The Young and the Restless is shaking up its writing team with the addition of Susan Banks, who has joined the CBS soap opera as a new writer. Her name may be familiar to CBS soap opera fans, as she previously served as executive producer and executive in charge of production for CBS and the network's on-air promo director for daytime.
Banks shared the news about her exciting new Y&R gig in a newsletter along with the reveal that her material begins airing today, March 1.
"Writing for the show is a thrilling ride that challenges my creative juices every week," she enthuses. "[Y&R creators] Bill and Lee Bell are icons of the television industry whose love, mentorship, and support I have always cherished. It is an honor to be a part of their soap family and the legacy that has continued for almost 48 years. What a delight to return home to work with the amazing cast and characters of one of the greatest, never-ending stories ever told."
She continues, "The drama -- rich with passion, intrigue, mystery, and romance -- has captivated the hearts of many through the years. I hope you, too, will share the magic and tune in to see my opening credit on my premiere episode. Who knows... you might even get hooked!"
Banks has a long history with Y&R that goes back to the 1980s. In 1989, she received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in the Outstanding Achievement in Graphics & Main Title Design for Y&R. She stepped into the role of CBS Daytime's on-air promo director in the early 90s, and her strategic and groundbreaking marketing, promotional, and advertising campaigns assured CBS' ratings dominance with The Price is Right, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful.
Her soap roots also extend to being executive producer of multiple episodes of the mid-90s series CBS Soap Break, a behind-the-scenes close-up of some of the network's most iconic daytime stars, including Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair), Shemar Moore (ex-Malcolm Winters), and Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla Winters), among others. She also served as executive in charge of production and segment producer for the 29th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (2002), the 25th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1998), and the 20th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1993).
Banks, who was hailed as "One of the Most Powerful Women in Cable" by CableFAX, was the co-creator, executive producer, screenwriter, and executive in charge of production for TV One's horror anthology series Fright Night Files, which premiered in October of 2014, and Fear Files, which premiered in March of 2015. She was also executive producer and executive in charge of production of TV One on One with Cathy Hughes, which featured 40 in-depth interviews with high-profile Americans like President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Beyoncé, Will Smith, and Jamie Foxx.
To read Banks's full newsletter post, click here.
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