List of The Young and the Restless characters introduced in 2012
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera. It was first broadcast on March 26, 1973, and airs on CBS. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 2012, by order of appearance. All characters that appeared before August 2012 were introduced by the show's former head writer and executive producer Maria Arena Bell. Beyond that point, all characters are introduced by Bell's replacements: executive producer Jill Farren Phelps and head writer Josh Griffith. Anita Lawson and Sarge Wilder. Carmine Basco first appeared in March, while April saw the birth of Johnny Abbott on-screen. Beth Hortense debuted in June with Sister Celeste beginning her short stint in August. Jamie Vernon first appeared in October, while Alex Chavez and Mason Wilder were introduced in December.
Anita Lawson
Anita Lawson first appeared on February 7, 2012, as the mother of Chelsea Lawson. Casting for the role was announced on January 6, 2012. She is portrayed by former The Dukes of Hazzard actress Catherine Bach on a recurring basis. Entertainment Weekly reported that Anita is "the scheming mother of Chelsea".The character of Anita first aired on February 7, 2012. She began taping for the role on January 9, 2012. The official site provided a teaser for Anita's storyline: "Bringing more drama to the already testy situation between Billy, Victoria and Chelsea's surprise pregnancy, Bach will play Anita and join her daughter on a quest to conspire against Billy Abbott."
Anita arrived in town searching for her daughter, Chelsea, to whom which she appeared to be extremely displeased finding out that she is pregnant with Billy Abbott's child. It is revealed later that she was brought to town by Victor Newman to town so that she could cause problems in Billy's marriage to his daughter Victoria Newman. Anita sees Jeffrey Bardwell at the local nightclub, Gloworm, and recognizes him, though he doesn't know her due to memory loss. She reveals to Chelsea she has found her father and that it is none other than Jeffrey, which is later confirmed by a DNA test. However, Jeffrey tells Chelsea that her father is his deceased twin brother, William Bardwell. Later on, Anita calls Jeffrey thanking him for the trip around the world; meaning he paid her to leave town until the paternity mess is over. During this phone call Anita reminds Jeffrey that they are still legally married. Four months later, Anita returned to Genoa City upon learning Chelsea is engaged to Adam Newman. Chelsea still firmly believed that Jeffrey was her father, so Anita revealed that the man she slept with had a heart shaped birthmark. Jeffrey's wife, Gloria Bardwell, then realized that Jeffrey was in fact Chelsea's father. Anita also tells Jeffrey that if he does not keep sending her checks, she will show their marriage certificate to Chelsea and Gloria. She ended up doing so, but Gloria ended up forgiving him and Chelsea began to accept Jeffrey as her father.
Nine months and one miscarriage later, Anita grilled Chelsea when she found out that Chelsea was pregnant by her now-ex-husband, Adam, but had told lowly bartender/carpenter Dylan that the baby was his. Anita was disappointed in Chelsea's choice when she could have used the baby to win back a rich man like Adam, warned her that everything will blow up in her face when Dylan finds out he was used, and suggested she get out of it before it was too late. Soon Dylan and Chelsea exchanged "I love you's" while Anita attempted to tell Adam that he was the father of Chelsea's baby. But knowing Anita only wanted him with Chelsea because he had more money than Dylan, Adam refused to let her talk.
Anita was not pleased to learn that Dylan and Chelsea were engaged. Dylan surprised Chelsea by inviting Jeff and Anita to their place for dinner. Both were visibly disappointed in the place, and Jeff insulted Dylan as not being able to take care of his daughter. But Anita surprised Chelsea saying that Dylan was a good guy, and everything would be all right. They discussed potential baby names of Scarlet, Emily, or Terry after Dylan's dad. After Jeff made some more judgmental comments, Dylan said that he was not Adam and glad of it, because Adam was smart enough to make millions but smart enough to make Chelsea happy.
Not long afterward, Chelsea went into labor, and Dylan suggested to Chelsea that they get married right away. When Chelsea's labor stopped, Dylan took her home to his loft which was decorated for a wedding. The invited guests Chloe, Jeffrey, Anita, and Stitch arrived, followed by Billy with a cake catered by his restaurant. After some quick alterations to Chelsea's wedding gown by Chloe, the minister arrived, heartfelt vows were exchanged, and they were married using Dylan's parent's wedding rings. During the ceremony Anita flirted with Stitch. Afterward, Chelsea again went into labor, and Dylan delivered Terrance "Conner" McAvoy.
Since then Anita has been seen in GC on numerous occasions. Her most memorable occasion being in October 2015, to help her on screen daughter Chelsea Newman, leave GC. Although the plot did not go through Anita had a handful of episodes revolving around the storyline. Anita also returns in 2016 to spend time with her daughter and grandson, Conner
Anita returns in early 2018, after giving Nick Newman a flash drive, with a video recording from Chelsea explaining why she left, and confirming the paternity of Nicks son, Christian, who is revealed to be her ex-husbands, and Nicks half brother, Adam Newman's son.
Anita returns in mid 2019 when it is revealed that Adam Newman is alive.
