Breaking News
Y&R Recasts the Role of Summer Newman with Allison Lanier
The Young and the Restless is set to bring back Summer Newman to the canvas, but with a new actress.
In casting news, the top-rated soap has recast the role of Summer, last played by two-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Hunter King, with actress Allison Lanier.
King departed the show in the summer of 2021, when reportedly she and her co-star Michael Mealor (Kyle) departed over contract talks. The two returned for a guest appearance in August of 2021, when Summer and Kyle attended Victoria and Ashland’s wedding in Italy.
Now with Mealor back at Y&R and set for a major storyline (now that Kyle’s mom, Diane, is back-from-the-dead), the show is also bringing back the love of his life.
Look for Lanier to make her Y&R debut later in May, while Mealor will return on-air next week on the CBS daytime drama series.
Allison’s other credits include: a recurring role as as Annabelle on the Amazon series, Red Oaks, the indie films Mia and Fish Bones, and she was featured in the role of Megan in Michelle Morgan’s (Amanda, Y&R) film, It Happened in L.A, that was shown at the Sundance Film Festival.
So, what do you think of the casting news of a new Summer coming to Genoa City? Comment below.
Maybe now I’ll like ‘Summer’. Didn’t like Hunter in the role.
SHIMA
Ditto!
Ditto
Violet– I’m not up to the actor’s cast’s actual ages but——
The ‘new’ Summer looks 16 years old..
Look at here= a child..
((way I see her))
Maybe Summer should change her name to Lolita. She looks about 12 to me.
Jill
I agree but I bet the photo isn’t recent. A lot of the photos look nothing like the actors do now.
SuOOO
Hi how are you these days? She probably was 16 in the photo. I just said to Jill that it most likely was a photo taken when she was a lot younger. I was not a big Hunter King fan, so Iam hoping this gal works out, especially now I hear Phyllis is leaving.
i disagree hunter was great in the role good luck to new summer won’t be as easy as everyone thinks
Summer should ve stayed in Italy and Lola should get been the one to return with a recast since Sasha’s unavailable. Summer could get returned later after Kyle and Lola reunited . But ofcourse the show would also need a new HW to actually pen a triangle. Now that Rey’s leaving the show desperately needs diversity. As a white viewer I enjoy different faces and cultural viewpoints. Let’s face it. Lily, Devon, Nate and Elena are a snooze. The only exciting characters in that group Amanda and Imani got benched. The Rosales should have presence.
HunterKing should have been kept in the role! There was chemistry between her and Mealor.
She looks more like Phyliss’s daughter now.
I Agree!
Yes– My thought too!
Thank God ! Bring on some new characters maybe a new family that could rival the Newmans and Abbotts . Please bring back Judith Chapman . I watched todays episode and it was pretty good , Sharon Case and Joshua Morrow had a great scene . Just bring back the old school music and the show will be right on.
Everytime they bring on a new family, Eric Bradean has a fit. See the Rosales. We have the remaining Winters, boring and all
Y&R should have kept Hunter King. She won 2 Daytime Emmys. This recast will not work, mark my words. Hunter King will be back before we know it. Good luck to the new actress.
I just hope Kyle and Summer can stay strong. Don’t want either wandering. They just married, took in a child. We shall see about the recast. Will take some getting used to. Miss King really owned the role. But recasts are part of daytime drama life.
We need to have an open mind and give her a fair chance to prove her acting. I’m sure it’s hard to adjust to a new role. Some people liked Hunter and some did not. It’s just a matter of opinion.
I agree, Bella. I’ve eaten A LOT of humble pie when it comes to pre-judging recasts. I’ve been happy with several in the past few years, like Michael Mealor’s Kyle, Nicholas Chavez & Marcus Coloma on GH, and Matthew Atkinson on BB. So, I’ll reserve my feelings for now.
Nope she won’t do I like the old summer Newman. Hunter king was summer Newman
That’s what I love about people like you. So judgmental, and haven’t even seen what the girl can do with the part given to her. I think she will do fine, maybe even better than Hunter. So I will save what to say till I see her act.
Maryann
If you like her so much you could at least give her the courtesy of capitalizing her name. It’s Summer Newman and Hunter King.
Boring. Hunter king was a much better actress. There’s no chemistry with Kyle. Such a shame.
Charlotte
I tend to agree with you. I was not a Hunter King fan either. It’s like they are playing house. Also, if my mother acted like Phyllis , I’d disown her!
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7. That’s when Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker, also known as beloved Santa Barbara supercouple, Cruz and Eden, will participate in a global two-hour streaming event where they will be in conversation together for the first time in years.
The last time A and Marcy appeared publicly together was back in August of 2024, when both stars were in attendance at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara. Now, host Melissa Braverman, who has also penned the upcoming book, Santa Barbara: The Complete Story, will moderate this special event beginning at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
Fans around the world who continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of Santa Barbara will be able to watch Braverman lead an intimate discussion with the actors and go behind the iconic characters of Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell.

