Victoria Rowell discusses her relationship with CBS/Sony, Beyond the Gates and The Young and the Restless

Victoria Rowell and CBS have an awkward history

Victoria Rowell is an American actress, writer, producer, and advocate, born on May 10, 1959. She is best known for her role as Drucilla Barber Winters on The Young and the Restless (1990-2007) and Dr. Amanda Bentley on Diagnosis Murder (1993-2001). Both shows were on CBS.

Rowel appeared in films like The Distinguished Gentleman (1992) and Dumb and Dumber (1994). She has guest-starred in various television shows and had recurring roles in Single Ladies and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and has an unusual history with CBS/Sony.

Rowell's harsh allegations against Y&R cast

Rowell has spoken out for years about diversity and inclusion in Hollywood, criticizing the lack of representation of people of color behind the scenes in daytime TV. In 2015, she filed a lawsuit against The Young and the Restless, alleging retaliation and discrimination after she spoke out on diversity.

Rowell also accused Y&R co-stars Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott), Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman), and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers) of racism and mistreating her. She claims Stafford spat on her, and Bergman called her mentally unstable. The suit was settled out of court, and I never read where her castmates responded to the allegations.

With those types of accusations, you would think the actress would have walked away from all things Y&R. Instead, Druilla's portrayer said several times she wanted to work on The Young and the Restless again. After the death of her onscreen husband, Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters), in February 2019, CBS had Rowell tape a remembrance of her castmate that aired during the tribute episode.

The actress wants to return to Y&R

Rowell later said that she would have loved to return to Genoa City and have been a part of the actual memorial service, but her character remains deceased. Drucilla died after falling from a cliff when she attempted to stop an altercation between Phyllis and Sharon Newman (Sharon Case).

Over the years, fans have said they believe Drucilla is alive and will return one day. Some thought she would appear during the Y&R 50th anniversary, but she did not. There have also been rumors that Dru is Aristotle Dumas, but most fans believe he will be Cane Ashby recast with Billy Flynn.

What's really going on between CBS and Rowell?

The soap vet recently revealed that CBS reached out to her to audition for the role of Anita Dupree on Beyond the Gates, but it went to Tamera Tunie. Was the soap vet seriously considered, or did the network never intend to hire her?

How would the cast, especially Peter Bergman, Melody Thomas Scott, and Michelle Stafford, feel about Drucilla returning from the dead? Would they be concerned that more accusations of racism could cause problems on the set? Why would CBS/Sony continue reaching out to an actor who accused them of a lack of diversity and allowing racism on the Y&R set?

Some fans wonder why Victoria Rowell would want to return to The Young and the Restless if she was treated so badly. Others have pointed out that although she did not get the role of Anita on Beyond the Gates, the new CBS soap could have created a different role for her since they asked her to audition.

The actress said the following to Michael Fairman, confusing some of her fans.

Rowell shared, “I have been contacted with great respect from the powers that be at CBS, thanking me for all of my hard work, recognizing the work that I have done that has influenced this moment and I appreciate that.”