Matt Clark returns to Y&R after 24 years, Sharon discovers shocking truth about ‘Mitch’

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By: Daniel Harris

Matt Clark is making a shocking comeback to The Young and the Restless. The serial predator hasn’t been seen in 24 years since his 2001 death. Now he’s infiltrated Genoa City under the alias Mitch Bacall. Actor Roger Howarth debuted in this explosive role on October 31, 2025.

🔥 Quick Facts:

  • Matt Clark returns after a 24-year absence from the soap opera.
  • Roger Howarth takes on the iconic villain role originally played by Eddie Cibrian.
  • Matt disguises himself as Mitch Bacall, investor and husband to Sienna Rosales.
  • Sharon Newman recognizes him immediately, triggering a dangerous cat-and-mouse game.
  • Matt’s reappearance directly connects to Noah Newman’s mysterious accident and hospitalization.

The Shocking Return of a Soap Villain

After 24 years away from Genoa City, Matt Clark has orchestrated his most sinister comeback yet. In the November episode that aired this week, Sharon Newman came face-to-face with her nightmare made flesh. What makes this return extraordinary is that Matt died on-screen in November 2001, ripping out his own breathing tube. Now he’s alive. He’s back. And he’s dangerous.

“Matt Clark was written off following his dismissal from the show. In-story, he died after ripping out his own breathing tube. Now, Josh Griffith and Sally McDonald have reintroduced him under a completely new alias as Mitch Bacall.”

Wikipedia, Y&R Character Archives

Roger Howarth brings chilling intensity to this villainous role. He’s playing against Sharon Case, who portrays Sharon Newman. Their on-screen dynamic crackles with decades of unresolved trauma. Sharon looks directly at Mitch and knows. She recognizes him. Nothing can hide that face.

Why This Matters for the Newman Family

This isn’t just a random return. Matt Clark’s reappearance coincides perfectly with Noah Newman’s accident and coma. The timing screams orchestration. Nick Newman had good reason to worry about Sharon’s safety. Matt connected with Noah in London and offered investment opportunities. Now Noah lies in a hospital bed fighting for his life.

Sharon immediately races to Nick to reveal her horrifying discovery. This truth threatens to unravel everything. If Noah was targeted, then Matt isn’t just back for revenge. He’s operating a calculated plan. He’s positioning himself as an investor. He’s embedded into the Newman inner circle. That makes him exponentially more dangerous than ever before.

The implications ripple across Genoa City. Jack Abbott, Diane Jenkins, and Kyle Abbott will soon realize they’re dealing with a predator. Sharon‘s haunting question is simple yet devastating: Did Matt cause Noah’s accident? That answer will drive the November and December storylines forward with relentless tension.

Matt Clark’s Dark Legacy in Genoa City

To understand this villainy, you need the history. Originally played by Eddie Cibrian from 1994 to 1996, Matt Clark traumatized Sharon and Nick during their formative years. Sharon dated Matt first. She dumped him to be with Nick. That rejection sparked something dark in Matt.

Character History Details
Original Portrayal Eddie Cibrian (1994-1996, 2000, 2001)
Current Actor Roger Howarth (since October 2025)
Alias Mitch Bacall, investor and club owner
Death Episode November 2001 (apparent suicide in hospital)
Absence 24 years missing from show
Connected Character Cassie’s biological father

Matt’s criminal history includes multiple assaults and predatory behavior. Sharon suffered terribly at his hands. The show never shied away from depicting his villainy. His crimes motivated major storylines for years. Now Josh Griffith and Sally McDonald have decided to resurrect this threat. They’re doubling down on the psychological terror.

What Fans Should Watch For

  • Noah Newman’s full recovery and potential connection to Matt’s accident.
  • Sharon’s moral dilemma about revealing Matt’s identity to the authorities.
  • Nick and Sharon’s unified front against their shared nightmare.
  • Roger Howarth’s performance compared to Eddie Cibrian’s original take.
  • How long Matt can maintain his Mitch Bacall cover in Genoa City.
  • Sienna’s true involvement in Matt’s schemes and investment plans.

Is This the Ultimate Y&R Plot Twist?

Bringing back dead villains is risky storytelling. Too many comebacks feel cheap. This one? It’s calculated. Roger Howarth brings credibility to the role. His casting signals serious investment in this storyline. The writers clearly planned Matt’s resurrection for maximum impact on Sharon, Nick, and their family connections.

The real question isn’t whether Matt survives discovery. The question is what he wants. Money? Revenge? To manipulate the next generation of Newmans? The show has positioned Noah’s accident perfectly in his timeline of arrival. Every piece fits. Every move suggests intention. Genoa City has never faced a more orchestrated threat than Matt Clark’s calculated resurrection. What happens when Sharon finally forces Nick to believe her?

Sources

  • TV Insider – Y&R cast and character analysis covering Roger Howarth’s casting and Matt Clark’s history with Sharon Newman.
  • Soap Opera Digest – Official commentary on the character’s return and storyline implications for November 2025.
  • SheKnows Soaps – Weekly spoilers and plot breakdowns for The Young and the Restless featuring Matt Clark’s resurrection narrative.

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