News
Y&R Casting New Contract Role Of "Matt Wilkens"! Who Would You Suggest To Play The Part?
The Young and the Restless looks to be adding to its mid-twenties set of characters with the casting of another new character coming on to the canvas who is said to be going by the name of “Matt Wilkens”. The role is contract.
According to Soap Opera Digest and the casting breakdown, the number one soap opera is looking for an actor mid-20’s to the play the role described as a “handsome, sophisticated scion of a wealthy, Kennedy-esque clan.”
The role is slate to begin shooting in 2015 at the end of January.
With so many popular younger actors from the soaps who are no longer with their respective daytime dramas, or online shows, who would you suggest could play this part? Is there someone from primetime TV that would fit the bill for you? Put on your casting director hats and give us your suggestions, and why you think they would be great for the part in the comment section below!
Will this be the introduction of a new core family? Will this be someone linked to the Return of Adam storyline? Will this be another handsome man who is good at being handsome?
I know serials evolve. It’s their nature. Let’s hope for something solid and just an in-and-out character. We have had a number of them in recent years.
The Young and The Restless is getting really good now, Please no more newbies. Enough is enough, this is getting ridicoulous. Bring back Leanna Love right now, I miss her so much. Bring back Dina Abbott recast her with Marj Dusay or Elizabeth Hubbard ex Lucinda As The World Turns.
LOVE Marj! I’m tired of the newbies too when there are so many already on canvas– not to mention off canvas characters we miss.
This sounds like Kyle Abbott. If so, I would suggest Tom Pelphrey from GL and ATWT, I think he’d fit the role well. But seriously, I don’t see the need for another new character at this point, when so many characters on Y&R are expendable and essentially useless. If this role is truly a new role, with no connection to the canvas (like Hilary, Austin, etc) then I really don’t see the point. I hope the casting call is for Kyle Abbott, and I really hope they don’t even consider bringing Hartley Sawyer back – he was one of the worst recasts in Y&R history, next to Darius McCrary as Malcolm.
I am thinking the same – The return of Kyle Abbott.
They should recast Kyle because you know the moment Jack told him about Summer his mind was back in GC.
That’s exactly what I was thinking, Kyle Abbott and good call on Tom Pelphrey. I adore him! He could knock the socks off of any storyline with any of the actors on the show. He’s like Billy Miller, he can rise to any occasion. What about the guy who used to play Aaron on ATWT? He was pretty good.
I agree it’s smokescreen for a recast Kyle as well. He’s been mentioned quite a bit lately since Jack is not Summer’s daddy. It would be insta-angst for Summer’s newlywed bliss. While I don’t really care if they bring the character back or not, I’d much prefer it to yet ANOTHER newbie. So many newbies onscreen now and more still coming – write for the characters we know please instead of unloading a busload of new people and attempting to force us to care who or what they are. #snooze
Only problem with Tom Pelphrey is that he’s now in his early 30’s. That won’t work. Besides, I don’t see Tom wanting to leave the east coast and the theatre business there. Hartley Sawyer will NOT ever come back to Y&R. Hartley was an awful, awful Kyle recast. Besides, it has been highly rumored that Hartley was the one who groped Hunter King’s breasts, not Michael Muhney. Here’s who I’d pick: Chandler Massey, formerly of Days of our Lives!
I was thinking the same thing about it being Kyle, but we’re probably not that lucky. There is a new writer and with new writers come more new characters. Tom would be good in the role. I never understood why they got rid of Blake Hood in the role though. I thought he did a good job.
I liked Blake best of the Kyles, too. He had the most personality and charisma and lookswise was a natural fit for PB’s Jack’s son.
Sounds like Kyle Abbott yet again. But am I missing who else this could be? I can’t think of anyone in the Newman family that fits that bill. The Abbotts are the only other family that could claim Kennedy status.
I still miss Nic Robuck from OLTL (James Ford), and I didn’t mind his on-screen brother Lenny Platt (Nate Salinger). Either of them could play Kyle. Sounds like with Summer being a non-Abbott again, and the recent on-screen mention of Kyle after the DNA revelation, maybe they are eager to test the Summer/Austin marriage, and add Kyle to the mix, opening Austin up for Mariah.
HELLO KYLE! sounds exactly like Jack’s son…..
what ever happened to Phlylis’s son? Daniel? he was the one who took her out of genoa City…then as she recovered we never saw a moment of him?
