News
Michael Learned to temporarily replace Jeanne Cooper on The Young and the Restless!

Courtesy /MLearned
Daytime Emmy award winning actress and soap icon, Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor) of The Young and the Restless has needed to take a medical leave from the number one soap. Rest assured, she is OK. So the show, not to lose any steam with their planned storyline has temporarily recast the legendary Cooper, with none other than Emmy Award winning mom from The Waltons primetime veteran, Michael Learned!!
EW.com learned the news and got an official statement from the series executive producer and head writer, Maria Arena Bell. “Michael Learned is an accomplished actress and we are grateful that she is able to fill in for Jeanne Cooper for this short time Jeanne is an integral part of our show and we look forward to her imminent return. We have great storyline coming up for Mrs. Chancellor.”
Learned first tape date is this Wednesday and she will first air on the November 10th episode of the series. Soap fans will also remember that recently Michael completed a cancer story arc as Shirley on General Hospital!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Leo Howard Joins Cast for ‘Yellowjackets’ Fourth and Final Season

Yellowjackets announced its full cast and new additions for its upcoming fourth and final season. None other than Days of our Lives favorite Leo Howard (Tate Black) will be featured in an exciting and undisclosed role on the Paramount+ streaming series.
Howard’s casting comes after he was one of four Days of our Lives cast members pink-slipped from the Peacock soap opera back in January of 2026. Due to Days of our Lives advanced tape to streaming episodes, Leo is also still appearing on the soap.
Viewers will need to tune-in to see how Tate, Holly (Ashley Puzemis), Johnny (Carson Boatman) and Chanel’s (Raven Bowens) storylines resolve before they all exit the canvas. No word on when Howard’s last DAYS episode airs as of yet.

Photo: JPI
YELLOWJACKETS CAST ADDITIONS FOR FINAL SEASON
The official Yellowjackets Instagram account welcomed a slew of new cast members for the upcoming fourth and final season which included Howard accompanying the post were, “The wilderness welcomes these new faces to the cast of #yellowjackets season 4.”
Leo joins Molly Ringwald, Eric Stoltz, June Squibb, Dulé Hill, Devon Sawa, Ken Marino, Aaron Staton, Cynthia Stevenson, Patricia De Leon, Noah Harpster, Sam Braun, and John Emmet Tracy for Yellowjackets final season which will premiere on November 22, 2026.
For those who may not be aware, Yellowjackets, was created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, and follows a high school girls soccer team after its plane crashes in the remote northern wilderness. The series moves between the teenagers’ increasingly brutal fight for survival and the lives the survivors have attempted to rebuild nearly 25 years later, proving that what happened in the past is far from buried.
Back on August 20, Paramount+ revealed that Yellowjackets will conclude with season 4 offering up a chilling teaser with former MTV VJ, Kurt Loder seen as a newscaster announcing, “We are live with breaking news: The Wiskayok Yellowjackets have been found.” From there, the season will deal with the aftermath of the soccer team’s eventual rescue.
Michael Fairman TV will keep you posted when Howard’s first episode of Yellowjackets will stream on Paramount+.
Now let us know, glad to see Leo landing a role in Yellowjackets? Will you miss him on Days of our Lives? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
News
Matthew Atkinson Reveals New Project ‘Into the Wilderness’

Matthew Atkinson is launching a brand new series of his own called Into the Wilderness, and while we have not seen Thomas Forrester on-screen since December of 2025, on The Bold and the Beautiful, Atkinson continues to expand on his journey with God and how important and encompassing it has become in his life.
Taking to his Instagram account, Matthew offered up a teaser from the first episode of Into the Wilderness which is set to drop today September 25 on his You Tube Channel.
The video clip features Atkinson talking into a microphone and expressing, “Why am I sitting here talking to a camera? I was confronted by the God that I’ve always known. That’s how it started. The God that has existed through my entire life, that I’ve known but strayed away from, and he confronted me. The presence of him is a person that I know and I continue to learn about, and I continue to develop a relationship with, and I continue to understand on a deeper level. But it’s just a mystery that is more real than it feels like anything I’ve ever gotten or experienced.”

Courtesy/IntotheWildeeness
NEW SERIES TO EXPLORE WHAT IT MEANS TO BECOME FULLY HUMAN
The written post accompanying Matthew’s teaser video offers up the question: “What if the way we see God, ourselves, and the world isn’t quite the way things actually are?”
Then, Atkinson explains the log lines of the series: “Into the Wilderness is an invitation to question what we’ve inherited, rediscover what matters, and explore the deeper reality beneath the surface of everyday life. Through theology, philosophy, and the wisdom of those who’ve gone before us, we’ll explore what it means to become fully human. Not just to believe differently, but to live differently. I’m Matthew Atkinson. Welcome to Into the Wilderness. First episode drops tomorrow (Friday, 9/25). Follow along and join the conversation.”

