User:Livelikemusic/Diane Jenkins

Diane Jenkins is a fictional character from The Young and the Restless, an American soap opera on the CBS network. Created by William J. Bell and introduced by H. Wesley Kenney, the role was originated by actress Alex Donnelley. Donnelley portrayed the role from 1982 to 1984, returning in a guest appearance in 1986 and full-time in 1996, only to be let go from the soap in February 2001, under a "story dictated" exit. In September 2001, actress Susan Walters was hired by the soap to portray the role of Diane, in what was described as a "different direction" for the character. Walters remained with the soap until her exit in 2004, returning in early 2010 for a brief guest stint. In August 2010, former As the World Turns actress Maura West was tapped to portray the role of Diane, making her first appearance on October 8, 2010. In May 2011, West was let go from the soap and was killed off in a "Whodunnit" murder storyline, last appearing on August 15, 2011.

Reception
As part of his year-end Best and Worst in Soaps, Michael Fairman of On-Air On-Soaps named the casting of West in the role of Diane as the "Best Recast" for the year of 2010.