The rumor mill is working overtime in Genoa City, and fans of The Young and the Restless are on high alert. At the center of the storm? The potential return of Dylan McAvoy — a character whose exit in 2017 left behind broken hearts, unanswered questions, and a gaping hole in the Newman family.

Now, nearly a decade later, whispers of Dylan’s return are growing louder, especially with the recent casting of daytime heavyweight Roger Howarth, a soap veteran known for bringing depth and danger to every role he touches. But could Howarth really be the new face of Dylan McAvoy? Or is something even more dramatic about to unfold?

Let’s dive into three explosive reasons why Dylan’s return could shake Genoa City to its core — and why this storyline might just be the biggest twist Y&R has delivered in years.

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1. Dylan’s Disappearance Was Never the End – It Was a Setup for a Comeback

In true soap opera fashion, Dylan McAvoy didn’t die, betray, or fade quietly into the background. He vanished — forced into witness protection after infiltrating a criminal syndicate. His goodbye was heartbreaking, especially for his mother, Nikki Newman, and then-wife Sharon Newman, who were left to grieve without closure.

But anyone who’s spent time in Genoa City knows one thing: no door is ever truly closed.

Dylan’s exit was ripe with future potential — a classic “soft exit” that left open the possibility for a dramatic return. And if the character is indeed coming back, it would not just be a nostalgic nod to longtime viewers. It would reopen deep emotional wounds, complicate current relationships, and force characters like Sharon and Nikki to confront their unresolved pain.

In the soap world, absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder — it makes the stakes higher. A Dylan comeback means reckoning with a past that was never truly buried.

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2. The Roger Howarth Factor: Recast or Reinvention?

When Y&R announced the addition of Roger Howarth in an undisclosed role, fans immediately began to speculate. Known for his powerful turns on One Life to Live and General Hospital, Howarth brings a magnetism that screams game-changer. The secrecy surrounding his role has only intensified the buzz.

So who is he playing?

One major theory is that Howarth is stepping into the role of Dylan McAvoy — a bold recast that would reignite storylines buried for nearly a decade. It wouldn’t be the first time the soap world reimagined a character with a new face, and Howarth is no stranger to carrying the emotional weight of complex characters.

Of course, recasting Dylan isn’t without risk. Original actor Steve Burton left a lasting impression with his stoic, brooding portrayal of the Navy SEAL-turned-detective. But Howarth’s take could offer a grittier, more evolved Dylan — one forged by years on the run, a man changed by the shadows he’s lived in.

Alternatively, Howarth might not be Dylan at all.

Could he be an entirely new character — perhaps someone connected to Dylan’s past, or even a mysterious threat tied to his disappearance? Some speculate he could be stepping into the role of Tucker McCall, a morally gray titan with connections to the Chancellors and Abbotts. But the sheer emotional gravity of a Dylan return makes it the most compelling — and potentially explosive — choice.

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3. Dylan’s Return Would Upend the Newman Family and Sharon’s Future

If Dylan returns, whether played by Howarth or another actor, the ripple effects across Genoa City would be seismic.

For Sharon: A Love Reignited or a Life Shattered?

Sharon has rebuilt her life since Dylan’s departure. She’s matured, grown more confident, and recently found herself navigating a complex dynamic with her former flame Nick Newman. The potential reconciliation between “Shick” has fans holding their breath.

But throw Dylan back into the mix — the man who didn’t betray Sharon, but left out of sacrifice — and suddenly Sharon is at the center of a heart-wrenching triangle.

Does she choose the stable, familiar bond with Nick, or risk everything for a second chance at unfinished love?

Soap logic dictates one thing: the fallout will be dramatic, messy, and deliciously addictive.

For Nikki: Guilt, Joy, and a Mother’s Impossible Choice

Nikki has suffered many losses, but Dylan’s exit left a scar. His return would ignite feelings of joy and maternal pride — but also deep guilt. She couldn’t protect him then. Can she now?

And more importantly, what happens when her loyalties are pulled between Dylan and her other children, especially Nick, who may find his rekindled romance threatened by his long-lost brother?

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But Wait… Is Dylan Cane’s Brother?

Now, let’s stir the pot even further.

Some fan theories suggest an even deeper connection: Dylan McAvoy might be Cane Ashby’s brother.

On the surface, it seems far-fetched. But with both characters sharing murky pasts and complicated paternal legacies, a twist revealing a blood connection isn’t entirely out of bounds. Soap history is riddled with long-lost siblings, secret adoptions, and rewritten family trees. If this bombshell were to drop, it would instantly redraw the lines of power, family, and legacy across the canvas.

Imagine the fallout: Cane, a man always fighting for legitimacy in the Chancellor world, suddenly discovering a brother with Newman ties. It would pit two emotionally damaged men against one another — one shaped by privilege and tragedy, the other by lies and reinvention.

And it would force characters like Lily, Billy, Victor, and even Victoria to reconsider every alliance, every rivalry, and every piece of the puzzle.

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The Stakes Are Sky-High – And So Are Fan Expectations

Whether Roger Howarth is playing Dylan, Tucker, or someone entirely new, one thing is certain: The Young and the Restless is preparing something big.

With Tamara Braun also joining the cast as the mysterious Sienna Belagio, and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) teasing surprises on social media, the writing is on the wall — a seismic storyline is about to explode.

The return of Dylan — or even the idea of Dylan — offers everything a great soap twist needs: emotional resonance, generational conflict, and the potential to disrupt every major character on the canvas.

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Final Thoughts: Will Dylan McAvoy Walk Back Into Genoa City?

If Dylan is back, it won’t be as the same man who left.

Years in witness protection. Lost time. A lifetime of secrets. Whether recast or reinvented, Dylan’s return would mark a bold new chapter for Y&R. And if Roger Howarth is the man stepping into that chapter, fans can expect intensity, unpredictability, and emotional fireworks.

The only question that remains is this:

Are you ready, Genoa City? Because the past is about to come home — and it’s not knocking gently.

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Stay tuned to The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS, and keep your eyes on spoilers for the next big reveal. This story is just getting started.