User:Livelikemusic/Kelly Andrews

Kelly Andrews
The Young and the Restless character
Portrayed by
Duration2013–15
First appearanceNovember 15, 2013 (2013-11-15)
Last appearanceMay 29, 2015 (2015-05-29)
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Created byShelly Altman
Introduced byJill Farren Phelps
In-universe information
Occupation
Parents
  • Richard Russell
  • Maureen Russell
SiblingsStitch Rayburn
HusbandDean Andrews[a]
ChildrenSam Andrews
Nieces and nephewsMax Kieran

Kelly Andrews is a fictional character on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. Created by then-head writer Shelly Altman and introduced by executive producer Jill Farren Phelps, the role was originated by actress Cynthia Watros, who debuted in the role on November 15, 2013. In 2014, following Watros' booking a pilot on MTV, the role was immediately recast with Daytime Emmy Award winner Cady McClain, who held the role from April 16, 2014 to May 29, 2015.

Originally introduced as a grief support group member in a group attended by Billy Abbott (Billy Miller, David Tom) and Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle), she soon becomes involved in an affair with Billy, and reunites with her estranged brother, Dr. Ben "Stitch" Rayburn (Sean Carrigan). Kelly also developed a relationship with Billy's older brother, Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), a relationship with ended upon the return of Jack's ex-wife, Phyllis Summers (Gina Tognoni).

Casting and creation edit

 
Watros credited her casting in the role to executive producer Jill Farren Phelps, with whom she previously worked with on Guiding Light.

In September 2013, Entertainment Weekly broke news that former Guiding Light and Lost actress Cynthia Watros had joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in the recurring role of "Kelly".[1][2] Watros' arrival was said to have "profound influence" on several of the characters connected to the canvas. Soap Opera Digest confirmed Watros' debut for sometime in November 2013.[2] Entertainment Weekly further confirmed that Kelly was a former school teacher whose son was filled in a hit-and-run car accident, and that she'd interact with Billy Abbott (Billy Miller), whose character recently lost his own child on-screen, and that they would meet in a support group for grieving parents.[3] They further confirmed her first airdate as November 15, 2013.[3] Watros attributed her casting in the role to executive producer Jill Farren Phelps, with whom she previously worked with during her time on Guiding Light.[4] She complimented, "She’s a perfect combination of someone who knows what she’s doing, and she’s a strong woman."[4] Upon accepting the role, Watros knew there was a potential for her to vacate, due to her also being involved in a potential pilot series for MTV.

In January 2014, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Watros' pilot Finding Carter had been ordered into a full series by MTV.[5][6][7][8][9] Immediately following, it was reported a casting call for the role of "Molly" was put out by Y&R, which a character description that closely described the character of Kelly, causing alarm that Watros may vacate the role.[10][11][12][13] In February 2014, it was confirmed that Watros would depart the series in order to pursue the pilot full-time. In her place, CBS hired former All My Children and As the World Turns actress Cady McClain had been hired into the role, to continue the portrayal of Kelly.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20] TV Guide further confirmed that the immediate recasting of the role would likely be due to the potential, romantic pairing with the character of Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).[21][22] TV Guide further reported that Watros would tape her last scenes on March 14, and would last air on April 16, 2014.[18][19][20][21] McClain reported to set on March 26, and first aired on April 24, 2014.[18][19][20][21][22] In an interview with On Air, On Soaps with Michael Fairman, McClain spoke on the process of gaining the role of Kelly. She revealed, "I got an email from Y&R casting director, Judy Blye Wilson asking me to send a reel of my work over for the possibility that they may need to recast Cynthia Watros, because it looked like her pilot was going to get picked up. Luckily, Jon Lindstrom had just helped me make a beautiful reel of some of my soap and film work. We sent that over, and then it was quiet for awhile. I know they were looking at a lot of actresses, who of course, wanted to be on Y&R, but I stayed in the running. Then, I sent in another reel of my work from All My Children last year, and I was still in the running (laughs), and then I got the phone call and an offer, and that was pretty much it!"[23]

