Tricia Cast has played Nina in “The Young and the Restless” since 1986. Having left the series in 2001, the actress nevertheless resumed her role several times thereafter. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the soap opera, the actress looks back on her journey to Genoa City…
All fans of The Young and the Restless remember the character of Nina, who landed in the cult soap opera in 1986. As a teenager and pregnant, the young woman had her baby stolen shortly after giving birth, by the diabolical Rose DeVille…
Plague in her early days, Nina later evolved to become wiser, thanks in particular to her best friend Cricket. Over the years, the protagonist has gone through a lot of hardships, faced strong rivals and shared the lives of some disreputable men!
Its interpreter, Tricia Cast, decided to leave the series in 2001 but punctually resumed its iconic role over the seasons… This one will soon become Nina again in the intrigues in the United States, on the occasion of the 50 years of the soap opera!
For AlloCiné, the actress looks back on her journey to Genoa City and gives us her memories…
AlloCiné: What do you remember of your very first day of work on “Les Feux de l’amour”?
Tricia Cast: I was thrilled to join this already well-known series! I met while disembarking Lauralee Bell [Cricket, ndlr]Michael Damian [Danny, ndlr] and Darlene Conley [Rose DeVille, ndlr]. I arrived and Nina was already pregnant… It was very exciting! I had acted in a soap opera before so I wasn’t too nervous. I was especially impressed by all this great machine that was this series!
How did you feel when you discovered the story of Nina and her baby kidnapped at birth?
I could not wait ! It gave me the chance to play with Darlene Conley [décédée en 2007, ndlr] who was a fabulous actress. I knew I was going to have fun with it! Then, this plot became a real challenge as it progressed. I was grateful to have the opportunity to work on such dramatic scenes.
People still remember this arch that lasted a very long time. Did you imagine it would have such an impact?
I’m always very happy when I see that viewers remember it… It also surprises me to tell myself that it stayed in their minds for so long! It is an honor.
Much later, Nina also tried to kill herself. How did you prepare this poignant intrigue of “The Fires of Love”?
I knew people who had come to this and who had experienced this despair. I have invested a lot in this story through the testimonies of my friends.
Who do you think was Nina’s worst enemy?
She’s had a lot, hasn’t she? (laughs) I think Jill’s combination [Jess Walton, ndlr] and Katherine [Jeanne Cooper, ndlr] was the worst! They locked her in an attic when she was pregnant for quite a while… (laughs)
Were you also close to Jeanne Cooper, who disappeared in 2013?
We were very close. In 2009, I returned for two years in Les Feux de l’amour and she welcomed me into her home. We were always friends but we became even more so during this time. We laughed a lot, I miss her a lot. She was like a mentor when I started on the show. She kept everyone focused with just one look! She was our matriarch.
Who do you think was the best boyfriend for your character?
There were a few too… (laughs) In my opinion, her healthiest relationship was with Ryan. [Scott Reeves, ndlr]. Even though there was competition with Victoria [jouée par Heather Tom à l’époque, ndlr]compared to Philipp, whom she had tricked into marrying her, or David Kimble [Michael Corbett, ndlr], which she ended up killing, Ryan was probably the best for her! (laughs)
Which Nina do you prefer to play: the plague of the 1980s or the caring mother she is today?
Characters who create problems are the most fun! Actors will always tell you that the bad guys are more interesting to play… But I find meaning in playing Nina as a devoted mother to her children.
Finally, what is your favorite plot about Nina?
I really liked the days when she was a bit unpredictable and the fact that Cricket and Danny took her under their wing. They were trying their best to make her become someone more respectable to Phillip. [Thom Bierdz, ndrl] ! (laughs)
Are you really friends with Lauralee Bell?
Cricket and Nina share the same friendship that Lauralee and I have in life. I love it !
Why did you decide to leave “Les Feux de l’amour” more than 20 years ago?
I fell in love with a wonderful man who lived away from filming in Los Angeles, Tennessee. I wanted to be with him, in our big house in the woods. I am still there today and I feel good there.
How do you think the soap opera has evolved over the years?
I think it was done beautifully. The Young and the Restless has kept great characters for many seasons and new, very beautiful ones have been introduced. I love Abby [Melissa Ordway, ndlr] and all these young people. Their performers are very talented and I enjoy watching them.
Would you like to return to the series as a recurring actress?
I would very much like. Coming back is like going home and reuniting with my family. I’m here and always ready to come back if they ask me!
What would you like Nina to experience in future storylines?
Family time is always appreciated. She has her other son, Ronan [Jeff Branson, ndlr], who isn’t on the show right now, and I would love to someday be able to explore their connections. They have a difficult relationship and they parted on bad terms. It would be nice to see how they would fix this. Otherwise, I would like to play something sneaky too! (laughs) I’d be curious to see that. Nina is a rich character, the scriptwriters could do a lot of things with her…
The fiction “The Young and the Restless” celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023. What does this mean to you?
I realize that I am a small part of something huge. It’s been an iconic soap opera for five decades and I’m honored to star in it. I congratulate everyone involved in the making of the series.
Do you have any regrets about your journey here?
Not for a second! I loved every moment within the Fires of Love. It is one of the greatest joys of my life!