User:Livelikemusic/Elena Dawson

Elena Dawson is a fictional character from The Young and the Restless, an American soap opera from the CBS network. Created by head writer Mal Young, and introduced by executive producers Anthony Morina and Josh Griffith, Elena is a private physician and cousin to Ana Hamilton (Loren Lott). The role is portrayed by actress Brytni Sarpy.

Casting
In February 2019, it was announced that General Hospital actress Brytni Sarpy had been cast in the regular role of Elena Dawson. Opening up about her audition, Sarpy told Soap Opera Digest that she auditioned oppose three other girls with casting director Nancy Nayor, and that she found out she was cast in the role the same day as her audition. Sarpy made her first episodic appearance on March 19, 2019.

Characterization
Describing her character in the March 11, 2019, issue of Soap Opera Digest, Sarpy detailed: "She's pretty fierce. She's in the medical field and she comes in very protective of her uncle." She further explains Elena as "very outspoken" and that she "has a mind of her own." She further described Elena as "today's woman." She told CBS Soaps in Depth that the role of Elena "fit" her "type" and that the "rest is history." In an interview with TVSource Magazine, Sarpy revealed she saw contrasts between the role of Elena and herself, even comparing the role to that of Valerie; she stated, "I could see a lot of qualities in the writing that paralleled to me. I thought her character was fiery and bold and different than Valerie. She's a little more mature, a little more sure of herself. It was something different that I haven't played yet. And in a really good way. But also, so relatable to me. She came very naturally for me."

Introduction
Elena Dawson is introduced as a doctor, who is described as being very "protective" of her uncle, whose identity remained undisclosed prior to the character's March 19 debut in Genoa City. Elena's uncle is later revealed to be that of Jett Slade, also is also the father of Ana Hamilton.

Storyline
Elena (Sarpy) arrives in Genoa City in March 2019 as a private physician to R&B musician Jett Slade, who is Elena's uncle and the father of Ana Hamilton (Loren Lott). When questioned by Devon Hamilton (Bryton James) about her medical credentials, she admits that she was forced to drop out of medical school. Soon after, she and Jett move into Devon's penthouse with Ana, where she then helps convince both Jett and Ana to perform at the opening night of Devon's club, Society.

Reception
In 2016, TVSources Ashley Dionne cited her desire for James (as The Young and the Restless Devon) and Sarpy (as General Hospital's Valerie) to cross paths. Following Sarpy's casting on The Young and the Restless, Dionne was "elated" to learn of her casting, however, was not surprised by it; she cited that Sarpy was a victim of getting "lost in the shuffle" of the former soap's enlarged cast and storylines.