The Young and the Restless spoilers tease that Michael E. Knight (Dr. Simon Neville) could be returning to the cast. Incoming head writer Sally Sussman’s kinder, gentler vision for the show will open, or reopen many possibilities that were previously thought to be closed.
Among them include an opportunity for this beloved daytime actor. Knight’s quirky Y&R character offered comic relief while also meshing well with Ashley, who’s played by the esteemed Eileen Davidson.
Simon was initially written into the script in 2015, when Emma Randall (Alice Greczyn) referred Dr. Neville to her sister Gwen (Nadine Nicole). At the time Gwen was romantically involved with Neil (Kristoff St. John). He needed specialized medical help in caring for Hilary (Mishael Morgan) who was in a coma. Simon’s efforts proved successful, which caught the scientific interest of Ashley.
Ashley was interested in marketing the miracle cure that Simon used on Hilary. However, business interests didn’t prove to be Ashley’s main concern as she was suffering from a brain tumor. Simon was taken into Ashley’s confidence. He vowed to do all that he could to help and to protect her privacy. Thankfully, Devon (Bryton James) was able to overcome the suspicions he had regarding the methods Simon used in Hilary’s case. That enabled him to fund research work at the laboratory inside the Jabot building.
The health scare allowed Simon and Ashley to bond. Sashley was an emerging super couple that finally allowed Davidson’s character to have a plausible romantic partner, who also seemed primed to have a long-term future on the show. But Y&R’s back office decision-making caused this likeable character to be written off last summer.
Hilary’s reckless behavior resulted in her paying off a lab technician to speed the approval of Simon’s drug. At the same time she and various patients in the drug trial began to suffer complications. After the GCPD learned of the illegal activities, Morgan’s character attempted to push her crime off on Simon.
Ashley was surprised when Simon wouldn’t pursue legal action. That’s when he revealed that he knew who kidnapped Hilary, a secret he kept from Ashley so she would be shielded from his actions. Those plot points played into the final scenes Knight appeared in. His character decided to leave Wisconsin and start anew elsewhere, but at least he left on good terms with Ashley and wasn’t killed off by the writing staff.
Sussman believes that Davidson is an outstanding actor who deserves meaty arcs. Rehiring Knight on a recurring basis, or more preferably as a contract player, would fit Sussman’s goal of restoring the show. This veteran soap actor was well received by Y&R’s audience and his solid character has plenty of room to grow.
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TOMORROW ON #YR: Ashley is spilling the tea! https://t.co/vMkW728slp pic.twitter.com/MhNXkkSlsr
— Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) November 17, 2016
