The Young and the Restless: Cast, Deaths, Spoilers

For more than five decades, Genoa City has been the setting for some of soap opera television’s most shocking family secrets. The Young and the Restless has outlived countless trends and formats, and its devoted weekday audience keeps the CBS soap going strong. Lately, the show has dealt audiences a double helping of drama — both on-screen storylines and real-life losses in the cast. This guide lays out where to watch, who has been lost, and which paternity puzzles have viewers talking.

Premiere Year: 1973 ·
Network: CBS ·
Setting: Genoa City ·
Main Clans: Abbott and Newman ·
Streaming: Paramount Plus

Key facts about the soap opera’s origins, broadcast history, and primary setting.

Did The Young and the Restless End?

The Young and the Restless has not ended. The soap continues to air new episodes on CBS weekdays, maintaining its streak as one of the longest-running dramas in American television. Viewers can tune in during its traditional broadcast slot or catch up through streaming services.

The show’s longevity is a testament to its ability to reinvent storylines around its core families. The Abbott and Newman clans have driven decades of rivalry, and even as cast members come and go, the show’s framework keeps audiences returning.

Where Can I See The Young and the Restless Today?

The Young and the Restless airs on CBS during weekday mornings and early afternoons, consistent with its decades-long broadcast schedule. For viewers who prefer streaming, the show is available on Paramount Plus, which carries current episodes alongside a back catalog.

CBS also offers same-day streaming through its website, giving audiences options beyond traditional television. This multi-platform availability ensures that Genoa City’s latest twists reach viewers whether they watch live or on demand.

Who is the Longest Cast Member on Young and the Restless?

Melody Thomas Scott and Eric Braeden represent the longest-serving members of the current Y&R cast. Both have portrayed their characters for decades, anchoring storylines through multiple eras of the show’s history. Melody Thomas Scott plays Nikki Newman, while Eric Braeden stars as Victor Newman — characters whose rivalry has defined much of Genoa City’s dramatic arc.

The current cast also includes newer additions such as Allison Lanier and Zuleyka Silver, reflecting the show’s practice of introducing fresh talent alongside its veteran performers. This blend of experience and novelty keeps the soap competitive in a changing television landscape.

Streaming on Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus serves as the primary streaming home for Y&R episodes. Subscribers can access current seasons and older content, making it practical for both dedicated fans catching up and newcomers exploring the show’s rich history.

What Actor from The Young and the Restless Passed Away Recently?

The Young and the Restless has faced multiple cast losses in recent years, a painful reality for a show built on enduring character relationships. 2025 proved particularly difficult, with at least three actors from the soap passing away.

Pamela Bach, who played Mari Jo Mason in the mid-1990s, died by suicide on March 5, 2025, at age 61. She was found dead at her home, a loss noted by the Y&R community and entertainment coverage alike, per ScreenRant.

Wings Hauser, known for character roles on Y&R, died on March 15, 2025, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), per ScreenRant. His work on the soap spanned several years, and fans remembered his contributions in the months following his death.

Pamela Peters Solow, who originated the role of Peggy Brooks on Y&R from 1973 to 1984, died on June 4, 2025, at age 75, according to ScreenRant. Her tenure placed her among the show’s earliest cast members, making her loss felt particularly deeply by longtime viewers.

Jonathan Farwell, who played George Rollins on Y&R, died on November 22, 2025, at age 93 from hip fracture complications in hospice, per YouTube: Y&R Stars Mourning Loss.

Prior to this cluster of losses, Billy Miller died on September 15, 2023, at age 43, with reports noting mental health struggles including depression as contributing factors. Sharon Farrell, who played Florence Webster on Y&R from 1991, passed away on May 15, 2023, at age 81 from cancer complications, per multiple sources.

On the in-universe side, J. Eddie Peck’s character Cole Howard died in a July 3, 2025 episode from Legionnaire’s disease — a storyline death that played out on screen and echoed the real-life losses surrounding the production.

Dee Freeman at 66

Dee Freeman, who appeared on The Young and the Restless, reportedly died at age 66. The circumstances of her passing drew attention within the soap opera community, though detailed coverage was limited compared to other recent losses.

Is Kyle Really Jack Abbott’s Son?

The question of Kyle Abbott’s true paternity connects to one of The Young and the Restless’ most enduring storytelling devices: the paternity twist. Jack Abbott himself was revealed not to be a blood Abbott — a reveal that reshaped decades of family dynamics in Genoa City, according to SoapHub.

Ashley Abbott learned that her father was Brent Davis, not John Abbott, adding another layer to the show’s exploration of identity and belonging. This revelation came years after Jack’s own paternity secret, demonstrating how the show revisits and complicates its family trees over time.

The Young and the Restless has employed paternity puzzles repeatedly, with switched tests, false claims, and surprise fathers appearing throughout its run. Phyllis, for instance, switched paternity tests for Daniel Romalotti to make Danny appear as his father. Eve falsely claimed Victor was the father of Cole Howard.

The pattern continues in current storylines. Y&R spoilers reportedly indicate that Sally Spectra faces a paternity twist involving Nick Newman and Adam Newman after sleeping with both around the same time, per YouTube: Spoiler Coverage. Teasers suggest Sally might falsify her paternity test to claim Nick as the father of Adam’s child, though this remains unconfirmed.

Noah Newman and Nick

Noah Newman has been part of Nick Newman’s story arc for years, but paternity reveals have periodically questioned his relationship to the Newman family tree. Current teasers suggest more revelations around paternity may be coming for characters connected to Nick.

Mariah and Tessa Updates

Mariah’s storyline has included decisions that affected her relationship with Tessa, with reports indicating she has faced choices about her future on the show. The specifics of her departure and what prompted it remain somewhat unclear in available reporting.

Voices from Genoa City

With a TV show as long-lasting as Y&R, the loss of cast members over time is inevitable — but 2025 still hit harder than most.

— ScreenRant editorial on 2025 cast losses

Revealing Jack has a different father after all these years just seems silly.

— Celeb Dirty Laundry editorial on the Jack Abbott paternity reveal

The tension between honoring legacy and pursuing new storytelling directions shapes much of what the show does. Jack Abbott’s paternity reveal, for instance, received mixed reactions — with some longtime viewers feeling the twist stretched credibility, while others appreciated the fresh stakes it created.

The stakes ahead for Genoa City

The Young and the Restless enters a period of transition. Recent cast losses leave gaps in a show that relies on character continuity to sustain its decades-spanning storylines. At the same time, current paternity plots promise to drive fresh drama for audiences who have followed the Abbott and Newman families through countless twists.

For longtime viewers, the show’s willingness to revisit its own history — returning to paternity reveals and family secrets — offers both comfort and challenge. The pattern of switched tests and surprise fathers has become almost a genre signature, for better or worse.

The streaming landscape gives Y&R advantages its predecessors never had. Paramount Plus offers access that traditional broadcast never could, potentially introducing the soap to new audiences who never watched during its 1990s peak. Whether the show can convert this accessibility into renewed cultural relevance remains to be seen.