Robert Newman Reveals How Ashland Really Feels About Victoria on Y&R (EXCLUSIVE)
Now that Robert Newman has had a couple of months to settle into playing Ashland Locke on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, the daytime veteran feels like he’s found his groove. “So far, it’s been really terrific,” Newman told Soaps In Depth. “I’m feeling more and more the rhythm of the show and the dialog and the other characters, and the other actors have been really supportive and wonderful. I like the character a lot, I like the show a lot, and I love the people I’m working with.”
Topping that list of wonderful Y&R co-stars is Amelia Heinle, who plays Ashland’s wife, Victoria. “She’s so good at what she does,” raved Newman. “She’s just moving along with me as I’ve been trying to take this character in different directions. She’s dependable and inventive and I really trust her.”
Unfortunately for Newman’s alter ego, not many folks in Genoa City can say that they trust Ashland — especially since Victoria’s family is accusing him of faking his cancer diagnosis. But the way Newman explains it, the cut-throat businessman is just a big old softy when it comes to his wife. “Romantic relationships between characters is kind of my sweet spot in the world of daytime,” said the actor, who spent nearly 30 years playing GUIDING LIGHT hero Josh Lewis. “Ashland’s unexpected love for Victoria is changing him. He can’t erase the things that he’s done in his past, but he’s trying desperately to save his relationship with her. He and Victoria are really on thin ice, and Ashland’s aware of that.”
Saving their marriage may not be an easy feat for Ashland in the days ahead. Victor has accused Ashland of manipulating Victoria into marriage in order to worm his way into Newman Enterprises (now Newman-Locke) and is trying to force his son-in-law out of his daughter’s life. “Ashland’s trying to create a situation that will help him hang on to her because she is the most important thing to him right now. Even more so, perhaps, than the business,” Newman teased. “His love for her is real, and he’s never felt like this about someone before. I think even he doesn’t understand it. She’s really turned his world upside-down. If not for that love and trying to salvage that marriage, I think he would be doing much more despicable things.
“Ashland is pedaling as fast as he can,” Newman concluded. “He’s trying to stay half a step ahead of any number of people, starting with Victor on this. He’s got to answer for things he’s done in the past, but he can’t really own up to those things because he’s trying to hang on to what he has with Victoria. It’s very complicated and I love how the story pulls me in 25 different directions.”
Stay tuned to see what happens next!
