Y&R Christel Khalil Talks Shock Over Cane Recast

The Young and the Restless spoilers hint that Cane Ashby is officially back, and while he may look a bit different, he’s still ready to bring on the drama!

That’s because Cane is now being played by former Days of Our Lives star, Billy Flynn, who’s created a unique spin on the established character.

Actress Christel Khalil, who played Cane’s onscreen love interest for many years, recently talked to TV Insider about the character’s recast and revived storyline.

Christel Khalil Was Surprised

Khalil tells TV Insider that Y&R’s Head Writer and Executive Producer Josh Griffith kept Flynn’s role on the show under a tight lid for a long while. The actress states, “I didn’t realize they were bringing Cane back until a week or two before he started.”

She adds that she was quite excited at the thought of Ashby returning, as he was a great character.

Of course, Ashby was played by Daniel Goddard from 2007 to 2019, and the actor is currently on General Hospital playing the mysterious Port Charles University professor, Hank “Henry” Dalton.

Still, as it’s been six years since Cane has interacted with anyone (onscreen) in GC, and Khalil tells TV Insider, “It doesn’t feel like we’re trying to have someone step in Daniel Goddard’s shoes. It’s pretty much an entirely new character, to it’s been interesting to have scenes because we have the history there, but it’s a little bit different.” She adds, “ .. it’s almost a little bit of a new relationship again, in a way.”

Not The Same Cane Ashby

Khalil goes on to note that as of this moment, a romantic reunion is out of the question, although Cane did suggest that he was interested during the Tuesday, June 24 episode.

But Lily is not entertaining this thought, and Khalil reveals that she’s quite disturbed by his behavior and parading around under the alias of ‘Aristotle Dumas’ for years.

Mix in the fact that he was working with his dad, Colin Atkinson (Tristan Rogers), and Lily pretty much wants nothing to do with her ex.

With that said, Khalil is hoping that fans will give Flynn, the new Cane recast, a chance! She says, “At the end of the day, it’s not going to be the same Cane. It’s a completely different person, and I really hope that everybody gives Billy a chance and tries to look at the character through new eyes, because it is a new person, and honestly, it’s a new character.”

She adds that Flynn is nothing like Goddard, which is the point – to make an old character new again!

What do you think of Billy Flynn as Cane Ashby? Comment below! Check out the popular CBS soap daily for your dose of Genoa City drama and visit this site often for the most up-to-date Young and the Restless news and spoilers.