Melissa Ordway and Jason Thompson, who play Abby Newman and Billy Abbott in The Young and the Restless, from Monday to Friday at 11 a.m. on TF1, were present at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, worthy representatives of a soap opera that will soon celebrate its half-century!
What does it feel like to star in a series that will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year?
Melissa Ordway: It’s incredible ! As an actress, to keep a role for even a year is already extraordinary. A series on the air for fifty years is almost unprecedented. It’s very exciting to be part of it.
Jason Thompson: It’s a real honor. I can’t help but think of all the actors, producers, and writers who have moved this train I’ve ridden on.
Do you know what is being prepared for this anniversary?
JT: We are usually the last to know.
MO: I’m very excited to find out, like every new scenario I receive.
Melissa, how was it to play for a few episodes with your real husband, Justin Gaston, who replaced Donny Boaz (Chance), who tested positive for Covid?
MO: We hadn’t laughed so much in twelve years of marriage! We met while working, but we hadn’t toured together since. In one scene, we were supposed to kiss, but he was weird. I know his real kisses! I asked him what was going on and he replied: “I don’t know, it looks like we’re being watched!” (Laughs.)
JT: He was great. He helped us a lot because there were very important storylines at that time.
You both play characters that have been played by other actors before. When did you really start to feel comfortable?
JT: Next year, maybe? (Laughs.)
MO: I think it was at Abby’s first wedding. It was a big soap opera wedding, with Victor Newman who took him to the altar. Everybody was there. I was like, “Oh, cool!”
JT: In a corner of our head, we are never really sure of our future. You have to stay focused, because there is always someone younger and more beautiful waiting their turn! (Laughs.)
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