The Young and the Restless

Guiding Light’s Robert Newman To Take Over As Y&R’s New Ashland

Published by

Michael Maloney

3 years ago

The Young and the Restless Robert Newman

On the heels of Richard Burgi announcing he’s exiting his role of Ashland Locke on The Young and the Restless comes news that the character is being recast with soap veteran Robert Newman. Newman is best known for his Daytime Emmy-nominated run as Josh Lewis on Guiding Light.

Robert Newman Is The New Ashland Locke on Y&R

Soap Opera Digest broke the casting news. Robert Newman is set to air on Y&R next month. While Newman is most known for playing Josh, he’s no stranger to taking over roles in daytime. In 1986, he took over the part of Kirk Cranston on Santa Barbara, replacing Timothy Bottoms in the role.

No word on why Richard Burgi is exiting the part. He broke the news over the weekend, thanking fans for their support of him during his stay in Genoa City. The character of Ashland debuted in March 2021. Viewers learned that Ashland was a powerful media mogul whose company Cyaxares was being bid on by key Genoa City players.

Ashland’s Evolution

Originally rumored to be a short-term character, Burgi’s run was extended as the character was paired romantically with Amelia Heinle’s Victoria Newman. The couple wed in a lavish ceremony last fall in Italy that brought original Y&R cast member Janice Lynde back as Leslie Brooks for a brief period.

Robert Newman Isn’t Y&R’s Only Recast

Y&R, like other daytime soaps, has had many recasts over the years. Peter Bergman became the show’s second Jack Abbott in 1989. Jess Walton took over the role of Jill Abbott in 1987. Heinle became Y&R’s Victoria in 2005.

Soap Hub last caught up with Robert Newman when the actor appeared on The Talk in 2016 to help celebrate CBS Daytime’s dominance as the No. 1 network for three decades. Click here to read that interview.

The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes. For more about what’s coming up in Genoa City, check out all the latest that’s been posted on Y&R spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.