I like Austin with Summer. he is real. I think they make a cute couple…but she needs a job..she needs focus.
Ohhh I didn’t think of Daniel. I don’t know if he’d be described as a Kennedy though. He’s more of a Hipster who doesn’t want help from anybody. He certainly should be coming to town since his mom is out of a coma. “Ohh. Mom woke up? Sweet. I shall resume sketching.”
I hope it’s not another newbie character.
I expect that this character is really for the recasting of Kyle Abbott. Now that Summer is back to being Nick’s daughter Kyle is going to come back to GC in pursuit of Summer. Mariah is destined to seduce Austin & with Summer’s marriage in tatters (& Phyllis taking advantage of this & pushing them apart) the scene is set for Kyle’s return.
My dream casting for this role would be Chad Duell of GH. He would be fantastic!
OMG Enough of Summer already. It’s only Tuesday and she’s been on both days. What is it with the writers. Do they all have a crush on her or something.How about a little more on Micheal’s illness, give Neil back his sight so he can catch Devon & Hilary.Is Phyllis ever going to find out about Jack’s affair.
What about Jesse Soffer? He played Will Munson on ATWT.
Jesse’s great but is enjoying a nice lead role on NBC’s Chicago PD. Don’t see him leaving a primetime gig like that to return to daytime. But it would be nice. 🙂
Yeah. My guess would be for Kyle Abbott or a sibling of Gabriel’s.
They could steal Zak Conroy from B&B as, sadly, they are ruining any potential for a real romance with Aly. He does not get nearly as much screen time as he deserves.
I agree that Zack doesn’t seem to be well utilized on B&B and I like him. IF this is not a Kyle Abbott recast and in fact somehow connected to the Adam Newman storyline (which wouldn’t surprise me since new writers LOVE introducing new characters) they should bring Zack in and then cast Grant Aleksander as his dad for old time GL sake.
Not a bad idea. A kid has to have a father. 🙂
Now, that is a fantastic idea!
I really don’t no who they are casting but if it is Kyle I hope its Hartley Sawyer just saying.
I hope its a former soap star from a cancelled soap. A new Kyle needs to be recast-ed BUT this news item smells like a whole new family being introduced by new head writer, Charles Pratt. Remember, when a new HW comes on board, he or she loves to write and create their own ideas and take credit. Watch and see.
You’re exactly right. Plus, (unless it has recently changed) writers only get royalties on the characters they create. So that adds to their desire to intro newbies. I always like the idea of a former soap star from a cancelled soap, or at the least a former soap actor that’s gotten the can on a soap like GH, Days, etc. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of them in that age range. The guy that played Chad on Days could be good in that role. I thought about the kid that played Jack & Carly’s son on ATWT, but I’m not sure he fits the character description. There’s the Ford brothers on OLTL and a couple guys from AMC. Who else am I missing?
And you hit the nail on the head, there are a lot of qualified actors out of work in general who can read and probably will read for the part. Having said that, you find an unknown actor, you would look like a casting genius AND they are a lot cheaper to pay.
Brendan Coughlin! Brendan Coughlin! Brendan Coughlin! Although I love him as T on DAYS, he is so underused there, he needs a place he can really shine. Kyle has always been a major dud. Brendan Coughlin steals every scene he is in.
if its kyle, pls bring back blake hood!
or cody longo from hollywood heights! he s super hot!
austin/ summer/ kyle played by cody or kyle would be really hot!!
I hope when they bring back Kyle Abbott it’s the very first Kyle we had which was Blake Hood. Does anyone remember him. He was a bit of a play boy as Jack use to be before he settled down.
I remember him. There were many, myself included, that thought he needed acting lessons. He was JUST starting to settle into it when they replaced him with that hairbag and then when many of us were just starting to get into him (after he finally got a haircut), they canned him too.
Now I am of the belief that it is NOT the actors, but the mediocre writing and DIRECTION they are given. I felt the same way about Max Ehrich (Fen) the first year he was on, but actually when Phelps came aboard, she actually had him utilized, which is saying a lot.
Nikki…HELL YEAH!!!!! To me, when Blake Hood was playing Kyle, BH PERFECTLY put the B-A-D in BAD BOY!!!!! Back then, Y&R was DUMB AS HELL for replacing Blake with that one-note pretty-boy Hartley Sawyer!!!!! Bottom Line Here: Y&R needs to bring Blake Hood back…ASAP!!!!!
