The Young and the Restless

Who Will Return to The Young and the Restless in 2026?

Posted on by Katie

The Comebacks That Could Turn Genoa City Upside Down**

If there is one universal truth every longtime Young and the Restless fan understands, it’s this: no one ever truly leaves Genoa City. Characters vanish, disappear into the wind, or head off for suspiciously vague “fresh starts,” but sooner or later—whether through a dramatic entrance, a long-lost letter, or a twist no one saw coming—they resurface. And when they do, chaos follows.

As the show gears up for its 2026 story arcs, the speculation machine is in overdrive. Which beloved characters might return? Which villains could resurface to stir up long-simmering conflicts? And which young characters are poised to become the next generation of drama catalysts?

Here’s a deep dive into the names fans are buzzing about—and how their returns could reshape Genoa City in explosive ways.

Mariah Copeland: The Heartbeat Missing From Genoa City

Let’s start with the most obvious—and perhaps most overdue—return: Mariah Copeland. Few characters in recent years have become such emotional anchors for the show. Mariah is woven into nearly every corner of the Newman, Rosales, and Collins storylines. Her ties to Sharon, her partnership with Tessa, and her journey into motherhood made her one of Y&R’s most grounded, emotionally resonant presences.

So when she’s not on-screen, her absence rings loudly. A return in 2026 would give the show the stability and depth it’s been missing. And with Sharon always teetering dangerously close to tragedy or emotional upheaval, you can practically guarantee a crisis will arise that demands Mariah’s presence.

Expect tears. Expect heart-to-hearts. Expect Mariah stepping back into the role she plays best: the emotional protector of the people she loves.

Ian Ward: The Master of Mayhem Is Overdue for One More Reign of Terror

On the opposite end of the spectrum sits Ian Ward, one of the most chilling villains The Young and the Restless has ever unleashed. If the series decides to dial the drama up to an 11—and when hasn’t it?—bringing Ian back in 2026 would be an instant ratings magnet.

Whether it’s a full-on return, a limited-run arc, or even a spectral visit during someone’s psychological unraveling, Ian’s presence has the power to destabilize nearly every character on the canvas.

Imagine him resurfacing just as the Newmans think their latest crisis is finally behind them. Imagine him targeting a new generation. Imagine him revisiting old grudges—for revenge, manipulation, or one last master plan.

Fans would be glued to their screens, and the writers know it.

Lucy Romalotti: Genoa City’s Next Legacy Star?

If Y&R wants to secure its future, Lucy is the perfect character to bring back on a permanent basis. With rich family history on both the Romalotti and Abbott sides, she has the potential to become a cornerstone of the next generation—if the show gives her the screen time to flourish.

A slightly aged-up Lucy returning in 2026 could carry storylines ranging from teen angst to romantic intrigue to explosive generational drama. Fans are already imagining the possibilities:

  • A forbidden relationship

  • A rebellious storyline that shakes her family

  • A revenge arc

  • Or, even better, a love triangle that reignites old rivalries

Genoa City thrives on young characters making terrible decisions with huge consequences—Lucy is tailor-made for that brand of storytelling.

Summer Newman Returns… With Trouble on Her Arm

Now here’s a comeback that practically writes itself: Summer Newman strolling back into Genoa City with a new boyfriend who sets off alarms the second he smiles.

Because let’s be honest: a Summer return without drama isn’t a Summer return at all.

Picture it—Summer arrives hand-in-hand with a charming, mysterious stranger who is clearly hiding something. Phyllis senses danger immediately, Kyle begins unraveling within minutes, and suddenly half the town is investigating this newcomer.

The possibilities are endless:

  • A business rival

  • A con artist

  • A secret connection to a major villain

  • Or even someone using Summer as a pawn in a much larger scheme

Whatever the twist, you can almost guarantee fists will fly, secrets will surface, and Kyle will be forced into a jealousy spiral worthy of a holiday cliffhanger.

Elena Dawson: The Voice of Reason Genoa City Desperately Needs

While Genoa City thrives on chaos, there’s always at least one character serving as the calm center of the storm. For years, Elena Dawson filled that role. Her medical expertise, her grounded perspective, and her complicated romantic history made her one of the show’s most versatile supporting characters.

In 2026, her return would feel perfectly timed.

The canvas is currently bursting with combustible personalities. Adding Elena back into the mix provides limitless potential:

  • A hospital storyline with life-or-death stakes

  • A tense reunion with an ex

  • A new romance that tests her boundaries

  • Or her stepping into the middle of a major health crisis

And since Genoa City averages at least one emergency a month, her presence practically writes itself.

Charlie and Mattie Ashby: The Next Generation of Winters Drama

Fans have been loudly campaigning for the return of Charlie and Mattie, the twins whose potential was never fully explored. As young adults, they could bring new energy, family tension, and vibrant social dynamics to a show in need of stronger interpersonal storytelling among its younger set.

The Winters family deserves more screen time, and Charlie and Mattie are the perfect anchors to expand that legacy. Whether they arrive with ambition, secrets, or grudges, their return would breathe life back into a family that has been underused for far too long.

And while we’re talking Winters family—

Don’t Forget Sam!

Kane’s son has been mentioned so rarely that viewers joke he’s practically invisible. If the show wants to build its next decade of storytelling, Sam belongs right beside Charlie and Mattie, ready to stir up both family drama and romantic possibilities.

Genoa City in 2026: A Year of Returns, Revivals, and Reinvention

Will any of these returns actually happen? As every Y&R fan knows, nothing is impossible. This is a world where characters return from the dead, reemerge as their evil twins, or come back with entirely new personalities—sometimes more than once.

2026 has the potential to be one of the most exciting years the show has seen in a long time. With the right mix of nostalgia, fresh energy, and explosive storytelling, Genoa City could enter a new golden era.

Now it’s your turn:

Which comeback are you rooting for?
Are you dreaming of Summer’s dramatic re-entry?
Manifesting Ian Ward for sheer chaos?
Or hoping for a surprise return no one sees coming?

Sound off—because in Genoa City, anything can happen…and usually does.