Exclusive Interview
Inside Devon & Abby’s ‘Y&R’ Wedding With Bryton James and Melissa Ordway (VIDEO)
On Wednesday, November 13, The Young and the Restless will celebrate its 13,000th episode with a wedding for Abby Newman and Devon Hamilton. For their portrayers, Melissa Ordway and Bryton James, it’s been a long time coming.
“I was so excited,” recalls Ordway of discovering that their wedding would be a part of the milestone. “I wanted to marry Devon — I mean, the lines are a little blurred, Devon or Bryton — for the past 11 years, so I was so excited, and to have that be a part of the 13,000th episode was pretty cool.”
For the past decade, the actors have been dropping hints with the powers-that-be that they wanted to be a couple on camera. “They’ve been telling us no for years and years,” explains James. So when the story turn appeared in scripts, Ordway was thrilled. “It’s so funny because I was telling my husband [Justin Gaston, ex-Chance, Y&R], ‘I finally get to be with Devon!’ And he was like, ‘Oh, my gosh! That’s so great!’”
Gaston was already aware of the pair’s connection. “When Chance and Abby got married [in 2020], I officiated and we kept our fingers crossed behind our backs,” jokes James. Adds Ordway, “When we were filming that wedding, my real husband was playing Chance at the moment. I kept looking at Bryton, and I was like, ‘Devon, it’s not too late…’ Justin’s like, ‘It’s true. If you guys really want to be together…’ So, It’s been a long-running joke that I just couldn’t even believe it when it finally happened.”
Shifting from pals to lovers wasn’t a big leap for the actors, who have built a strong connection over the years. “We’re the best of friends on set,” reports James. “We have an amazing sense of humor that makes every day a joy. She’s an incredible scene partner. It couldn’t be better; that’s why we wanted to work together so much.” Notes Ordway, “I feel we’re always laughing together. I just feel so lucky to get to work with him, too, because he knows every scene in and out and I feel like he makes everyone better. You gotta step up your game to work with this guy.”
Though this is Abby’s third marriage and Devon’s second, the two say it’s for keeps. “I really do feel it’s a match made in heaven,” offers Ordway. “They started as best friends, they know everything about each other and I just think all the years leading up to this has just built such a great foundation for their relationship.” James adds, “And that’s what you want, right? That is the goal, to find and to marry your best friend.”
In this video interview, Ordway and James recall the moment their characters fell in love, reveal who is the more romantic of the two, share memories of their first love scene, their favorite soap wedding, and so much more.
The Young and the Restless, Weekdays, CBS