Happy Holidays, Nikki. Peace.
Hi jaybird 369 Glad you like the idea. Lets hope the higher up agree. That Hartley was horrible. They seem to forget that Jack Abbott from way back (Terry Lester) was a playboy. His poor Dad ( John Abbott) was always telling him to grow-up. Then when Peter B. took over he was a little more settled down but still after the models. Now he’s a little more settled down but even Kyle’s mother was flirty, got pregnant and tried to pass it off as Victor’s child so Blake Hood was perfect. Playboy & cocky as hell. We also need a new sexy Summer. Happy Holidays!
It is “Kyle Abbott” if we are lucky. No more new characters! They need a strong actor to play the role. Tired of “Summer Newman” too, she is a pet to JFP. Hope JFP gets FIRED once Chuck Pratt takes over!
Eric Nelsen, Robert Gorrie, Casey Deidrick, Chandler Massey, Adam Gregory and so much more
Yes to Blake Hood. He looked and acted like Jack’s son. Replacing him was Phelps FIRST casting mistake.
This going to be Kyle Abbott – ya can’t fool anyone !
Especially after yesterday’s episode wherein Miss Gotta Stick Your Nose Where It Don’t Belong (Abby) talks to Summer about Kyle and the what if.
All My Children
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
On the Friday, October 2 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the morning talk show marked the 56th birthday of Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos, All My Children).
During the opening segment, Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo Santos, All My Children) humorously comparing his wife to both Gandhi and Groucho Marx, reflecting on both her comedic ability and peaceful ways.
Later, they went on to discuss the origins of her name and the most popular picks to name babies back in the year she was born, 1970. They were Kimberly, Lisa, and Jennifer for girls and Michael, David, and James for the boys.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Ripa recalled that she learned she was almost named Kim. However, their neighbors at the time had two daughters Kelly and Kim, which is what her parents wanted to call them, but they settled on Kelly and and her younger sister, Linda.
At the conclusion of the episode, Mark rolled out a huge cake for his wife. It was, “Happy birthday from all of us here at Live and at home.” Next, he cut the cake, and Ripa grabbed his face and gave him a “thank you” kiss.
Photo: JPI
KELLY AND MARK TRIED TO KEEP THEIR VEGAS WEDDING ON THE DOWN LOW
All of this brings back memories of how Kelly and Mark’s Las Vegas wedding ceremony went public in 1996 while the two were still on All My Children playing Mateo Santos and Hayley Vaughan. In essence, they were outed by then radio host Wendy Williams! They discussed it on the talk show back in 2024.
In fact, the duo hid their marriage from their All My Children castmates for months, until they found out Williams got wind of the nuptials and spread the intel on the airwaves.
The two recalled their secret wedding on a 2024 episode of Live! “We’d eloped. It’d been a few months at that point. We’d been married for three months, nobody at All My Children knew we were even dating, much less married to each other. We’re brushing our teeth and we’ve got Wendy Williams’ radio show on. We’re listening, and she’s like, ‘I’ve got celebrity dish!”
EYEWITNESS
Next Ripa continued, “The celebrities,’ I guess they had a broad use of the term back then, was the fact that ‘two soap stars from All My Children, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped in Las Vegas.’ There was this eyewitness that worked in the Clark County courthouse that said we eloped, and the news broke, and we had to tell everybody we were married.”
Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for times in your area.
Share your birthday wishes for Kelly in the comment section, and let us know your thoughts on how Wendy Williams broadcast the news, unbeknownst to the All My Children newlyweds, that they tied the knot in Vegas? Check out Mark and the ‘Live’ studio audience singing ‘happy birthday’ to Kelly in the post below.
View this post on Instagram
Beyond the Gates
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.
The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.
The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!
Photo: CBS
BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS
Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.
“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE
The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.
That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”
So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days agoREPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
-
Beyond the Gates3 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
-
General Hospital1 week agoAlley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
-
News1 week agoJudith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
-
Beyond the Gates7 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
News5 days agoY&R Alum Thad Luckinbill Cast in New Thriller ‘Copperhead’
-
News1 week agoMatthew Atkinson Reveals New Project ‘Into the Wilderness’
-
Beyond the Gates18 hours agoTUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
