William Russ out, Stephen Nichols in at The Young and the Restless
There's good news and bad news from the soap world, and considering lately that the bad news has been horrific -- As the World Turns getting cancelled -- this might be a bit over-dramatic. However, William Russ was fired and Stephen Nichols hired at The Young & the Restless. Bad news for Russ, a very good actor who was doing just fine as Tucker McCall, new billionaire in Genoa City. Good news for fans of Nichols, who was bounced from Days of Our Lives last February.According to the powers that be at Y&R, the McCall character is going in a different direction. That prompted Russ's dismissal. According to Stephen, Russ handled the firing with grace and class. He left a note in the dressing room for Nichols and wished him well in the role.
Yes, that to me qualifies as extremely classy, and Nichols was equally impressed, and grateful for the positive vibes. Nichols begins airing on January 27.
Apparently, Tucker is going to be more of a romantic figure, which is better suited for Stephen Nichols. Even when he began in daytime as a surly, dark, stalker and potential rapist on Days of Our Lives, the character was altered to make him more romantic. That's how Patch Johnson, ex-friend of Bo and troublemaker, became the ultimate anti-hero Steve Johnson. He was half of Patch and Kayla, one of the most romantic duos in Days history.
Y&R doesn't swim in the romance like Days, but they do like complex characters. Nichols pulled off that trick on General Hospital as Stefan Cassadine. Personally, I can't wait to see him in the role!

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