Exclusive: Susan Walters Explains Why Diane Forgave Jack — and Why Victor Is Still on Her Mind on The Young and the Restless

On The Young and the Restless, Diane Jenkins Abbott has spent much of the past year fighting for her marriage, dealing with betrayal and confronting the fallout from Victor Newman’s vendetta against Jack Abbott. For actress Susan Walters, however, Diane’s journey has never been as simple as deciding whether she can forgive Jack.

Walters opened up with The Soap Scene today about Diane’s relationship with Jack, why the experience with Patty and Dr. Markham forced her to confront something deeper about herself, and the threats that still remain.

Diane Realized Life Without Jack Wasn’t an Option

After Diane (Susan Walters) discovered Jack (Peter Bergman) with Patty (Stacy Haiduk) on the yacht, the situation could have easily become another chapter in their complicated history. Decades ago, Patty had been the one to walk in on Jack and Diane in a compromising position.

It was obviously as shocking for Diane as it was heartbreaking to find her husband in bed with another woman, and just as fast as it took to open the door, her marriage was over. Walters said, however, that Diane eventually came to understand that the possibility of losing Jack was more significant than what had happened between him and Patty.

Walters told The Soap Scene that she took Diane’s forgiveness of Jack seriously — particularly while filming the conversations in the hospital following Jack’s injury. The actress explained that Diane realized “the thought of not having him in her life was so much bigger than anything negative that could have happened.” 

That realization changed the way Walters approached Diane’s emotional scenes.

Diane’s Problem Was Bigger Than Holding a Grudge

One of the most revealing parts of that story came during Diane’s time with Dr. Markham (Jere Burns). Walters said she discussed Diane’s emotional state with the show’s head writer because she didn’t see Diane as someone incapable of letting go of a grudge.

Instead, Walters saw Diane as someone who has always been waiting for something to go wrong. Diane tends to believe that if something feels too good, she will somehow ruin it — or that the happiness was never as real as she believed.

That perspective helped Walters understand Diane’s reaction to finding Jack with Patty. It wasn’t simply, “You cheated on me.” It was also the confirmation of a fear Diane had been carrying all along: that eventually, the other shoe would drop. 

For the actress, Diane’s recent journey was less about deciding whether to forgive Jack and more about learning why she’d spent so much time expecting the worst.

Playing Diane’s Therapy Scenes Was a Balancing Act

Walters’ scenes with Dr. Markham also required her to play two things at once. Diane was opening up to the doctor, but she was also manipulating him. That became particularly clear when Diane appeared to break down emotionally while speaking with him, only for her internal thoughts to reveal that she was consciously using the moment to get what she wanted.

Walters said those scenes were challenging because she had to portray Diane’s genuine emotional reactions while simultaneously showing the audience that Diane was performing for Markham. “It was like rubbing your head and patting your belly,” Walters said of the duality. Interestingly, she found those scenes more fun than emotionally exhausting.

Walters explained that while she doesn’t easily perform emotion that way, Diane was completely committed once she decided what she wanted. She compared Diane’s determination to that of a toddler who knows exactly what she wants and is willing to go all in to get it.

It was also a full-circle moment for Walters to be working with Burns. The pair had starred together on the sitcom Dear John years ago. Walters came on the show as a guest spot with the potential to be a series regular and wound up staying for three years.

When she learned that he was joining Y&R as Dr. Laurence Markham, she reached out to reconnect and welcome him to the show the way he had done for her on Dear John. “Jere was so generous to me, so helpful, and made me feel so welcome,” Walter shared. “I always really appreciated that. He was great. It was really fun for me to be able to do that for him years later.” 

Diane May Not Be Finished With Victor

Even though Diane and Jack have seemingly decided to put revenge behind them and focus on their relationship, Walters doesn’t believe Diane has completely let go of what Victor (Eric Braeden) did.

In fact, she sees Victor’s treatment of Jack — and his connection to Patty — as something Diane still carries with her. “I don’t think that Diane really believes that Victor shouldn’t pay for what he did with Patty,” Walters said.

Walters also pointed to Diane’s growing frustration with how often Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) turns to Jack, especially since Nikki’s husband is responsible for so many of the problems she and Jack have faced. “Jack is so prevalent in Nikki’s life, and yet Nikki’s husband is the one who’s caused all these problems in Jack’s life,” Walters explained.

For Diane, that creates an uncomfortable conflict of interest, particularly because Jack and Nikki remain close. That frustration could turn to outrage, especially once Jack and Diane learn on Thursday that Patty Williams has escaped from jail.

With Patty back in the picture, Diane has even more reason to question whether putting revenge behind her is really possible.

What Happens When Diane Finds Out About Kyle and Victoria?

If that wasn’t enough for concern, Diane may soon have another reason to be unhappy. Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) has his own complicated history with his parents and Victor, but his recent involvement with Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) could create another major problem for Diane.

Walters was asked how Diane might react if she discovers that Kyle is now involved with Victoria. “I can’t wait to find out,” Walters teased with a laugh. Her reaction suggested Diane won’t necessarily take the news well.

That may be the biggest challenge facing Diane right now. She and Jack may be trying to move beyond revenge and focus on their future, but Victor, Nikki, Patty, and now Kyle’s relationship with Victoria keep giving Diane new reasons to question that decision.

Diane may be trying to let go of the past, but as Walters made clear, she isn’t someone who forgets easily — and right now, she has plenty of reasons not to.