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Y&R’s Christel Khaill Opens Up on Billy Flynn and Cane Recast, “It Doesn’t Feel like We’re Trying to Have Someone Step in Daniel Goddard’s Shoes”

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: JPI and CBS

As the action picked up today on The Young and Restless, Lily (Christel Khalil) was still reeling from the fact that she, and many others in the French Riviera, were waiting for Billionaire businessman, Aristotle Dumas, only to find out Dumas is actually be Lily’s ex-husband and the father of her children, Mattie and Charlie, Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn).

Behind the scenes when Billy Flynn decided to head to The Young and the Restless after 11 years as Days of our Lives as Chad DiMera, it seems he may have been a bit in the dark until Y&R executive producer and head writer, Josh Griffith filled him in that he would actually be playing Cane Ashby, previously played by Daniel Goddard.

Now in a new interview with TV Insider, Christel Khalil, revealed she too was in the dark until just a few weeks before taping scenes with Flynn. “I didn’t realize they were bringing Cane back until a week or two before he started,” recalled the actress. “I was super excited; it was such a great character, and it was a shame to not have the character there.”

Photo: CBS

As for fans and the future of the couple known as “Lane,” Khalil added, “I feel like the story is very compelling, and I think if fans can look at it with a new lens, they’ll really like it. I think the good thing that Josh has done is he’s completely changed the character of Cane.”

While Daniel Goddard is now over at General Hospital as Professor Henry Dalton, he previously had a long run as Lily’s love interest from 2007-2019, before being written off the canvas. With Billy Flynn taking on the role now and Josh Griffith’s sort of reboot of the character, Khalil shared she has no reservation on its direction, explaining, “It doesn’t feel like we’re trying to have someone step in Daniel Goddard’s shoes. It’s pretty much an entirely new character, so it’s been interesting to have scenes because we have the history there, but it’s a little bit different. They’ve also added in flashbacks that Lily has of interactions that she and Cane have had in the past, five or six years (since he’s been gone). So, it’s almost a little bit of a new relationship again, in a way.”

Photo: JPI

As for Billy Flynn in the role, “At the end of the day, it’s not going to be the same Cane. It’s a completely different person, and I really hope that everybody gives Billy a chance and tries to look at the character through new eyes, because it is a new person, and honestly, it’s a new character. He’s nothing like Daniel Goddard, and that’s kind of the point. The point was to make this character something completely different. And so hopefully people give it a chance and look at it like a new relationship rather than like an old one coming back.”

Photo: JPI

So, are you looking forward to seeing how the on-screen chemistry hopefully sizzles between Billy Flynn and Christel Khalil? Do you think it will be a very cold day in hell after what Cane pulled that Lily would ever take him back, or as is soap tradition, over time her tough exterior may melt away and she may find herself smitten with nuCane? What do you think of Josh Griffith’s decision to reboot the character?

Share your thoughts in the comment section and make sure to join us tomorrow night on Tuesday, June 23rd when Billy Flynn chats live on the Michael Fairman Channel beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

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I am definitely in to giving Billy Flynn a chance he has always been great in Days! Josh Griffith can be very hit or miss with his writing so time will tell and as far as Daniel Goddard is concerned the last couple years of his run was such a bust I could have cared less

Can’t even remember Goddard’s last years. Yes, couldn’t care less.

She keeps pushing that it’s like a new character, as though that’s a good thing. Either it’s an old character returned or it’s brand new, you can’t have it both ways.

Reminds me of when people try to get back together with an ex and pretend the first relationship didn’t happen. Sorry, but no. You can’t just erase history – no matttr how much Josh Griffiths tries.

Revisionist history goes against everything soaps stand for. The whole point of having a long history is to honor and respect it, and thus the audience, the vets, and the whole platform.

uh, he lost his accent and had plastic surgery and shrunk 6 inches? Okay……..

In addition to that, he’s a good decade or more younger than he was when he left – just like Tucker McCall. I’ve christened this trend SOBBS (Soap Opera Benjamin Button Syndrome).

If we are to look at him as a new character, then why on earth didn’t Josh just create a new character, it would have made more sense, then do a drastic redo of Cane.

The only thing that might save this at this point is if there’s another twist coming later on. Perhaps this isn’t really Cane, but someone who Colin has planted to impersonate his son, and that Colin isn’t really dead. I know it’s been done before, but so far I am having a hard time believing this guy is Cane.

And whether he is Cane or not, why is he being played like a robot. Am I the only one annoyed that the character has the same look on his face in all his scenes so far?- He was seeing the love of his life for the first time in years and he had the same look on his face as when he telling his manservant to get the guests ready, which is the same look he had talking business with Victor. It feels odd.

Nice to see you back making a post you are right on. This won’t go anywhere that’s why I have not tuned in yet JG does the same thing over and over expecting a different result . Billy Flynn should have called Maura West as I mentioned last week she probably would have said stay where you are.

agree.

Soap viewers put up with outrageous storylines, convoluted timelines, and children aging magically overnight. We begrudgingly accept these most of the time.

What we do not appreciate, is being treated as dumb or stupid. This train is headed in that direction.

agreed

Christel Khalil is one of the few bright spots on Y&R. She deserves a good story, heck all of the actors do. Sadly, based on Griffith’s past disappointments, I feel this story will go absolutely nowhere.

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‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Drops First Single EDM/Dance Track ‘If You Need Me’

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Last weekend, we shared the news that General Hospital alum and Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos) was releasing his first single today on June 26th and it has indeed dropped! And for those readers who guessed that Duell’s first track out of the gate was going to be an EDM/Dance/House track … you are correct, sir!

