Lauralee Bell and Michael Damian are thrilled to bring their beloved characters, Christine “Cricket” Blair and Danny Romalotti, back to the altar on “The Young and the Restless.” The engagement episode airs July 10, marking a momentous occasion that has been in the works since their first wedding in Hawaii back in 1990.
“Finally,” Bell, 56, told People when she learned about the engagement storyline. “We were super, super excited because it’s been 35 years in the making.” The reunion represents a long-awaited payoff for fans who have championed this couple through decades of separation and heartbreak.
Bell believes the timing couldn’t be more perfect for viewers who grew up watching Cricket and Danny’s original romance. “So many of the couple’s original fans are in a different place in life and trying to remember parts of their lives where they felt safe and good,” she explained. “And we were a part of that time for them, and now here we are coming back into their lives when maybe their kids are now moved out or at college or whatever.”
The nostalgia factor plays a significant role in the couple’s lasting appeal. “I think the nostalgia is really beautiful and that’s what they’re connecting to as well,” Damian, 63, shared with People. “I think that they’re like, ‘Oh, my God, finally.'”
From Supercouple Status to Second Chances
During their supercouple heyday in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Bell and Damian experienced firsthand the passionate fan devotion their characters inspired. “We would literally be out on weekends for public appearances, and that’s where we would really see how crazy it was,” Bell recalled.
Their on-screen chemistry translated into compelling storytelling that kept viewers invested over many years. “The scenes that we had every day were extremely playful,” Bell shared. “We were chasing each other around the apartment. We were putting ice down each other’s backs. We were tickling each other. We were playing strip poker. We were doing things that really draw people in because they feel like they’re watching your intimate moments.”
The original marriage ended when Danny slept with Phyllis Summers (played by Michelle Stafford). She later claimed her son, Daniel, was Danny’s child. Years later, it was revealed that Daniel wasn’t biologically Danny’s son at all. This added more complexity to a storyline that has unfolded over decades.
Damian believes this second chance at love will be different for their characters. “I hate to use the cliché words, but they’re older and wiser, and maybe have learned from the past,” he told TV Insider. “They were each other’s first love, so I think it’s really wonderful that they found it again. This time, it’ll be even better.”
A Romantic Proposal with Special Surprises
The upcoming proposal promises to be a memorable television moment that honors the couple’s rich history. “Danny sets up something pretty special, and the audience is going to get to relive some of the great highlight moments of their relationship going way back,” Damian teased the outlet. “And that’s pretty rare where you can dig into the vault. It’s like a time warp, and it’s very touching and really beautiful.”
Bell appreciates that the storyline allows longtime fans to revisit cherished memories while creating new ones. The actress joked about the timing, telling People: “And we couldn’t wait much longer because … if one of us has to get down on a knee, perhaps it’s not going to be any prettier in 10 years.”
As for the upcoming wedding plans, both actors remain in the dark about specific details, which adds to their excitement. “It’s fun because I can imagine that there will be six people there or maybe half the cast. I have no idea,” Bell told People. She has promised to document the behind-the-scenes journey on her Instagram account.
The actors acknowledge that no soap wedding would be complete without potential drama, particularly from Phyllis. Bell expects her character’s longtime rival to cause some mischief: “I would hope for the people who’ve been waiting for the wedding that [Phyllis] will obviously be scheming something, but that nothing affects the actual ‘I do.'”
Damian playfully predicted to People that Phyllis might even go as far as “impersonating the priest” to disrupt the ceremony. Despite the anticipated interference, both actors express confidence that their characters are strong enough to overcome any obstacles this time around.
Bell reveals that Christine has undergone significant character development during her time away on Danny’s world tour. “Cricket became a badass,” she shared. “She doesn’t care anymore about Phyllis’ manipulations and jokes she might just backhand her.”
Despite their characters’ on-screen conflicts, Bell and Damian thoroughly enjoy working with Stafford. “We were rehearsing last week, and an hour went by and we finally said we have to run lines because we were laughing so hard,” Damian said.
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Danny & Christine Engaged on Y&R: Actors React to 35-Year Wait