On her first day of work (March 20), McClain revealed she had worked alongside Bergman, David Tom and Kristoff St. John.[24][25][26] McClain further clarified her first airdate to be April 16, 2014, six days earlier than originally reported.[25][27] In an interview with Michael Logan of TV Guide magazine, McClain spoke on the pressures of replacing Watros, stating, "There's much more pressure being an instant replacement. Boom! Usually when this happens on a soap there's a break of a few months or at least weeks. And Cynthia was mind-bogglingly good and really made her mark with some award-worthy work. So I'm like, 'Oh, s—t!' But I'm bringing my A game and hoping the fans will accept me."[28]

In the June 8, 2015 issue of Soap Opera Digest, following increasing speculation over McClain's status with the series, it was confirmed that the actress had been let go from the series. In the following issue (June 18), McClain spoke about her exit, stating: McClain last aired on May 29, 2015.[29]

"It’s even faster. You have to make choices really quickly. [...] We used to go in big rehearsal rooms, or we’d participate in big balls and weddings. Everything’s gotten a lot quicker, and there are fewer big events."

Watros comparing her current return to daytime to that of her work on Guiding Light.[3]

Character development edit

"It’s such a great opportunity. I hope to fit in with the cast and have fun with the fans. I know it’s really hard when the canvas expands or changes. I have some proving of myself to do, and I know that, but I hope I can live up to the fans expectations. All I can say is; I will do my very best."

McClain's message to the fan of the show following the announcement of her casting as Kelly.[23]

Prior to Kelly's arrival, it was unveiled that she is a recently divorced mother, who also lost her son in a tragic accident.[3][30] She soon strikes up a close friendship with Billy Abbott (Billy Miller). Her past is later developed when she runs into an old friend, Dr. Ben "Stitch" Rayburn, which whom she continues to taunt a secret from his own past.

With the casting of McClain in the role, she was asked if she'd channel some of the "bitch" from her portrayal of Rosanna during her first-run on As the World Turns. McClain commented, "It’s so much fun to be a “bitch”! At first, it was hard to be so mean. But then I was like, “This is so great.” (Laughs) I have this whole new idea of the character of Kelly in my head. I have this feeling Kelly has this edge to her, but it’s not an edge like a bitch. It’s kind of like raw ambition."[23] McClain also commented on Kelly having "self hate" and being a "complex character", as she tries to put the pieces of the character together for herself.[23]

Relationship with Jack and death edit

Storylines edit

Kelly first appears in Genoa City at a grief support group, telling the story about how her son, Sam, died after being struck by a car, leading it to the end of her marriage to her husband, Dean. She meets Billy (Billy Miller) and Victoria Abbott (Amelia Heinle), who are grieving over the loss of Billy's daughter, Delia Abbott (Sophie Pollono). Billy and Kelly continue to meet and discuss their grief outside of the group, as Billy finds Victoria hard to talk to. Victoria is shown to be jealous of their relationship as she can't give Billy the support he needs. Billy and Kelly later have an affair leaving them guilt-ridden. Kelly is also revealed to know Dr. Ben "Stitch" Rayburn (Sean Carrigan) and that he is hiding something about who he really is. She is befriended by Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) while working on a fundraising event for a foundation in Delia's name. At the event, she mistakes Billy's brother Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) for her blind date Lily set her up with; Kelly and the attendees are later held in a hostage situation, which leads to the revelation of Kelly's affair to Billy (David Tom). Kelly is then shunned by a majority of Genoa City after the fundraising event for her involvement with Billy. She meets Jack again, where he offers her money to go somewhere far away from Billy, in which she is deeply insulted and rejects his offer. After resigning from GC Cares, Lily hires her at Jabot Cosmetics. Jack then attempts to rectify his mistake, and takes Kelly out on a dinner date, much to the displeasure of Jack's family members, in particularly Billy. As their relationship begins to mature, the surprise return of Phyllis Summers (Gina Tognoni) puts a permanent break in their relationship, leading to a confrontation between Kelly and Phyllis.

Reception edit

"I had fun, what can I say? It felt soooo good to be acting again. Sometimes acting can be exhausting, but I don’t think that’s going to happen here. I think this is going to be a very fulfilling experience. I am so looking forward to sharing it all with you."

