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Nine-time Daytime Emmy winning producer Jill Farren Phelps has been replaced as executive producer of The Young and the Restless after four years with the series. EastEnders alum Mal Young has been appointed the soaps’ new showrunner.
“On behalf of everyone at the show, we extend our sincere thanks to Jill for her years at Y&R and wish her continued success,” said Steve Kent, senior executive vice president, U.S. programming for Sony Pictures Television, in a statement.
Rumors of Phelps’ departure began last month when Daytime Confidential published a blind item hinting at the exit of a soaps’ executive producer. On June 7, DC’s Jamey Giddens tweeted that Phelps was in fact out as the series’ showrunner.
Jill Farren Phelps, Steve Burton, Jason Thompson “The Young and the Restless” Set 43rd Anniversary Cake Party Photo Credit: © Howard Wise/JPI Studios
Jill Farren Phelps is one of the most decorated producers in soap history, winning the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama series on nine occasions on three different series. With a resume spanning decades, she has served as EP of Santa Barbara, Guiding Light, Another World, One Life to Live and General Hospital.
Her successor, Mal Young, has a production legacy based in UK soap operas. From 1997-2004, Young served as the controller of continuing dramas for BBC, overseeing EastEnders, Doctor Who, Casualty, Doctors and Holby City; the latter two he developed and co-created. Young was hired at the end of 2015 as a Supervising Producer for The Young and the Restless.
Young’s only comment regarding the change was a message on Twitter, writing, “Day 1”.
Day 1
— mal young (@malyoung) June 8, 2016
At press time there is no information regarding a change of status for Charles Pratt Jr., head writer and co-EP.
How do you feel about this change at the helm? What direction would you like to see The Young and the Restless go?
great news. Y&R is in need of new direction. i’m tired of seeing the same boring storylines with no resolutions,i mean car accidents,brain tumors,baby switches,dopplegangers aren’t gonna bring in new people. Y&R needs more balance,starting with less Victor,and better storylines. let’s hope Pratt is next
For one, it’s nice to see someone actually speak positively on Jill rather than bashing.
Secondly, watching GH and its drama behind the scenes has shown us that wanting to see the grass on the other side doesn’t mean we’ll see green.
Lastly, I don’t believe the problem is EPs or writers. It’s the revolving the show around Victor being the moral compass. Until they figure out how to drive stories and entire characters sans Victor is a true step in the right direction.