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After weeks of speculation, Sony Pictures Television has officially announced the new writing team for CBS’ The Young and the Restless. As expected, Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante have been named Head Writers. Joining them will be Tracey Thomson, who was promoted to Co-Head Writer.
Last month, after the departure of head writer Josh Griffith, Passanante and Altman’s names were floated as possible replacements after a report from Soaps In Depth and later confirmed by Daytime Confidential‘s sources. When TVSource Magazine reached out to Y&R publicity for comment, a rep had none to give.
Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President, U.S. Programming at Sony Pictures Television made the announcement today in a statement. “Shelly has been an important part of the Y&R writing team since joining the show last year and Jean brings with her a wealth of daytime writing experience. We are excited to have these two talented daytime veterans leading our writing team at ‘Y&R,’ said Kent. “We are also thrilled to have Tracey take on a new role and look forward to her creative input to the show.”
Shelly Altman has been a part of The Young and the Restless writing team since 2012. Prior to her hiring at Y&R, she served as a writer and co-head writer on several soaps, including Another World, One Life to Live and General Hospital. Altman has received five Writers Guild Awards nominations and six Daytime Emmy nominations. In 2008, she took home a statuette for her work on General Hospital.
With a career spanning three decades and five soaps on three networks, Jean Passanante has written for All My Children, Another World, As the World Turns, General Hospital and One Life to Live over the course of her career. The acclaimed writer earned four Writers Guild Award nominations and wins for her work on All My Children (2001, 2002) and As the World Turns (2007, 2009); eight Daytime Emmy nominations, winning four times for her work on One Life to Live (1994) and As the World Turns (2002, 2004 and 2005). Jean has worked on the writing team for ABC’s General Hospital since 2012.
Tracey Thomson began her soap career in 2006, writing for General Hospital until 2008. After a two-year stint on All My Children (2008-2010), she returned to General Hospital from 2010 to 2012. She joined The Young and the Restless writing team in 2012. Thomson’s earned two Writers Guild Awards nominations, winning for her work on General Hospital in 2012. She’s a four-time Daytime Emmy nominee.
For more than 24 years, The Young and the Restless has been the number one rated daytime drama. Currently in its 40th season, Y&R airs weekdays (12:30 – 1:30PM ET; 11:00AM – 12:00 Noon PT) on the CBS Television Network. Bell Dramatic Serial Company produces the series, in association with Sony Pictures Television.
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