Guiding Light
Terrell Tilford Joins The Cast Of The Young and the Restless As BARTON!

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
The mysterious Barton has a face … and a body! Yup! According to news today via Soap Opera Digest the never-before-seen all-of-a-sudden hubby of lawyer Leslie Michaelson (Angell Conwell) has been cast!
So who got the part? None other than former soap favorite Terrell Tilford reports to work next week on May 13th as Barton, and will first be seen on-air on June 13th.
The actor also stars in the VH1 series Single Ladies! Tilford is remembered by Guiding Light fans for his role as David, and by One Life to Live fans for his role as Greg.
In related news, this past March Terrell and wife Victoria Platt (Ex-Vicky, GL) announced they are expecting their first child come Summer!
What do you think about the casting of Terrell as Barton? Is this guy’s real identify a man named “Barton”? Why did Leslie decide to marry this guy and dump Neil (Kristoff St. John)? Weigh-in below!
Guiding Light
Tom Pelphrey Takes on The Role of ‘Jesus Christ’ with Y&R’s Courtney Hope as ‘Mary’ in New Podcast Series
Since first making a name for himself as Reva’s (Kim Zimmer) son, Jonathan Randall on Guiding Light, Tom Pelphrey’s (ex-ATWT and GL) post-soap career has featured many complex and dark roles in television and motion pictures. Now comes perhaps, Pelphrey’s most stunning role when he will play Jesus Christ in a new four–part audio series podcast, called The Christ.
The series is from the Faith Podcast Network who will be releasing the series for Easter. It is being billed as “an audio epic and the first ever full-scale audio dramatization of Jesus’ life across four immersive episodes using cinematic-quality sound, music and performances.” The podcast series will feature more than 100 different characters and can be heard at TheChristPodcast.com
Joining The Ozark and Task star in the cast are some other high-profile Hollywood names including: David Ovelowo as Pontius Pilot, Paul Walter Hauser as John the Baptist, Patricia Heaton as the host and John Rhys-Davies as the narrator. In addition, none other than The Young and the Restless, Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra) also is featured as Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Photo: FaithPodcastNetwork
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “The Christ comes from a creative team that includes writer and director Paul Cuschieri, co-director and producer Mark Ramsey and producer Jim Young.” The series drops during Holy Week, with the first episode debuting on March 30. A new episode will be released each day through April 2, scheduled accordingly so that the entire series will be available by Good Friday on April 3.
The official logline says The Christ will cover “the life, death and legacy of Jesus of Nazareth. Through betrayal, courage, suffering and hope, the series explores how one man’s story reshaped history — and redefined love, authority and sacrifice.”
Pelphrey who announced he has 12-years of sobriety back in 2025, shared why this project was of importance to him, “Sharing about sobriety and faith are so personal to me, and it means so much to me. The other thing you notice is when people are sharing things, you could say a word to a thousand people, and a thousand people hear a different version of that word. In all humility, to share something that matters to you, you first have to come to an understanding and acceptance that you’re surrendering how it’s going to be heard or what it means to anyone listening. You have no control over it. That’s been an amazing process to go through.”
So, what do you think of Tom Pelphrey playing the audio version of Jesus Christ and Courtney Hope playing Mary, Mother of Jesus? Excited to hear the story of Christ via this podcast series? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Guiding Light
‘Guiding Light’s’ Kim Zimmer Reflects on Brilliant Scenes with Tom Pelphrey After Initially Telling Producers, ‘Hire Any of Them But the Last Guy’
Throughout its 57-year run on daytime, Guiding Light introduced television audiences to many actor who would go on to have major careers in motion pictures, primetime television and the stage. One such is the incredible Tom Pelphrey (Task, Mank, Ozark, Outer Range, et al.), who from the minute he debuted on the CBS soap took soap viewers by storm for his raw, relatable and emotional turn as Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Prince Richard Winslow’s (Bradley Cole) son, Jonathan Randall.
In the complicated storyline, Jonathan was conceived and born while Reva was suffering from amnesia and believing herself to be Princess Catherine while living in San Cristobel. As Jonathan grew up his life was torn apart making him a vengeful, menacing young man, who under it all was deeply wounded and who felt abandoned and forgot about.
Kim Zimmer won four Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Reva Shayne, while Tom Pelphrey took home two Daytime Emmys for the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for his performance. On-screen, together, they were a riveting pairing which included many a tense scene including when Jonathan choked out Reva.

