Young and the Restless (YR) Poll: Are You Shocked By Michelle Stafford’s Return?

Fans of ‘The Young and the Restless’ will soon see Michelle Stafford reprise her role as Phyllis. Meanwhile, fans of ‘General Hospital’ will see Nina either be written out, or recast.

Stafford took what was meant to be a limited time role on Y&R in 1994 and turned Phyllis Summers into a legacy character. She went on to win two Daytime Emmy’s for her portrayal, during two stints (1994-97, 200-2013) on the show.

Stafford exited Y&R in 2013. The storyline that wrote her out saw Phyllis fall into a coma, as enabled by Sharon (Sharon Case). Stafford debuted as Nina on GH in 2014, where she’s been seen in daytime ever since.

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Both contract negotiation sides are believed to not have been able to reach a new agreement, resulting in Stafford’s departure from GH. That development led to Y&R rehiring Stafford, which also meant that Gina Tognoni is no longer with the cast.

This change certainly impacts whatever Y&R’s plans were for the Phyllis character, as having Stafford back enables her vibe to be restored. And what was Stafford’s aura as Phyllis? Well, in one word, fierce.

Tognoni is offered full credit for a solid run. Y&R wrote the character in a different, softer direction for much of the last four-plus years. Phyllis’ recent write-back to old territory served to apparently, unintentionally foreshadow what will likely be seen in the near future.

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Stafford’s return as Phyllis will enable revisited interactions with Christine (Lauralee Bell), her greatest nemesis, Sharon, her foil, Jack (Peter Bergman), her seeming soul mate, Nick (Joshua Morrow), arguably, her most fiery romantic interest, Billy (Jason Thompson) her second Abbott brother choice, and Summer (Hunter King), her daughter, who’s become a chip off the old block.

Surely coming interactions with the Baldwin’s, with Lauren (Tracey Bregman) being her best female friend, and Michael (Christian Le Blanc) reigning as her longest ally, will also prove intriguing. It would also be good to see Daniel (Michael Graziadei) and Danny (Michael Damian) come back as well, if only for brief reprisals.

It will also be very intriguing to learn how Stafford’s alter ego approaches Victor (Eric Braeden), as he allowed Phyllis to be wronged by Marco (Peter Bergman, in a dual role) while Tognoni’s edition was in town.

With news of Stafford’s return to Y&R just breaking and soap’s advanced recording schedules (being approximately six weeks in advance), it would be fair to guess that the original Phyllis will reappear as early as May, or June.

Fans of ‘The Young and the Restless’ rightfully express their opinions on a regular basis. So, are you shocked by Michelle Stafford’s rehire? Please vote in our poll!

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