Diane Jenkins - Casting

Casting

"I like it a lot, so far. I think this character of Diane is interesting and has a lot of potential, and it is a character that had done and can do anything. There are no rules, and she does not live in the world abiding by the same rules as the rest of us, and that is infinitely more interesting to play than playing the law abiding citizen, or the good girl. And the commute is so much better! (Laughs)"

— West on her feelings of her then new role of Diane Jenkins.

Portrayed by two actresses during two widely-spaced intervals, from 1982 to the fall of 1984, again in 1986, and from October 1996 to February 13, 2001, she was a part of the plot-line for a total of twelve years. Alex Donnelley originated the role in its first four-year period and returned ten years later to portray the role for five additional years. She departed in 2001. Upon her departure, the role was recast Susan Walters, who took over the role on November 29, 2001 and remained for another three years until October 4, 2004, when Walters was dropped to recurring status, though however didn't make any further appearances after that, and Diane's absence was explained sometime later. Walters made a brief return for two episodes on February 25 and 26, 2010.

On August 5, 2010, the role was recast again with former As the World Turns actress Maura West, most recognized for her portrayal of Carly Snyder. She reported to work on The Young and the Restless on September 1 with her first scenes airing on October 8. The character has been de-aged upon West assuming the role, which left some criticism with fans. On May 25, 2011, it was confirmed by several sources that West had been let go from the number-one daytime drama role of Diane. Diane was killed off on August 1, 2011 in a whodunit storyline. For a short period of time after her death, West continued to appear as Diane in flashbacks.