Photo: JPI
During last week’s Guiding Light reunion livestream with Zimmer, Bradley Cole (ex-Richard and Jeffrey, GL) and Laura Wright (ex-Cassie, GL, now Carly, GH) on the You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, the three actors reminisced about their time together as romantic pairings: Reva/Richard, Cassie/Richard, Reva/Jeffrey etc, but also talked about many of their co-stars and their deeply personal feelings of what Guiding Light meant to all of them.
REVA AND JONATHAN WERE SOAP OPERA GOLD
Though the years, it’s been no secret that Zimmer, did not initially want Tom Pelphrey cast as her son, because as she admitted, in the audition process with her, she was scared of him based on the power of his performance in the scene.
Kim recalled, “I went in (to the producers) right after I auditioned like seven guys, and I said, ‘Hire any of them, but the last guy.’ And they all looked at me like I had six heads, because they had already decided they were going to cast him. And then when I said that, they were like, ‘we’re definitely going to cast him now! That’s the feeling they wanted. They knew he scared me.”
The beloved GL heroine said that once she began working in a scene with Pelphrey, all was A-OK! “It was almost immediate once we started really working together, and I could trust the story,” shared Kim. “It was such a bizarre story that I was being given, again (also referencing Reva’s Clone story as the other), that I was hesitant about that. But once we started really working together, there was no question that they had made the right decision.”
In fact, fans loved Reva and Jonathan so much, they would vote them top couple as Kim remembers, “And, you know, in the soap magazines, we got voted, ‘Best couple,’ and we weren’t a love couple. We were a mother and son. That was like the biggest compliment to me – we’d get nominated as ‘Outstanding Couple.’
ONE OF THE FINEST ACTORS IN THE HISTORY OF GUIDING LIGHT
Kim’s real-life son, Jake Weary has also made quite the name for himself in TV and motion pictures and Pelphrey also bonded many years ago: “When my son was living in LA, he and Jake would hang out together. They had mutual friends and they got to know each other pretty well, which I love. Jake actually asked me recently if I had any favorite Guiding Light scenes that I could remember. And I said, ‘Anything with HB (Larry Gates), Billy Lewis (Jordan Clarke) and Tom Pelphrey.
During the livestream, Laura Wright, who worked in many scenes with Pelphrey, added, “In my opinion, Tom took the bar and he raised it. Not just in talent because he had that, but Tom inspired you. He made you want to do like that, and he wanted you to be as great. He just was all around a great guy to work with.”
In case you missed it, you can check out the Guiding Light live reunion with Kim, Bradley and Laura, followed by some incredible scenes between Tom and Kim as Jonathan and Reva.
Then, let us know, do you think Reva and Jonathan as played by Kim Zimmer and Tom Pelphrey, were the most dynamic mother/son duo all-time on the soaps? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Guiding Light’ Reunion: Kim Zimmer, Bradley Cole and Laura Wright to Chat Live!
In a very special livestream reunion; three of the former stars of the legendary Guiding Light, who’s on-screen lives were forever intertwined, will visit the Michael Fairman Channel on Friday, January 30 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.
Look for GL icon and four-time Daytime Emmy winner, Kim Zimmer (ex-Reva Shayne), Bradley Cole (ex-Prince Richard Winslow and Jeffrey O’Neill and ex-Warren Bauer, GH), and Daytime Emmy winner Laura Wright (ex-Cassie Layne, now Carly Spencer on GH) to reminisce about their time together and memories of the daytime drama that lasted an astounding 57 years on television and counting radio, 72 years.
Guiding Light fans will recall, Bradley’s first run as Richard and his royal wedding to Cassie, to returning as a Jeffrey O’Neill, and how it caused tension between sisters, Reva and Cassie, and much more.

Photo: JPI
As viewers know, Kim Zimmer played the iconic role of Reva Shayne from 1983–1990 and from 1995–2009. Bradley Cole portrayed Prince Richard Winslow from 1999- 2002, and after the character was killed-off, he returned as Jeffrey O’Neill, a lawyer-turned-special agent, who was with the series from 2003-2009. As the show went off the air for the last time in the September 18, 2009 finale, Jeffrey was presumed dead. Then, in 2010, Cole came to General Hospital to take on the short-term but important run of Warren Bauer, who was believed to have abused his son, Kiefer Bauer.
