The Young and the Restless History: Why did Ian Ward hate the Newmans?

The Young and the Restless' Ian Ward (Ray Wise) was a menace to the Newman family for decades. Causing much chaos to Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and their loved ones, Ian's own personal vendetta, manipulation, and desire for twisted revenge drove his passionate dislike for the Newmans as he continuously came up with ways to create trouble for them.

Ian Ward on The Young and the Restless

Ever since Ian Ward was introduced in the show, his strange inclination toward Nikki and his exploiting her have been key traits of this dastardly man. Because of his history with Nikki, Ian became an adversary of Nikki's husband, Victor, and those around him. His hatred for the Newmans ran deep.

Ian persistently tried to make things difficult for Victor, going as far as to interfere in his businesses and attempting to hurt his loved ones as well. But where does Ian's dislike for the Newmans come from?

Ian Ward's history with the Newmans

Ian's interest in the Newman family began with Nikki back when she was still Nikki Reed. Having led a life of difficulties, Nikki found herself in the middle of a complicated murder case and trial, where she was threatened not to testify.

She soon left town and ended up joining the New World Commune, a community that she later realized was actually a cult.

It was at that time that viewers of The Young and the Restless were introduced to Ian Ward. A charismatic leader, he charmed his way into Nikki's life and sexually assaulted her. Subsequently, Nikki fleed and later gave birth to whom she believed was Ian's son, Dylan McAvoy (Steve Burton). Dylan was adopted, but many years later, it was revealed that Ian was not the father of Dylan because Ian was sterile and could not have children.

In the meantime, Ian wanted a child. When Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) had given birth to twins Cassie and Mariah (Camryn Grimes), she thought there was just one child. The twin had been kidnapped for Ian to raise as his own. It wasn't until after Cassie had died that Sharon found out that Mariah existed. Ian's thirst for revenge compounded when Mariah turned her back on him for a life with the Newmans.

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Ian Ward and Jordan Howard's attempts to destroy the Newman family

More recently, Ian met Jordan Howard (Colleen Zenk), a woman with a like-minded goal to bring down the Newmans. Although they tried, both wound up with one-way tickets to the morgue. However, the last time Views saw Ian, he was believed to be dead in the back of an ambulance — but his eyes opened, and he took a breath, signaling a return one day to wreak more havoc.

Watch full episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS or stream on Paramount Plus.