Photo: JPI
MATTHEW ATKINSON MARRIAGE
In his personal life, Matthew is married to Brytnee Ratledge who exchanged their vows back in November of 2023, and the couple share two young children together, a son born in November of 2024 and a daughter welcomed last month in August of 2026.
THE FUTURE OF THOMAS FORRESTER
Before B&B, Atkinson played Austin Travers on The Young and the Restless from 2014 to 2015. He later became the fifth Thomas Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2019 succeeding Pierson Fodé.
While not much is known of Atkinson’s status with the The Bold and the Beautiful at this time, previous reports shared that he had been on recurring status.
Take a look at the trailer for Matthew Atkinson’s new series, Into The Wilderness below.
Now let us know, will you be interested to see Matthew’s journey with God and what it means to become fully human as he teases? Do you hope one day he might return to B&B? What should the series do with the character of Thomas Forrester at this juncture?
News
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role

Judith Light (ex-Karen Wolek, One Life to Live) is joining the cast of the hit Apple TV series Shrinking for its Season 4 in a recurring role which is being kept under wraps.
According to Variety, Light is set to appear alongside returning series stars Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie (ex-Ugly Betty), Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley, plus other new casting additions which include: Christian Slater (ex-Ryan’s Hope et al) and Karen Gillan.
At the epicenter of the story of Shrinking is Segel who plays therapist Jimmy Laird, a recent widower who over the show’s first three seasons navigates his loss and rebuilds his relationship with his daughter, colleagues, friends and neighbors. The upcoming season 4 will feature a time jump (we know what that’s like from Day of our Lives!) and a brand-new storyline for all of its characters.

Photo: AppleTV
JUDITH LIGHT HAS BROUGHT RIVETING PERFORMANCES FROM THE STAGE TO FILM AND TV
For Light, who is a an Emmy winner in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy category for her role in 2023’s Poker Face, a two-time Daytime Emmy winner from her performances on One Life to Live as Karen Wolek in 1980 and 1981, and who received two back to back Tony Awards as well in 2012 and 2013 for Other Desert Cities and The Assembled Parties, her casting in Shrinking makes it the second Apple TV series she has signed on to this year.
Previously in 2026, Judith was noted as appearing in the upcoming second season of Presumed Innocent’s also on the Apple TV streamer. Presumed Innocent is based on the book “Dissection of a Murder” by Jo Murray.
Those who have followed Judith’s decades-long career know of her critically-acclaimed other roles in Transparent, Ugly Betty, The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, The Politician, Dallas, and Law & Order: SVU, to name but a few. Judith is also best-known by many for her role as Angela Bowers in the sitcom, Who’s the Boss? in which she starred with Tony Danza from 1984-1992.
So, excited to see Judith in Shrinking? What type of character do you think she plays since its being kept a mystery? What has been your favorite role of Judith’s throughout her career in film, TV and the stage? Let us know via the comment section below.
-

General Hospital1 week agoKelly Monaco Honors Her Late ‘General Hospital’ Co-Star Billy Miller, Sharing Letter He Wrote After Taping His Final Episode as Drew Cain
-

Beyond the Gates6 days agoRATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Bests ‘General Hospital’ in Key Demos and Gains More Viewers Week-Over-Week
-

General Hospital1 week agoChris McKenna Speaks Out On His Final Day as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan with Words of Wisdom to ‘Finish Strong’
-
General Hospital4 days agoAlley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
-

Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of our Lives’ Preview: Will Dominic Marino Turn Out to Be Marlena’s Son With Stefano DiMera?
-

General Hospital7 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ James Patrick Stuart Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-

General Hospital7 days agoHayden Panettiere’s Memorial Service Attended by ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Nashville’ Alum Jonathan Jackson and More
-
News3 days agoJudith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role






