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With The Young and the Restless putting renewed focus on the Hastings family—most recently reintroducing Amy and casting Nate’s half-brother Damian—viewers are speculating about another long-absent character: Dr. Olivia Winters. As Nate’s mother and a respected figure in Genoa City for over two decades, Olivia’s presence on the canvas would make narrative sense, especially with the show investing more in family-driven storylines.
However, whether Olivia will return remains a looming question. If she does, will the role be recast with original actress Tonya Lee Williams, or will it be portrayed by a newcomer? Williams recently shared her thoughts on these questions in an interview with TV Watercooler, stating her position clearly and leaving the door open to a recast. Here's all we know about Olivia's history, her influence on Y&R, and where things are at for a return.
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Olivia Winters on The Young and the Restless
Dr. Olivia Barber Winters, portrayed by Tonya Lee Williams, debuted on The Young and the Restless in June 1990. Intelligent and compassionate physician, Olivia was an instant presence at Genoa City hospital and social circles. She arrived on the series as the older sister of Drucilla Winters, and their contentious but deeply intertwined relationship brought some of the dramatic moments of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Throughout her time on the show, Olivia's plotlines included her marriage to private investigator Nathan Hastings, the tragic aftermath of his unfaithfulness and death, her medical issues, most significantly a well-liked leukemia plotline, and her work as a single working mother to their son, Nate Jr. With Olivia's grace, poise, and strong moral compass, she earned a reputation as a steadying influence in Genoa City. She was last spotted in February 2012.
Tonya Lee Williams Breaks Her Silence
In a June 2025 interview with The TV Watercooler, Tonya Lee Williams spoke about her time away from the show and addressed rumors of a return. While people have kept Olivia's memory alive, Williams confessed she didn't expect such enduring interest.
"I figured after ten years of me not going (back to Y&R), that it wasn't going to be a too hard of a blow, but it was! I love the show, but I don't even know how to get into the headspace of that character that I've not played in so long. It's just the way I work. It's not like I would start saying lines and turn up."
Williams firmly stated she has no immediate plans to come back, citing her altered priorities in life and the amount of time that's passed. Yet she strongly supported the notion of recasting the role:
''I think they should recast!" Then, she weighed who might be her successor, to which she replied, "Oh, no – I have no idea! Zero idea, but the character was really wonderful, and I think it would be great."
Why would Olivia's return matter on The Young and the Restless
Olivia's return n The Young and the Restless would not only be nostalgic; it would be meaningful in terms of the story. As a forceful maternal presence and skilled physician, she might provide stability to family and hospital storylines alike. She'd also be a moral compass in a Genoa City filled with fractured and unhinged personalities.
Most significantly, Olivia's return might serve to deepen and flesh out Nate's character, especially as he grapples with the intricacies of his professional life and new family dynamics with Damian. Exploring Olivia's relationships—again, with her son, with Devon, and even with other characters—might revitalize several avenues of the show's narrative.
Tonya Lee Williams is not plotting a return to The Young and the Restless, but by endorsing a recast, it creates an opportunity for Olivia Winters to stroll back into Genoa City through fresh lenses. Whichever direction the role comes back through – a known entity or an unknown one – Olivia remains one of the most revered and adored characters on the show.
Catch the latest episode of The Young and the Restless streaming on CBS.