Sarge Wilder
Augustus "Sarge" Wilder first appeared on February 20, 2012. The role is portrayed by former All My Children actor Darnell Williams. In January 2012, rumors began to circulate that Williams would be joining the cast in a regular role. Debbi Morgan, who portrayed Harmony Hamilton and stars with Williams on ABC's All My Children, later confirmed it via Twitter. In November 2012, it was announced that Williams was taken off his contract and bumped to recurring. In December, actor Lamon Archey was introduced as Sarge's nephew, Mason Wilder.Sarge is a tough-talking physical therapist who began working with Jack Abbott, who was paralyzed from the waist on down after being shot by his mentally ill ex-wife Patty Williams. Jack at first clashed with Sarge when he spotted him aggressively coaching one of his female patients, which Sarge uses as a way of building their strength to encourage them to work harder on their recovery. Jack later understood this method which lead him to ask Sarge to help him with his recovery as his female therapist didn't give him much hope on recovering. On March 20, Sarge was seen sitting in on an AA meeting just as Harmony took a seat next to him after she finished speaking. Harmony and Sarge later formally introduced themselves when she ran into him at the coffeehouse and they engaged in conversation as she spoke about her battles, but she became angry when Sarge revealed that he's been in AA supporting a patient of his, making Harmony feel like a fool as she believed she was confiding in someone who had struggles of his own. Sarge and Harmony have later pretended to be a couple to make Neil Winters jealous, growing a friendship in the process. Although the two have attraction to one another, Sarge wishes Neil luck in ending up with Harmony. Sarge would eventually reveal to Jack the reason he became a physical therapist. When he was younger, Augustus was a street racer and got in a very bad crash with a brick wall; although he was okay, his brother wasn't. Although his brother refused his help to the very present, Sarge wanted to make sure everyone had the chance to fight.
Carmine Basco
Carmine Basco first appeared on March 27, 2012, portrayed by Marco Dapper on a recurring status. He made his last appearance on February 3, 2014.Dapper stated that former casting director Marnie Saitta helped him "change his whole outlook on everything", admitting that he previously believed the soap opera genre "sucked". He obtained the role by meeting with Judy Blye Wilson, another casting director, and said there was "good energy" between the two.
Carmine has dated Abby Newman, and the relationship wasn't given closure upon Rylan's exit from the soap opera. Dapper admitted in an interview that the writers "didn't really know what to do with him after Abby left the first time". He was then written into the storyline of Michael Baldwin and Lauren Fenmore's marital problems, becoming Lauren's lover who she cheats on Michael with. Dapper explained that, "A lot of people might end up hating him for it, but really, it's a storyline that gives Lauren and Michael a chance to mend their relationship and be even stronger coming back." He went on to say that Carmine "hasn't changed" and "this is just another side that everyone is seeing". He also stated that he hoped Carmine would have more of a "darker turn", and that he still believes there is a "left over spark" with Abby as their storyline "was never finished" and "nothing was wrapped up properly".
Storylines
Carmine was first mentioned as the notorious ex-boyfriend of Angelina Veneziano. Angelina's father Angelo forbid her from having contact with him and hired Kevin Fisher to make sure that didn't happen. Angelina then attempted to convince Kevin that she was pregnant with Carmine's child and that they had to run away together for safety, all of which was never true. Kevin and Angelina ended up marrying for their own safety from Angelo, which was later annulled.
Carmine arrived abruptly at Genoa City restaurant Gloworm looking for Kevin moments after Angelina and Angelo announced they were leaving town, claiming he stole Angelina from him and now he was going to steal Kevin's new wife, Chloe Mitchell, from him. Carmine takes up residence in town and is later asked by Abby Newman to be a bartender at an upscale gala. Chloe suspects that Abby was crushing on Carmine though she immediately objected. Carmine arranges for the gala to go awry by getting Angelina to cancel her appearance at the event as well as getting the supply truck to arrive late. He attempts to kidnap Chloe but Abby saves her and takes her place in Carmine's car. However, Abby only did so as she was attracted to Carmine and told him she wanted to escape the disastrous gala. She and Carmine hide out in a motel room while all of Abby's loved ones believe she was kidnapped. Abby tells her mother it was a publicity stunt and they return home. They're both arrested for misuse of emergency services and face Abby's angry family members. After facing consequences, Abby and Carmine begin a relationship despite he being shunned by the town, but Abby is able to convince some of them that Carmine is a good soul.
Carmine, having lost all of his bartending jobs, later starts working the bar at the Genoa City Athletic Club, where he meets Lauren Fenmore who is facing marital problems with Michael Baldwin. He and Lauren grow close and even share kiss. Abby, having abruptly left town, returns to find Carmine refusing to resume their relationship as he has fallen for Lauren. He and Lauren then begin an affair, while Carmine befriends Lauren's son Fenmore Baldwin and gets another bartending job at On The Boulevard, a new restaurant. After his affair with Lauren becomes known, she ends things in order to work on her marriage. However, Carmine refuses to let go of Lauren and begins stalking her and later kidnaps her, but Michael is able to come to her rescue. Carmine disappears while a warrant is issued for his arrest. He later returns and orchestrates a gas leak in their home and tells Lauren that he wants to die with her, but the police arrive in time to arrest him. During a prison transfer, Carmine escapes and makes his way to a banquet in which Lauren is being presented with an award. He manages to put a tape he made of them having sex on the big screen, humiliating Lauren and her family. Carmine is later found shot to death in an alleyway outside. Michael confesses to the murder and is sent to jail, but in reality Fen was the one who shot him. Fen confesses to the murder and Michael is released, just as Paul Williams realizes something isn't right about the murder evidence.
After being in jail and on house arrest for several months, Fen decides to confess to Carmine's murder and be given a sentencing just as Michael finds Carmine, very much alive. Carmine reveals that he was in fact being transported into witness protection that day for giving the FBI evidence against another criminal, but he wanted to see Lauren one last time. Fen shot him that night but doctors and medical examiners secretly revived him and sent him into witness protection. He refuses to return to Genoa City to exonerate Fen because of his own safety, so instead Michael films him confessing that he is alive. Fen is exonerated as Carmine returns to his low profile life.