Younger and the Stressed sees many of those actor exits are fairly controversial. Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) debuted in 2008, initially often known as Adam Wilson earlier than the massive Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) paternity reveal. A few Adam actor exits have been controversial, none extra so than Michael Muhney.
Earlier than Muhney, Chris Engen performed Adam from February 2008 to June 2009. Engen left abruptly after a few yr. And the rumor mill exploded with hypothesis that the actor was uncomfortable with the storyline of Adam seducing one other man. Engen vehemently denied that was why he left, however he did go away.
Michael Muhney’s Controversial Exit as Adam Newman: Feuds and Firings
Michael Muhney entered the position in June 2009 and completely nailed it for 5 years. He was a fan favourite as Adam and scored an Emmy nomination in 2013, which turned out to be the identical yr he was fired. He didn’t select to exit; he was exited.
There have been tabloid studies about alleged inappropriate backstage habits in direction of a youthful feminine co-star, a cost that Muhney has all the time passionately denied and the feminine co-star has by no means confirmed. The bigger concern along with his exit seemingly was his reported backstage feud with Eric Braeden, often known as the nice Victor Newman.
After Muhney’s firing, a couple of months later, Braeden confirmed that Michael Muhney had begun a marketing campaign to attempt to get him kicked off Younger and the Stressed. Nevertheless, Braeden denied he had Muhney fired. Sometimes, such choices are right down to showrunner and producer discretion, not the discretion of one other actor. However if you’ve been on the present a very long time, you in all probability have some pull, although Braeden denies it.
Justin Hartley’s Departure: From Y&R to Primetime Stardom
Justin Hartley was recast into the position of Adam Newman in November 2014 and was beloved. He left in 2016 to pursue different tasks, touchdown a task on the vastly profitable, award-winning primetime collection This Is Us. He performed Adam for 2 years earlier than transferring on to nice issues.
Presently, he has one other hit CBS present, Tracker. When these two exits occurred, the writers created an “Adam demise” storyline after which revived him with a recast. The latest recast, who continues within the position, is Mark Grossman.
Phyllis Summers Recast Drama: Gina Tognoni’s Firing and Michelle Stafford’s Return
One other controversial exit on Younger and the Stressed concerned Gina Tognoni as Phyllis Summers (Gina Tognoni). Michelle Stafford originated the position of Phyllis in 1994, leaving after almost twenty years of scheming, romance. And Emmy-nominated performances. When she introduced her departure in July 2013, followers have been blindsided.
Her last episode aired in early August 2013, the place Phyllis fell down some stairs and right into a coma after a confrontation with Sharon Newman (Sharon Case). On the time, Michelle said the exit was her selection, as she needed to pursue different alternatives. Followers, nevertheless, questioned if then-executive producer Jill Farren Phelps might need been an element. Michelle Stafford went on to land a outstanding position on Basic Hospital as Nina Reeves.
Younger and the Stressed solid Gina Tognoni in 2014 when Phyllis awoke from her coma. Gina was an ideal actress. And many individuals cherished the recast. Then, in 2019, seemingly out of nowhere, she was abruptly fired. And Michelle Stafford returned. There was a 10-episode hole between Gina and Michelle’s portrayals. Government producer Anthony Morina and head author Josh Griffith took credit score for the firing and the swap, stating they have been “restoring Y&R to its iconic sensibility” and aggressively pursued Michelle Stafford to carry her again.
Probability Chancellor Recasts: Donnie Boaz’s Stunning Firing and Connor Floyd’s Exit
Subsequent, let’s talk about the controversial swap of Probability Chancellor (Conner Floyd) actors. After an eight-year absence from the display screen, Donnie Boaz took on the position from November 2019 to February 2021. Boaz delivered 108 episodes of strong work and had nice chemistry with Abby Newman‘s Melissa Ordway.
Then, within the midst of Probability and Abby’s surrogacy journey with Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes), Boaz was abruptly out, seemingly out of nowhere. He posted on Instagram simply a few days earlier than it occurred that February 1st was his final air date. Followers have been completely blindsided. And he revealed he solely came upon he had been lower on Christmas Eve.
