Who says you can't always get what you want? Doug Davidson (Paul Williams) is back at The Young and the Restless, and the actor says he has the fans to thank for making it happen.
"NONE of any of this would happen without all of your undying loyalty, support and kindness," Davidson shared on Twitter. "All of you are the reason 'Paul' is back on the canvas. THANK YOU SO MUCH."
Okay! So, the cat is out of the bag. NONE of any of this would happen without all of your undying loyalty, support and kindness. All of you are the reason "Paul" is back on the canvas. THANK YOU SO MUCH. @EBraeden has been incredible the entire time. A huge thanks to him as well!
— Doug Davidson (@DougDavidsonYR) February 16, 2019
In May 2018, Davidson marked his 40th year at The Young and the Restless. Shortly thereafter, the longest-tenured contract player on Y&R was dropped to recurring. While his official status may have been recurring, Davidson's appearances were scarce, making just two appearances between September 2018 and February 2019. Both fans and costars were vocal with their displeasure over the marginalizing of a fan favorite actor and key character -- especially when a new character was written into the show to take over much of what Davidson's character would normally do.
Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) was, perhaps, the most vocal castmate to speak out against Davidson's dismissal.
"I normally don't express my opinions reg the casting on Y&R! That's the privilege of those who produce the show! However, this is a time when I have to make an exception! [T]o let DOUGIE DAVIDSON GO is an egregious [mistake]," Braeden posted on twitter in September 2018.
Braeden was the first to head to social media to announce Davidson's return -- doing so even before Davidson. "He's back!!" Braeden wrote with a picture of him and Davidson in an embrace.
He's back!! pic.twitter.com/v2FeTiTxhv
— Eric Braeden (@EBraeden) February 15, 2019
Davidson made his first Y&R appearance on May 15, 1978. In 2013, he was named Outstanding Lead Actor at the Daytime Emmys.
Davidson is not back on contract, but a show source tells Soap Central that Davidson will be making far more appearances than he has in the past year. A Y&R spokesperson confirms that Davidson taped an episode that will air on March 26.
This article has been updated with a change to Davidson's airdate, which was pushed back by a day due to a preemption.
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