Though the show has yet to confirm the news, Soap Central has learned that The Young and the Restless is contemplating a recast of the role of Kyle Abbott.
Since 2010, four actors have played the role of Jack Abbott and Diane Jenkins' son. For whatever reason, none of those Kyles was ever able to gain traction with fans -- or the writers.
When last spotted in Genoa City in the spring of 2016, Kyle was portrayed by Australia native Lachlan Buchanan. Buchanan held the role for a little more than a year. Prior to that, Hartley Sawyer had a nine-month stint as Kyle from 2013 to early 2014. Blake Hood played Kyle from April 2012 to April 2013. Garrett Ryan had the longest run in the part, lasting on the CBS soap from February 2010 to January 2012.
When Kyle was written off in 2016, the character headed for New York City. He's been mentioned a few times since then, most recently during the vote to determine whether Jack or Ashley should run Jabot. It should be noted that Kyle's no confidence vote was the vote that tipped the scales in Ashley's favor -- at least before all that talk of "blood Abbotts" reared its ugly head.
The news of Kyle's possible return comes as Robert Adamson is exiting his role as Noah Newman. There has been quite a bit of SORASing (Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome) over the years, but in theory, Noah and Kyle are only a few years apart in age.
Another member of the Abbott family is also headed back to Genoa City. Melissa Ordway (Abby Newman) is back at work following maternity leave.
UPDATE: March 1, 2018: Soap Opera Digest reports that Y&R has hired Michael Mealor to play Kyle. Kyle will return to Genoa City during Y&R's 45th anniversary celebration during the week of March 26.
This will be Mealor's first role in daytime, but the actor has been seen in primetime on Chasing Life and Supergirl.
What do you think about Kyle possibly returning to Genoa City? Have you enjoyed the previous portrayals? Do you think a new actor in the role could make the character more viable? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
