The stars of the number-one-rated daytime soap opera are returning to Toronto this spring. Y&R cast members Kate Linder (Esther Valentine) and Bryton James (Devon Winters) are gearing up for the Kate Linder & Friends Tea in the Garden, a special charity event taking place on Sunday, May 31, in Concord, Ontario.

They will be joined by co-stars Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Sean Dominic (Nate Hastings), and Michael Graziadei (Daniel Romalotti), with Global News anchor Candace Daniel serving as the emcee.

Listen to the full interview!

Canadians have always shared a special connection with The Young and the Restless. Because episodes air a day earlier in Canada than in the United States, Toronto fans often watch the show before the actors even get a chance to see it themselves.

“Well, it’s kind of amazing, actually, because the people in Toronto see the show twice,” Linder explained. “They see today’s show [on CBS] and then they see tomorrow’s show [on Global], which [Bryton] and I haven’t even seen yet.”

Linder joked that fans will sometimes even give her a heads-up on her own schedule: “Sometimes when I’m not sure if I’m going to be on that day or not, I’ll ask them, ‘Was I on today?’ and they go, “Yeah, yeah.’ Okay, so then I know I’m on tomorrow here [in the U.S.].”

Over the years, the Kate’s charity teas in Toronto have become a multi-generational affair, just like how many of us watch the soaps.

“I remember people who were kids growing up the first time, and now they’re grown up and still coming to and bringing their little ones,” James noted.

“Yeah, it really gets me when I see someone in there holding a baby in their arms,” Linder agreed. “They say, ‘I’ve been watching you since I was this young.”

Giving Back with Million Dollar Smiles

This year, the event will benefit Million Dollar Smiles, a Vaughan-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children and families facing life-threatening illnesses and special needs.

Linder expressed her appreciation that the organization ensures the money raised goes directly to the families who need it. The Y&R cast members are also generously donating their time to the event for no fee.

“They’re volunteering their time, and all my [castmates] are so generous to come there, and no one’s being paid,” Linder said. “That makes me really happy that we’re able to help them and all the money gets to the people who really need it right now.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a live auction featuring exclusive experiences and memorabilia:

· The Ultimate Y&R Set Tour: The auction features an exclusive package that includes airfare and a hotel stay for two, culminating in a tour of the closed Los Angeles set of The Young and the Restless. “We have one thing that you cannot get anywhere else unless you’re there,” Linder revealed. “It is a tour of [Genoa City]… It’s closed to the public, so you get to see scenes being taped, and they take everyone to wardrobe and sometimes hair and makeup, and they see all the sets!”

· Exclusive Artwork: Christian LeBlanc is providing a highly limited painting for the auction. The artwork holds a deep personal meaning, featuring a depiction of Katherine Chancellor’s (the late Jeanne Cooper) tea set alongside an orchid, which was the favourite flower of Linder’s late husband, Ron.

· Script Reading and Q&A: The cast typically auctions off scripts and performs live scene readings on stage during the event, alongside a fan Q&A session.

Y&R's Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe) and Kate Linder (Esther)

Behind the Scenes and Future Storylines

During our chat, Linder and James also pulled back the curtain on recent behind-the-scenes developments in Genoa City.

With the announcement that Sally McDonald is taking over as sole Executive Producer, James assures fans that the show is in excellent hands. “She’s been our co-ep for quite some time now, so we couldn’t be in better hands. She knows the show inside and out… and the fans should feel very confident that you’ll see that in the stories to come,” James said.

Their co-star, Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Mitchell) has also stepped into the director’s chair recently, earning high praise from James for her innate understanding of the actors’ process.

“She’s been fantastic. Seems like she’s hit the ground running and is, you know, one of our favourites off the bat,” James shared. “And mainly because she, you know, being an actor, becoming a director really understands what we go through and [our] process.”

The expansion of the Winters family.

Fans have also been thrilled to see the return of former cast members Shemar Moore (Malcolm Winters) and Vivica A. Fox (Stephanie Simmons). While James remained tight-lipped about their long-term status, he teased that their presence would continue to be felt as the Winters family expanded.

“I don’t know if I can tell if they’re still around or not… but yeah, I mean, I think it’s a storyline that has blossomed...

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