Daytime soap opera casting directors Greg Salmon (The Young and the Restless), Marnie Saitta (Days of Our Lives), Christy Dooley (The Bold and the Beautiful), and Kim Coleman (Beyond the Gates) recently got together to discuss the ins and outs of their jobs. During the conversation, moderated by veteran journalist Jim Halterman, fans learned a surprising piece of casting history involving The Young and the Restless star Mark Grossman.
As it turns out, Grossman came very close to joining The Bold and the Beautiful before eventually landing the role that would make him a daytime favorite: Adam Newman.
Greg Salmon Reflects on Casting Adam Newman
Salmon, who has spent years overseeing casting at The Young and the Restless, has been involved in bringing many important characters to Genoa City.
Among the most significant was Adam Newman, a role previously played by Michael Muhney, Chris Engen, Justin Hartley, and now Mark Grossman.
“We had Justin Hartley playing the role of Adam Newman before he went to This Is Us, and now Mark Grossman has been playing him,” Salmon explained.
He continued, “That was a really tough role to recast. Before Justin, there were two other people who played the part. Adam Newman is central to the show. This is Victor Newman’s son, so it’s an incredibly important character.”
Looking back, Salmon believes Grossman quickly stood out during the audition process.
“I really think it just comes down to the person’s energy and what they’re bringing to the character,” he said.
“I remember Mark came in and read with Eric Braeden and a few other members of the Newman family. His energy was just off the charts. It felt like this is how Adam should be. Eventually, I think the audience really accepted him.”
Today, Grossman has become one of the defining faces of the role.
“Mark has been playing the role for several years now,” Salmon added. “He’s completely made the role his own.”
Mark Grossman Almost Played Thomas Forrester on B&B
Funny enough, as we mentioned before, Grossman’s path to Adam Newman almost took a very different turn.
The Bold and the Beautiful casting director Christy Dooley revealed that Grossman was once in the running for the role of Thomas Forrester.
“He tested for us. Mark came in and read for the role of Thomas Forrester, and he was my choice for the role,” Dooley shared.
However, things ultimately went in a different direction.
“The role wound up going to Matthew Atkinson,” she explained. “But then Mark came down to read for The Young and the Restless.”
Looking back now, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Grossman playing Adam Newman. Still, it’s fascinating to think that he nearly ended up as one of the Forresters.
You can watch the full discussion below as the casting directors talk about recasts, the casting process, and much more.
Photo Credit: Howard Wise/JPI Studios.
Did Mark Grossman almost play Thomas Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful?
Yes. According to The Bold and the Beautiful casting director Christy Dooley, Mark Grossman tested for the role of Thomas Forrester and was her preferred choice. However, the role ultimately went to Matthew Atkinson. Shortly afterward, Grossman auditioned for The Young and the Restless and was cast as Adam Newman, a role he continues to play today.
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