Is Doug Davidson’s Paul Williams Leaving ‘The Young and the Restless’?

Michael Maloney September 11, 2018, 5:30 pm

Television Academy Hosts Cocktail Reception To Celebrate Daytime Programming Peer Group — Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Doug Davidson, who plays Paul Williams, Genoa City’s police chief on The Young and the Restless, has been responding to tweets from concerned fans wondering where the beloved veteran is these days.

TV Insider has learned that Davidson’s contract wasn’t renewed earlier this year and he’s been appearing on a recurring basis in recent months as Paul’s made inquiries over the disappearance of JT (Thad Luckinbill).

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“They are doing away with history,” Davidson, the show’s longest-running cast member, tweeted out a few days ago in response to a fan asking what was going on. The Emmy-winning actor said in a follow up post that he is grateful to his followers for their support.

They are doing away with history. https://t.co/I5jOYeATCb

— Doug Davidson (@DougDavidsonYR) September 11, 2018

Asked by a fan if he’s been officially let go by the show, Davidson tweeted that “it seems so.” While that’s not a full confirmation that he’s gone, it’s indicative of the fact that the actor doesn’t see Paul participating greatly in future stories.

It seems so https://t.co/JGHl1xLMwD

— Doug Davidson (@DougDavidsonYR) September 11, 2018

When asked by a fan if he’d consider going to another soap, Davidson tweeted that his loyalty is to Y&R.

My history and loyalty is with Y&R. https://t.co/EVD8GlLMe6

— Doug Davidson (@DougDavidsonYR) September 11, 2018

Still, hope is not lost for fans of Davidson and Paul. Storylines are cyclical and while an actor may be put on the back-burner, there’s always the chance that that could change. Rumor has it he has a few more appearances in the can that have yet to air.

Doug Davidson (Paul Williams), Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher), Lauralee Bell (Christian Williams), Tracey Bregman (Oauren Fenmore Baldwin, Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Mitchell) and Camryn Grimes (Mariah Copeland) on The Young and the Restless (Monty Brinton/CBS)

The actor says he’s available to return.