Two of Genoa City’s most prominent figures, Bryton James (Devon Winters) and Canadian actor Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott), recently took a break from the boardroom battles and dramatic love triangles of The Young and the Restless to visit Toronto.
The actors, whose characters are often at odds—whether over business deals at Chancellor-Winters or their mutual disdain for rival Cane Ashby (now played by Billy Flynn) – sat down with The TV Watercooler for a candid chat.
During the conversation, the stars delved into the fun of on-screen conflict, with Thompson noting that bringing back characters like Cane is a welcome disruption that creates “more drama, which is a good thing.”
The interview also touched on major career milestones, including Thompson’s decade-long run as Billy Abbott following a successful tenure as Dr. Patrick Drake on General Hospital, and James’s incredible 22 years on Y&R. They offered teasers on upcoming storylines and shared insights into the collaborative and joyful atmosphere that keeps the classic soap opera running strong.
The same cause unites Devon and Billy – they aren’t big fans of Cane Ashby (now played by Billy Flynn). Cane’s obviously important to both Lily (Christel Khalil) and Jill (Jess Walton). Any chance they could join forces against Cane and take him down? Have you interacted over your mutual hate of Cane?
Bryton: No, they aren’t! We haven’t interacted over the mutual hate, but we have interacted over our hate of each other in the business world.
When it comes to Cane, or anybody that has an interest in Lily, Devon’s sister, I have a big problem [with him].
And perhaps Billy.
Jason: I disagree! [Laughs]
Bryton: He didn’t treat Lily well, or the company [that we ran].
Jason: Are we really going to get into this right now? [Laughs]
Bryton: [Laughs] It’s new having [Cane] back. So, I think we’re still getting into the rhythm of the storyline and see where it’s going to go. For now, no, Devon is not a big fan of Cane.
Jason: I will say that I’m a big fan of Billy Flynn. He’s come in and done a great job. I think it’s fantastic when we have the ability to get someone to come over to our show who has a lot of clout and a lot of respect for the genre. He’s someone who is a fantastic actor and a good person.
It’s like a sports team. It’s life a free agent that come over and is going to make our team better. That’s the way that I feel about Billy. And then it’s nice to have the character back as well.
I think Billy still has a place in his heart for Lily. I think that their relationship ended in a way because of Billy’s situation with Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan), and there was a lot of backstabbing from that side of the family… [Waves towards Bryton].
There are trust issues in Genoa City across the board, and I think that’s really ultimately what a lot of these stories are based on. Self-interest, trust-building, company stealing, and who gets the CEO chair? Who doesn’t? Someone is trying to undermine your plan or take your company away from you… But it ultimately comes down to these relationships that we have.
From a fan of Bryton’s work, I was super excited to work with him when we got the chance to with the Chancellor-Winters [story]. The characters didn’t see eye to eye, but that’s great – that’s what we want. We want to have that conflict, so bringing back a character like Cane causes more disruption, which is a good thing.
I like that sports analogy! Jason, you’ll be celebrating your 10th anniversary! It’s been a decade since you switched over to The Young and the Restless after 10 years on General Hospital as Dr. Patrick Drake. Have you soaked that in yet?
Jason: Yeah, I mean, it went quicker than the first ten years, I have to say. The second ten years were filled with a couple of kids and a couple of other projects that I’ve worked on, and my wife and I are going through that, so life is busier than it was the first ten years.
I was 27 when I first started at General Hospital. But most positively and amazingly, it has gone by fast, and I’ve just enjoyed my time at Y&R so much. I’ve had some incredible storylines, and I’ve worked with so many incredible people.
I show up every day, and everybody is amazing to work with. There’s not a weak link! Any scene you’ve got, you’ve got very capable people that love what they do and who genuinely enjoy each other. Our crew is amazing. Everyone from the camera crew, to behind the scenes, our hair and makeup and wardrobe – it’s a joyful place to be.
