For more than five decades, The Young and the Restless has remained a towering force in daytime television—a sprawling saga of love, rivalry, betrayal, and redemption rooted firmly in the fictional town of Genoa City. Since its 1973 debut on CBS, the series has aired over 13,000 episodes and built a legacy defined by unforgettable characters and long-running story arcs that have shaped generations of soap fans. While stalwarts like Eric Braeden, Peter Bergman, and Melody Thomas Scott continue to anchor the canvas with the steadiness of legends, the heart of the show also beats through newer faces who bring fresh intrigue and modern complications.

But in 2025, viewers were hit with a wave of gut-punches as seven major characters took their final bows—some in explosive fashion, some quietly slipping away, and others departing with open questions lingering in their wake. Each exit shook Genoa City in its own way, reworking relationships, opening new story paths, and leaving fans buzzing with emotion. Here are the seven exits that defined the year—and why each one left such a mark.

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7. Germaine Rivers as Damen Kaine

Germaine Rivers entered Y&R as Damen Kaine, a slippery schemer whose charm masked a dangerous edge. Damen wasn’t around long, but he didn’t need years to make noise; his whirlwind arrival was packed with deception, back-alley dealings, and a string of manipulations that quickly put him on nearly everyone’s radar.

His exit was as dramatic as his tenure. In mid-July 2025, during an adrenaline-charged confrontation, a flying knife struck Damen, ending his run in a shocking, fatal beat that left viewers stunned. Rivers later spoke fondly of the role, calling his short stint on the show “a thrill and a privilege.”

Still, Y&R viewers know one truth better than anyone: villains rarely stay gone forever. With a character like Damen, fans continue to wonder if the door is really closed—or if a resurrection plot twist could someday be in the cards.

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6. Jay Eddie Peck as Cole Howard

The return of Jay Eddie Peck as beloved family man Cole Howard was one of the most nostalgic surprises of the last few years. Reintegrated into the Newman orbit, Cole stepped back into complicated dynamics with grace—reigniting old chemistry, healing wounds, and revealing layers of maturity that refreshed his character for longtime fans.

But his second run took a tragic turn. Early July 2025 brought the devastating revelation that Cole had developed a rare lung disease. His peaceful passing in the hospital, without a large on-screen farewell or Newman-family crescendo, left many viewers feeling the goodbye was too abrupt for a character who had once been central to pivotal storylines.

Peck’s warm, steady portrayal made Cole feel like familiar comfort in Genoa City—a presence whose loss creates a ripple effect not just for the Howards, but for the emotional foundation of the Newman clan.

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5. Connor Floyd as Chance Chancellor

Since 2021, Connor Floyd’s portrayal of Chance Chancellor reinvented the character with grit, integrity, and emotional nuance. As a decorated cop with a complicated romantic life and a deep sense of duty, Chance became a cornerstone of younger storylines, appearing in nearly 270 episodes and earning strong viewer loyalty.

But summer 2025 brought news that hit hard: Floyd had filmed his final scenes. The actor is making a high-profile leap to Days of Our Lives, where he’ll take on a leading role beginning in spring 2026. With Chance offscreen, viewers are left guessing how his departure will play out—an undercover mission? A relocation? Or perhaps the show will recast again, continuing the Chancellor legacy?

The uncertainty stings, but fans are rallying around Floyd’s career move, excited for his next chapter even as they mourn his absence on Y&R.

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4. Ray Wise as Ian Ward

Ray Wise’s chilling portrayal of cult leader Ian Ward stands among the great villain performances in soap history. Introduced in 2014 as a manipulator with a deep, festering hatred for the Newmans, Ian disappeared for a time after prison…but 2024 marked his vengeful return, leading to a fresh wave of terror.

Ian’s final confrontation in January 2025 was explosive. Determined to bring down Victor Newman once and for all, he cornered The Mustache in a tense showdown that ended with Ian being fatally shot. Over the course of 90 episodes, Wise crafted a character so devious and unpredictable that even his final breath left fans wondering—is this really goodbye?

Soap tradition says villains can resurface even after death, but for now, Ian’s chapter is closed, and Wise exits with a legacy of menace few can match.

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3. Lyndon Ashby as Cameron Kirsten

Cameron Kirsten, one of the creepiest antagonists in Y&R history, made his first appearance in 2003, terrorizing Sharon Newman before vanishing one year later. When Lyndon Ashby returned in late 2024, fans knew trouble was looming—Cameron never returns without chaos in his shadow.

True to form, his comeback involved a harrowing plot that saw him abduct Faith Newman in a desperate and deeply twisted final play. Sharon’s fierce rescue ended with her fatally stabbing Cameron, but even death didn’t silence his presence. Cameron continued to haunt Sharon’s visions, serving as a ghostly warning and protector one last time before fading away for good on January 27, 2025.

Ashby’s taut, unnerving performance made every moment count, closing Cameron’s decades-long arc with chilling finality.

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2. Colleen Zenk as Jordan Howard

Legendary soap actress Colleen Zenk stormed into Y&R in 2023 as Jordan Howard, a cunning antagonist whose partnership with Ian Ward brought fresh layers of psychological warfare to the Newman family. Jordan wasn’t just manipulative—she was theatrical, calculating, and utterly relentless.

But cornered at last and with no escape from justice, Jordan opted for a grim end. On January 24, 2025, she drank poison at the Newman Ranch, choosing her own fate rather than surrendering. Zenk later shared her disappointment at the truncated conclusion, wishing for a more elaborate villain sendoff in classic film-noir fashion.

Still, her fiery, magnetic performance ensured Jordan left an indelible imprint on the show’s modern villain landscape.

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1. Allison Lanier as Summer Newman

Allison Lanier stepped into the role of Summer Newman in 2022, inheriting a legacy character tied deeply to two powerhouse lines: the Newmans and the Abbotts. Smart, determined, stylish, and unafraid to confront personal or professional conflict, Lanier’s three-year run revitalized Summer with bold confidence and vulnerability.

In May 2025, Lanier confirmed her exit, with Summer departing Genoa City on May 2 for a fresh opportunity in Italy. No recast has yet been announced—an unusual pause for such a central character, sparking speculation about when (and who) will eventually step into the role again.

Lanier’s portrayal leaves behind a notable void. Summer’s relationships—with Kyle, Phyllis, Nick, and the Abbott family—are foundational to the show’s emotional core, and her absence fundamentally reshifts the younger generational balance.

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A Year of Goodbyes—and New Beginnings

These seven exits mark one of the most transformative years in Y&R history. With villains defeated, heroes lost, and family ties disrupted, Genoa City feels newly unsteady—yet ripe for reinvention. As the canvas evolves, the show’s greatest strength remains its ability to introduce fresh drama while honoring the rich legacy fans cherish.

For now, the best way to witness the aftershocks is to tune in daily at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS or stream on Paramount+. And one question remains:

Which 2025 exit shocked you the most?