Why Zuleyka Silver Is A Throwback To Classic Y&R

When The Young and the Restless debuted on March 26, 1973, CBS viewers were first introduced to Jill Foster, then played by Brenda Dickson, a bad girl who would go on to dominate the show on and off through to the present day, whether played by Dickson, Deborah Adair, or Jess Walton. Now we have Zuleyka Silver as Audra Charles, poised to do the same.

Zuleyka Silver: A Fun Throwback

In between, the show has hosted a number of other memorable villainesses, including Lauren Fenmore (Tracey Bregman), Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters), Nina Webster (Tricia Cast), Hilary Curtis (Mishael Morgan), Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan), and Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford). However, they all mellowed out as time passed (although Phyllis got a bit crazy again). Now Audra Charles, as played by Silver, is poised to move into that classic slot. Here’s why.

Y&R: I Want It All

We don’t know much about Audra yet, but we know that she wants something. And that’s always a good start. We’re not sure what she wants exactly. Is it money? Is it power? Is it Kyle (Michael Mealor)? Is it Tucker (Trevor St. John)? Is it Jabot? Doesn’t matter. Audra wants. And we want to know what it is. And how she plans to get it.

Screen Time For Zuleyka Silver

And speaking of “it,” Zuleyka Silver has “it.” Like the Supreme Court justice said, “We can’t define it. But we know it when we see it.” How do I know that Zuleyka Silver has “it?” Because my husband and my teenage daughter, on most days, could not care less about my soap-watching. Yet, on two separate days, at two separate times, both of them, when passing through the room where I had the TV on, stopped, pointed at the screen, where Audra happened to be featured, and asked, “Who is THAT?” She’s got something, all right.

Y&R: Welcome to Now

Audra has the potential to be a classic Y&R bad girl (until she mellows out). But with a modern twist. We don’t know much about Audra, but we do know that Silver identifies as Mexican-American. It’s always good to see diversity in Genoa City. The show should reflect reality and society, not to mention the audience watching. Except, you know, a lot more interesting.

The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. For an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.

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