I think there is an acknowledgement that the show is bigger than any one person or anything like that too, so when you’re working in that way in a collaborative effort, you’re happy to be a cog in the wheel and are happy to keep it going.
I think the character of Billy Abbott is such a fun character to play. I’ve tried my best not to put any guardrails on him and let him go wherever he’s going to go and wherever I can take him. I like thinking of him in a way where he’s capable of doing a lot of things. I think at times, he’s quite honest but sometimes, he’s going to do what he needs to do! I like that about him.
So yeah, back to the ten years on Y&R, it’s been incredible. It’s been a great ride so far and I’m grateful to be part of this show that has a tremendous history.
I’m a big fan of Billy, but I was also an “Scrubs” (Robin and Patrick) fan from GH! Was there anything that you would have wanted to revisit as Patrick Drake that you never got the chance to do when you were on GH?
Jason: Man, I did some great stuff over there, too. Even when Rick Springfield, Noah, was there, we had some great stuff together. We went through the HIV storyline, which was incredible.
And then obviously, Robin (Kimberly McCullough) passing away and coming back!
The wedding!
Jason: Yes, the wedding was incredible. [General Hospital] was an incredible opportunity to learn what it takes as an actor…to show up, to be prepared – all that kind of stuff. I was young there, I was single at that time when I came in and worked with some great people like Anthony Geary (Luke), who was incredible to watch, he was amazing.
Kimberly, of course. She was young and a great help. Obviously, Maurice Benard (Sonny)… It was an amazing group of people to be part of.
Also, [Patrick] was a new character. I was able to step in and just be Patrick Drake. Jason was Patrick Drake. Whereas coming to Y&R as Billy, that was a character that was already around and had a long history. So, I had to learn a different history and there was an excitement of taking that on.
There was a lot of preparation, coming from GH and knowing the genre and the appreciation that the fans [have], who keep us on the air. There’s a million storylines, which is why we’re still on the air. These characters can go anywhere.
Bryton’s been on Y&R for 22 years!
You both started in the genre around the same time. I feel that it’s finally gotten better for the industry.
Bryton: Oh, it’s evolving! It’s continuing to grow.
Bryton, the last time that we spoke, I asked how you would feel about doing an appearance on Beyond the Gates after it premieres. What was it like actually crossing over as a guest star and working alongside Tamara Tunie (Anita), Clifton Davis (Vernon) and Karla Mosley (Dani)?
Bryton: It was fantastic!
You got to work with Karla again. She had subbed in for Mishael Morgan as Amanda.
Bryton: Yeah, Karla did a little stint on Y&R for a second. It was also like coming home because we used to see her across the hallway when she was on The Bold and the Beautiful (as Maya).
[Beyond the Gates] was great! One of the old Y&R directors, Steven Williford, was the director for the episode, so it really felt like being at home. Their studio was state-of-the-art, so it was a little bit of a change, being in an environment that was so new. Y&R has been in that same building since the beginning. I’m hoping they do more! I’ve been told that they are going to try and do some more crossovers. Maybe we’ll have some of the Beyond the Gates characters over on our show!
Jason, the last time that we spoke was around Y&R’s 50th anniversary and Billy was going over all that “Man Pain.”
Jason: [Laughs]
Billy’s man pain is still there, but is there a fresh new take you’d like for him to explore? Maybe some happiness? Either with Sally (Courtney Hope) or Victoria (Amelia Heinle)? I always thought there was so much more to explore between Billy and Chloe (Elizabeth Hendrickson)? We were call Chilly fans…
Jason: Part of what I love about him is that you just rattled off three or four characters that he’s got history with, which is incredible, right? And you can drop into that history pretty quick. I could absolutely see something happen there.
Sally and Billy are doing their thing. Of course, there’s Billy and Victoria and a ton of history there, and so much more to explore.
