There’s a familiar face returning to The Young and the Restless, although viewers might not recognize her right away. Devon’s former girlfriend, Roxanne Barrington, is heading back to Genoa City after more than a decade away, and she’ll have a new face. The casting news also includes a new doctor, and both arrivals come as the soap prepares for a major change behind the scenes.
Key Takeaways
- Tetona Jackson will take over the role of Roxanne Barrington, previously played by Tatyana Ali.
- Fareed Ward joins the cast as Dr. Andrew Bishop, a colleague of Nate and Stephanie.
- The additions are among the first casting developments under new co-head writers Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor.
Roxanne Returns After 13 Years
According to TV Insider, Tetona Jackson will portray Roxanne Barrington, a character longtime Y&R viewers might remember from Devon’s earlier years in Genoa City.
Roxanne was originally played by Tatyana Ali, who joined the soap in 2007. She and Devon (Bryton James) had an on-again, off-again romance before Roxanne left town in 2013. Ali earned three consecutive NAACP Image Awards for her work on the show.
Jackson is new to daytime, but she’s certainly not new to television. Her credits include Poppa’s House, Boomerang, and Good Trouble.
The timing of Roxanne’s return is particularly interesting. Devon has been dealing with plenty of family complications, and bringing back someone who knew him long before his current life could offer an entirely different perspective on the character.
Of course, there’s no word yet on what brings Roxanne home or whether romance is involved. Still, revisiting Devon’s past seems like an intriguing direction for the new writing team.
A New Doctor Arrives in Genoa City
Fareed Ward is also joining Y&R as Dr. Andrew Bishop, who will work alongside Nate (Sean Dominic) and Stephanie (Vivica A. Fox) at Genoa City Memorial Hospital.
Ward’s television credits include FBI, S.W.A.T., CIA, and Will & Grace. He also appeared on All My Children in 2010.
His arrival comes as Nate returns to medicine following surgery to repair the injury he sustained during his 2020 fight with Devon. With Stephanie serving as the hospital’s chief of staff, there’s already plenty of potential for professional and personal complications.
It’s also nice to see the hospital getting some attention again. Genoa City has no shortage of people who could use medical care, after all.
What the New Writers Have Planned
These casting announcements are the first under new co-head writers Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, whose material begins airing on November 11.
Giddens and O’Connor replaced Josh Griffith, who stepped down as head writer earlier this year. Both bring extensive daytime experience, including work on Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, and Beyond the Gates.
Bringing back a character with established history while introducing someone new could be an early indication of their approach. Rather than abandoning Y&R’s past, they’re finding ways to build on it.
Jackson and Ward will both debut in November, although their exact premiere dates haven’t been announced.
