Peter Bergman Explains Why Jack Trusts Diane on Y&R
When Diane returned to Genoa City on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, the majority of the town wasn’t particularly happy to see her. But while Phyllis, Ashley, and Nikki joined forces to drive her away again, Jack found himself sympathizing with the woman and giving her support and a shoulder to lean on. And portrayer Peter Bergman understands why Jack is willing to give Diane the benefit of the doubt.
“Here’s the story,” he explained to Soap Opera Digest. “Somebody did horrible things in their past life and spent years dreaming of trying to fix, at least, the part where her heart is. She has a son walking the Earth she hasn’t seen for years and years and a man who she loves and always wanted to set things right with. And she’s not going to set things right with everybody, but she could do it with two.
“So she returns against all wisdom and the whole town hates her and she starts her earnest effort to change herself and make peace with these two people,” Bergman added. “Everywhere she goes, she wreaks a little bit of havoc. She’s manipulative, she’s cagey, and she’s nasty sometimes, but with Jack and Kyle, the audience sees absolute sincerity. She’s not working them. She’s not manipulating them.”
The Y&R star has seen plenty of storylines in his decades on the soap and knows this is a good one, and one he can’t wait to see how it plays out. “That’s an easy sell for me and I just think it’s great television,” he enthuses. “The redemption of Diane Jenkins is a long-term story. It’s not ‘What are we doing in a few months?’ That’s a long-term effort.”
Of course, the daytime vet also admitted that he doesn’t want to know too far in advance what twists and turns are coming up. “I never want to know what’s really coming next for Jack,” Bergman confided. “That’s always been my way. I like getting to my dressing room, opening up my computer, and seeing that another script has just been released. I take a look and usually go, ‘Oh my God!’ because I’m regularly surprised and I like that.”
So stay tuned to Y&R to see if Diane can truly redeem herself or if she’s got something else planned entirely! But first, share your own opinion about Diane in our online poll below!
