Is Doug Davidson Leaving The Young and The Restless?

Longtime fans of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS are always happy when Doug Davidson makes an appearance on the soap as his long-running character, Paul Williams. So naturally, they were upset when the actor admitted on social media that he may not be making another appearance for a while! When a fan asked Davidson on Twitter if he had been let go, he replied: “It seems so.”

Davidson, who joined Y&R back in 1978, is the soap’s longest-tenured actor in the cast, and in January of 2018, was bumped from contract to recurring status with the show. This means he can appear whenever Paul is written into a storyline, and he will make an appearance in the Sept. 13 episode as part of the police investigation into Nick’s impersonation of the missing J.T. Hellstrom. So while Davidson says that after the next couple appearances he has “no dates scheduled,” that could still change in the future.

There should be enough crime in Genoa City to keep Paul busy! (Photo Credit: Howard Wise/jpistudios.com)

There was an outpouring of support for Davidson and the character of Paul Williams online, and the Daytime Emmy winner was overwhelmed by all the love. “You are all so wonderful,” Davidson declared. “I so appreciate your support and kindness and love. Thanks for a fabulous career.”

Davidson has also gotten support from other performers, including his longtime friend Rick Springfield (ex-Noah, GENERAL HOSPITAL). “Doug is my best friend forever and was the best actor and mainstay character on the show,” Springfield tweeted. “An Emmy-winning great human being, a truthful actor with an open heart. Another show needs to snap this giant-hearted brilliant actor up!” But when one suggested he take his talents to another soap, Davidson demurred, insisting: “My history and loyalty is with Y&R.”

While Y&R has not made an official statement regarding Davidson’s status with the soap, he still has episodes airing, and while he may not have any on his schedule at the present time, that could certainly change in the future. So stay tuned for further developments, and for more Y&R casting news, keep reading the CBS edition of Soaps In Depth magazine.