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
Erika Slezak to Celebrate 80th Birthday; How Fans Can Share a Special Memory and Message to the Soap Opera Icon
The one and only Erika Slezak, whose classic and moving portrayal of Victoria Lord on One Life to Live captured all of our hearts for decades and who thrilled us with her guest stint on General Hospital in 2025 as Ronnie Bard is about to turn 80-years-old on August 5.
To help celebrate and to make this birthday extra special for the six-time Daytime Emmy-winning icon and her fans, Walter Miller, Erika’s fan club president and website administrator, has revealed that you now have a chance to wish Erika happy birthday or a share a special memory of her from her time on One Life to Live, General Hospital or you’re own personal experience.
All of the messages will be compiled and shared with Erika. The first collection of messages will be presented to her on August 5, but Walter notes that he is accepting submissions through August 14 and will include those in a later collection to pass on to Erika.
Photo: ABC
AUGUST IS SPECIAL MONTH FOR ERIKA SLEZAK
Not only is August a special month with Erika’s birthday, but Erika and her longtime husband, Brian Davies will celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary on August 4.
To send your birthday greeting and message to Erika, click here For more on Erika make sure to check out her official website erikaslezak.com
It was back in 1971 that soap opera fans first saw Erika in the role of Viki, when she took over the part from Gillian Spencer. Through so many storylines, marriages and of course, Viki’s battle with DID (Dissociative Identify Disorder), Erika got to portray an array of emotions and characters until One Life went off the air in 2012. She then appeared in the Prospect Park revival of the series in 2013.
While Erika continued making guest appearances in primetime in episodics such as The Resident and Blue Bloods, she returned last year to ABC daytime as the sister of the late Monica Quartermaine (the late Leslie Charleson). The door was left open for the character of Ronnie to return one day.
So, make sure to send your birthday greetings to Erika through the link above and tell us below your messages honoring Erika on her upcoming 80th birthday via the comment section.
After much speculation as to how the head writing regime would shape up after longtime scribe Josh Griffith made the decision to step down at The Young and the Restless, soap fans have their answer.
Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor have been named co-head writers of the CBS daytime drama per TV Insider. It was back in June that Josh Griffith announced his decision to step down as the head writer of the top-rated soap opera. A few months earlier, Griffith also made the decision to step away from his duties as the series executive producer as well.
For Jamey Giddens, this opportunity gives the former soap journalist, co-founder and editorial director of Daytime Confidential turned much-heralded soap writer, the chance to steer the ship of a broadcast network daytime drama series.
Photo: JPI
Giddens had currently been on the writing team of the 15-time Daytime Emmy-nominated Beyond the Gates where he serves as writer under creator and head writer, Michele Val Jean.
JAMEY GIDDENS AND DAN O’CONNOR JOURNEY TO THE NUMBER ONE SOAP
Prior to joining Beyond the Gates, Giddens served on the writing team of Days of Our Lives from 2020-2025, and had been a writer for the Peacock spin-off limited-series Days of Our Lives; Beyond Salem.
Giddens is already a WGA and Emmy winner and has the distinction for being nominated for two Daytime Emmys this year at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on both Beyond the Gates and Days of Our Lives. In addition, in 2019-2020, Jamey served as the head writer on OWN’s Ambitions under Will Packard.
Those who followed the career of Emmy and WGA-winning writer, Dan O’Connor know that he got his soap start on the writing team of One Life to Live. When the ABC soap was cancelled, he eventually moved over to General Hospital in 2013 where he had held various positions over the years including associate head writer, breakdown writer and most recently, co-head writer until he left in 2024. He also was on the Days of Our Lives writing team in the summer of 2024.
Photo: JPI
JOSH GRIFFITH WINDS DOWN HIS TENURE
It is noted that Josh Griffith continued in his role as head writer with The Young and the Restless while the series and Sony were looking for his successors. The cast and crew were notified that Jamey and Dan are set to begin next week in their co-head scribe duties.
This move also marks the first time since 2013 that Y&R has gone the co-head writer route. The last duo was Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante. They were followed in succession starting in 2015 with Chuck Pratt Jr, Sally Sussman Morina, Mal Young and then in 2019 by Josh Griffith.
So, what do you think of The Young and the Restless choosing Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor as the new co-head writers of the number #1 daytime drama? Looking forward to seeing how their visions change the landscape of the lives of the citizens of Genoa City? Weigh-in via the comment section.
The Young and the Restless star Billy Flynn (Cane Ashby) and his wife, actress Gina Comparetto have been keeping a little secret for a few months that as revealed on Tuesday, July 28 on Gina’s Instagram account.
Billy and Gina became proud parents for the third time when they shared they welcomed a baby girl to their growing family for the first time. The little bundle of joy was actually born in May.
In an adorable photo on her Instagram, Billy and Gina are sitting up in a bed with their two young sons and their baby girl. Gina captioned the image, “She arrived in May and now our family is perfectly complete.”
Photo: JPI
Flynn began his soap career as Chad DiMera on Days of our Lives a role he began playing back in 2014. After over ten years with the series, he moved over to The Young and the Restless, where he debuted as the revamped Cane Ashby in June of 2025.
Flynn’s former Days of Our Lives castmates jumped into the comment thread including: “My heart is so happy for ya’ll,” from Cherie Jimenez (Gabi), Galen Gering (Rafe), who shared, “Amazing! Congrats Fam! Can’t wait to meet her!” Rob Scott Wilson (Alex) who added heart emojis, as well as The Young and the Restless star Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), who said, “Perfection.”
As for Billy and Gina, they tied on October 1, 2016, and then had two boys: one in 2022 and 2023. Now with the birth of their baby girl, it is wonderful moment for the duo. As previously reported Billy and Gina have decided to keep the first names of their children private.
Share your congrats for Billy and Gina on the birth of their baby girl via the comment section and check out the adorable photo below.
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Erika Slezak to Celebrate 80th Birthday; How Fans Can Share a Special Memory and Message to the Soap Opera Icon
‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
Y&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew and Willow Have Their Long-Awaited Showdown; Only She Gains the Upperhand and the End of Their Marriage
‘Days of Our Lives’ Favorites Making Returns: Alison Sweeney, Christie Clark, Chandler Massey and Bryan Dattilo
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
‘General Hospital’ Writes Maxie Jones and Her Family Off The Show
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Bad News for Nina and Willow, Britt and Carly Find Out Jason is Back in Port Charles
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
‘Beyond the Gates’ Karla Mosley and B&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor Share Their Thoughts on Being First-Time Daytime Emmy Nominees Together (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew and Willow Have Their Long-Awaited Showdown; Only She Gains the Upperhand and the End of Their Marriage
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew Emerges from Nina’s Murder Attempt Ready to Confront Willow
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: A Shocking Turn Events with Drew Could Spell Curtains for Nina and Willow!
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Dylan and Will Face the Aftermath of Their Night Together
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