Of course, we have ideas that come up, or you could see how ideas could spin off into something else, but clearly that’s not our job. Our job is to show up and do our best to tell the story that is written in front of us, but it’s fun to be the close to the last line of defense for these characters because the words ultimately do come through us, and the emotions come through us, and then they get into the editing where you can add music and everything else…
It’s not that I don’t talk to our head writer or our producers about what you feel could work or what a storyline meant to you and where you see it could go, but we don’t get a ton of play as to where we really want our characters to go, and I think that’s a good thing. That’s not our job. There are pros that are doing this and I would say that the hardest job in show business is writing a soap opera.
The amount [of shows] that we do and keeping these characters in your head and writing individually for them, trying to make them work…the way I see my job, is doing my best to make that work.
So, it doesn’t matter what relationship [Billy’s] in. If it’s with Bryton, doesn’t matter if it’s romantic or not, we need to have chemistry. You need to find that somehow. Whether it’s a common goal, working towards something. The chemistry is different with a lot of people and it’s your job as an actor to find that or to figure it out.
Obviously, there are stories where people did not like each other, and that chemistry alone explodes!
I try to stick to my job as much as I can and make writers hopefully want to write for me. If they see something and it percolates more, then hopefully they’ll continue to want to do that. That’s what I talk to younger actors about. “Do your job, and if you do it well enough and you show up, and you’re on time, and you’re professional, and the writers want to write for you, you’re probably going to be okay.”
As much as this is art, we still have to be professional at this job, and that means respecting other people’s jobs as well. Whether it’s a writer, director, or whatever.
Bryton, what can you tease about what’s coming up for Devon? He and Abby (Melissa Ordway) have been happy for a while. There hasn’t been any drama.
Bryton: [Laughs] There’s going to be some drama coming up for us! We’ve been happy for too long. Devon is going to find someone in his immediate family in danger, and that’s going to put Devon and Abby’s marriage to the test in new ways.
That’s exciting!
Bryton: I’m excited as you are!
Finally!
Jason: I love that… “A family member in immediate danger!”
Bryton: An immediate family member in immediate danger.
It’s always great when Jess Walton comes back as Jill. She has great chemistry with both of you…
Bryton: She has great chemistry with everybody! She’s Jess Walton!
Can you tease if she’ll be back anytime soon?
Jason: She was back recently for the Cane stuff and everything else. Obviously, there’s a lot of tension between Billy and Jill.
She’s the not-so-secret investor.
Jason: Nobody really knows that!
Bryton: In the company you finally got? That’s right… Good for you!
In true Billy nature, he’s got his media company, but he also wants Chancellor Industries.
Bryton: Oh, of course he does!
Jason: Yeah, he still wants Chancellor. He feels like it could be run better! I don’t want it to just die and go away. It’s Billy’s responsibility as a…
Bryton: What’s your connection to Chancellor?
Jason: Oh, I’ll find one… Don’t worry!
Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper) was like a grandmother to Billy…
Bryton: Oh, she was like a grandmother?! That’s funny because she was my grandmother. That’s interesting!
Jason: No, it’s very interesting! That’s why we do what we do, to make it interesting.
I love Jess. She’s incredible. Just a legend. She’s so sweet. It’s always great when she comes back. She just shows up, and it’s like, “Oh, Jill’s back!” and that’s amazing. It’s a testament to her and everything as well. It’s a great character, and she’s awesome.
What are you guys watching? What was the last show you binge watched?
Bryton: Hunting Wives!
Jason: I really enjoyed The Studio. I really enjoyed that. I love those kinds of LA, seeing the back door kind of things. We were just talking about Succession earlier. That’s probably my favourite show of the last decade, I think. I’m so bummed that there’s not more. I just really enjoyed watching that show – the characters, the acting, the sets, everything was just so fantastic.
There were similarities with the families in the media in conflict, and all that stuff. The [similar] hierarchy and succession kind of thing. I really enjoyed watching that show.
Do you think Billy would be “The number one boy” like Kendall Roy?
Jason: Yeah… I don’t know. Billy would be whatever he needs to be in the moment. That’s what I love about him.
