If you've been anxiously awaiting the return of Noah Newman to Genoa City, you might have to continue waiting -- and you might not immediately recognize the character when he does return to town.
Actor Kevin G. Schmidt (Noah Newman), who has played Sharon and Nick's son for the past two years, has revealed that the show has not approached him about returning to the top-rated CBS soap.
"I have not [been] asked to return as Noah Newman," Schmidt posted to his Twitter page. "A huge thank you to the cast and crew! Onward and upwards!"
The award-winning actor took over the role of Noah in August 2008. He took leave from the show earlier this year when he landed the lead in the Cartoon Network original series, Unnatural History. The series is the cable channel's only live-action program and one of its highest-rated programs.
In addition to his daytime work, Schmidt has appeared in several feature films, most recently the "squeakquel" to the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie.
According to at least one show source, Y&R might be quietly preparing to "age" Noah. The show has already aged his younger aunt, Abby Newman, who was born on-screen in 2000, and is now in her early 20s. Noah, meanwhile, was born on-screen in 1997 -- so it seems likely that the show may want to bump up the character's age just a bit.
A Y&R spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for a statement.