Is Former 'General Hospital' Star Steve Burton Joining 'The Young and the Restless'?

It’s looking like Genoa City will have another transplant from Port Charles. Emmy winner Steve Burton (ex-Jason, GH) is rumored to have signed a deal to join the cast of The Young and the Restless.

TV Guide was the first to report the strong possibility of Burton signing a deal with The Young and the Restless. He’s rumored to begin taping early next year, airing as early as February. Perhaps this means the CBS daytime drama was more capable of giving Burton the relaxed schedule he continually wished for at General Hospital. Though the news is still unconfirmed by CBS, but it’s not much of a surprise given that Y&R’s executive producer is Jill Farren Phelps, who was once at the helm on General Hospital and a friend of the actor.

During an interview with TV Guide in August, Burton played coy when asked if he’d consider a role on Y&R now that Jill was there. “I’m never going to say never because , as soon as I do, I’ll be popping up over there! Here’s the thing: As cool as it was to know I had a nice, cushy place to go every day with GH, I think it’s going to be just as cool to not have a nice, cushy place to go every day. I like not knowing what’s next for a change. I’m jumping off a cliff in a total leap of faith.”

Burton shocked daytime fans over the summer when he announced he’d be leaving his longtime role as Jason Morgan on General Hospital amid a major front burner storyline involving Jason, his wife, Sam (Kelly Monaco), and his former flame, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). Citing a move to Tennessee as a more relaxing life with his family, the writers scurried to give fans an ending. Jason and Elizabeth reflected on their lost chances one final time as Jason chose to be with Sam and their new baby. Jason and Sam’s happiness was short-lived when Jason was shot on the docks and his body fell into the harbor, never to be found. Fans had been hoping this might mean a return at some point, but it looks like Burton has taken a move to greener pastures.

Since there’s no confirmation of his signing or the role, we’re left to speculate. Perhaps, Burton is playing Avery’s (Jessica Collins) former flame, who is set to breeze into Genoa City early next year? What do you think? Sound off in the comments below!