McClain, in a blog post, about her first day at Y&R.[24][25][26]

"In these first scenes, it reminded us of just how great an actress Watros is," Michael Fairman of On Air, On Soaps exclaimed of Cynthia Watros' first episode with the series.[31] For her portrayal of Kelly, Watros received a pre-nomination for the 41st Daytime Emmy Awards in the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.[32][33][34][35][36][37] Concerning news of Cady McClain's casting in the role, Michael Fairman remarked, "Enter the talented and ever popular, McClain!"[23] Recounting her time with Watros, co-star Amelia Heinle, who portrays Victoria Newman, remarked: "I love Cynthia Watros! She has been doing such a great job. I did not realize how great she is, but she is really good. She is my kind of actress, and she would have been a great cast member to add to the show."[38] She also spoke about the incoming of McClain in the role, stating, "[...] but I know Cady McClain. She’s a great actress too, and a sweetheart! I think we worked briefly together on All My Children."[38]

In the March 31, 2014 issue of Soap Opera Digest, columnist Mara Levinsky applauded and thanked the series for hiring McClain into the role. She remarked, "With only four shows left, casting directors and execs should be turning their eyes to performers like them." She further called the departure of Watros as a "blow" to the series, but that it was "softened" with McClain's arrival into the role.[39] The team of Daytime Confidential listed Kelly at number eight on their list of "10 Worst Soap Opera Characters of 2014". The website cited, that following the character's recast of McClain, that the character "transformed into a Vivaldi-loving ball of neuroses with a Madonna-esque faux British accent."[40] In February 2015, McClain received a pre-nomination for the 42nd Daytime Emmy Awards in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Kelly.[41]

