “Billy Boy” every once in awhile, but now it is just about every freaking scene. The time is WAY overdue to let Billy Mature into a gainfully employed father/brother/husband and stop with the gambling. Or if they are going to continue with the gambling then at least show him getting therapy for it otherwise Billy just becomes Sharon (who never heals) and Kevin (who never grows up). Y&R it is time for some character development!!
I agree Chrystie – (thereby ejecting the fabulous Judith Chapman from our screens). We also don’t get to see too much of Michael now either – very sad indeed! Y&R it is time for some character development!!
Jason Thompson is a fantastic multi faceted actor. He will make Billy his own and will be so memorable.
I agree with you, Michele. We all, I would think, had our doubts. Mine have been dispelled, after waiting and watching with trepidation. Jason’s reception has been positive, indeed. This proves that an actor/actress needs to connect with the audience, as do cast members. Jenkins did not….never would have, regardless how much he tried. Too languid for my taste…just my opinion.
Another character who needs to take a hike is Dr. Anderson. Now, I understand that her villainy does not help her much, however, even the most diabolical character, sometimes (Faison; Dr O) find a little place within us, if not our hearts. But, this Anderson woman offers nothing redeemable. Again, this is another nonsensical storyline, where the viewer is treated as an idiot. Why did Nick and Sage have to go through such lengths to delve into the doctor’s past? Golly Gee, in this day and age, where everyone’s life is public knowledge, they cannot find the doc’s maiden name? Ask Dylan…he’s a cop now, right? Ask Victor….the guy can swim both the Red and the Black Seas, reaching the other side hale and hardy……Victor can do anything; has the world at his disposal; he’s invincible ….C’mon!!!! I think Nick and Sage have bitten more than they can chew. Enough of this, please!!
He’s at the mercy of the worst head writer currently writing for daytime. Good luck Jason.