Diane Jenkins

In-universe information
In-universe information
Other names	Diane Amelia Jenkins; Diane Richards; Diane Newman ; Taylor Jensen ; Diane Abbott
Occupation	Architect; Businesswoman; Model
Father	Kyle Jenkins
Husband	Andy Richards (1984–1986); Victor Newman (1997–1999, 2011); Jack Abbott (2023–present);
Sons	Kyle Abbott
Grandsons	Harrison Locke

Diane Jenkins Abbott
Diane Jenkins Abbott
The Young and the Restless character
	Susan Walters as Diane Jenkins Abbott
Portrayed by	Alex Donnelley (1982–2001); Susan Walters (2001–2010, 2022–present); Maura West (2010–2011);
Duration	1982–1984; 1986; 1996–2004; 2010–2011; 2022–present;
First appearance	April 28, 1982
Classification	Present; regular
Created by	William J. Bell
Introduced by	H. Wesley Kenney (1982); David Shaughnessy (2001); Maria Arena Bell and Paul Rauch (2010); Anthony Morina and Josh Griffith (2022);
	; Alex Donnelley as Diane Jenkins
Other names	Diane Amelia Jenkins; Diane Richards; Diane Newman ; Taylor Jensen ; Diane Abbott
In-universe information
Other names	Diane Amelia Jenkins; Diane Richards; Diane Newman ; Taylor Jensen ; Diane Abbott
Occupation	Architect; Businesswoman; Model
Father	Kyle Jenkins
Husband	Andy Richards (1984–1986); Victor Newman (1997–1999, 2011); Jack Abbott (2023–present);
Sons	Kyle Abbott
Grandsons	Harrison Locke

Diane Jenkins Abbott is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The role was first portrayed by Alex Donnelley, who debuted in April 28, 1982. Diane was initially a two-day bit role, but was developed into a long-term character. Donnelley left the role two years later, returning briefly in 1986 before returning again fully in 1996. In 2001, Donnelley left again in what was supposed to be a storyline-dictated departure, however, the role was later recast with Susan Walters. After three years, Walters chose to drop to recurring status in 2004, but wasn't seen again until a brief guest appearance in February 2010. Seven months later, the role was recast a second time with Maura West, who took over in October; she exited in August of the following year. In March 2022, Walters returned to the role.

Diane has had relationships with business tycoons Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). Diane has a son with Jack, Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor), who was supposed to be Victor's son before his sperm sample was switched. Donnelley described Diane as "taking herself much too seriously", while Walters criticized the character for existing solely to advance another character's storyline. Former head writer Maria Arena Bell was heavily criticized for the writing for West; Zap2it said Bell missed an opportunity to focus on Diane's rivalry with Jack. In 2011, within eight months of joining the cast, West was let go and the character was killed off two months later in a whodunit murder storyline. The storyline also was harshly criticized for progressing too slowly, as it was a six-month period before the revelation that Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) thought that she had killed Diane in self-defense. However, further video evidence shows that it was Nikki's then husband, Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) who delivered the fatal blow with a rock to Diane's head, finally resolving the death investigation of Diane Jenkins and clearing Nikki. It was later revealed in 2022 that Deacon helped fake her death and left Kyle to be raised by Jack.