When Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher)'s impending exit from The Young and the Restless was announced in May, it caught many fans by surprise. Now, it appears the CBS soap has had a change of heart.
As previously reported by Soap Central, the Emmy-winning actor will be returning to Y&R in the near future. Make that the very near future. As in next week.
"Fourteen years ago, I booked a two-week long gig on The Young and the Restless. In my wildest dreams, I could never have imagined what it would turn into: a career-defining experience that has brought me so much happiness and fulfillment," Rikaart shared in a post on Instagram at the time. "Playing Kevin and watching him evolve over the years has mirrored my real life in so many ways. We both found love, both became dads and we both have more gray hair now than we did in 2003. I have such love and fondness for the cast and crew of Y&R that when I watch Kevin enjoying himself in scenes, it's hard to know where he ends and Greg begins. At the moment it is unclear what lies ahead for Kevin and I, as we will be saying goodbye to Genoa City for a while. I am sad to leave a place I hold so dear but also really excited about what the future holds. I cannot overstate how much gratitude I have to all of you who have been such loud cheerleaders for me. You've all enriched my life. So stick around. The journey is just beginning."
If you weren't quite following how Kevin was written off the canvas, here's a super condensed version (and you can get all the sordid details in our Daily Recaps Archive). Chloe faked her death and scared the bejeezus out of Kevin by rising out of her casket at her funeral. The two fled Genoa City with plans to set up a new life with their daughter in Portland, Oregon. There was just one minor glitch in their plans to disappear: both Victor and Dr. Harris knew that Chloe was alive.
Shortly after Soap Central broke the news of Rikaart's return on its official Twitter feed, The Young and the Restless confirmed Rikaart's return with a photo of Rikaart and his on-screen brother, Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), with the caption, "Reunited and it feels so good."
Reunited and it feels so good! #YR #backonset pic.twitter.com/8yI5t8mATz
— Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) August 3, 2017
LeBlanc followed that up with a special media post of his own.
For fans hoping that Rikaart would be back on a full-time basis... that's not going to be the case. At least not yet. Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Rikaart's return will be "for a two-week gig starting September 20." However, EW teases that Rikaart's short-term return could lead to something more.
How do you feel about Rikaart's return to Y&R? Are you hoping he'll stick around -- or would you prefer a brief visit to wrap up loose ends? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
