Dramatic twist that delighted fans of The Young and the Restless (Y&R), Linden Ashby made a surprise return to the soap opera during the August 1 episode. Ashby, who originally portrayed the murderous sociopath Cameron Kristen in 2003-04 and made a brief yet impactful comeback last year, appeared unexpectedly before Sharon as a bloodied Cameron. This was shocking, considering Sharon had fatally stabbed Cameron in 2023.
Sharon’s Hallucinations Add New Layers
The current storyline reveals Sharon’s struggle with her mental health. She has admitted to no longer taking her bipolar medication, leading to vivid hallucinations. Among these, she has seen her late daughter Cassie and experienced romantic visions with her ex-husband Nick. Now, Cameron is the latest figure to haunt her imagination.
In an exclusive interview with TV Insider, Ashby expressed his excitement about this unique twist. “It’s great because it’s not back from the dead. It’s not a ghost. It’s a person who is living in Sharon’s head and is aware that he’s living in her head and aware that he doesn’t exist. And that adds a huge wrinkle,” he explained.
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Exploring Cameron’s Dark Obsession
Ashby, who is married to fellow Y&R star Susan Walters (Diane Jenkins Abbott), spoke to Soap Opera Digest in May 2023 about Cameron’s character. “With Cameron, there’s no subtlety to his actions… Cameron’s a terrible person, and probably insane.” He also delved into Cameron’s twisted love for Sharon, describing it as a “sick love, but it’s genuine love.”
This time around, the dynamic between Cameron and Sharon is different. As Ashby noted to TV Insider, “He’s a manifestation of her internal world, to help her give voice to things that she’s afraid to say out loud, things she’s afraid to do. He’s that person who’s encouraging her to do things that maybe she shouldn’t be doing.”
Reunion with Sharon Case
Ashby is thrilled to be working again with Y&R co-star Sharon Case (Sharon). He shared with TV Insider, “She’s a friend, she welcomes me back with open arms, and I welcome her with an open heart.”
Future Episodes and Storylines
Ashby reported back to the Y&R studio in June and is still taping. His current stint on the show is open-ended, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what’s next for Cameron and Sharon.
Linden Ashby’s return to The Young and the Restless brings a new layer of complexity to the storyline, especially with Sharon’s hallucinations. As Cameron continues to influence Sharon’s actions and thoughts, viewers can expect more intriguing developments in this beloved soap opera.