Michael is wonderfully versatile, & she no doubt will bring her own good stuff to the role for the time being, but there always will be only 1 “Kay Chancellor”.
Hurry Back, Jeanne. We Love You! 🙂
GMAB! Y&R is not going to lose any steam waiting for Jeanne Cooper to return play her part. I don’t care to see anyone bringing good stuff to the character of Katherine Chancellor because nothing but Jeanne’s stuff can ever be her. What’s the rush in the get to know Devon story? The Y&R cast has so many stories and a cast so large viewers beg to see their favorites. Why not let some others that never get time do something in her absence? Paul, Lauren, Micheal, Jill, Colin, Neil, Nina, Chance, and isn’t Nikki back now?
i enjoyed her on GH, she’s a great actress.
WOW….. this is big news! Wishing Jeanne good luck in her procedure and a speedy recovery! Will be interesting to see what Michael will bring to the role…. she’s definitely an actress of great acclaim. A suprisingly interesting casting choice….. looking forward to seeing her scenes; there will be, of course, only one Mrs. C, though! 🙂 Wishing them both well!
She would be a good addition to Y&R. If they had a storyline where it was revealed that Tucker is actually someone else’s son – played by Michael Learned – that would be a great turn of events. I don’t like that he is Katherine’s son. That’s one history rewrite I would approve of.
I’ve enjoyed Michael Learned’s acting for years. I’m looking forward to seeing her take on the Kay Chancellor role.
I wish the best for Mrs Cooper as I have watched this show since its infancy back in 1973 and she has been inspiration to me. I know Mrs Learned will be a excellent stand-in but there will only be one Mrs C and I will look forward to Mrs Coopers return.
Oh my the Y & R with out Mrs. C. that is going to be hard one to take. Hopefully all goes well with her and she will be back before we miss her. She is one tough lady and I love watching her . Yes Billy & Victoria need to get back together along with Malcolm and Sofia. Neil and Phyllis need to get a life. Love u Mrs. C. and hurry back.
Ms. Cooper hope your hiatus will be short. You are a strong lady, wishing you well. Cane should not have to risk his marriage and life for that no account Billy.
She better come back soon or you will lose a viewer.
I was bewildered to watch my dvr of Y&R and to see SOMEONE ELSE playing Katherine!! My first instincts were that Jeanie had taken ill,but was very glad to find that it would only be temporary. Katherine Chancellor is like my Grandmother! I’ve watched Y&R since I could comprehend daytime drama, and there is ONLY ONE Mrs.Katherine Chancellor. Godspeed to you Jeanie Cooper/hope to see YOU back real soon!! … A longtime devoted fan/viewer.
I have been so worried and now to know that Mrs. C is doing well makes my day. We love you.
hope all is well with Mrs C.. good match for her
I have watched Y&R since the first show. Mrs.C is the Cake as well as the icing on Y&R! Get well soon Mrs. C!
I hope Mrs C is not getting another face lift. She has cut away enough skin to make another person. Her face is tighter than the bark of a tree as it is. Let it sag baby, you are older than Mathusala so let your age shine baby. We will love you all the same you sassy old timer. And hurry back! The show needs you.
just wanted to let jeanie cooper know that we miss her and hope she gets to feeling better soon.
No one will ever replace Mrs. C. I love her . For a old women she still has a memory, and still active. Many people her age could not do what she does. I am proud of her. Keep it up. I wish her only health and happiness in the New Year. Especially health. Without health you have nothing. Love u
No one can replace the real Katherine Chancellor. While the stand-in is a nice person (loved her on her previous show) but the feel is definitely not the same. I have to stop all the time and think how the “real” Katherine would be saying things to even get the feel of Katherine talking. Sorry……….the feeling is not close to the same. She does not have the fire, passion, tanasity and etc. that the original brings to the show.
When Michael speaks, I see Mrs. C…THAT role is irreplaceable! Hurry back Mrs. C!
NO One can replace Mrs.Chancellor or Victor Newman. I’m glad she is ok, but I do look forward to her coming back. She and Victor are ICONS No One can replace. I doubt I would ever watch the show if they were to leave.I have watched The Young and Restless since it was first televised.
MUCH LOVE TO ALL The Cast!
Sorry, but Michael is NOT cutting it as Mrs. C. I’m pretty open to most new cast members, but although I like Michael, it doesn’t take a genius to realize she just doesn’t fit the bill.
I’m looking forward to the the return of Jeanne Cooper. I wish you the best Jeanne, stay strong and come back soon, we miss you!
Shes not fitting the bill because we loved her as Momma Walton and NOT Mrs. C! If she were a no name it would have been a better choice! We wouldn’t compare so hard! HURRY BACK Mrs. C!!!
I love you Y&R and Mrs. C. can’t wait for her return. I loved the Waltons too — regarding M. Learned (grew up with both shows). Wish you all the best:0)
I love you and am looking forward till you get back to where you belong. You are the one and only Mrs. C..
I miss your feisty self ((hugs))
I love you and am looking forward till you get back to where you belong. You are the one and only Mrs. C..
I miss your feisty self
I love you and am looking forward till you get back to where you belong. You are the one and only Mrs. C..
I can not wait for your return . I am really missing you.!!!!
Micheal Learned is a wonderful actress. In this role she does not hold a candle to Jeanne Cooper.
She is not coming across as the wealthy upscale resident of Genoa City.
Frankly I do not know of anyone who could take this role. Jeanne is irreplaceable. I wish you the very best Jeanne and hope you are getting better each day. I am a faithful Y & R fan and you are what keeps the show going. I look forward every day to your return. Mrs. C. is #1 all the way around. I miss you. Marsha
yes, mrs .c. I will always.miss you,been following your carree for many years.You are my best actress. get well soon, and hurry back I miss you.
miss you mrs. c
I wish this show would not be so much a Sex in the City, all they do is have sex, Phyllis and Sharon are nothing but sluts…Men do not watch Y&R like women so why so much low terrible clothes. Sharron is always in bed with someone.
We love you Jeanne & hope to see you soon.
YOU Mrs. C are the ONLY one who can fill these shoes..(Michael is good temporarily but….) They are TOO big for anyone else! We miss your feistyness, your candor, your wit and charm! Heres hoping whatver procedure your having done goes well, and your recovery is swift! We miss you like no other… Hurry back!
It was so difficult to watch the show without you! Jeannie Cooper
I have been watching Y&R for 20 years and you have always been my favorite actress
Happy to see you back! Please stay Healthy- we missed you!
A Long Time Loyal Fan-Lora
Hello my family member! I wish to say that this post is awesome, great written and include almost all vital infos. I’d like to look extra posts like this .
Mrs. C your are deeply missed and cannot wait for your return to the show. It’s not just the same without you, God Bless and get well soon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!