Young & Restless Star Billy Flynn Teases Wildly Messy Future for Cane and Phyllis

If you thought Cane and Phyllis was a one-night shock and done, Billy Flynn says think again. The Young and the Restless newcomer is already poking the beehive, teasing that this fling is headed straight for the chaos zone. And yes, fans are feeling the whiplash from that unexpected spark.

How fans are taking Cane/Phyllis

Flynn told Soap Opera Digest he wasn’t surprised people had strong feelings about Cane and Phyllis sleeping together. The reaction has been split: some viewers are still shipping Cane and Lily, while others are weirdly into the Cane/Phyllis chemistry — even if it came out of nowhere. He couldn’t pin down a consensus, but he did say the response was big.

Digest also mentioned their reader poll: 12% said they were on board with Cane and Phyllis — mostly because they wanted the mess. Which, to be fair, is a legitimate reason to watch a soap.

Does he see a real future for them?

Short answer: no. Flynn doesn’t think Cane and Phyllis have long-term potential. In his view, what’s happening between them is playful and agenda-driven, not some great love story. He also pointed out that both characters are still in love with other people, so this feels more like a fun detour than a destination. On the actor side of things, he and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) leaned into the playful vibe and had a blast filming it.

"Oh yeah, it’s gonna be super-messy [chuckles]! You know, Lily’s gonna be pissed. And I think it’s messy in terms of… at least for Cane, none of this stuff is going the way I think Cane had planned. The thought of somebody who’s carefree and is this sort of time bomb, I think that’s kind of appealing to Cane. But at the same time, he needs something from her. I don’t think Cane quite understands how messy it’s gonna get yet!"

The fallout Flynn is teasing

• He wasn’t surprised by the uproar over Cane and Phyllis — big reaction, split audience.
• Digest’s poll found 12% rooting for the pairing, largely for the drama.
• Expect trouble: he says Lily is going to be mad, and Cane’s plan is already off the rails.
• Phyllis’s carefree, live-wire energy is exciting to Cane, but he also needs something from her — which adds strings.
• Flynn doesn’t see long-term potential; both characters are still hung up on other people.
• Some fans think Cane and Phyllis are hot together, but Flynn is keeping expectations low: this is more fun-and-agenda than romance.
• Behind the scenes, Flynn and Michelle Stafford enjoyed the playful chemistry.

Bottom line: If you want mess, this might be your couple. If you want endgame, probably look elsewhere.

The Young and the Restless airs on CBS, and you can stream past and current episodes on Paramount+.