14 DAY TRIAL // It’s not uncommon for actors to leave or be fired from soap operas and then replaced with a fresh face, but never before has a decision caused as much unrest among fans as that of giving the ax to Michael Muhney from “The Young and the Restless” did. He has now been officially replaced as Adam Newman.
In January this year, Adam was apparently killed off. This plot twist came about after Muhney himself was let go from the show in December, for reasons still unclear – but, according to the actor, they had nothing to do with certain allegations that he had groped and / or harassed fellow actress Hunter King.
From the moment Muhney announced he’d been fired to his last minute on screen, fans hoped he would still come back, that CBS bosses would change their mind, realize the mistake they were about to make, and just ask him to come back.
Until last week, when Muhney confirmed on Twitter he was absolutely done with the series, they still hoped he would return. Muhney too, as his tweets below can confirm; it just wasn’t meant to be, though.
If you’re one of those fans who had hoped that, with Muhney gone, Adam Newman would be dead for good, you’re in for a disappointment because the role has been recast. Justin Hartley, known from “Smallville” and “Revenge,” is coming to fill in Muhney’s shoes, TV Guide reports.
And he’s thrilled and a bit scared at the prospect.
“I'm so pumped about joining Y&R — I watch it all the time and can't wait to get in there and get my hands dirty! I have great respect for daytime drama. I love the branding. I love the style. What can I say? I love good soap!” Hartley says.
“It's all about story and character with me and I don't care if the job is on daytime or primetime or the web. Hey, give me a good character and someone to listen and I'll do my acting on a street corner,” he continues.
The actor explains that he was won over by executive producer Jill Farren Phelps and CBS boss Angelica McDaniel from the first meeting they had, and says he’s overjoyed that he got a job where he gets to do what he likes and knows he’s welcome.
Hartley isn’t nervous about the new gig because of the controversy that surrounded Muhney’s departure (he doesn’t even acknowledge it, to be honest) but because he knows all eyes will be on him as the new guy on the block.
“Y&R is the No. 1 show and the acting company is exceptional,” he reveals in the same interview. “There's no period of adjustment with these people and that's daunting. I don't just have to be fantastic, I have to be fantastic right now!”
Hartley will start work as Adam Newman on “The Young and the Restless” in September, with the episodes airing in November. Will you be watching or are you among those who say that Muhney was Adam Newman and there’s no replacing him? Sound off in the comments.
RT @DannieAsphall: So does that mean the rumours were false? #YR YES. IT WAS ONLY A SALACIOUS RUMOR.
— Muhney (@michaelmuhney) August 14, 2014
Just got an official call, although things got very close, I will not be returning to Y&R. That part of my life is over. Moving on...
— Muhney (@michaelmuhney) August 14, 2014
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." -Dr. Seuss
— Muhney (@michaelmuhney) August 14, 2014
I was hopeful for a return, but now I'm hopeful for the future. Now you'll just have to promise to tune in to my future projects! #lovexo
— Muhney (@michaelmuhney) August 14, 2014
Keep it classy out there everyone! Life on earth is good and so are the people! #keepitcool #xoxoxo
— Muhney (@michaelmuhney) August 14, 2014