‘The Young and the Restless’: Bryton James’ Reunites With ‘Family Matters’ Co-Stars on the CBS Soap
These days Bryton James is recognized for his work on The Young and the Restless. For 17 years, James has entertained audiences as billionaire Devon Hamilton, a role that’s earned him two Daytime Emmys. Before becoming a soap opera star, James worked as a child actor. From 1990 to 1998, he played Richie Crawford on the ABC comedy Family Matters.
James’ transition from child star to one of daytime’s leading men has been a success. Although he’s mostly known for his soap opera role, he hasn’t forgotten about his days on Family Matters. In fact, he’s reunited with a few former co-stars on The Young and the Restless.
Darius McCrary played Bryton James’ uncle on ‘The Young and the Restless’
Family Matters‘ fans remember Darius McCrary as Eddie Winslow, the older cousin of Richie. A decade after the sitcom’s cancellation, James and McCrary would reunite on The Young and the Restless. Once again, the two would play relatives, with McCrary stepping into the role of Malcolm Winters, Devon’s uncle.
McCrary and James shared several scenes as Malcolm and Devon. But most of the storyline for Malcolm centered on his strained relationship with brother Neil Winters (Kristoff St. John). Malcolm and Neil would make amends, but their bond was broken again when Neil had an affair with Malcolm’s wife, Sofia Dupre (Julia Pace Mitchell), which results in her pregnancy. When a paternity test proves Neil is Moses Winters’ (Jacob Aaron Gaines) father, Malcolm divorces Sofia, then leaves town.
Bryton James recently reunited with his ‘Family Matters’ mom
McCrary isn’t the only Family Matters co-star James was reunited with. In June, James’ former sitcom mom Telma Hopkins appeared on The Young and the Restless. Hopkins played a private eye named Denise Tolliver, who helps Devon uncover secrets about Amanda Sinclair’s (Mishael Morgan) past.
James was excited to be reunited with Hopkins; however, it took some convincing to get her on The Young and the Restless. According to Soap Central, Hopkins was nervous about being on the soap opera, but luckily she had James for support. “I told her, ‘Oh, my gosh, you will be more than fine, and I will hold your hand through it the entire way’- just like she did with me 30 years ago during my first time on set,” James explained to the site.
Telma Hopkins returning to ‘The Young and the Restless’
Hopkins and James’ reunion on The Young and the Restless was huge television news. Although Hopkins’ stint on the soap opera only lasted two episodes, she enjoyed working with her former Family Matters co-star. And it appears Hopkins and James’ on-screen reunion isn’t over.
According to Soap Opera Network, Hopkins will be reprising her role as Denise on The Young and the Restless later this month. Devon will once again seek out Denise’s services. So who will Devon have Denise investigate? Could he be digging more into Amanda’s past? Or is he trying to find clues to Mariah Copeland’s (Camryn Grimes) whereabouts? Either way, fans are excited about more scenes between Devon and Denise.
