The Two Faces Of Cane Ashby: What Happened To Daniel Goddard And Who Is The Shocking New Y&R Recast?

For over a decade, the face of Cane Ashby on The Young and the Restless was synonymous with the charming, yet troubled, Australian actor Daniel Goddard. His portrayal of the character from 2007 to 2019 made Cane a central figure in Genoa City, most notably through his enduring, tumultuous "Lane" romance with Lily Winters. However, the question of "who played Cane Ashby" has become much more complex and newsworthy in late 2025, as a major, unexpected storyline twist has introduced a brand-new actor to the role, sending shockwaves through the daytime world. This article dives into the full history of the character, the career of the original actor, and the dramatic, current-day recast that has redefined Cane Ashby. The definitive answer to who played Cane Ashby for the majority of the character's life is Daniel Goddard, but the most current information, as of late 2025, points to a surprising recast: Emmy-nominated actor Billy Flynn, who previously played the mysterious Aristotle Dumas, is now inhabiting the role. This dramatic shift highlights not only the legacy of Goddard's tenure but also the soap opera's willingness to re-imagine beloved characters to drive fresh, high-stakes storylines.

Daniel Goddard: The Original Cane Ashby's Full Biography and Career

Daniel Goddard, the actor who defined the character of Cane Ashby, brought a unique blend of rugged charm and vulnerability to the role for nearly 12 years. His tenure cemented Cane's place in the history of The Young and the Restless.

• Full Name: Daniel Richard Goddard
• Date of Birth: August 28, 1971
• Age (as of late 2025): 54 years old
• Place of Birth: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Nationality: Australian-American
• Height: 6'2"
• Spouse: Rachael Marcus (married since February 3, 2002)
• Children: Two sons, Ford Goddard (born 2006) and Sebastian Goddard (born 2008)
• Education: Studied at the Ensemble Actors Studio in Sydney.
• Early Career: Began his career as a model before landing his first major role on the Australian soap opera Home and Away, playing Eric Phillips.
• Major Role Before Y&R: Appeared in the fantasy series BeastMaster as Dar.
• Y&R Tenure: Played Cane Ashby from 2007 to 2019.
• Current Role (Post-Y&R): Professor Henry Dalton on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital (starting in 2025).

Goddard's departure from Y&R in 2019 was a major event for fans, as his character had become integral to the fabric of Genoa City. Despite his exit, Goddard remained a fan-favorite, and his recent return to daytime television on a rival soap has kept him firmly in the spotlight.

Cane Ashby's Tumultuous Legacy and the 'Lane' Romance

Cane Ashby's time in Genoa City was marked by high drama, shocking revelations, and one of the show's most beloved pairings: "Lane" (Cane and Lily). The character was initially introduced as the long-lost son of Katherine Chancellor's late husband, Phillip Chancellor II, though this was later revealed to be a lie, with Cane actually being the son of Jill Abbott and Colin Atkinson.

The Core of Cane's Storyline: Lily Winters

Cane's life revolved around his relationship with Lily Winters (Christel Khalil). Their journey was a classic soap opera rollercoaster, featuring:

• A secret marriage in Las Vegas.
• A brief divorce after Cane faked his own death (the first time).
• The birth of their twins, Charlie Ashby and Matilda "Mattie" Ashby, born in 2010 via surrogate Mackenzie "Mac" Browning.
• Cane's eventual true parentage reveal as the son of Jill and Colin.
• Multiple near-death experiences, including being shot.

The "Lane" dynamic was a cornerstone of the show, earning Daniel Goddard and Christel Khalil a dedicated fanbase. Even after their final split and Cane's eventual 2019 exit—where he was involved in a controversial storyline regarding Katherine Chancellor's will—the character's impact on Lily and their children, Charlie and Mattie, remained.

The Shocking Recast: Billy Flynn Steps In as Cane Ashby in 2025

In a move that stunned the soap opera world, The Young and the Restless brought the character of Cane Ashby back to the canvas in 2025, but with a completely new actor: Billy Flynn. Flynn is well-known to Y&R fans for his long-running role as Chad DiMera on Days of Our Lives, and more recently, his brief appearance on Y&R as the mysterious Aristotle Dumas.

From Aristotle Dumas to Cane Ashby

The recast storyline was cleverly executed to create maximum mystery and fan speculation.

1. The Introduction of Aristotle Dumas: Billy Flynn first appeared on the show as a new, enigmatic character named Aristotle Dumas, who was involved in a complex plot involving the Winters family.
2. The Revelation: It was later revealed that the man known as Aristotle Dumas was, in fact, Cane Ashby.
3. The New Cane: The show chose to fully recast the role, with Billy Flynn taking over the mantle from Daniel Goddard. This decision immediately created new story potential, as the character has been described as a "rebranding" of Cane, suggesting a major shift in personality or motivation.

The current storyline, as of late 2025, sees the new Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn) back in Genoa City, cutting ties and refusing to be drawn into old dramas, such as a "friends with benefits" arrangement with Phyllis Summers. This new, hardened version of Cane, potentially seeking revenge or involved in a secret plot, is set to drastically alter the dynamic for Lily Winters, Jill Abbott, and the entire Genoa City landscape.

Where is Daniel Goddard Now? His Role on General Hospital

While the character of Cane Ashby is making headlines with a new face, Daniel Goddard himself has made a triumphant return to daytime television on a different network, a detail that provides a crucial, fresh update for fans. Daniel Goddard officially joined the cast of ABC's General Hospital in 2025, taking on the recurring role of Professor Henry Dalton. This move was significant, as Goddard had been off-screen for several years following his Y&R exit. Goddard's new character, Professor Dalton, is a more mysterious and controversial figure than the Cane Ashby fans knew. He has quickly become entangled in high-stakes drama, notably being in the crosshairs of the World Security Bureau (WSB). The role has allowed Goddard to showcase a different side of his acting range, portraying a character with deep secrets and a complex agenda. For fans of the original Cane Ashby, seeing Daniel Goddard back on a major soap opera is a welcome development, even if it is on a different show. His successful transition to General Hospital as Professor Henry Dalton is a testament to his enduring popularity and talent, ensuring that while the question of "who played Cane Ashby" now has two answers, both actors are currently active and creating new, exciting drama in the world of daytime television.