Young and the Restless Welcomes Back Shemar Moore and Vivica a Fox for an Explosive Story

Genoa City is preparing for a major shakeup as two of its most iconic figures prepare to step back into the spotlight. Shemar Moore and Vivica A. Fox are officially returning to The Young and the Restless, reprising the roles that helped launch their storied careers in 1994.

The veteran actors are scheduled for a multi-episode story arc that will begin airing this April, with production already underway as of February 17. According to a network press release, the homecoming of Malcolm Winters and Dr. Stephanie Simmons is expected to have shocking and lasting implications for the residents of the long-running soap.

Moore, who portrayed the suave photographer Malcolm for eleven years, has made several guest appearances since his 2005 departure, including a sentimental turn for the show’s 50th anniversary. However, Fox’s return is particularly significant, as it marks her first time back in the role since she departed the series in 1995.

Longtime fans will recall that Malcolm and Stephanie were briefly romantically linked during Fox’s original tenure. Their relationship was actually orchestrated by Drucilla Barber, played by Victoria Rowell, who was trying to distract Malcolm from her own complicated family dynamics.

The romance ultimately fizzled out when Stephanie realized that Malcolm’s fast-paced lifestyle didn’t align with her career-focused goals, leading to her quiet exit from town nearly three decades ago.

Moore’s recent visits to the set have often been anchored in the legacy of the late Kristoff St. John, who played Malcolm’s half-brother, Neil Winters. During the 2023 anniversary special, Moore delivered a moving tribute to his late co-star, stating that when it came to the great Neil Winters, I show up. Whatever it takes.

Outside of the show, Moore has frequently spoken about his deep bond with St. John, describing him as the closest thing to a brother he had ever known and crediting him for his early professional success.

While they prepare for their daytime reunion, both actors have incredibly full schedules in prime time and film. Shemar Moore has just wrapped production on the highly anticipated spinoff S.W.A.T. Exiles, where he reprises his role as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson.

After the original series concluded its eight-season run in May 2025, Moore was tapped to lead this new 10-episode drama, which follows Hondo as he leads an experimental team of young recruits after a high-profile mission goes sideways.

Vivica A. Fox is also entering a prolific stage of her career, with several major projects slated for release throughout the year. She is set to star in the intense drama Is God Is, and recently finished work on the thriller The Wrong Baby Daddy.

Beyond acting, Fox has been expanding her influence behind the camera, recently making her directorial debut with First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story, which earned her a nomination for an NAACP Image Award in late 2024.

The return of Malcolm and Stephanie comes at a pivotal time for The Young and the Restless as it enters its 53rd season. The series is currently building momentum toward a major crossover event with the new daytime drama Beyond the Gates this June, signaling an ambitious expansion of the CBS soap universe.

As these two legends head back to the soundstages at Television City, viewers are eager to see if old sparks will fly or if their return will trigger a new wave of drama for the Winters family.

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