Hartley Sawyer Joins THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Blake Hood Leaving

Blake Hood is leaving THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and the role of Kyle Abbott. According to Soap Opera Digest, the show is replacing Hood with Hartley Sawyer.

Hood was cast as the aged version of Jack's (Peter Bergman) son in April 2012.

Sawyer, a daytime newcomer, begins taping the week of March 18. Soap fans may have noticed him as Bozeman Peacham in GCB last year or for his appearance in JANE BY DESIGN.  He guest-starred in NCIS: LOS ANGELES last month.

PREVIEW: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES ("The Killer")

Photo: The CW

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES continues its fourth season on Thursday, November 8 at 8 p.m. on The CW.

In "The Killer," Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Klaus (Joseph Morgan) form an uneasy alliance to try and contain the danger that Connor (guest star Todd Williams) has unleashed on the town. When Connor takes Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), Matt (Zach Roerig) and April (guest star Grace Phipps) hostage at the Grill, Stefan and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) have a serious disagreement about the best course of action, and Elena (Nina Dobrev) is again caught between the two brothers. The situation quickly turns violent when Klaus sends one of his hybrids, Dean (guest star Blake Hood, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) to stand up to Connor.

Blake Hood Joins The Cast Of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Blake Hood has joined the cast of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS as a series regular, according to a new report by The Hollywood Reporter.

Hood will play Kyle Jenkins Abbott, the son of Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and the late Diane Jenkins (Maura West) and will make his debut on the soap on April 27.