Laura Wright played Reva’s sister Cassie Layne in a stunning reveal in 1999, and stayed with the series until 2005, before moving to General Hospital later that year to take on the role of Carly Corinthos, now going by Carly Spencer and the rest for Wright is as they say, history.
Not only will the GL alums and stars chat about their time on the soap, but will bring you up-to-date on their lives now. First, Bradley has a new album out entitled Desert Dreams. The 12 track project pays a musical tribute to Cole’s upbringing in Los Angeles and the classic rock, pop, and south-of-the-border influences of the ’60s and ’70s that shaped his musical foundation. Desert Dreams blends a classic rock vibe with nostalgic country and a modern Americana sensibility, highlighting Cole’s clear storytelling and skillful melodic songwriting.

Photo: JPI
Meanwhile, Laura Wright continues to star on ABC’s General Hospital whereas Carly Spencer she is embroiled in a major storyline with Carly’s current love interest WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief, Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). After finding out he enlisted her daughter, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) to be a WSB spy, she believes the guy is bad news, or does she? Laura continues her project Sacred Circle where “women pause, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves — and with each other.”
Then, there is GL icon, Kim Zimmer. She will soon be seen in an upcoming production of Driving Miss Daisy, in the role Daisy at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre in Fayetteville, NC, running from March 19 to April 4, 2026. Last year, Kim starred in the play The Trip to Bountiful at Theatre Raleigh. Back in 2024, Zimmer went public with her breast cancer diagnosis and that she had undergone treatment. She is also the proud mom to TV and film, actor Jake Weary.
If you cannot be with us in the live chat, but have a question or comment you would like posed to Kim, Bradley or Laura, make sure to drop it in the comment section below, and we just might ask it during the live broadcast.
Now below, also check out the Guiding Light profiler with clips from Bradley Cole’s run as Jeffrey O’Neil and how the character was involved with Reva and Cassie and more.
So, excited to see Kim, Bradley and Laura reminiscing about their time on Guiding Light and more? Let us know via the comment section!
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BLOATED….CAST, just like GH. I can’t even at this stage.
I have to say I am quite surprised…in fact I thought for sure with such a lightening fast plot twist with Leslie getting married so suddenly, that it was the end of the road for the character…. it didn’t make sense. One day she was in love with Neil, and the next she went on a few dates online, she marries and gets married? HUH?
There is still something fishy with the “secret” Ian Ward told her in jail. We’ll see…just glad that he is still on the show…
Seems producers and writers are changing the direction of storylines on short notice. It is strange they waited to cast the role of Barton until Leslie was already married.
Jill Farren Phelps confirmed that Ian was originally supposed to be on for 10 shows but they liked him so they expanded his role. To do that they wanted him connected to someone else, so they chose Mariah. Camryn Grimes confirmed she was originally supposed to appear in 6 shows as ghost Cassie and now she’s on contract. Seems the producers don’t have a long term vision for storylines, they change from month to month.
I hope Leslie’s quick marriage and Ian’s secret are not connected in any way.
I think the whole Leslie dumps Neil, suddenly marries some stranger, storyline is
stupid, ridiculous, and unnecessary. Another new character?? Nooooo.
Great news..He is a super talented actor with good screen presence.
He shouldve played Malcom…Neils brother…Leslie married to Malcom…just saying!!!
Good call! The show really could use Malcolm back rather than another new character.
I actually wouldn’t have minded if they went in that direction. I also think he would’ve been a great Malcolm.
Now that is brilliant! Perhaps it’s not too late.
Maybe its not too late for that to happen. What if Barton is really Malcolm and he lied to Leslie about who he really is, his job, and everything else? That would be a very interesting story twist and it would ignite some real drama and tension in the Winters family, something they’ve been missing since the Dru days.
Speaking of which, I’m still really hoping Victoria Rowell returns to the show one day! I’ve been missing Dru so much over the last 7 years!
Really???? I hope not, first there was the Dru, Malcolm, Neil triangle, then there was the Olivia, Malcolm and Neil triangle– then there was Malcolm Sophia and Neil triangle. I think this show has done the two brothers involved with the same woman angle enough. So if there is a soap god– Barton will not be Malcolm.
