The Young and the Restless Star Sean Dominic on How He Was Cast As Nate

He laughs about it now, but believe it or not, Sean Dominic says that he had to seek advice on whether or not he should accept the role of Nate on The Young and the Restless.

Learn More About Sean Dominic

In an interview with Dean Sheremet, host of the podcast Dive Right In, Dominic talked about how he’s handling the pandemic, growing up as the son of a single parent in the military, fitness, YR, and a host of other topics.

“I love entertainment from being a kid,” Dominic said. “Watching TV and film…Eddie Murphy, Denzel [Washington], Sam Jackson, seeing these guys…I danced, I sang, I was in plays. Play a couple of instruments. I did all forms of entertainment not knowing exactly what I wanted to do.”

While on a visit to Los Angeles in 2019, Dominic, based in New York at the time, recalls he was asked by the show after his reading what his plans were for the coming week. He replied that he was on his way back to the Big Apple. “Later that day,” he says, “my agent was like, ‘They want you. You start filming next week.'”

When he was presented with the opportunity to take on the role of Dr. Nate Hastings, Jr., the son of Olivia Hastings (Tonya Lee Williams) and the late Nate Hastings Sr. (Adam Lazarre-White), Dominic sought advice on whether or not he should take the role.

“I remember talking to my acting coach [asking] ‘What if they offer me this role, should I take it?'” Dominic recalled. The teacher responded by asking would accepting the part mean Dominic was a working actor? “I was like…yeah! He was like [then] what are you talking about? I said yeah!’

“When I get on set, these cats are beasts!” Dominic raves about his castmates. “Everyone on that show can act. Everyone. There’s no casual actor…we don’t have a week to rehearse. You’re lucky if you can rehearse right before the scene [is shot]. As an actor on a soap, you’re constantly working on being in a conversation, and listening and reacting…This can help be a piece and you becoming that great actor you want to be.”

For the full interview, check out the video below. The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for airtimes.