Shemar Moore and Vivica a Fox Are Back on Young and the Restless With a Major Story

Genoa City is about to get turned upside down as two fan favorites are returning to The Young and the Restless. Shemar Moore and Vivica A. Fox are reprising the roles that made them household names in 1994. Fans will see Malcolm Winters and Dr. Stephanie Simmons back in action this April, with production already underway as of February 17, according to a CBS press release.

Moore played the charming photographer Malcolm for eleven years and has made a few guest appearances since leaving in 2005. Fox, on the other hand, hasn’t been back in her role since 1995, making her return especially exciting. “This is a chance to honor the characters and the stories that shaped us,” she said in a recent interview.

Longtime viewers will remember that Malcolm and Stephanie had a brief romance back in the day. Their relationship was complicated, thanks to Drucilla Barber, played by Victoria Rowell, who tried to distract Malcolm from her own family issues. The romance ended when Stephanie realized Malcolm’s fast-paced life didn’t fit with her career goals, and she quietly left town nearly 30 years ago.

Moore has often spoken about the influence of the late Kristoff St. John, who played Malcolm’s half-brother, Neil Winters. During the show’s 50th anniversary, Moore paid a heartfelt tribute, saying, “When it came to the great Neil Winters, I show up. Whatever it takes.” He’s credited St. John for his early career success and has called him the closest thing to a brother he’s ever had.

Outside of daytime TV, both actors have busy schedules. Moore just finished filming the new spinoff S.W.A.T. Exiles, where he returns as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. The 10-episode series follows Hondo as he trains a new team of recruits after a high-profile mission goes wrong.

Fox is also staying busy. She’s starring in the drama Is God Is and recently wrapped the thriller The Wrong Baby Daddy. She’s also expanding behind the camera, making her directorial debut with First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story, which earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2024.

The timing of their return couldn’t be better. The Young and the Restless is entering its 53rd season and preparing for a major crossover with the new daytime drama Beyond the Gates this June. Their characters’ return is expected to stir up drama for the Winters family and create new storylines that longtime fans won’t want to miss.

As Moore and Fox head back to Television City, viewers are wondering if old sparks between Malcolm and Stephanie will reignite or if their return will trigger unexpected chaos. Either way, Genoa City is about to get a fresh dose of drama, romance, and intrigue.

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