The death of Damian on The Young and the Restless on July 14th sent shockwaves through the fanbase. The character, who had only truly emerged and made his mark in February, was abruptly written off after less than six months. This premature exit not only stunned viewers, but actor Jermaine Rivers himself experienced a range of emotions as he had to say goodbye. Now, Rivers has broken his silence, revealing what truly happened behind the scenes and his unfulfilled hopes for his character.
In a recent interview with Soap Opera Digest, Jermaine Rivers disclosed that he had “zero clue” Damian’s storyline was headed in this direction. He believed that Josh Griffith, the show’s executive producer and head writer, wanted to keep the plot a secret until the very end to make it a special surprise. Rivers shared: “I’m glad that they did because I don’t like to telegraph. I like to take everything as it comes so I can be really organically connected to the moment.”
It wasn’t until the end of April that Rivers received the heads-up about Damian’s brutal fate. Griffith pulled him aside for a talk and laid it all out, explaining that this was the plan all along. Although the team genuinely enjoyed working with him, Rivers took the news like a true professional, understanding that his exit was part of a bigger story. He also grasped the importance of keeping it a secret, as he despises spoilers and believes they ruin months, even years, of work by writers and producers. This demonstrates his respect for the creative process and his desire to provide the best possible experience for the audience.
Despite being written off so early, Rivers held no bitterness. He approached the situation with gratitude, stating his mindset had always been to “serve the story,” whether he was on set for a day or a decade. He explained: “What went through my mind was, ‘Let me have a great death. Let me make sure that I play it honestly so that way the fans can feel something.’” Rivers, having died on screen before, emphasized that what truly matters is not how a character dies, but how they lived. A well-played journey, he believes, gives a death scene real impact.
If he had been given more time and could change some things, Rivers actually had specific wishes for Damian. For starters, things were heating up between Damian and Cain, especially since Lily had chosen Damian over her ex. So, he really wanted to play out that rivalry between Cain and Damian. Next, he wished for more time for Damian to be with his mother, Amy. That storyline alone had a ton of emotional depth waiting to be tapped into. And let’s not forget Nate; there was still a lot of unfinished brotherly bonding he wanted to explore. Plus, his friendship with Holden. Rivers hoped Damian would salvage that friendship too. All of this could have turned into a rich, tangled web of relationships, redemption, and rivalry. Sadly, none of this could come true because Damian was never meant to stick around from the very start.
While Damian’s departure left many regrets and questions about what could have been, Jermaine Rivers still views it positively. He clearly sees how his character’s death is opening up a bigger, deeper storyline for the remaining characters. This demonstrates his understanding of how a long-running serial operates, where one ending can be the beginning of many new developments.
Rivers’s candid confession offers an honest and raw look into the sacrifices and professionalism actors must exhibit in the entertainment industry. It’s not just a story about a character being written off, but a lesson in acceptance, gratitude, and the belief in serving the narrative completely, no matter how big or small the role. Though Damian is gone, his impact and Jermaine Rivers’s revelations will surely be remembered by fans, adding another layer of depth to the dramatic world of The Young and the Restless.
