GH vet Steve Burton joining Y&R

General Hospital star Steve Burton is joining the cast of The Young and the Restless. The move is not entirely unexpected, but it may still leave some GH fans smarting. Burton appeared on GH for more than two decades.

According to several sources and a newly published report, General Hospital alum Steve Burton (ex-Jason Morgan) is joining the cast of The Young and the Restless. Though not entirely a surprise, the timing may leave some fans scratching their heads.

Burton announced his exit from General Hospital in August, citing a need for a break from the daily grind of producing a soap and a desire to spend more time with his Nashville-based family. Burton joined General Hospital in 1990, and, except for a short period from 2000 to 2002, remained front-and-center with General Hospital for 22 years.

It is not entirely unexpected that Burton might land in Genoa City. He and recently installed executive producer Jill Farren Phelps are close friends and business partners. The pair worked together for many years on General Hospital, and they are currently working on a telenovela project.

TVGuide's Michael Logan questions why Burton has returned to daytime so soon and how Phelps, who is under orders to trim the show's budget, was able to afford a star of Burton's caliber.

"Was there more to his decision to quit GH than he initially let on? Did Phelps, who is under orders to trim the Y&R budget, oust Stephen Nichols (Tucker) in order to afford Burton?" Logan asked.

Fans will undoubtedly be wondering what character Burton will play. A recent casting call may offer some insight. Earlier this month, Y&R released a casting call for the role of Dylan described as a "rugged, dynamic, energetic man in his mid-30s." Though Burton is a bit older than the age range sought for Dylan, it certainly doesn't preclude him.

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For more information on the casting call for Dylan, click here.

Burton is expected to report for work in the near future, though an exact date has yet to be revealed. A CBS spokesperson was unavailable for comment.

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