Monday, November 2, 2015

Burgess Jenkins Leaving 'The Young and the Restless' as Billy Abbott (Updated)

Burgess Jenkins
Actor Burgess Jenkins has been let go from CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, according to Daytime Confidential's Jamey Giddens. Jenkins has played Billy Abbott on the top-rated daytime drama since June 2014, when he replaced David Tom in the role, who had replaced Billy Miller four months earlier.

Jason Thompson, who will be leaving General Hospital and the role of Dr. Patrick Drake behind soon, is rumored to be at the top of Y&R's wish list but no deal has been signed yet.

Are you sad to see Jenkins leave Y&R? Do you think Jason Thompson would make a good Billy Abbott? Weigh in below in our Comments section.

UPDATE #1:
Jenkins released the following statement on his exit: "It’s been a terrific time, but after a lot of thought I have made the difficult decision to leave The Young and the Restless. Commuting back and forth from the East Coast, where my home and family are based, has been challenging. I've had a great ride in Genoa City and I will miss our talented cast and crew tremendously. I would like to thank all of the amazing fans for their support, Jill Farren Phelps [executive producer] and Chuck Pratt [head writer/executive producer] for their excellent leadership, and everyone at Sony and CBS for this opportunity."

UPDATE #2:
CBS has released the first Y&R promo that includes the new Billy Abbott. Catch a glimpse of Jason Thompson in the role here.

31 comments:

  1. I hate when any actor loses their job, but Burgess was all wrong for the role of Billy Abbott.

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    1. Omg--- I thought it was just me. I miss the original Billy. He was soooooo more convincing.

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  2. Jenkins is just not right for the role. Good luck, but I won't miss him.

    Now, please tell me that someone has convinced Josh Kelly that he can do both that 10-episode per season unREAL thing on Lifetime as well as Y&R. He'd be fabulous as Billy Abbott.

    I remember when OLTL was canceled the first time, it was reported at Deadline that Kelly was on Sony's "get list".

    http://deadline.com/2011/04/days-of-our-lives-and-the-young-the-restless-to-recruit-alums-from-canceled-abc-soaps-amc-and-oltl-125981/

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    1. That's the best choice I've heard for Billy. I liked David Tom's original run and was happy when he returned but the writing was so miserable we never got to see if he could play the Billy of today. But as talented as he is, he lacked the massive charisma that Billy Miller added to the role, and that Burgess Jenkins lacks. Jenkins has settled into the part but there's something missing without a dynamic actor playing the role. Adam has the charisma now, so the writers favor him because Justin Hartley can play such a range of emotions. Josh Kelly would help bring back some of the old Miller magic (and I say this as someone who didn't really love some of the changes to Billy during his run but have since learned to appreciate how much he added to the show).

      As for Jason Thompson, I worry that it would be another case of the right actor in the wrong role, something soaps are notorious for, especially in recent years (Maura West as Diane on Y&R, for example). I like Thompson, and think it would definitely be an upgrade but I hope they wouldn't be setting him up for failure by casting him as Billy. I'm a fan so if Y&R signs Thompson I want it to work, and not feel heavy-handed like the writing for Dylan can be at times.

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    2. Perfectly stated, Roger! Agree with all except I'm not familiar with Josh Kelly...but all the rest was spot on!

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    3. Roger, I also don't get the calls for Jason Thompson. While I'm pretty unfamiliar with him as an actor, the Abbotts have a certain "look" (i.e. blond). Let's not make the same mistake they did when they hired Maura West as Diane Jenkins, whom everyone perceived as a dark-haired beauty. Excellent talent aside, that was definitely a big part of the acceptance problem.

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    4. I liked Billy as Burgess Jenkins. Sorry honey's, loved him.

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  3. I think it's time to rest the character of Billy Abbott. He's been bounced around and changed so much by the different writers that, at this point, it seems like Billy just functions as whatever the story needs. As for the Jason Thompson rumors, I just don't get it. JT should be on primetime, not making a lateral move to another soap.

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    1. I don't think getting a primetime gig is as easy as it seems.

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    2. Yeah, ITA. I think it would be wise to rest the character for about 9 months to a year before trying another recast. (Maybe Josh Kelly will be available by then .. lol!)

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    3. I agree, I think Billy should be buried and let a new interest begin. Maybe a long lost relative , step brother something from the Abvott past that Victoria and everyone else can fight over. Jason T does not fit as an Abbott.

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    4. I agree, I think Billy should be buried and let a new interest begin. Maybe a long lost relative , step brother something from the Abvott past that Victoria and everyone else can fight over. Jason T does not fit as an Abbott.

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  4. A year ago, I predicted they would get rid of Burgess once the Adam reveal was over. Looks like I was right. In the past year, I have grown to like him as Billy, although his hair always distracts me. Is that a toupee because it frequently does not look natural?

    Burgess did a fantastic job during the courtroom scenes. He really impressed me with that. And the whole Adam reveal scenes for that matter. But he's still not a great fit for the role.

    Jason Thompson may be a Friend of Jill, but I don't think he'd be right for Billy. He'd be stronger than Burgess, but it just doesn't feel like it would be a good fit.

    I agree, the actor to pursue for the Billy role is Josh Kelly.

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  5. Just kill the character off, these replacements are getting ridiculous.

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  6. I love JT and if it's the role of Billy Abbott, so be it. But I'll take him in any role, except Adam or Nick.

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  7. Love JT as Patrick but cannot see him playing Billy & with Victoria. I can't see any chemistry with her. She needs to go

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  8. I loved Billy Miller, why not just pay the guy and keep the fans....

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  9. Billy Miller has been the best Billy Abbott by far....

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  10. Plz get Billy Miller back! The best Billy ever!

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  11. i agree that billy miller was and always be the only one to play billy abbott and i hope he leave GH and come back to Y&R.

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  12. i agree that billy miller was and always be the only one to play billy abbott and i hope he leave GH and come back to Y&R.

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  13. Josh Kelley would be a good fit as Billy. He's the right age Billy should be, but no one can replace Billy Miller...he's irreplaceable, unforgettable!!

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  14. He never played the part very well. He over acted his part to the fact that it seemed like he was acting. Not very good.



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    1. Disagree with everyone. Good luck Burgess you did a good job as Billy Abbott. It's always difficult to replace someone who was so,well,liked, but it was his choice to leave and you stepped in and did a great job . Goodbye and good luck

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  15. Should have just given Billy miller whatever he wanted to stay!

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  16. Seems as though actors are leaving Y&R and going to General Hospital and vice versa. What a headache

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  17. IDK about JT as Billy Abbott,but let's wait see

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  18. Billy miller no questions asked was the best billy.. Almost/ did cry when he left.. 😢

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  19. Jason Thompson should have talked to Billy Miller about what a snake pit it is working for the Bells at Y&R before he made the jump from GH.

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    1. I enjoyed watching Burgess, it took some time but I feel he fits the part nicely. Why does Y&R have trouble keeping the Billy actors? All the other actors have been there forever.

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  20. One can only wish they bring back billy miller .I really enjoyed watching him .if they wont bring him back keep burgess he also is good.

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