Gina Tognoni Cast on 'The Young and the Restless' as Phyllis
"The Young and the Restless" is getting a new cast member in daytime soap opera veteran Gina Tognoni, according to reports on Friday.
The 40-year-old actress has joined "Y&R" cast after winning the hotly contested role of Phyllis Summers, reported TvGuide. Michelle Stafford originally portrayed Phyllis on and off from 1994 to 2013, but the actress recently joined "General Hospital."
Then, after Tognoni was reportedly "flawless" during her audition, and the two-time Emmy Award-winner landed the role and will make her "Y&R" debut this summer after Phyllis, who has been in a coma off-screen for the past year, is reintroduced to the storyline.
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Meanwhile, Tognoni's career in soap operas began in 1995 as Kelly Kramer on "One Life to Live." Then, the actress portrayed Dinah Miller on "Guiding Light," a role that landed her an Emmy. The starlet has also appeared on "Venice."
"Y&R" fans welcome Tognoni's addition with open arms as they continue to search for clues about another character- Adam Newman. "Y&R" showrunners came under fire after dismissing actor Michael Muhney from the role as Adam and causing the character to disappear. As previously reported, rumors that Muhney could return as Adam continue to circulate, while other reports indicate that auditions are being held to hire a replacement actor for the role.
In fact, the latest edition of CBS Soaps In Depth revealed that "the soap is actively searching for an actor to succeed Muhney in the role, and in early April contenders will be considered." The report suggests that "Y&R" producers have already hired an actor after the early April auditions and are preparing to reintroduce Adam in the very near future.
Nevertheless, Muhney's firing and Adam's consequent disappearance enraged many "Y&R" fans, with some still boycotting the show today. Countless fans have also voiced their support for Muhney and are campaigning to get the actor re-hired.
