List of The Young and The Restless Characters (1990s) - Nathan Hastings, Jr.

Dr. Nathan Oliver "Nate" Hastings, Jr. first appeared on September 22, 1992 when he was born onscreen as the son of Olivia Barber and Nathan Hastings, Sr. The character was portrayed by a series of child actors (see below) between 1992 and 2002. The character briefly returned in February 2011 after an 9-year absence, portrayed by Walter Fauntleroy.

Casting
The role was originated by Shantel and Shenice Buford from 1992 to 1995, during which Ashaneese and Nasharin Holderness served as back-up in 1993. Christopher Pope then took over in 1995, before being replaced by Malcolm Hunter that same year. Bryant Jones then portrayed the role from 1996 to 2002. In 2011, the role was briefly portrayed by Walter Fauntleroy.

History
Nate is the son of Olivia Barber Winters and her first husband, the late Nathan Hastings, Sr. He was delivered early due to his mother's ovarian cancer scare. Later, when Olivia found out about her husband's affair with Keesha Monroe, a woman with AIDS, Nathan kidnapped Nate and disappeared. After several weeks on the run, Nathan decided to return Nate to Olivia. When Nate wandered away from his father on a crowded street, Nathan rushed to find his son and was fatally struck by a car.

After Nathan's death, Olivia became close to Malcolm Winters, who also had a soft spot for Nate. Olivia enrolled Nate at the Walnut Grove Academy. Malcolm soon married Olivia and raised the possibility of adopting Nate, who considered Malcolm to be his father, even though he was old enough to remember his biological father. Olivia spent many hours at the hospital as a doctor, and Nate was often neglected; Malcolm and Nate's nanny, Julia, raised him more than his own mother. Olivia and Malcolm eventually divorced, yet Malcolm remained a staple in Nate's life. Olivia contracted aplastic anemia and changed her will so Malcolm's brother, Neil Winters, would raise Nate if she were to pass away. Once Olivia became healthy again, she took away all of Malcolm's paternal rights to Nate; Malcolm later sued Olivia for joint custody and won. Malcolm remained present in Nate's life until he was presumed dead after disappearing from a photoshoot in Africa. Neil became an alcoholic, and Olivia refused to let him see Nate. Therefore, Nate no longer had a father figure in his life. Brad Carlton, Olivia's best friend Ashley Abbott's husband, tried to step in as a father figure to Nate. Still, Nate missed Malcolm, and he decided to go away to boarding school. Malcolm came back to Genoa City to see Nate, but he didn't realize that Nate was away at school. Nate never returned to Genoa City. In 2008, Olivia mentioned that Nate was attending Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.

After a nine-year hiatus, the character returned on screen on February 8, 2011, as the Boston physician treating former FBI agent, Ronan Malloy and his liver ailment. After the situation with Ronan, Nate met up with his family: cousins Lily Winters and Devon Hamilton, as well as Neil and Malcolm; he also met Lily's twins, Charlie Ashby and Mattie Ashby. Nate stayed with Lily for a short time while she mourned the loss of her husband, Cane Ashby. Then, he returned to his home and his work as a physician.