And maybe Devon would just swoop in at some event and just buy it all?
Bryton: Exactly.
Jason: Well, he’s got the money to do it.
Bryton: Yeah, I do. I just need to use it!
Do you think that’s kind of like a curse? Playing a character who has unlimited money?
Bryton: No, because there’s always that threat that you could lose it. Especially for a character that comes from nothing and started out with no money. It means something different [to Devon].
Jason: Is he still doing the music stuff?
Bryton: It’s still a part of Winters.
That’s why he crossed over to Beyond the Gates!
Bryton: That’s right! He was facilitating a music deal over there. Billy needs to start singing!
When can we get some Ranch West beer in Canada?
Jason: I hope one of these days we can come up. Thanks for asking! It’s been fun. It’s been a lot of work. It’s been, probably six years from the inception of the idea and everything else. We’ve been in-market for about and a half-year. It’s been cool!
Hopefully it can come here after the tariffs…
Jason: We’ll see! It’s interesting because there are a couple of things that separate us from the rest. Bryton and I were just talking about it because he’s always got projects going. To me, it kind of comes back to the fun of building something that comes from nothing and seeing it through.
With Rancho West, we’re USDA certified organic and the first beer in the world to be certified glyphosate-free, which is the active ingredient. That’s the place that we want to go as people continue to make cleaner choices with their drinking habits. Seeing that path and trying to build that parachute as you go when you’re kind of falling in a way as you’re building it – I enjoy that! It’s a lot!
I’m incredibly grateful that I have a job that gives me a little bit of a free time to do that. We’re not on set 15-16 hours every day for ten months in a row. We’re spread out, so it does allow me to be a father that is home a lot with a wife, and a life, and everything.
We can show up at work at 7 a.m. and be done by 9:30 a.m. sometimes and most people are just starting their day, and we’ve already done that part, so now I’ve got time to do other stuff. Or sometimes we don’t go in until 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.
You joked about Billy singing, but could Jason sing again? You were once “Mad about Saffron…”
Jason: I was mad about Saffron… I just couldn’t get enough!
Bryton: What is this? Enlighten me… Please.
Jason: I was in the Gap commercials!
Bryton: And you sang?
Jason: “I’m just mad about saffron…”
Bryton: That was you singing?
Jason: Yes, I was cast in that, and they were epic. They were huge. Mellow Yellow. Do you remember these commercials?
Bryton: Yeah.
Jason: That was me, and a couple of other people!
Bryton: Do they know that you can sing, because if they don’t, I’m surely going to tell them!
Jason: I’m not sure! I sang on General Hospital! I had a guitar, and I wrote a couple of original songs on that show.
Bryton: Thanks for letting me know about this! Oh, I’m going to sign you to the label…
Jason: That would be like “I can’t stand him, but I need him!”
Rashida Jones was also in that commercial!
Jason: Yeah, Rashida Jones was in that commercial.
Bryton: I need to get back and look at those!
Jason: Yeah, that kept my head above water for a good six months to a year with those residuals! It was one of those things like, “Oh, I can stay [in LA] a bit longer!”
Within everything else, I still spend quite a bit of free time playing. I really enjoy playing and writing music along with everything else. One of the last things I remember doing at GH was playing and writing a little bit.
Bryton: I didn’t know he writes music too!
You’ve got the next big Winters artist!
Bryton: You can see the drama in it, right? Billy needs this. He loses his companies…
Jason: Yeah, he’s going to lose his company and live in the trailer again. I know that Billy lived in an Airstream for a little while and, “Just go back to my roots!”
Sing about the Man Pain.
Jason: Yeah, the Main Pain.
Bryton: That’s your first single, “Man Pain.”
Jason: Yeah, that’ll go over well nowadays. “It’s so hard to be a man.”
[Laughs]
“It’s the pain!”
The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on Global and CBS. Canadians can catch up with episodes on demand, the Global TV app, STACKTV, and at GlobalTV.com.
