In a significant development for fans of The Young and the Restless, Shemar Moore and Vivica A. Fox are making a dramatic comeback this spring. CBS announced on February 17 that Moore will reprise his role as Malcolm Winters for a multi-episode arc starting in April, while Fox returns as Dr. Stephanie Simmons, her first appearance on the soap since 1995. These returning characters are expected to set off
“shocking and lasting implications for the residents of Genoa City,”
reigniting storylines and stirring old tensions.
Background of Malcolm and Stephanie’s Past on the Show
Malcolm Winters and Dr. Stephanie Simmons share a history that stretches back to Fox’s original stint on the show in the mid-1990s, during which their characters were romantically involved. Despite their connection, the demanding nature of Stephanie’s medical career caused the two to part ways before her character’s exit from the series. It remains uncertain if Malcolm and Stephanie rekindled their relationship after she left town. Notably, Malcolm was single the last time viewers saw him return to Genoa City, spotlighting potential drama ahead with his reunion with Stephanie.
The Legacy of Shemar Moore as Malcolm Winters
Shemar Moore, 55, has portrayed Malcolm Winters since 1994, embedding himself deeply in Genoa City’s fabric as the half-brother of Neil Winters, a character played by the late Kristoff St. John. Beyond this soap, Moore has gained wider fame through roles in Criminal Minds and S.W.A.T. His character has made several returns to The Young and the Restless after Moore’s original exit in 2005, including a 2014 comeback and appearances in 2019 and 2023. The most recent return coincided with the soap’s 50th anniversary tribute to Neil Winters. During this episode, Malcolm reflected on the tribute, saying,
“There he is. Besides, y’all know me, when it came to the great Neil Winters, I show up. Whatever it takes.”
– Shemar Moore, Actor
Vivica A. Fox’s Career Before and After The Young and the Restless
Vivica A. Fox, now 61, saw her role on The Young and the Restless as a stepping stone toward a successful acting career. Before joining the CBS soap, she appeared on Days of Our Lives and Generations alongside Kristoff St. John. Her breakout role came with the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day, a landmark that almost slipped away during casting. In a revealing September 2025 interview on the Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe podcast, Fox detailed how a fortunate recommendation saved her spot:
“Thank God the producer’s wife, Bill Fay, his wife was pregnant at the time, sitting at home watching Young and the Restless, which I was on,”
Fox explained. – Vivica A. Fox, Actress
Fox’s Continued Impact and Future Projects
Fox’s success since her time on Y&R includes numerous film and production credits, with her latest work being the Amazon and MGM film Is God Is, scheduled for release in May. Her return to The Young and the Restless adds another chapter to an already varied career, promising new layers to Dr. Stephanie Simmons’s story within Genoa City’s complex dynamics.
The Future of The Young and the Restless and Its Place on Television
The Young and the Restless, now in its 53rd season, continues to air on CBS weekdays at 12:30 p.m. EST and streams on Paramount+. Moore’s return coincides with his recent wrap on the 10-episode S.W.A.T. spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, while Fox’s reappearance marks a dramatic moment for viewers eager to see how her character’s storyline unfolds after nearly three decades. The simultaneous return of Malcolm Winters and Dr. Stephanie Simmons is expected to stir intense emotional and narrative developments, reinforcing the soap’s enduring appeal and its ability to intertwine past and present.