But this time it could be a foursome…Neil, Hiliary, Leslie, and Malcom…kidding…even if he was Malcom it doesnt mean they would make it a triangle…well, who am i kidding…they most likely would…lol
I was hoping they were going to write Leslie off the show– never really care for the character. Of course maybe Barton and her will still ride off into to sunset at some point– fingers cross.
I agree with you, Leslie bores me to death.
I happen to like Leslie a lot! I do agree, however, the writers haven’t given the character much love. This latest twist seems to reek of desperation. But at least the writers are attempting to do something with their characters of color. No other soap compares.
Well I do agree with you on that one– Y&R is the only soap who puts African-American characters into front burner stories and perhaps my issue with the character Leslie was the way they wrote her. I never felt connected to her because they basically wrote her as prop for Neil’s story line– They tired to flesh her out by bringing Tyler and her father on board, but it never gel.
I hate to bring it up, but when they created Dru she was her own character first — she had a history, she had family in town to connect her to, they developed her as a character first then weaved her into the story. With Leslie she was minor bit player filling in for a lawyer who wasn’t available and then suddenly she was a major character in a relationship with Neil.
Perhaps if I had known who she was first so I would care about her rather than have her thrown in front and center and then created a history for her I would have liked her better. And I have the same beef about Courtney Noah’s girlfriend and the police detective we never see anymore Chavez.
But if she stays and is no longer just Neil’s girlfriend and they put some depth into her character maybe I will like her as much as used to like Dru and Olivia.
I beg to differ: GH has several characters of different ethnicities all well blended into the biggest storylines; not interacting with just one another, like on Y&R. Just saying…
@Mary I so agree I was thinking she had found the exit door but no then I remember she & Jessica Collins are JFP pets very tough to watch those two yesterday try to act. I realize JC is a chef of sorts off screen but could there be a more boring story. And Steve Burton traded the black t-shirt for the plaid shirt. Zzzzzzzzzzzz! Bringing this guy on no matter how great he may be won’t help when you will be locked into a snooze fest!
@Mary…well put! I think you’re spot on with your assessment.
He is my dream man!!!!! Love me some Terrell tilford!!!!!!
YES he is hot hot hot LOL. I have to say my boyfriend, is even hotter. LMAO.
Mark…YES…Terrell Tilford is such a H-U-N-K!!!!! And…Victoria Platt (his wife) is one lucky chick…LOL!!!!! Yep.
Just yesterday I was saying to myself “wouldn’t it be great if Y&R added yet ANOTHER character to the mix when legacy characters like Noah, Summer, and Fen haven’t got a plot between ’em; Nu-Nu-Kyle just dropped off the planet without so much as an acknowledgement from his own father; and veterans like Michael, Lauren, Paul, Kevin, Devon, and Lily are just drifting aimlessly with no direction or story?” and now *POOF* my prayers are answered.
And is it too much to hope Barton will be a part of that riveting on-line cooking show plot…?
*sigh*
Ha! Hilarious…and soooo true!
I don’t know, Alan. Seems to me Michael, Lauren and Fen have been enjoying a long lasting storyline.
If you’re referring to that Carmine train wreck, I don’t anyone enjoyed that “storyline” which was a sloppy, shorthand hot mess from the get-go featuring such face palms as: Fen’s battle with addiction that took place almost completely off-camera (except for that hilariously awful 70s made-for-TV movie scene where he could see his hands move in slo-mo); Michael looking like a complete fool for sleeping with Lauren after the affair without making her get tested for STDs (seriously, how irresponsible and just plain dumb did that make him look? If my partner cheated on me, he would be getting tested regularly for a minimum of a year before I’d hit it without a haz-mat suit and a full tub of Chlorox wipes); that utter ridiculousness where Fen borrowed Mr. Peabody’s WABAC machine and transported himself back to 1950 when nurses just left random pill carts sitting around unattended in hallways where anyone could snag themselves a paper cup of mystery meds; the prison “action” that took place — where else? — off-camera (Michael getting a beat down, Womack saving Fen from the cafeteria harassment) and then was relayed to the viewer via expository dialogue (’cause the first rule of writing is “tell, don’t show”); the Feds letting Michael be sentenced for a murder they knew never happened in the first place
. A promising storyline ruined by rushing all the moments that viewers might relate to (a loved one’s addiction, the pain of infidelity, the drama of couples counseling that we never once got to see) and missing the dramatic, emotional beats that would have made for a memorable story in favor of turning it into another Lauren as the victim plot.
