The Young and the Restless: Why is Diana Coming Back? “He always dreamed of being an Abbott…” explains Susan Walters

Back from the dead in The Young and the Restless on TF1… Just before we thought she was six feet under, Diane Jenkins is gearing up for her big return to Genoa City! But how did she manage to convince everyone that she died years ago because of Nick (Melody Thomas Scott)? And why did he set up this charade at that time?

Exclusively for AlloCiné, Suzanne Walters (protagonist’s second translator) reveals the continuation of the intrigue of the series (airing Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. on Page One). On our mic, the actor reveals that Diana’s arrival won’t please many… and especially not Jack (Peter Bergman, who has confided in his character’s future), her ex, with whom she had a son, Kyle. (Michael Meallor).

AlloCiné: How was your return to The Young and the Restless two years ago in the United States?

Susan Walters: I was left with the impression that I had left a long time ago and at the same time not at all. Not much has changed! It was a good time, but I was a little nervous because in our profession and especially in TV series, how you look is very important. Now, I haven’t been in 20 years… I was worried about that! In the end it was great. My first scene was with Peter Bergman and we quickly fell back into good old habits.

Why does Diane, your character, return to Genoa City?

He comes back for his son because he wants to be with him. He went and tried to live a fulfilling life, but… it turned out to be difficult, you’ll see! She finally felt like she wanted to bond with her son. And of course his dream has always been Abbott…

How will Jack react when he finds out she’s alive?

She’s not going to be happy (laughs) ’till she dies’ not only has she caused a lot of trouble, especially for Jack, but she’s also had to educate their son Kyle on her own. She saw that he was devastated by his mother’s death and didn’t know how to help Kyle, who was still a child, through this ordeal. Suddenly, she returns to Genoa City and wants Jack to mediate between her and their son…and he’s not going to like it.

How will Diana try to redeem herself?

The only thing you should do in this situation is try to take responsibility for his actions and admit how wrong he was. Obviously, what Diane did is very difficult to justify, but she will try to do the best she can. This is a big thing for this character.

This is the first time for him…

Really!

How will Nick react when he discovers that he didn’t actually kill Diane on “The Young and the Restless”?

Nikki isn’t going to be happy either (laughs) partly because Diane is back in their lives, but because Nikki has overcome horrors after this “death”. So she’s angry… It’s really fun for me to play when Diana apologizes to people close to her and responds to people like Nick: “Leave me alone.(Laughs) It’s a lot of fun to get back into that dynamic.

Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) may also not be thrilled to see Diane again… could a love triangle be brewing between them and Jack?

Between Phyllis, Jack and Diane we can expect a lot of trouble (laughs) you’ll be crazy! And you will like it. We have an important scene that you will see soon… I laughed at the end of the shoot because I got the impression that no time had passed between us, the actors. We had a lot of fun! This is one of my favorite days in my acting career.

Diane will finally see Kyle, her son again…what reception will she have in store for him?

Kyle’s emotions will be a mixture of surprise, joy, anger… Michael Millor and I didn’t rehearse much before our first scene. We only just met and we had to feel these really intense and dramatic emotions… but because he could be my son and we are from the same place in the United States, he was very easy to work with and scary. About what he did.

How does Diana greet you? Summer (Alison Lanier), Kyle’s wife?

Who is also Phyllis’s daughter… Summer is going to be a problem, yes! Diane isn’t going to argue with him like she did with Phyllis. Summer is younger and Diana is her stepmother. She wants to do everything she can to bond with her son, but she’s putting limits on Summer… who can be stubborn at times!

Deep down, do you think Diane has really become beautiful or is she still a bitch?

All the characters ask themselves: “is it real Did Diane really change?“In life, people go to therapy and they don’t change. On the other hand, they learn to manage their worries better. As for Diane, she has a lot of obligations to manage! (laughs) So you’ll see. Moments where the old Diana emerges.

And you, Susan, how do you prefer Diane’s interpretation of “The Young and the Restless”: as a devoted mother and wife or as a troublemaker?

Although he is in the process of redemption, there is always the threat or possibility that he will return to the way he was before. If you push, he responds… It’s stimulating to play such a character! It seems to me that most people don’t want it to settle down and become boring… but it also matures. Life experiences shape even a person like Diana.