References and notes edit

  1. ^ Rice, Lynette (September 27, 2013). "'Lost' actress joins 'Young and the Restless' -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  2. ^ a b SOD (September 27, 2013). "Y&R Snags Watros". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Rice, Lynette (October 23, 2013). "'Lost' actress joins 'Young and the Restless' -- FIRST LOOK". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Hagey-MacKay, Aaron (November 26, 2013). "Cynthia Watros talks about joining the Y&R cast". Global Television Network. Shaw Media. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  5. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (January 30, 2014). "MTV Picks Up Drama 'Finding Carter' to Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 30, 2014). "MTV's Picks Up Coming-Of-Age Drama Pilot 'Finding Carter' To Series". Deadline.com. PMC. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  7. ^ Ausiello, Michael (January 30, 2014). "Finding Carter Ordered to Series at MTV". TVLine. PMC. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  8. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (January 30, 2014). "MTV Picks Up 'Finding Carter' for 12-Episode First Season". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  9. ^ Kaplan, Jared (January 30, 2014). "Cynthia Watros Pilot 'Finding Carter' Greenlit at MTV". Soap Opera Network. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  10. ^ SOD (February 7, 2014). "EMERGENCY RECAST FOR Y&R'S KELLY?". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  11. ^ Fairman, Michael (February 7, 2014). "IS Y&R Having To Make An Emergency Recast For Cynthia Watros' Kelly?". On Air, On Soaps. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  12. ^ Bowe, Jillian (February 10, 2014). "Cynthia Watros OUT at The Young and The Restless?". Daytime Confidential. Zap2it. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  13. ^ Clifford, Kambra (February 10, 2014). "Is Cynthia Watros Out as 'Y&R's' Kelly?". Soap Opera Network. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  14. ^ "CADY MCCLAIN IS Y&R'S NEW KELLY!". Soap Opera Digest. February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  15. ^ Fairman, Michael (February 25, 2014). "Cynthia Watros Exiting Y&R As Kelly! Cady McClain Set To Replace Her!". On Air, On Soaps. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  16. ^ Bowe, Jillian (February 25, 2014). "Cynthia Watros Out; Cady McClain in At The Young and the Restless!". Daytime Confidential. Zap2it. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  17. ^ Kaplan, Jared (February 25, 2014). "BREAKING NEWS: Cady McClain to Replace Cynthia Watros as Kelly Andrews on 'Y&R'". Soap Opera Network. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  18. ^ a b c Mulcahy Jr., Kevin (February 25, 2014). "Cynthia Watros Leaving THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Cady McClain To Replace Her As Kelly". We Love Soaps. Blogger. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  19. ^ a b c Kenneally, Tim (February 26, 2014). "'Young and the Restless' Replaces Cynthia Watros With Cady McClain". The Wrap. The Wrap News Inc. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  20. ^ a b c Kenneally, Tim (February 26, 2014). "'Young and the Restless' Replaces Cynthia Watros With Cady McClain". The Wrap. Yahoo!. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  21. ^ a b c Logan, Michael (February 26, 2014). "Exclusive: All My Children Vet Cady McClain Joins The Young and the Restless". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  22. ^ a b Fairman, Michael (February 26, 2014). "Cady McClain First Airdate On Y&R Revealed! Kelly To Be Romantically Paired With Jack Abbott?". On Air, On Soaps. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  23. ^ a b c d e Fairman, Michael (February 28, 2014). "Cady McClain Chats On Landing The Role Of Kelly On Y&R, Replacing Cynthia Watros & The Halt In Production Of AMC!". On Air, On Soaps. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  24. ^ a b McClain, Cady (March 20, 2014). "The Young and The Restless: Day One". Cadymcclain.com. WordPress. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  25. ^ a b c Clifford, Kambra (March 24, 2014). "Cady McClain Shares Details From Her First Day at 'Y&R!' Read more: Cady McClain Shares Details From Her First Day at 'Y&R!'". Soap Opera Network. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  26. ^ a b Kerr, Luke (March 27, 2014). "Cady McClain Recounts Day 1 at The Young and the Restless". Daytime Confidential. Zap2it. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  27. ^ SOD (March 20, 2014). "AIR DATE CHANGE FOR Y&R'S CADY MCCLAIN". Soap Opera Digest. American Media. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  28. ^ Logan, Michael (April 16, 2014). "Cady McClain on Her New Young and the Restless Role and Shocking Memoir". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  29. ^ All citations concerning McClain's exit:
  30. ^ Anderson, LaDale (November 30, 2013). "Newman Family Shocker On "Y&R"". Canyon News. Retrieved March 27, 2014. {{cite web}}: C1 control character in |title= at position 31 (help)
  31. ^ Fairman, Michael (November 16, 2013). "Cynthia Watros Makes Her Y&R Debut! What Were Your First Impressions?". On Air, On Soaps. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  32. ^ "Daytime Emmy Awards Unveil Contenders for Acting Nominations". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  33. ^ SOD (March 3, 2014). "41st ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY PRENOMS REVEALED". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  34. ^ Fairman, Michael (March 3, 2014). "41st Annual Daytime Emmy Pre-Nominations Announced! Did Your Favorites Make The Cut?". On Air, On Soaps. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  35. ^ Giddens, Jamey (March 3, 2014). "NATAS Reveals 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Pre-Noms!". Daytime Confidential. Zap2it. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  36. ^ Kaplan, Jared (March 3, 2014). "41st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Pre-Nominations Announced". Soap Opera Network. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  37. ^ Newcomb, Roger (March 3, 2014). "Daytime Emmys Drama Performer Pre-Nomonations Announced". We Love Soaps. Blogger. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  38. ^ a b Fairman, Michael (March 6, 2014). "Y&R's Amelia Heinle Interview: Missing Billy Miller, Victoria's Love Life & Melody Thomas Scott's 35 Year Celebration!". On Air, On Soaps. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  39. ^ Levinsky, Mara (March 31, 2014). "Second Opinion". Soap Opera Digest. Vol. 39 (13): pg. 36. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |page= has extra text (help); |volume= has extra text (help)
  40. ^ Daytime Confidential (December 15, 2014). "10 Worst Soap Opera Characters of 2014". Daytime Confidential. United States: Confidential Media, Inc. (in partnership with SAY Media). Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  41. ^ All references concerning the pre-nominations for the 42nd Daytime Emmy Awards:
  1. ^ The timeline of Kelly's marriage to Dean is not known; their relationship took place off-screen. They are, however, divorced.

External links edit


Category:The Young and the Restless characters