The song entitled, “If You Need Me” is perfect for the late night clubs and can be found on Spotify and other major streaming platforms! Duell is noted as the performing artist, but as the composer/ lyricist and the beatmaker of the track. For his music projects, Chad is going solely by the name of “Duelly” which has been his social media handle for years.

Taking to his Instagram on Friday, Duell explained his deep dive into making music, expressing, “I’ve wanted to make music for a long time… I just never did it. It always felt like this huge, overwhelming thing to learn. All the technical side of it, the programs, everything that goes into actually building a track… it was easy to keep pushing it off.  A couple months ago I finally just decided to go for it.”

Photo: JPI

BIT BY BIT PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Chad added, “Since then I’ve been putting in a lot of time learning, experimenting, figuring things out, and slowly starting to find a sound I’m really proud of. This first release is more of a dance/EDM vibe, but I’ve also been working on a lot of different styles behind the scenes that I’m just as excited about. At some point I realized I could keep holding onto everything trying to make it perfect… or I could just start putting music out and grow as I go.”

Stepping out of his own way, Duell firmly says, “So that’s what I’m doing.  My first track “If You Need Me” is out now. More coming soon… this is just the beginning.”

As GH viewers know, Chad made the decision to step away from General Hospital after a 15-year run with the series where his last episode aired in January of 2025. By May of last year, the role was recast with Rory Gibson debuting in the part.

Give a listen below to Duelly’s “If You Need Me,” and let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.

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Josh Griffith Out as Head Writer at ‘The Young and the Restless’

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In a major behind the scenes move, The Young and the Restless current head writer, Josh Griffith is stepping down from his duties and is soon exiting the top-rated soap opera.

TV Insider was first to break the news and according to their report, Griffith’s departure was his own choice and the cast and crew learned of his decision earlier today on Friday, June 26.

Griffith’s resignation is not effective immediately and for now he will be continuing to tell the stories in Genoa City. As of this writing, Y&R has not named Josh’s successor.

Photo: JPI

Previously, Josh stepped down from his other major duty as the soap opera’s co-executive producer. It was just two months ago we learned that longtime Y&R vet Sally McDonald took over the EP role, while Josh was remaining the series head writer.

A SOAP WRITER WELL-TRAVELED

The seven-time Daytime Emmy winner has had a storied career and tenure in the field of daytime drama. Josh began his soap writing career in 1988 with Santa Barbara, then went to One Life to Live, where he was promoted to co-head writer. He ended his time in Llanview, at that time, in 1995. Later, he co-created Sunset Beach with Bob Guza Jr. The series ran from 1997-99 on NBC. One Life to Live called again and Josh returned as co-head writer again alongside Michael Malone from 2003-2004. Next, he joined the writing team of As the World Turns.

It was back in 2006 that Griffith first came to Genoa City and The Young and the Restless. He started in the capacity of creative consultant, as a breakdown writer, and then was tapped as the series co-executive producer. After departing in 2008. It was not until 2012-2013 that he made a short return before heading to Days of Our Lives to become the co-head writer of Salem from 2015-2016.

Eventually, Josh resurfaced at Y&R as Supervising Producer before becoming head writer in 2019 after Mal Young’s exit. Griffith had served as both head writer and executive producer from 2023-25. In 2025, Sally McDonald joined him as the series co-executive producer until the recent change a few months ago where McDonald is the sole EP.

So, what do you think of Josh Griffith stepping down as head writer at The Young and the Restless? Who would you like to see as his successor? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.

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‘Revenge’ 15 Year Reunion On Tap at Television Academy’s ‘Televerse’ Festival

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One of the more intriguing primetime soap’s was ABC’s Revenge. It debuted in 2011 and became a smash hit. Revenge ran for 4 seasons and ended in May of 2015 after 89 thrilling and dramatic episodes.

Now, fans have a chance to be a part of the Revenge 15 year reunion when series stars Emily Van Camp (Emily Thorne/Amanda Clarke), Josh Bowman (Daniel Grayson), Nick Wechsler (Jack Porter), Gabriel Mann (Nolan Ross), Ashley Madekwe (Ashley Davenport), Connor Paolo (Declan Poter), and Christa B. Allen (Charlotte Grayson) participate in a panel discussion at the upcoming Television Academy’s Televerse festival in Los Angeles at LA Live.

The cast will reunite on stage and revisit the relationships, rivalries, and dramatic twists that made the series a watercooler phenomenon, and its influence in the years since.

Courtesy/ABC

WHY REVENGE WAS SO JUICY GOOD

As those recall, Revenge was a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo set in the picturesque Hamptons, and followed Emily Thorne /Amanda Clarke’s mission to exact retribution on the powerful family that destroyed her father.

One of the other actors who appeared in mutiple story-arcs on Revenge was Passions, Y&R, This Is Us and now Tracker star, Justin Hartley. On Revenge, Hartley played the role of Patrick Osbourne, Victoria Grayson’s (Madeline Stowe) long-lost firstborn son who was given up for adoption when he was six months old. Patrick arrived in the Hamptons in Season 3, initially sparking a complex, romantic relationship with Nolan Ross.

In-addition, in real-life Emily Van Camp and Josh Bowman, who met on the set of Revenge have now been married since 2018 and share two daughters together, Iris and Rio.

MORE ABOUT TELEVERSE AND THE TV ACADEMY’S WORK

The TV Academy (who administrates the Primetime Emmys) will be holding their annual Televerse line-up of panels on August 14-16, as they celebrate television’s Emmy-nominated programs, innovative storytellers, and beloved content, providing attendees with an unprecedented opportunity to see beyond the screen and come face-to-face with your favorite shows.

For further information on panels and more, visit Televerse.com

So, were you a fan of Revenge when it aired on ABC? If so, who was your favorite character? Let us know via the comment section below.

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