Signy Coleman returns to THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS as Adam’s mom, Hope, on Friday, August 13, in order to explain why her son turned out to be such a rotten apple. It’ll be a neat trick in some ways since the good-natured Hope died a few years ago! “The amazing thing about the writing team at Y&R is that they’re great at being both creative and staying realistic,” Coleman teases.
The actress had to get used to a new Adam when she came back to play these scenes: When she last appeared as Hope in early 2008, it was Chris Engen — not current portrayer Michael Muhney — playing the role. “I can’t believe how much Michael looks like Mark Harmon (NCIS),” she marvels. “He came right up to me and made me feel so comfortable. I think Michael’s done a superb job. It’s not easy stepping into another actor’s shoes.” (Coleman would know. In the late ’90s, she took over the part of GUIDING LIGHT’s Annie from Daytime Emmy winner Cynthia Watros.
Fond Memories
Coleman can’t say exactly how Hope will give the audience new information about Adam, but she teases that “all will be revealed.” While Adam’s actions aren’t exactly congruous with how people might think that a child raised by Hope and Cliff would behave, Coleman points out, “We love the villains. You have to create that imbalance [in your character.] You’ve got to stir things up.”
Coleman’s thrilled to be continuing on as Hope, a character near and dear to her heart, which she first brought to life in 1993 after a carjacked Victor turned up on her farm. “Y&R created a character that was strong, independent, vital, who stood on her own two feet with no self-pity,” she says. “What that gave to fans has been the greatest gift. I didn’t know she’d endure this long, but Hope has been one of my greatest teachers.”
Signy Coleman
