Fans have their favorite characters but did you ever stop to think if you’d feel the same way if they were played by someone else? Recently, various daytime casting directors came together on a panel for The Business to discuss the process and during the conversation, a very interesting tidbit about one of soaps’ biggest stars came to light.
The Young and the Restless’ Mark Grossman has played the legacy role of Adam for over seven years but before he stepped into the room and first read with the vet who plays his onscreen father Victor, Eric Braeden, he had tested for another major role — but not for Genoa City. While casting director Greg Salmon had been talking about how tough it was to cast for such an important character as Adam following Justin Hartley’s departure, “You’re not trying to find another Justin Hartley, you’re trying to find another Adam Newman,” and how Grossman had such an energy and has now made the role his own, The Bold and the Beautiful casting director Christy Dooley revealed that she had tested with Grossman first…
“He read for us,” stated Dooley, “and he was my choice for Thomas Forrester.” But as everyone knows, the role went to Matthew Atkinson. She also recalled how Grossman then went over to read for Adam and how it was similar to what happened with Joshua Morrow (Nick). While he had read for Dooley as well, there hadn’t been anything for Morrow at Bold & Beautiful but since he was such a talent, she had called Young & Restless and said, “Hey, this kid is great but there’s nothing for him on our show.”
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Watch the very interesting conversation below for that and more…
Are you happy the casting turned out the way it did or would you have liked to have seen Grossman’s take on Thomas? Be sure to leave us your thoughts in the comment section.
Then find out what’s ahead for Adam by taking a look at our June previews and predictions in the photo gallery below.




