News
Tonya Lee Williams Says She Won’t Ever Be Coming Back to The Young and the Restless
It’s a different time in her life and she is in a different place, but Tonya Lee Williams (ex-Olivia Barber) addressed being asked back to reprise her signature soap opera role on CBS’ The Young and the Restless.
Tonya told Soaps In Depth the last time the soap reached out to her to reprise Olivia was for its 50th anniversary, “It it would have been lovely to do but I could not imagine doing the role. It takes a lot for me as an actor. You don’t just turn up and start reading a script. I don’t know how to explain it … I trained as an actor. I go through a lot of process into who that character is. And that character was someone from 20 years ago.”
Williams’ Y&R run Williams began back in 1990 and went through 2005. She later returned in 2007 making some appearances in the several years that followed. However, the last time anyone had an Olivia sighting was back in February of 2012 for Cane and Lily’s wedding.

She qualified that she left the show on “great terms,” adding, “I absolutely love the show. It has nothing to do with the show. But I try to explain it like this: Have you ever dated someone for a long time and you don’t want to date them anymore? And you have broken up with them and like, 10, 15 years have passed and people are saying, ‘Would you go back with that guy?’ I’m like, ‘No.’ Because you’re a different person now.”
Currently, Williams is the executive and artistic director for the Reelworld Film Festival. An organization she founded in 2001. Held in Toronto, the film festival features talent from ethnically diverse communities.
So, would you have liked to have seen the character of Olivia show back on Y&R? Perhaps, helping a patient in need since she is a doctor or speaking with/being involved with the Winters family in some capacity? Comment below.
I was always surprised the role was not recast and used strongly as a supporting character through the years. It would be nice to have Olivia part of the Winters world.
Not surprised… but that won’t stop people from asking for her return, alas. Wishing her the best.
Wonder if she would go back if Victoria Rowell was able to go back. Still hate that Drucilla was never found even though I know all about the falling out between the actress and the network.
Totally agree, I heard she let on bad terms. She’ll always be Drucilla. Would love to see her back.
Oh Absolutely! I loved Drucilla and the wonderful storylines. I wish the network would pay attention to what the viewers want. She got really upset with the network and not knowing the whole unedited story from an unbiased observer, I can’t comment on how I feel about her story. If what she says is true, then I’m on her side. You just never know for sure. But regardless, I’d love to see her back. Easy enough to say she was saved had lost her memory and ended up in Europe eventually and through therapy because of recurring nightmares, she gets her memory back.
Lol. Could happen that way. It’s the miracle of soap operas or call it Magic!
She is right sometimes you can’t go back have not seen an episode in a long time . The good days are over
She was incredible in the role.It’s shame that she wouldn’t go back.
I agree !
She would not be a useful character on the show anymore
Oh absolutely! It would have been great seeing her interact with Nate, being his on show Mom. She is beautiful, intelligent and a terrific actress. I was sad when she left. But at the same time I would be okay if they found someone charismatic and equally beautiful to replace her. So much possible storyline to having an Olivia back on the show even if sadly it’s not the original one.
I can’t really blame her. If the writers or whoever is in charge of Y&R has given her old character (Olivia Hastings) more onscreen time, she probably would have returned for more Y&R episodes.
What is going with Y& R? The storylines are really stupid and boring….the Jordan story lines are pathetic…We need better writers! Have stop watching the show period.
I agree I’m over it and the Chelsea and Adam story is so bad and Lilly and Jack taking pills Nicky the drunk just over it I watch once a week before every day we need new stuff.
Someone looking to be in news.all about me
Definitely would love to see Ms. Williams reprise her role as Olivia. She was so good at it and a pivotal character. Please Ms. Williams think about it I do understand your explanation why you don’t what to come back, but perhaps you could aspire Ms. Rowell and my man Sherma Moore to come back that would be a highly rated Young and the Restless episodes. I know Christoph St. James would be smiling down from heaven.
She, Victoria Rowell, Kristoff St. John, and Shemar Moore contributed to the presence of fully fleshed, realistic Black characters in daytime, and that will forever be their legacy. They are all missed IMMENSELY. Props and much respect to Williams on moving forward and the paths she’s forged since Y&R.
I always like Olivia her part was great I think don’t she has to return as long as she’s happy with what she’s doing that’s great
She has said multiple times her time at Y n R cannot be recaptured. Olivia was smart and beautiful and a great contrast to her scrappy sister Drucilla. As I think the first doctor major character on y n r, a black actress at that and imo her storyline as a wife dealing with cheating and AIDS she has left a huge mark on y n r lore! I think the days of Olivia, Drucilla, Neil and Malcolm will go down as some of my favorite and to bring Liv back without the others wouldn’t feel right. I respect her decision and she is full filled in her behind the scenes work
Yes I would she is a wonderful actress
Yes. Different is to be expected. The same should not be expected nor is it practical. Coming back would bring a new perspective and fresh outlook.
Yes I would and could see Olivia return even if only for a short period being the next in line after Aunt Mimmie as the family legacy falls . And to see she and Nate’s relationship as mother and adult son.
Prediction: Tonya will play Lexie Carver on Days of our Lives, although I’d prefer Renee Jones to return. They’re both good actresses, beautiful and the same age.
I don’t see her coming back would bring people back to watch. We have Mamie back, once a week, and it’s a waste of time. That whole story was dead on arrival….the writers can’t make it more boring for us to watch…it doesn’t matter what actors they have reading the dialouge. Please, look how they wrap up stories, the nut finally goes to prison, and Ashley’s doctor friend has an evil twin. They don’t need Olivia back, they need new writers who care.
Yes I would,
I think Nath, Lilly and Devon need their mother’s.
News
Susan Flannery and Ian Buchanan Visit the Set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’; Daytime Emmy Winners Reflect on Show Then and Now