Photo: JPI
In a statement, Braverman shared, “A Martinez and Marcy Walker didn’t just play a couple. They created a cultural phenomenon that resonated across continents. This event is a rare opportunity for fans to hear directly from A and Marcy about their chemistry, their favorite storylines, and the lasting impact of the show’s unique storytelling.”
She added, “A and Marcy’s partnership as Cruz and Eden was unforgettable. Bringing them together for a dedicated conversation about their SB journey is a true event, and a testament to their enduring appeal and the sheer popularity of the characters they created.”
The exclusive event will feature: a moderated discussion exploring the actors’ favorite memories from the Santa Barbara set. Behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s most famous location shoots and dramatic arcs, and a Q&A session where ticket holders can submit questions in advance to the stars.
Martinez, currently starring in AMC’s hit series Dark Winds is known for his multi-decade TV and film career. He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1990 for his portrayal of Cruz. In the soaps, A has also appeared on General Hospital, One Life to Live, Days of Our Lives and The Bay. Walker, whose unforgettable daytime run began as Liza Colby on All My Children before her definitive turn on Santa Barbara, took home the Outstanding Lead Actress honors in 1989 for her work as Eden Capwell.
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime reunion are $100, and registration is open now. For additional event information, visit Melissa’s author page on Facebook or www.melissabraverman.com.
So, if you are a Santa Barbara fan and one of the unforgettable Cruz and Eden, does this sound like the event for you? Let us know, and share your favorite Santa Barbara moment and storyline of Cruz and Eden’s via the comment section, But first, in case you missed it, the Michael Fairman Channel shared the arrivals at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara in this video below.
Breaking News
Jennifer Harmon, ‘One Life to Live’s’ Cathy Craig, and ‘How to Survive a Marriage’ Star, Dead at 82
Sad news to report for the One Life to Live family. Actress Jennifer Harmon who was the last actress to play the emotionally troubled Cathy Craig has passed away. Harmon, who also starred on the defunct NBC soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage, died in New York on May 9 at the age of 82. Harmon’s family made the announcement.
Jennifer was the fifth actress to play One Life to Live’s Cathy, following Catherine Burns, Amy Levitt, Jane Alice Brandon and Dorrie Kavanaugh. During her two year tenure with the soap, from 1976 through 1978, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the 5th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1978. The award that year went to Another World’s Laurie Heineman (ex-Sharlene Frame).
In her soap career, not only did Harmon have major success as Cathy on One Life to Live, but she starred on NBC’s new soap opera, How to Survive a Marriage as Chris Kirby and stayed with the series through its entire run which lasted just over a year from 1974-1975.

Photo: NBC
How to Survive a Marriage told the story of divorced couple as they battle for custody of their daughter, and as the mom enters the workforce. In the span of a year, Chris got divorced, remarried and battled alcoholism. Rosemary Prinz was the featured name in the cast.
On One Life to Live, Cathy was the nemesis of Victoria Lord (Erika Slezak). Cathy blamed the wealthy Viki for the accident that killed her child Megan Craig Riley (even though the baby has a congenital heart defect and her life expectancy was short). So, she set out to make Viki’s life hell by kidnapping Viki and Joe’s child, Kevin.
Later, Jennifer would return to One Life to Live in the 90s to play Viki’s attorney in a new role, went on to play Jean Weatherill on Guiding Light in 1991 and Lucretia Jones on Loving in 1995. Her primetime TV credits included: Barnaby Jones, Dallas, The White Shadow, St. Elsewhere, Homicide: Life on the Street, Oz, Rescue Me and The Good Wife.
Harmon was also known as one of the most accomplished stage actresses on Broadway having appeared over 21 times in different productions spanning nearly 50 years including in plays of the works of legendary playwrights: Noël Coward, Wendy Wasserstein, Lillian Hellman, Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee and Jon Robin Baitz. Throughout her theatre career she was was known as a reliable actress, and at times was an understudy for the likes of: Stockard Channing, Judi Dench, Jessica Lange, Blythe Danner and Jessica Lange.
Share your remembrances of Jennifer Harmon on One Life to Live, How to Survive a Marriage, and more, in the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘EastEnders’ Wins Best Soap at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards
Our friends from across the pond, BBC One’s EastEnders took home Best Soap honors at the 2026 BAFTA TV Awards in London, England on Sunday, May 10.
Just last year, EastEnders celebrated 40 years on television and has seen a resurgence. In attendance were cast members: Michelle Collins, Jessie Wallace, Diane Parish, and Aaron Thiara, as well former executive producer Chris Clenshaw and his successor, current showrunner Ben Wadey.
EastEnders was nominated in the category along with their rivals, Casualty and Coronation Street. Accepting on stage was 20-year veteran of the series, Diane Parish, who paid tribute to all the hard working people in front of the camera and behind the scenes. “It’s not easy doing a soap, but we manage to make it work,” shared Parish.

Courtesy/BBCOne
A BIG RETURN AND MEDICAL CRISIS IN STORY AHEAD
Recently, it was confirmed that in honor of her two decades with the show, Parish’s character, Denise Fox, is set for a major storyline this year, when she is diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer.
And there’s more! In the winner’s press room, Ben Wadey shared there is a major return in store teasing,“I would keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks, there might be some surprises on the horizon.”
On the official EastEnders Instagram account it also shared, “EastEnders has gone and won the Soap award at the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards! 🎉🥳🍾🙌What a huge honour, we truly couldn’t be prouder. Thank you BAFTA the whole cast and crew will be holding this one high when it makes it way home to Walford.”

Photo: EastEnders
BAFTA TV AWARD HISTORY IS MADE
Adolescence, the Netflix drama that took home Emmys and Golden Globes stateside, made BAFTA TV history during the ceremony winning four awards for the first time ever. Stephen Graham finally took home the coveted Leading Actor category in what was his 8th attempt to win a BAFTA in the fields of both TV and motion pictures.
The series is Netflix’s second most-watched English-language show of all time, and won BAFTA’s for Limited Drama and Supporting Actor and Actress for Owen Cooper and Christine Tremarco.
For a complete list of all the winners, click here.
So, happy to hear EastEnders won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Soap? If you catch EastEnders, who do you think might be returning on the horizon as teased by the series current EP? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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