The Young and the Restless just pulled off a full-circle moment in the most unexpected way. Billy Flynn, known for his long stint as Chad DiMera on Days of Our Lives, has officially joined The Young and the Restless—but not in the role fans might think. Years ago, Billy was in talks to play Chance Chancellor, a core character in the Genoa City legacy. That didn’t work out back then, but fate clearly had other plans.
The Young and the Restless: Flynn Was Almost Cast as Chance—but Timing Wasn’t Right
Before Billy Flynn ever set foot in The Young and the Restless studio as Cane Ashby, he had already caught the attention of the show’s casting team. In a recent interview, Flynn shared that years ago, he had serious conversations with the soap about joining as Chance Chancellor. He had even discussed it at multiple Emmy events with Peter Bergman, who plays Jack Abbott. It seemed like the stars were aligning—but the timing just wasn’t right.
Flynn didn’t get the part, and the role of Chance eventually went to Conner Floyd. While some actors might have left that dream behind, Flynn held onto his hope of working with the Y&R team. Fast forward to 2025, and not only is he now on the show, but he’s also playing an even more complex role—Cane Ashby, a character fans haven’t seen in years. Talk about soap opera destiny!
From Missed Opportunity to Perfect Timing: Flynn Finds His Role
Billy Flynn’s return to daytime drama through The Young and the Restless is more than just a casting update—it’s a storytelling upgrade. He calls the role of Cane “serendipitous,” saying it felt like the right role at the right time. That’s a bold statement, especially considering he spent years defining Chad on DOOL. But Flynn is already bringing a new energy to Cane’s character—adding humor, vulnerability, and something fans haven’t seen from Cane in a long time.
Interestingly, the actor he once almost replaced—Conner Floyd—is now stepping into Flynn’s old shoes over on Days of Our Lives, as the new Chad DiMera. While Conner won’t appear as Chad until 2026, the two actors’ paths have officially swapped in a way only soap fans can truly appreciate. Flynn even praised Conner in the interview, saying, “Some people are sad that I’ve left, but I think Connor taking over excites everybody.”
The Young and the Restless brought Billy Flynn into Genoa City in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. While he didn’t become Chance Chancellor like originally discussed, his turn as Cane Ashby might be the role he was always meant to play. And as Conner Floyd takes over Chad DiMera on Days of Our Lives, fans are getting a fun casting twist they never saw coming. For more insider soap stories like this, keep reading Soap Opera Daily.
