Billy Flynn on Taking the Leap From Days of Our Lives to The Young & the Restless (Exclusive)
The Young and the Restless star Billy Flynn has been making his mark on the role of Cane Ashby since his debut in June. Cane was previously played by General Hospital star Daniel Goddard, so Flynn knew he had his work cut out for him.
Nerves, Insecurity, and Shyness
Flynn is no stranger to playing a recast. It’s how he came into Days of Our Lives as Chad after Casey Deidrick’s exit from the show.
However, playing Cane brought a whole new set of challenges for Flynn. The physical difference between him and Goodard is the biggest challenge for fans. Goodard is older, taller, and Australian.
That’s not the biggest challenge for Flynn. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Flynn revealed the toughest thing for him in taking over as Cane.
“Building a new character,” he expressed. “Even though it was like a rebrand of an old character. Working with all these new people that you’ve seen or you’ve watched over the years, and now you’re in a scene with them, especially with somebody like Eric Braden, and you’re sitting across from him, and all the sudden your legs start shaking and you’re like ‘oh god.’”
Flynn admitted that what he wants is to simply be good at his new job and in his new role.
“I think that’s the hardest part, getting out of your own way and saying, like, just be yourself and do the things that made you successful on the last show,” the actor stated.
The soap star admitted feeling insecure and shy about starting a new job after a decade at DAYS. Lucky for him, Flynn’s Y&R co-stars have welcomed him with open arms. Flynn shared that the cast and crew on Y&R have been so kind as he finds his bearings on the show.
The Y&R Contacted Billy Flynn
One interesting tidbit from the interview was that The Young and the Restless Head Writer and Executive Producer, Josh Griffith, reached out to Flynn directly to come to the CBS soap. As he had once worked on Days of Our Lives as a head writer, he knew Flynn’s work very well.
Flynn had been pondering a new challenge in his acting career, so he decided to take a leap of faith and accept the Y&R’s offer. Still, Flynn did note that he talked it over with his wife, as it did feel like a ‘huge gamble’.
With that said, now that he’s settled into the role, he feels like his decision was a good one, as this new daytime drama role fits all the requirements he was looking for in a career change.
Moustache-Approved
Flynn states that he got support from the top-dog at the Y&R, The Moustache himself, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), as the two worked together on his first day.
From the sounds of it, they got along from the get-go. Flynn notes that “He’s (Braeden) just super kind and sweet to me. It felt like he gave me the blessing, and that made me feel good.”
While it has yet to be confirmed, all arrows are pointing to the fact that Flynn will debut during the week of June 16-20, and he’ll end up being the Cane Ashby (previously played by Daniel Goddard), recast, who’s parading around as Aristotle Dumas.
Still, Flynn also had one request for the fans, noting, “I put the work in and I’m giving it my all, so please be kind.” As Days films months ahead of broadcast, soap audiences will continue to see Flynn pull double duty, as he’ll appear both on the Y&R and DOOL (as Chad DiMera).
In fact, fans can expect to see Flynn’s “days” in Salem come to an end, in and around the beginning of 2026!
