Why Alyvia Alyn Lind Doesn't Play Faith On The Young And The Restless Anymore
Fans of "The Young and the Restless" were in for a surprise in April 2021 when there was suddenly a new face playing the role of Faith Newman (via Showbiz CheatSheet). Viewers had grown accustomed to Alyvia Alyn Lind playing the part of Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) and Nick Newman's (Joshua Morrow) daughter. Lind first joined the soap in 2011 at the tender age of four and remained in the role until her exit last year (via Soap Opera Digest). Per Soap Central, actress Reylynn Caster took over the part of Faith and has been active on the canvas ever since, most notably in a romance with Moses Winters (Jacob Aaron Gaines).
Lind left the series during a pivotal time in Faith's character development. Children of "Y&R" don't get the same airtime as their adult counterparts, but her storyline fueled the show in late 2020/early 2021. Faith's bullying story led to the horrific truck accident that left her fighting for her life and needing a new kidney. To make matters worse, she was sneaking alcohol which is a red flag because of her grandmother Nikki Newman's (Melody Thomas Scott) alcoholism (via Soaps.com).
With her character involved in one of the series' hottest stories, it may shock fans that she'd abruptly leave. It begs the question, what is the real reason Lind left a role she filled for a decade?
Lind snagged a role on the SyFy drama Chucky
Not every actor's exit from "The Young and the Restless" needs a dramatic story attached to it. Sometimes, the portrayer needs a break, and sometimes they move on to what they believe are greener pastures. In Lind's case, it was the latter. Her exit was the direct result of a primetime television opportunity that was too good to pass up. With how rigorous the soap filming schedule is, it's not a feasible option to work both jobs concurrently. How could Lind pass up on etching her name in the legacy of one of the most iconic horror franchises of all time?
Lind's next chapter became apparent a month before her final "Young and the Restless" air date. For the first time, the blockbuster horror franchise "Child's Play" was being adapted into a SyFy original series titled "Chucky." Lind's involvement in the new show got revealed about a month before her final air date. Per Soaps In Depth, Lind signed on as one of the series' leads centering around the infamous killer doll. The cast centers around a group of teenage bullies who become targets of Chucky and his murderous desires.
The key differences between Lind's two roles
There are several significant differences between Lind's "Young and the Restless" character Faith and the new character she's playing in "Chucky." For starters, even though the fictional town of Genoa City is drama-filled, it's nothing compared to what she faces on "Chucky." Dealing with family business drama isn't nearly as harrowing as being hunted down by a redhead doll with murder on his mind. However, the lethal aspect of the differences isn't the only disparity between the two.
Lind's final scenes on "Y&R" saw her as the victim of relentless bullying at the hands of her judgmental classmates. This time though, she is on the opposite end of that spectrum. She went from Faith, whose bullying caused her to drink and drive, to a character thriving off the pain of others (via Soaps In Depth). The contrast between the two roles is staggering, but she's a powerhouse young actress with astonishing range.
At first, it was unclear if she'd be vacating the role of Faith entirely, but fans now know that to be the case. However, this wasn't the first time she picked up a primetime television gig on the side, so naturally, viewers were unsure.
Chucky isn't Lind's first primetime TV role
While Lind's exit from "The Young and the Restless" appears to be permanent this time, it's not the first instance of her taking other roles. She had multiple outsides acting opportunities throughout her tenure on the soap. From the critically acclaimed Amazon Original series "Transparent" to the ABC soapy drama "Revenge," she's been a busy girl.
Lind's role in "Revenge" came when she was between the ages of four and eight. She played the younger version of the series' main protagonist Amanda Clarke (via Glamour). Per TV Maze, her role in "Transparent" occurred in 2015, and she was a recurring character for five episodes. Her part in the Amazon series occurred before the controversy surrounding Jeffrey Tambor and the sexual misconduct allegations.
No matter what acting opportunities Lind pursues in the future, she'll always be known for her stellar work as Faith. Her final days in the role were some of her best, and it earned her a third Daytime Emmy — not too bad of a parting gift as she entirely leaves "The Young and the Restless" behind. In other exciting news, "Chucky" was renewed for a second season and is expected to premiere soon (via SyFy).