The Young and the Restless is officially entering a new creative era. Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor have been named the soap’s new co-head writers following Josh Griffith’s departure in June, putting two accomplished daytime veterans in charge of Genoa City’s future. While viewers won’t see the impact of the change overnight, the hiring marks one of the biggest behind-the-scenes shifts the CBS soap has made in years.
Key Takeaways
- Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor have been named Y&R‘s new co-head writers.
- Both bring award-winning daytime experience from DAYS, Beyond the Gates, and General Hospital.
- Their hiring signals the beginning of a new creative chapter for the long-running CBS soap.
Two Soap Veterans Bring Different Strengths to Genoa City
According to TV Insider, Giddens and O’Connor will officially begin their new roles next week after the cast and crew were informed of the leadership change.
Giddens arrives with a unique background that blends soap journalism and television writing. After becoming well known as the co-owner of Daytime Confidential, he created the OWN drama Ambitions before joining the Days of our Lives writing team as a breakdown writer.
During his time there, he earned both Daytime Emmy and Writers Guild honors and later contributed to Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem. Most recently, he has been writing for Beyond the Gates, where he’s currently nominated for another Daytime Emmy.
O’Connor’s path has been rooted in writers’ rooms. After beginning his career at One Life to Live, he joined General Hospital, eventually becoming co-head writer in 2019. During his tenure, he helped guide the ABC soap through multiple award-winning years, earning both Daytime Emmy and Writers Guild recognition.
A New Era Begins for Y&R
A head writer change is one of the most significant transitions a daytime drama can make. While executive producers oversee production, head writers ultimately determine the stories viewers invest in every day, from character development to long-term pacing and major sweeps events.
That means fans hoping for fresh storytelling may have reason for optimism, even if the results won’t appear on screen for several months. Soap production schedules require episodes to be written well in advance, so viewers should expect a gradual transition rather than an immediate shift in direction.
The End of the Josh Griffith Era
Griffith had served as Y&R’s head writer since 2019 after returning to the role and later added executive producer responsibilities before stepping away from that position in 2025. Sally McDonald has continued leading the show as executive producer since Griffith relinquished those duties, and Griffith officially exited the series in June.
Now, Giddens and O’Connor inherit one of daytime television’s most iconic shows. Whether they choose to build on what’s already working or chart a new course for Genoa City remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: The Young and the Restless has officially turned the page.
