<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> <P> A guest appearance Donnelley made on Simon & Simon attracted the attention of the series' casting department, and she was eventually cast in the intended short - term role of Diane . The role was later expanded and Donnelley signed a three - year contract . In 1984, Donnelley left the role to pursue a career in episodic television and in feature films, but returned for a brief guest appearance in 1986 . In 1996, Donnelley returned to the role fully, remaining for an additional five years until it was announced that she would exit in a storyline dictated departure during the February sweeps period of 2001 . After her onscreen departure, Donnelley was officially let go from the soap but was said to possibly return at a later date . Instead, the role was recast with Walters due to the writers wanting to take the character in a different direction . Donnelley commented that it was disappointing not to be returning to the role . In 2004, Walters opted not to renew her contract and was bumped to recurring status . She explained that she wasn't ruling out a possible return in the future . However, she wanted the character to have a storyline of her own rather than existing for the sole purpose of advancing another character's story . After nearly six years off - screen, Walters reprised the role in a two - episode guest appearance in February 2010 . </P>

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