Transgender actress Candis Cayne is joining "The Young and The Restless" as a recurring character. She plays as Nona Richards, a wedding planner for Dr. Ben "Stitch" Rayburn (Sean Carrigan) and Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway). Cayne debuted on the soap opera last Tuesday, Dec. 1.
"It's huge, because it's starting to rewrite the way people see trans actors," Cayne said of her non-gender sensitive role to Entertainment Tonight.
The 44-year-old actress and gender equality advocate was reportedly very happy about joining the "Y&R" cast that she brought along a surprise for her co-stars. ET reported that her newly transitioned best friend, Caitlyn Jenner, dropped by the set to show her support.
"She thought she'd stop by and just see what's going on!" Cayne said.
Melissa Ordway snapped a photo of herself sandwiched between Cayne and Jenner and posted it on Instagram.
A photo posted by Melissa Ordway Gaston (@mel_ordway) on Dec 1, 2015 at 1:20pm PST
"Look who came to visit us in Genoa City!" Ordway wrote in the caption. "So great working with her and meeting Caitlyn Jenner!"
Cayne, who transitioned way back in 1996, played a huge role in Jenner's life when she was transitioning last April. Cayne appeared multiple times on Jenner's "I Am Cait" season 1 which aired on E!. There have been rumors of the two of them dating, which they both denied.
"[Our friendship] means a lot to me, because she is going through what I went through 20 years ago," she said. "I love being there for her."
Great night at #beautifulasiwanttobe event for @logotv A photo posted by @candiscayne on Oct 31, 2015 at 9:33am PDT
Cayne previously starred on the primetime soap "Dirty Sexy Money" as William Baldwin's transgender mistress. She also appeared on "Nip/Tuck," and more recently, on "Elementary."
"The Young and The Restless" airs Mondays to Fridays, 12:30 p.m. on CBS.
