Roger Howarth’s surprise return to The Young and the Restless as the morally corrupt and chillingly unpredictable Matt — also known by his darker alter ego, Mitch — sent shockwaves through Genoa City and the soap community at large. From the very moment he appeared on screen, bruised, grim, and radiating that eerie calm that only the most dangerous villains possess, long-time viewers all had the same instinctive reaction:

He won’t be staying long… but he’s definitely not done.

And that, as it turns out, may be the most important detail of all.

A Villain With No Redemption Arc — Only a Darker Descent

Some antagonists on soaps earn their gray areas. Others evolve. Some are even forgiven. But Mitch? He stands firmly in the rare category of villains who grow more menacing with time.

This is a man with a history dripping in violence, manipulation, disturbing obsession, and unfinished business. Fans haven’t forgotten:

• He assaulted Sharon multiple times
• He faked his death
• He resurfaced with even darker intentions
• And immediately returned to criminal behavior without hesitation

Mitch didn’t return seeking redemption. He didn’t apologize. He didn’t evolve. He simply relapsed into the man he always was — a predator with unfinished grudges.

While other “bad boys” are polished, charismatic, or morally conflicted, Mitch is the type of character who sends chills down a viewer’s spine with a simple stare. He doesn’t charm. He stalks. He doesn’t seduce. He invades.

No romantic glow-up. No misunderstood anti-hero transformation.
Just pure danger.

So yes — many fans thought he’d be gone quickly. How does a man like that survive long in a world ruled by the Newmans?

Simple:

He bites back.

Victor’s AI Strike — A Tactical Win… or a Setup for Something Worse?

In true Victor Newman style, the confrontation between Mitch and the Moustache was legendary. Victor, calm as ice, stood firm in the face of Mitch’s threats, and for the first time in weeks, viewers saw Mitch shaken — just enough to know Victor had finally hit him where it hurt.

Using newly integrated AI intelligence (which, let’s be honest, only Victor Newman could weaponize so ruthlessly), he dismantled Mitch’s hidden network, exposed his secrets, and shut down his illegal operations one by one.

It was swift.
Precise.
Devastating.

Even Mitch couldn’t deny it — Victor had won the round.

But then came the line.

The line every soap fan knows is a death omen and a promise rolled into one:

“This isn’t over.”

It never is. Not when a villain like Mitch is involved.

Behind-the-Scenes Buzz: Roger Howarth Isn’t Done Yet

Rumors behind the studio walls have now confirmed what fans suspected:
Roger Howarth’s exit is nowhere near final.

According to set insiders, the scenes viewers recently watched were not intended as Mitch’s final bow. In fact, writers reportedly have multiple explosive twists lined up, all centering around the fallout from Mitch’s unfinished vendettas.

This means:

• Sharon isn’t safe.
• Noah isn’t safe.
• The Newman empire isn’t safe.
• And Victor? He may have underestimated the one villain reckless enough to target him personally.

Where has Mitch gone? Is he regrouping? Hiding? Or planning the kind of revenge that will shake the Newman dynasty’s foundations?

Genoa City may have won a temporary victory, but it is absolutely not out of danger.

Roger Howarth Opens Up: The Truth About Filming With Eric Braeden

Off-screen, the chaos was much more charming.

Roger Howarth revealed in an interview with Soap Opera Digest that he was unexpectedly nervous about filming with Eric Braeden — the legendary Victor Newman himself. Fans might assume a veteran like Roger wouldn’t be ruffled by anything, but he admitted:

“I was genuinely nervous. He’s such an imposing, impressive human being.”

The confession only endeared him further to viewers. But the best part?

Victor and Mitch bonded over soccer.

Two powerhouse actors, one sinister storyline, and one unexpected bromance based on sports.

Their chemistry in scenes was electric — and now fans know why.

What Comes Next? Theories, Twists & the Storm Ahead

The bigger question is no longer whether Roger Howarth is leaving — it’s how long he’ll stay, and how much destruction Mitch can cause before his next downfall.

Based on the pacing of the storyline, clues sprinkled into recent episodes, and Y&R’s history of long-form revenge arcs, several possibilities are beginning to form:

1. Mitch Returns for Noah

Noah humiliated him.
Stole Sienna emotionally.
And survived Mitch’s previous attempts to control the situation.

Mitch doesn’t forgive.

2. Mitch Targets Sharon

His obsession with her has never faded. His hatred has only grown.

A jealous, wounded predator is unpredictable — and Mitch is the most unpredictable man in Genoa City.

3. Mitch Goes After Victor

The ultimate power play. The ultimate suicide mission.

But remember: villains with nothing to lose are the deadliest of all.

4. Mitch’s Return Exposes a Bigger Conspiracy

What if Mitch wasn’t working alone?
What if his disappearance was strategic?
What if someone far more dangerous is backing him?

The possibilities are endless — and Y&R thrives on the domino effect.

Final Verdict: Is Roger Howarth Leaving?

No.
Not yet.
Not even close.

Sources confirm more scenes are filmed, more conflict is planned, and more danger is brewing beneath Genoa City’s polished surface.

Mitch isn’t done.

He’s waiting.

Plotting.

Smiling in the shadows.

And when he returns — whether tomorrow, next month, or in the middle of someone’s wedding — it will be in the most spectacularly chaotic way possible.

Because The Young and the Restless doesn’t bring back a villain like Mitch for a brief cameo.

They bring him back for war.