Fans of The Young and the Restless will be seeing a lot more of Austin in the weeks ahead. That's because actor Matthew Atkinson is now on contract with the CBS soap.

Atkinson joined Y&R in March 2014, but the role was then crafted as a recurring one. But a Y&R spokesperson tells Soap Central that Atkinson -- whose character started off as a stalker and cop shooter -- has been signed to a contract.

This is Atkinson's first daytime role, but the actor has experience in both television and film. He made his debut as a series regular in the ABC Family drama Jane By Design. Elsewhere in television, Atkinson has had guest roles on CSI, Drop Dead Diva, and One Tree Hill. On the silver screen, Atkinson appeared in the Oscar-nominated film The Blind Side.

Atkinson made his first appearance on The Young and the Restless on April 17 in scenes opposite Steve Burton (Dylan McAvoy) and Jessica Collins (Avery Clark).

Atkinson's upping to contact status was first reported by Soaps In Depth.

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