‘Y&R’ Shocking Return: Ray Wise Back As Ian Ward

Young & Restless fans were stunned when Ray Wise returned to the soap on Tuesday, October 21, as Ian Ward. The veteran actor shocked Mariah (Camryn Grimes). The veteran actor is loved for his previous time on the soap as the villain cult leader, for which he even won a Daytime Emmy for his performance in 2015. He appeared on Y&R on a recurring basis from 2014 to 2016. He returned once more in November 2024 before presumably dying in January 2025. However, hints were given that he could make a comeback. Now, how long is he back on screen for?

Young & Restless Star Ray Wise Returns As Ian Ward

When Ray Wise left Young & Restless in January, the soap definitely made it appear that he might return again. At the time, he returned with his new sidekick, Jordan Howard (Colleen Zenk). He was brought back to cause more trouble in Genoa City, and he did.

While Ian was shot and presumed dead in January 2025, he opened his eyes in the ambulance, revealing that his demise wasn’t necessarily set in stone. At the time, he spoke with Soap Opera Digest and said with a wink, “Well, you can’t keep a good villain down, you know? You just can’t do that! And I was very happy that they kept the door open for Ian to make a return at some point.”

At the time, Wise said, “I think people enjoy my character because he’s out there and he’s interesting to watch and never a dull moment. And I would like [fans] to make it known to Josh [Griffith, executive producer/head writer] that Ian Ward should come back at some point in the future!”

Well, today he appeared, but not as you might think. He actually appeared as a figment of Mariah’s imagination. She is dealing with the trauma he inflicted on her, and while this is only one episode he is in, there is a good chance the show is setting the stage for his return to wreak more havoc on the citizens of Genoa City.

Is He Returning For More?

Right now, it’s unknown if Ray Wise will be making more appearances as Ian Ward. However, it’s been made fairly clear that he is not really dead and is alive and well out there somewhere just waiting.

There’s a good chance that he will be making a comeback soon, and Mariah will be seeing him in the flesh rather than in just her visions. What do you think will happen next? Are writers setting the stage for a comeback?

Come back to TV Spoiler News for more updates and spoilers.