<Li> Victor Newman (1997--99, 2011) </Li> <Tr> <Th> Sons </Th> <Td> Kyle Abbott </Td> </Tr> <P> Diane Jenkins is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless . The role was first portrayed by Alex Donnelley, who debuted in 1982 . Diane was initially a two - day bit role, but was developed into a long - term character . Donnelley left the role two years later; returning briefly in 1986 before returning to the role fully in 1996 . In 2001, Donnelley left again in what was supposed to be a storyline - dictated departure, however, the role was later recast with Susan Walters . After three years in the role, Walters chose to drop to recurring status in 2004, but wasn't seen again until a brief guest appearance in February 2010 . Seven months later, the role was recast a second time with Maura West, who took over in October . </P> <P> Diane has had relationships with business tycoons Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). Diane has a son with Jack, Kyle Abbott (Lachlan Buchanan, Michael Mealor), who was initially supposed to be Victor's son before his sperm sample was switched . Donnelley described Diane as "taking herself much too seriously", while Walters criticized the character for existing solely to advance another character's storyline . Former head writer Maria Arena Bell was heavily criticized for the writing for West; Zap2it said Bell missed an opportunity to focus on Diane's rivalry with Jack . In 2011, within eight months of joining the cast, West was let go and the character was killed off two months later in a whodunit murder storyline . The storyline also was harshly criticized for progressing too slowly, as it was a six - month period before the revelation that Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) killed Diane in self - defense . </P>

Who played diane on young and the restless