The Ultimate Y&R Cast Shakeup: 5 Major Exits, Shocking Soap Veteran Arrivals, And Fan-Favorite Returns In 2025

Genoa City is undergoing one of its most dramatic cast shakeups in recent memory, with a flurry of high-profile departures, surprising new arrivals, and welcome returns dominating *The Young and the Restless* casting news for late 2024 and throughout 2025. Fans are bracing for significant shifts as the show’s producers inject new blood and high-stakes drama into the long-running CBS soap opera, ensuring the storylines remain fresh and unpredictable. This detailed guide, updated for December 12, 2025, breaks down every major change, from the exit of a key villain to the arrival of two of daytime television's most beloved veterans. The dynamic landscape of *The Young and the Restless* (Y&R) is constantly evolving, driven by the need to keep the drama at a fever pitch. The latest announcements confirm that several established characters are saying goodbye, while the arrival of powerhouse performers like Roger Howarth and Tamara Braun promises to ignite explosive new storylines. This comprehensive overview provides the essential details on every actor joining, leaving, or returning to the iconic Genoa City, setting the stage for a compelling new chapter in the lives of the Abbotts, Newmans, and Winters families.

Major Exits: Stars Saying Goodbye to Genoa City in 2025

The revolving door of daytime television means that for every new face, a familiar one must often depart. 2025 has already seen—or is anticipating—the exits of several key players, some of whom have been central to major storylines, leaving fans to speculate about the fate of their characters.

Colleen Zenk (Jordan Howard)

Colleen Zenk's run as the villainous Jordan Howard has come to a dramatic conclusion. Her character, a ruthless adversary who terrorized the Newman family, was a central figure in a high-stakes storyline. Her departure marks the end of a powerful arc, leaving a void in the villain department that will surely need to be filled.

Conner Floyd (Chance Chancellor)

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The news of Conner Floyd’s exit has sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Floyd, who played the role of Chance Chancellor, a key member of the legacy families, is reportedly leaving the show. His character’s departure is expected to have a major impact on the Newmans and the overall police procedural elements of Genoa City.

Allison Lanier (Summer Newman)

Allison Lanier, who took over the role of Summer Newman, is also listed among the significant departures. Summer, the daughter of Nick Newman and Phyllis Summers, is a legacy character whose exit will undoubtedly affect the Abbott and Newman family dynamics, particularly her relationship with Kyle Abbott.

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Linden Ashby (Cameron Kirsten)

Linden Ashby's return as the menacing Cameron Kirsten was a highlight for many viewers, bringing a fresh wave of danger to Sharon Newman's life. His exit, following the resolution of his storyline, confirms that his character's reign of terror is over, at least for now.

Ray Wise (Mitch Bacall/Matt Clark)

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Veteran actor Ray Wise, who played the mysterious Mitch Bacall, has also concluded his stint on the soap. His character was tied to the darker, more conspiratorial storylines, and his departure resolves a major plot thread that had been keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

Exciting Arrivals: New Faces and Veteran Soap Stars Joining the Cast

The most anticipated casting news for 2025 involves the arrival of two major soap opera veterans, along with several other fresh faces set to stir up trouble and romance in Genoa City. The producers are clearly aiming for a blend of established talent and new energy.

Roger Howarth (Matt Clark)

Daytime legend Roger Howarth, known for his iconic roles on other major soaps, is officially joining *The Young and the Restless* cast. He is set to play the new character Matt Clark. Howarth's arrival is expected to be a major event, and his character, Matt Clark, is poised to become a central figure in a high-profile storyline, potentially replacing the villainous energy left by Jordan Howard.

Tamara Braun (Sienna Bacall)

Joining her fellow veteran is the immensely talented Tamara Braun, who has been cast as Sienna Bacall. Braun’s presence is a huge win for the show, and her character is expected to be a strong, complex woman who will immediately become entangled with the show’s core families. Her introduction alongside Howarth suggests a major new power couple or a duo with a shared, potentially nefarious, agenda.

Valarie Pettiford (Amy Lewis)

Valarie Pettiford has joined the cast as Amy Lewis. Details on Amy Lewis’s character intentions are still unfolding, but Pettiford’s extensive background in television and film suggests she will play a sophisticated and impactful role, likely connected to the business or legal world of Genoa City.

Nathan Owens (Damian)

Nathan Owens has been cast in the role of Damian. New characters like Damian often serve as a love interest for a single legacy character, or as a new rival in the competitive business world involving Newman Enterprises or Jabot Cosmetics.

Redding Munsell (Young Harrison Abbott)

The role of Harrison Abbott, the son of Kyle Abbott and Tara Locke, is being played by new young actor Redding Munsell. Recasts of child characters are common, and Munsell’s presence indicates that Harrison will play a more active role in the Abbott family’s current storylines.

Fan-Favorite Returns and the Enduring Legacy Cast

While the exits are a bittersweet pill for fans, the return of familiar faces, even for brief stints, always generates excitement and provides a comforting sense of continuity. Furthermore, the bedrock of the show, the legacy actors, remain firmly in place.

Temporary and Welcome Returns

The latest updates confirm the temporary return of two beloved actresses for a special event that brought together some of Genoa City’s most prominent women.

• Melissa Ordway (Abby Newman): Ordway reprised her role as Abby Newman-Abbott, bringing the character back into the fold for a celebratory event. Her return, while temporary, thrilled fans who enjoy seeing her interact with her family, including Victor Newman and Nikki Newman.
• Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott): Beth Maitland returned as the ever-supportive Traci Abbott. Traci’s appearances are always a welcome sight, often serving as the calm center for the often-turbulent lives of her siblings, Jack Abbott and Ashley Abbott.

These returns underscore the importance of the show's rich history and its ability to weave legacy characters into current storylines, often to support or celebrate the lives of the main cast members like Victoria Newman and Diane Jenkins.

The Unshakeable Core Cast

The foundation of *The Young and the Restless* remains its long-serving veteran actors, whose characters are the pillars of Genoa City's society and business. These actors continue to drive the most significant plot developments.

• Eric Braeden (Victor Newman): The ‘Black Knight’ of Genoa City remains the ultimate patriarch, with his business dealings at Newman Enterprises and his intricate family dramas with his wife, Nikki Newman, and his children, Victoria Newman and Nick Newman, still central to the show.
• Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman): As the formidable matriarch, Melody Thomas Scott continues to deliver powerful performances, navigating the complexities of her marriage to Victor and her involvement in the town’s biggest scandals.
• Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott): The head of Jabot Cosmetics, Jack Abbott, is always involved in a high-stakes corporate or romantic saga, often alongside his sister Ashley Abbott and son Kyle Abbott.
• Sharon Case (Sharon Newman): Sharon’s life, marked by drama and resilience, continues to be a focal point, especially with the recent threats from characters like Cameron Kirsten and the ongoing saga of her family.
• Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers): The fiery Phyllis Summers, played by Michelle Stafford, ensures that drama is never far from the Abbott and Newman circles, often through her relationship with her daughter, Summer Newman.

The balance between the stability of these core players and the constant flux of new and departing cast members is what keeps *The Young and the Restless* compelling. The introduction of Roger Howarth and Tamara Braun, coupled with the void left by the major exits, promises a completely revitalized and high-octane season for the CBS daytime drama. Fans should prepare for a thrilling ride as the new cast members integrate into the complex web of relationships and rivalries in Genoa City.