Why Playing Jill Foster Abbott on The Young and the Restless is Giving Lauren Koslow All the Feels

Lauren Koslow is new to the role of Jill Foster Abbott on The Young and the Restless, but she's no stranger to Genoa City. The actress is speaking out on how stepping in temporarily for Jess Walton as Jill feels like coming home!

Mother's Daze

Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson), Jill Foster Abbott (Lauren Koslow), and Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn) | Image: JPI

The actress is known to soap fans for her role as Kate Roberts on Days of our Lives, the part she's played since 1996. In the TV Guide Magazine issue, dated June 29-July 19, 2026, Koslow talked about what it was like returning to the series on which she played Lindsey Wells, a woman who was in love with Jack Abbott (then, Terry Lester; now, Peter Bergman).

Koslow knew that saying yes to this opportunity to sub for Walton would be a full-circle moment, calling it "the best validation of your work." The actress says normally she's self-effacing, but this return to Y&R felt really good.

There was another reason that Koslow was flooded with memories when she drove onto the Television City lot, Y&R's home since it debuted in 1973. A year after leaving Y&R, she was invited to become an original cast member of The Bold and the Beautiful, playing the part of Margo Lynley (later, Spencer, courtesy of her marriage to Bill Spencer, Sr., played by Jim Storm).

Koslow remained on B&B until 1992. The actress not only stepped onto the Y&R stages again after 40 (!) years, but she also used one of the very same dressing rooms that she once had as Lindsey.

"They had the placard that said, 'Jill,' but also it said, 'Welcome back, Lindsey Wells,'" Koslow shared.

Kiss Me, Kate

Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) had a volatile marriage to Victor Kiriakis (the late John Aniston) on DAYS | Image: JPI

In addition to celebrating a return to Y&R, Koslow is also marking a special anniversary this year, as she's played Kate for 30 years! The actress beat out a handful of familiar names from the soap opera world to win the part that was vacated by Deborah Adair (who, ironically, once played the part of Jill!).

Koslow should feel right at home at Y&R as Jill has two warring sons -- Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) and stepson Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn). On DAYS, she has three boys -- Lucas (Bryan Dattilo), Austin (Austin Peck; also, the late Patrick Muldoon), and Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier), who don't always see eye to eye!

Photos indicate that Koslow will be sharing screen time with Thompson and Flynn. With whom else might she interact? It would be amazing to see Jill visit the mansion once owned by Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper) and have her look up at Kay's portrait! As longtime viewers know, Kay and Jill had a volatile relationship over the decades. The two were nearly everything over the years to one another -- friends, rivals, and unlikely allies!

Are you looking forward to seeing Jill again? Let us know how you feel in the comments section below!