Boaz said, “I’d like to say this was my selection, that I’ve booked a giant mission and I’m leaving of my very own accord, however that might not be the reality.” He additionally talked about that different solid members have been being lower as a consequence of COVID price range points. Donnie Boaz later edited his put up to make it much less accusatory and inflammatory. And he initially stated there wouldn’t be a Probability recast.
Nevertheless, he was unsuitable. Some advised his firing might need been associated to his political views, however Boaz by no means commented. And people stay rumors. Later that yr, Connor Floyd was introduced in because the recast Probability Conner Floyd in November 2021. He was killed off in August 2025. Connor Floyd left as a result of he landed a major position on Days of Our Lives.
Sasha Calle’s Departure as Lola Rosales: From Genoa Metropolis to Supergirl
Now, let’s discuss in regards to the exit of Lola Rosales. Sasha Calle performed Lola on Younger and the Stressed from September 2018 to 2021. She had electrical chemistry with Kyle Abbott‘s (Michael Mealor). Then, in February 2021, every part modified. And Lola was leaving Genoa Metropolis.
Sasha’s departure was for an ideal purpose for the actress, even when it disillusioned Y&R followers. She beat out over 425 different actresses to land the position of Supergirl in The Flash film, turning into the primary Latina actress to play the position. It additionally labored out effectively as a result of, frankly, Younger and the Stressed was not writing compelling storylines for Lola at that time.
Summer season Newman’s Double Departure: Hunter King and Allison Lanier’s Exits
Now, we’ll talk about two Summer season Newman exits and why each actresses left. Hunter King was the second actress to play the aged-up Summer season Newman on Younger and the Stressed. We’ll cowl her exit and that of Allison Lanier. Followers cherished Hunter King as Summer season Newman. She performed the position from 2012 to 2021, with a small hole within the center. Hunter earned two Daytime Emmys for Excellent Youthful Actress in 2014 and 2015.
Nevertheless, she had larger ambitions than enjoying Summer season on the cleaning soap. She took a brief break to do a primetime collection after which returned, however finally, Hunter King determined to make the whole leap away from soaps. She has remained busy with TV reveals and films since leaving the position of Summer season Newman.
Then, in Might 2022, Younger and the Stressed recast Summer season with Allison Lanier, who earned a 2024 Daytime Emmy nomination for Excellent Supporting Actress. Allison performed the position of Summer season for 3 years. Abruptly, on April thirtieth, 2025, Allison introduced on X that Might 2nd could be her final episode. She said she cherished the journey and discovered a lot however felt it was time to develop in a unique course.
With Kyle Abbott transferring on to Claire Grace Newman (Hayley Erin) and Probability marked for demise, there wasn’t a lot front-burner materials for Summer season on Y&R. Some critics stated her hasty exit storyline cheated Allison Lanier out of correct closure, however the exit was open-ended, leaving room for a return or a recast.
Richard Burgi’s Abrupt Firing as Ashland Locke: A COVID Protocol Controversy
Now, let’s talk about Richard Burgi’s exit as Ashland Locke. Richard Burgi is a stellar actor and was an ideal discover for The Younger and the Stressed to play the twisted villain Ashland Locke. Richard Burgi joined Y&R in March 2021. And his character Ashland swept Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) off her ft, however let’s be actual, he was dangerous to the bone.
Then, hastily, in January 2022, Burgi was fired over what he claims was a misunderstanding of office coverage. Over Christmas break in 2021, the Ashland actor visited household and examined constructive for COVID. Burgi adopted new CDC pointers that beneficial isolating for 5 days.
He then returned to work on the Y&R set, testing damaging twice on the studio. The problem was that Y&R had a 10-day isolation coverage, double the CDC guideline, which Burgi both wasn’t conscious of or misunderstood. He states he misunderstood. So, Younger and the Stressed fired him abruptly for this protocol violation.
His spouse lashed out on-line, implying that Y&R handled her husband unfairly. And Burgi insisted he inadvertently violated coverage. Followers have been fairly divided on the firing. In the long run, they recast the position of Ashland with Robert Newman earlier than finally killing off the character.
