CBS’ top-rated sudser on Nov. 14 followed up its big, on-set party for hitting 13,000 episodes by bringing back two notorious characters to wreak more havoc in Genoa City.
At the end of the episode, super villains Ian Ward (Ray Wise) and Aunt Jourdan (Colleen Zenk) staged an unexpected comeback. They two have returned to gleefully execute a revenge plot — the details of which have yet to be revealed.
“The pairing of Ian Ward and Aunt Jordan will be a double dose of danger,” Head Writer Josh Griffith tells Deadline. “The residents of Genoa City should be on high alert thanks to this intriguing alliance. As a company, we are thrilled to welcome back the talented, Ray Wise and Colleen Zenk to the canvas.”
Wise, who won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Performer for his work on Y&R in 2015, was last seen on the show in 2016.
“It’s wonderful to be back on The Young and the Restless,” Wise tells Deadline. “It feels like home. I had a great time when I last appeared on the show and am having an even better time now with the talented, Colleen Zenk. I could not have asked for a better partner in crime and it’s so good to see both Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott again. I look forward to the mischievous Ian Ward causing more havoc in Genoa City. Stay tuned, it’s going to be a whole lot of fun.”
Zenk’s character hasn’t been seen since June 2024, after she was held captive by Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) before going to prison.
“I’m so happy to return to Y&R surrounding the show’s 13,000th episode and be paired with the amazing, Ray Wise,” continues Zenk. “Jordan is lucky enough to have Ian Ward by her sideand she settles some unfinished business while also finding the time to take on some new adversaries as well.”
On Nov. 13, the cast celebrated the milestone of reaching 13,000 episodes with a press event and lots of bubbly.