The one and only Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie Forrester) dropped in to see her former co-stars on The Bold and the Beautiful at their Sunset Las Palmas Studio in Hollywood, along with her good friend and another B&B co-star Ian Buchanan (ex-James Warwick) on Tuesday October 20.
It was the first time in a very long time that The four-time Daytime Emmy winning actress was reunited with Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell, Jennifer Gareis and even her TV sister, Alley Mills (Pam, B&B now Heather, GH) showed up for the day too!
Flannery played the Forrester matriarch from 1987 until 2012. It was then that after playing the part of Stephanie for 25 years that Susan made the decision to retire from acting and in one of the most heartbreaking sendoffs, passes away from lung cancer in Brooke’s arms in November of 2012. During her B&B tenure, Flannery won 3 of her 4 Daytime Emmys, the other being for her first soap role as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives back in 1975.

Photo: Bell-Phillip TV
As for Ian Buchanan, he played Dr. Warwick, psychiatrist, from 1993 to 1999. He returned for other runs in 2014 and 2017. Buchanan took home his Daytime Emmy in 1997 for his work as James. Soap fans also remember, Ian as mobster Duke Lavery on General Hospital, and Dr. Greg Madden on All My Children,
Both Susan and Ian shared their thoughts on coming back to The Bold and the Beautiful, for Susan 14 years later since he exited and for Ian close to 9 years since his last appearance below.
Susan said, “It’s definitely like coming home in a way, even though it’s not the same studio. It’s really lovely to see old faces and old faces with new faces. It takes you back mentally. You start remembering what it was like back then, even things like how much your feet would ache at the end of the day from wearing six-inch heels. It was just lovely to be back and see everybody.”

Photo: Bell-Phillip TV
Ian expressed, “It’s a mind trip, you know. When I was sitting looking at the big Forrester set, it was like stepping back in time, almost. It takes you back mentally, and you start remembering what it was like when you were here before.”
“It’s lovely to see all these people again, even if you don’t know everybody,” explained soap vet Buchanan. “There’s something really special about coming back and seeing the show and the people who have been part of it for so long.”
So, happy to see Susan and Ian with some of their former castmates? Do you think Stephanie and Brooke is one of the greatest frenemy stories in daytime history? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?

As previously announced, Beyond the Gates is bringing chef, author and actress Tabitha Brown and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and actress Kandi Burruss to Fairmont Crest in a special episode of the CBS daytime drama airing Thursday, October 22.
In the episode, Dani’s (Karla Mosley) best friend Pamela Curtis (Cady McClain), arranges a “Welcome to Your Life” television special for her. As it turns out, Brown will play the show’s host, Tia Allen, while Burruss takes on the role of Dani’s first modeling agent, Kalista Kilroy, who turns the celebration of her life into a bad trip down memory lane.
Dani’s parents Anita and Vernon (Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis), sister Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), and daughters Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) all join the show to celebrate and support her but also witness how things so south. Also appearing in the episode are Molly Figueroa as Tatum Stewart and fan-favorite Anita Williams (Tunie) impersonator Jackie Tyree!

PhotoL JPI
THE 411 ON TIA AND KALISTA
Speaking with TV Insider, about their soapy experience in Fairmont Crest, Tabitha Brown previewed about her host with the most, “Tia is very professional, but she’s a girl’s girl. She is a protector of women and wants to tell their stories in a beautiful way, but she also wants to make sure they’re seen in a very good light.”
However, Burruss previews that Kalista arrives with a score to settle. “She’s spicy,” shared the recording artist. “I always love playing somebody that has come to start trouble. It’s always fun to play a villain of sorts, but Kalista feels like she’s been done wrong and she’s hurt by what she feels has been done to her. So Kalista is stirring up trouble, but she feels justified putting Dani on blast. Kalista is ready for some payback.”
Beyond the Gates is produced by CBS Studios, as part of the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. Created by head writer Michele Val Jean, executive producers include Val Jean, Sheila Ducksworth, Julie Carruthers, Tracey Thomson, Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Anna Saalfeld and Lela Coffey.
Beyond the Gates is broadcast weekdays on CBS (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/1:00-2:00 PM, PT) and is available to stream on Paramount+**.
So, looking forward to this special episode of Beyond the Gates when Dani is put on a blast during a blast from her past and Welcome to Your Life TV special? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
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