Is Diane Jenkins Leaving Young and Restless? Why is Diane Jenkins Leaving Young and Restless?

In The Young and the Restless, Diane Jenkins, played by Alex Donnelley, initially a minor character, became significant, and in the June 24 episode, Ashley's manipulation led her to resign from the cosmetics firm to safeguard Jack's company, despite his strong backing, for his safety.

by Rubaditsha

Updated Jul 26, 2023

Is Diane Jenkins Leaving Young and Restless? Why is Diane Jenkins Leaving Young and Restless?
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Is Diane Jenkins Leaving Young and Restless?

In the June 24 episode, Ashley continued to manipulate and threaten Diane until she felt she had no choice but to resign from her position at the cosmetics firm to protect Jack's company from further damage. Even though Jack defended Diane passionately, she believed that stepping down was the best course of action. Diane did not want Jack to suffer any more because of her presence in his life, so she saw her resignation as the only solution.

In the recent storyline of The Young and the Restless, there was a brief moment when it seemed like Jack Abbott and Diane Jenkins would have a chance at happiness, both personally and professionally, by working together. However, Ashley Abbott, Jack's sister, vehemently opposed this idea and harbored a deep-seated hatred for Diane, akin to the animosity shared by characters like Phyllis and Nikki. Ashley was determined to sabotage their relationship and career prospects.

The narrative suggests that Ashley's hostility toward Diane goes beyond just the recent events and that she may have been looking for an excuse to leave Jabot, their family's company, and take her patents and ideas elsewhere. If Ashley still chooses to exploit loopholes in her contract to move her intellectual property to another company, it would indicate that her issues with Diane were just a pretext, and leaving Jabot had been her intention all along.

The Abbott family has been a central part of The Young and the Restless, and the current storyline involving Jack, Ashley, Diane, and others showcases the complexities and conflicts within the family dynamic.

Why is Diane Jenkins Leaving Young and Restless?

There were no official reports or announcements about Diane Jenkins leaving The Young and the Restless. Diane Jenkins, a character on The Young and the Restless, has had a long and eventful history in Genoa City. She was originally portrayed by Alex Donnelly in 1982 and later taken over by Susan Walters in 2001, followed by Maura West in 2010. In 2011, Diane was tragically murdered, but, in typical soap opera fashion, she resurfaced alive and well in March 2022, with Susan Walters reprising the role.

Diane's return brought a wave of drama to the show. After faking her death, she returned anonymously, reaching out to Jack and Allie about buying a house that had once belonged to her late father. Diane claimed that she faked her death because she was hated by many and wanted to start fresh, convincing everyone that she had changed for the better.

However, her enemies, including Phyllis and Nikki, remained skeptical and suspicious of her alleged transformation. Diane's ongoing feud with Phyllis and her troubles with Nikki have been keeping viewers engaged and entertained. Despite Diane's entertaining antics, she has not always been a well-liked character. With her enemies plotting to get rid of her once and for all, her days in Genoa City may be numbered once again.

The show's budget cuts have raised casting rumors, and with daytime soap operas like Y&R having lower viewership than primetime shows, budget adjustments are not uncommon. When budget cuts happen, rumors about actors potentially leaving the show start to circulate. CBS insiders have fueled speculations about who might be departing from The Young and the Restless.

Fans are divided on whether Diane should leave Genoa City again. On one hand, this could be an opportunity to have her character permanently "killed off" or placed on recurring status, appearing only occasionally. With enemies and a jilted ex-lover with a vendetta against her back in the picture, there could be compelling storylines involving her departure. On the other hand, many fans are thrilled to have Diane back, as her presence guarantees an injection of excitement and drama into the show.

What Happened to Diane on The Young and The Restless?

Diane Jenkins had a tumultuous and dramatic journey on The Young and the Restless. Introduced in 1982, she had a complicated relationship with Jack Abbott and used their affair to secure a job at Jabot through blackmail. Diane later married detective Andy Richards but resumed her affair with Jack, leading to a divorce from Andy.

She left Genoa City but returned in 1996, getting engaged to Jack, only to marry Victor Newman for revenge against Jack. Diane was disappointed to learn Victor couldn't give her a child and was eventually divorced by him. She plotted to have Victor's child, but a DNA test proved the child was Jack's, leading to a custody battle over Kyle.

Diane left town with Kyle but returned in 2010, seeking to reconnect with her son and Jack. Her fake death in 2011 led to chaos and murder suspicions. In a surprising turn, Diane reappeared alive in 2022, seeking redemption. Her return was met with skepticism and hostility from some, but she aimed to rebuild her relationships. Diane faced schemes, confrontations, and attempts to prove her transformation, making her return to Genoa City filled with twists and challenges.

Who is Diane Jenkins?

Diane Jenkins is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The role was first played by Alex Donnelley, who made her debut on April 28, 1982. Originally intended as a two-day bit part, the character was later developed into a long-term role.

Donnelley left the show after two years but made brief returns in 1986 and fully returned in 1996. In 2001, Donnelley left again, and the role was recast with Susan Walters. After three years, Walters transitioned to recurring status in 2004 and made a guest appearance in 2010. The role was then recast for the second time with Maura West in October 2010, and she left the show in August the following year. In March 2022, Susan Walters reprised the role of Diane Jenkins.

Diane's character has been involved in relationships with business tycoons Jack Abbott and Victor Newman, and she has a son named Kyle Abbott with Jack. Initially described as someone who takes herself too seriously, the character has faced criticism for existing solely to advance other characters' storylines.

The writing for Diane, particularly during Maura West's portrayal, received criticism from viewers and critics alike, with missed opportunities to explore her rivalry with Jack. In 2011, Maura West was let go after eight months on the show, and the character of Diane was killed off in a whodunit murder storyline.

The storyline faced criticism for its slow progression, taking six months before revealing Nikki Newman's involvement in Diane's death, which was later revealed to be a result of Deacon Sharpe delivering the fatal blow with a rock. In 2022, it was revealed that Deacon had helped Diane fake her death, leaving Kyle to be raised by Jack.

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Is Diane Jenkins Leaving Young and Restless:FAQs

1. Who is Diane Jenkins on The Young and the Restless?

Diane Jenkins is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. She was first portrayed by Alex Donnelley in 1982 and has been played by other actresses over the years, including Susan Walters and Maura West.

2. How many actresses have played the role of Diane Jenkins? 

The role of Diane Jenkins has been played by three actresses. Alex Donnelley originally portrayed the character, followed by Susan Walters, and later by Maura West.

3. What relationships has Diane Jenkins been involved in on the show?

Diane Jenkins has been involved in relationships with business tycoons Jack Abbott, portrayed by Peter Bergman, and Victor Newman, portrayed by Eric Braeden.

4. Does Diane Jenkins have any children on the show? 

Yes, Diane Jenkins has a son named Kyle Abbott, portrayed by Michael Mealor, who was originally believed to be Victor Newman's child before a sperm sample switch revealed that Jack Abbott is his biological father.

5. Why was the character of Diane Jenkins killed off the show?

The character of Diane Jenkins was killed off the show in a whodunit murder storyline. The storyline faced criticism for its slow progression, and the character's portrayal by Maura West received mixed reviews.