BRAVO ALAN…BRAVO…
@Alan…You had stated in your original post that Michael, Lauren (and others) are drifting aimlessly with no direction or story. My only point was Michael and Lauren definitely has had a long lasting storyline (as shown in your lengthy synopsis). It may not have been a quality storyline, but they received plenty of air time. That’s the nature of soaps…sometimes the storylines are solid and believable and other times they’re duds. I personally could not stand the neverending Carmine debacle. Now some of the other characters you listed who are lacking a storyline…I couldn’t agree with you more. That’s why I specifically mentioned the Baldwins.
LMAO. Your comment made my day! I like the way you think. Funny, sad, and so true.
It’s true, the storylines right now are not the greatest. I never liked Leslie and I hoped the show would write her off after things with Neil ended. And LOL to the cooking show comment, that is such a stupid story!
I also agree with your response to MJ’s comment, the story involving Carmine was a complete disaster, mostly because Marco Dapper couldn’t act to save his life, and it seems like the Baldwins have been put on the backburner now, same with Paul and Kevin. Lily and Cane haven’t had story for a long time now, same with Devon, I forgot he was still even on the show at one point!
@MJ…understood. My follow-up comment was more of response to why they don’t need to be adrift with no plot — the show should be exploring a couple trying to rebuild trust after infidelity but instead gave Lauren the ol’ “I knocked boots with a guy who turned out to be stalker so really there’s no reason for me to have to atone for my actions ’cause I suffered too” card and just glossed over the total lack of trust Michael should be feeling right now.
I want to see Phyllis storyline to continue, We need psycho Phyllis back, you dropped Dru,
Phyllis was just as good!
He was great as Dr. Greg Evans on OLTL. Congratulations to him.
This guy will be much better than Neil..
Leslie decide to marry this guy and dump Neil because Neil is boring and seems to still be a Disco King ..
Always enjoyed Terrell. Welcome aboard!
omg!!! loved terrell on oltl – glad he will be on y&r !
I guess this show is going to be renamed “Generations?”
The Leslie storyline is boring and a waste-hopefully Barton is coming to GC to take here elsewhere
I like Terrell Tilford and I’m glad he’s joining the show, but I’m not thrilled about the addition of a new character. I think it’d be way better if Barton turns out to be Malcolm, and he lied about his job and all of that when he was talking to Leslie over the internet. That would lead to very interesting story possibilities, especially since Neil would have lost yet another woman to his brother.
The thing is, I never really liked Leslie. Personally I find her annoying and useless. I also don’t like Tyler very much, nor the actor. I was hoping they would have written Leslie off when she married Barton so they can live happily together, because the character is really not needed.
If Y&R wants to beef-up its African-American set, they should start by bringing back Dru and Malcolm, two already established characters with boat loads of history, not adding new characters the viewers don’t care about.
yay!!! leslie is such a spitfire , I hope this means more of her!! I enjoy her and tylers bro/ sis relationship! more tyler and leslie!
now if we can only get Olivia back as the voice of reason for neil and lily in the same way as tracy is for jack.
in reference to above posts it sucks that they threw out the carmine / lauren relationship and made carmine a pyscho. maybe ian can ‘ mentor ‘ him?!
He’d make a better Malcolm, plus that’d make the drama even more.
Not another cast member?! Oh well.. Praying this guy can act and bring some fire into leslie and neils characters. Even though the bore me I rather see neil and leslie together going through drama then more screen time of neil and hilary… So creppy and cheesy. His acting was better back in the day with Dru, even yolanda/ harmony was a better match. Anyway back to leslie, this barton’ guy will definetly bring more drama for her and to ynr and if so, I’m all for it!!
Just what y&r needs! Another newbie.. This guy better be bad news for leslie and tthe winters, unfortunettly whenever the show is about them I pretty much don’t watch. What happened to all the drama back when there was malcom & dru & liv?! And lilly & canes acting wasn’t as forced when they did the cancer story and especially when genevieve was around and the whole caleb/ cane thing… I’m starting to miss even sofia and tucker now. Anyway, I can put up with leslie but this guy better add to her and neils characters or else this is gonna be another JFP FAIL.
Im thinking Leslie’s “new husband” has to do with Ian somehow and what he told her in jail. Never heard of this guy so hope he’s a good actor and that the character will be a good addition.