What led to Jermaine Rivers’ departure from The Young and the Restless? A closer look

Jermaine Rivers’ time on The Young and the Restless came to an end with the July 14, 2025, episode, as his character, Damian Kane, was killed off during a tense scene in France. The departure, however, was not a surprise to the actor. In a farewell video and social media posts on July 15, 2025,  Rivers confirmed he had known for months that Damian’s arc would be short-lived.

Rivers embraced the role and expressed gratitude to the cast, crew, and fans for their support. Despite the appreciation he shared, fans have voiced disappointment with the creative decision to cut his character’s journey short. As Rivers moves on to new projects, his performance continues to resonate with viewers who believe he brought something fresh to Genoa City.

The storyline decisions behind Damian Kane’s on-screen demise 

Damian Kane’s exit from The Young and the Restless was a deliberate narrative decision designed to inject suspense, drama, and emotional upheaval into the series’ ongoing storylines. The writers orchestrated Damian’s demise during a high-profile setting in the French Riviera, capitalizing on the presence of key characters.

The event unfolded with Damian and Cane sharing drinks, moments after Cane had been left devastated by Lily’s public declaration of her relationship with Damian. Both men rapidly fell ill after drinking, indicating poisoning, and before help could arrive, a gloved assailant stabbed Damian in the back with an antique dagger, killing him instantly.

In an interview with Trend Street on July 24, 2025, Rivers said the murder set off a classic “whodunit” mystery, inspired by stories like Murder on the Orient Express, as explained by head writer Josh Griffith. Several characters held motives, and immediate suspicion swirled around Cane, who was both present and part of the romantic conflict with Damian.

Lily was left distraught, friendships broke, and the whole gang became suspects as the probe mounted. The weapon was discovered hidden in Nick's bedroom later, further complicating the issue.

The creative intent was to create ripple effects, which would spark new alliances, rivalries, and narratives. Damian's death thus served as a key turning point, determining the next chapter of the soap's character storylines.

Jermaine Rivers reacts to his character’s exit

Jermaine Rivers went into Damian Kane's departure with appreciation and a feeling of fulfillment. Through a farewell video on X on July 14, 2025, Rivers spoke about his time on the show and was thankful for being able to depict a multifaceted, emotionally layered character. 

Though he had known about Damian's scheduled death before having filmed the France episodes, Rivers explained his performance was rooted in devotion to the story. His goal was to fully flesh out Damian’s multilayered relationships with his mother, half-brother, friends, and love interest Lily.

He said,

"I’m just grateful to have been able to play a role on the show, to be a part of the cast. And no matter how long or how brief it is, at the end of the day, as an actor, that’s my job to come in and play the role that I was cast. And when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. And it’s time to go do something somewhere else."

He acknowledged mixed initial reactions to Damian, attributing the character’s “arrogance and mystery” to intentional scripting that created intrigue and established conflict. Rivers asserted that, for him, the measure of success was in giving truthful performances and contributing meaningfully to the collective cast effort.

He expressed gratitude towards head writer Josh Griffith, the casting team, his fellow actors, and especially the audience for their engagement and support. Rivers did not voice any bitterness or regret about the brevity of his run. He talked about it as part of an actor’s job to serve whatever the story demands.

He saw Damian’s death as a significant chapter and learning experience. He closed his farewell with optimism for the future, and an open door should the soap’s tradition of resurrecting characters ever call him back.

Catch The Young and the Restless on CBS and Paramount+.