The Young and the Restless (Y&R) rarely uses the familiar soap opera trope of having “deceased” characters spring back to life, but it appears they’ve made an exemption in the case of Diane Jenkins (played by Susan Walters)!
Taking into consideration the way Jenkins perished – being axed off on-screen by Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) in 2011 – it’s even more outlandish to see Susan Walters back on the beloved CBS soap.
In an interview with TV Insider, Walters discussed her “surprise” when Y&R reached out, as well as her efforts to catch up with her character’s recent past.
“You know how voice texts can mispronounce words? I got one that said, ‘Hey, this is Tony Morina from ‘Wine Art’ – not ‘Y&R’,” Walters explained. “I didn’t pay much attention to it as Tony [Y&R’s executive producer] wasn’t there 20 years ago when I joined.”
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Luckily, something about the strange phone call stuck with Walters, as she realized it was an offer to revive her notorious alter ego.
“At first I ignored it, but then I listened to the message,” Walters continued. “I told Tony later, ‘What if I hadn’t listened to that message?’ He said, ‘Well, we would have reached out to you again!’”
Did Walters have any questions about how Jenkins was still alive, or maybe doubts about returning to the role previously portrayed by Maura West? Not at all, according to the actress. “I said, ‘Sounds good’,” the actress answered.
Among the many reasons Walters is excited to reprise her character, two opportunities stand at the forefront — the first being a chance to reconnect with Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott).
“It was so much fun to hear his voice,” Walters said of co-star Bergman. “So many things he’s told me over the years I have taken to heart. He gives advice that you can carry with you your whole life.”
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Secondly, Walters is eager to stir the pot in Genoa City once again!
“I’m reading the scripts and people are talking about how much they hate Diane and how much damage she’s done,” Walters said. “I emailed the writers and asked, ‘Is there anything specific?’”
As it turns out, the writing team was happy to send her an itemized list of her character’s many misdeeds.
“The list I got back was hysterical!” Walters exclaimed. “Diane slept with Victor (Eric Braeden). She slept with Nick (Joshua Morrow). Adam (Mark Grossman) helped her fake her death, and she was with this guy named Deacon (Sean Kanan). I thought, ‘I have so much to learn!’”
However, the question remains: why is Diane back in Genoa City, and how will her storyline with Allie (Kelsey Wang) intertwine with Jack? We’ll have to keep tuning in to find out!
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Ryan Pratt
Ryan is an avid runner, reader, hiker and music collector. When he isn't writing and editing for Fame10 Soaps, he's relishing in the fine company of his two cats, Penny and Gus.