Y&R's Michael Mealor: Kyle is a changed man when he returns to Genoa City

Y&R's Michael Mealor: Kyle is a changed man when he returns to Genoa City

The Young and the Restless' Michael Mealor says Kyle Abbott will be a changed man when he returns to Genoa City: "Fans can expect a papa bear figure who is really protective of his son."

It won't be long until Kyle Abbott makes his way back to The Young and the Restless, and even though he'll have the same face that he did when viewers last saw him, portrayer Michael Mealor reveals that the character is quite a different man now.

"Kyle is coming back from Italy a little bit changed," the actor previews to ET Canada. "He's been living in a foreign country and he's been a full-time dad. What fans can expect is a papa bear figure who is really protective of his son. He's had a rocky three years but he's matured as a man, he's matured as a father, and he's matured as a husband, as well."

With that being said, Kyle is definitely going to be thrown for a loop when he finds out that his dead mother, Diane (Susan Walters), isn't so dead, after all!

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"At the end of the day, [Kyle is] a little boy who lost his mom and I think everyone can relate to that," Mealor teases of what viewers can expect. "I think Kyle is wrestling with joy that his mom is alive, but also the fact that she chose not to be here for 20 years."

As for working with Walters, Mealor said that his "excitement went through the roof" when he found out that the actress was coming back. "It's not just some actress I didn't know -- it's Susan Walters who I grew up watching on TV," he enthuses. "I really wanted to learn from her because she has so much experience and so much to offer."

And the actor says the storyline that brings Kyle back to the canvas has a lot to offer, as well. "When they called me up and told me about the storyline I got chills," he shares. "I was so excited. If there's ever a storyline for Kyle to move back from Italy and me to return to the show, then this is it."

For Mealor's full ET Canada interview, click here.

How do you feel about Kyle Abbott returning to Genoa City as a "changed man"? What are you hoping for storyline-wise once Kyle returns to the canvas? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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