TRICIA CAST BACK TO Y&R

late-breaking news

Tricia Cast, who originated the role of Y&R’s Nina Webster in 1986, was both surprised and thrilled when the soap contacted her about appearing for a short stint that would also include the upcoming 12,000th episode later this month. “It wasn’t like the show called my people and then my people called me because I don’t have people,” chuckles the actress. “The casting office called me directly and asked if I could come back. I immediately said yes and, ‘That would be fantastic. I’m in!’ I’m looking forward to anything they have for me. I couldn’t be any more excited about it. I think it’s great, and I can’t believe it’ll be 12,000 shows! I think they were in the 3,000s when I was there in the mid-’80s. It’s just unbelievable and I’m so tickled.”

After accepting the invitation, Cast shared the news with only one person. “Lauralee [Bell, Christine] was my first call,” Cast reveals. “Other than that I didn’t tell anybody because they asked me to keep it a secret, so I was a good girl. Lauralee and I basically grew up with each other. I was only 20 when we first started working together.” In returning to set, she reports, “I just picked up where I last left off because everything is where it’s supposed to be, you know what I mean? The building is familiar, the same camera and boom guys are here, all my friends are still in the makeup and hair room, so it’s a really lovely thing. It feels like I’m back in the fold.”