Y&R’s Mark Grossman on Adam’s ‘Inappropriate’ Pull to Ruby and the Sally Factor (Excl)
On The Young and the Restless, Adam Newman has been in a bit of a freefall since delivering Sally (Courtney Hope) and Billy’s (Jason Thompson) baby girl, Ruby — a development that has stirred up unresolved grief about his and Sally’s late daughter, Ava. Soap Opera Digest chatted with Adam’s portrayer, Mark Grossman, about his character’s troubled state of mind, whether he still has feelings for Sally and more hot Y&R topics. “He needs to give Sharon [Sharon Case] a call,” the actor jokes. “He needs to do some therapy!”
Soap Opera Digest: Adam delivering Ruby — on Billy and Sally’s wedding day, no less — was such a classically soapy moment. What was your reaction when you found out that was going to happen?
Mark Grossman: I thought it was very, very juicy! It was just so poetic how they had Adam be the one to deliver the baby, and as soon as I heard about it, I was like, “That is so good! What a great decision!” There are so many dynamics and so much storyline that can come out of this, right? And just bringing it full circle with the history with everybody — with Delia [Billy’s late daughter, whose death Billy blames Adam for], and Adam and Sally, Adam and Chelsea, Adam and Billy. I thought it was just genius.
Digest: What stands out to you when you think back on filming the birth?
Grossman: The biggest thing for me, and what I just kept thinking when Adam was put in this position, was, “I have to deliver this baby. I cannot let what happened last time [when Adam and Sally’s daughter, Ava, died shortly after birth] happen again.” I think it just really hit Adam, like, “That is not going to happen a second time.” My objective in those scenes, number one, was, “Cut through everything else — I need to do everything in my power to get this baby out and it’s gotta be healthy.”
Digest: So, the million-dollar question: How do you understand the profound impact Ruby’s birth has had on Adam?
Grossman: I think it was just an overwhelming emotion, to be in that moment. He cannot help but think about how a few years prior, they were in this situation with their own child: “We were supposed to have this, and life took a different turn.” So, just naturally, he has this feeling of protection, this kind of bond to this child or, like, feeling responsible, like, “Hey, I brought this child into the world.” I think it’s unconscious — Adam has all of these feelings and doesn’t really know how to navigate them, and it’s bringing up a lot of stuff that he maybe hasn’t dealt with fully, with Ava. He’s almost getting lost, to a degree, and just confused by all these feelings that are coming up. A lot of stuff I don’t think he’s dealt with is really coming to the surface.
Digest: I think a big question hanging over this storyline is about the Adam’s feelings for Sally. Do you agree with that?
Grossman: I really do think Ava is under all this. But there’s a lot of feelings going around, you know? And so it’s kind of hard to decipher, “How much of this is Ava? How much of it is Sally?” Adam cared deeply for Sally; they went through something a traumatic together. But Adam and Chelsea are also in a really good place, too.
Digest: How do you think Adam is handling Billy wanting to put boundaries around his access to the baby?
Grossman: In true Adam fashion, I don’t think he handles it well! I don’t think he likes it when Billy tells him that. Adam always kind of marches to the beat of his own drum, and when it’s Billy [telling him what to do], that’s a double whammy! I think Adam is much more likely to take a cue from Sally and respect Sally’s opinion over Billy’s opinion. I mean, Billy is the last person I think Adam would want Sally to have a child with, and we’ll have to see how long Adam can stay away because right now, he really feels a pull to be a father to Ruby in some regard, even though it is inappropriate. I don’t know if Adam knows it’s inappropriate! mean, Adam can rationalize and justify just about anything.
Digest: Has it occurred to Adam that if he can’t get this stuff in check, he might lose Chelsea?
Grossman: I think eventually, he’s got to get there and realize he needs to take a step back. Chelsea has been so understanding and knows that this has brought up a lot of stuff to the surface for Adam, stuff that he’s compartmentalized and really stuffed down. She’s been wonderful through this and for Adam, there really is a lot to lose.
Digest: Does it surprise you that after all this time, and given that they are both in committed relationships with other people, that there’s still a sizable contingent of the audience that sees Adam and Sally as endgame?
Grossman: I mean, I’m flattered! That’s really nice and a testament to Courtney. I love working with her and I’ve just been so lucky with the amazing leading ladies on our show. I’m flattered that there are a lot of people that really do love Adam and Sally. They had a beautiful love story and it’s nice to see that people are still fans of Adam and Sally.
Digest: Whatever happens from here is now in the hands of the show’s new head writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor. When you first started getting their scripts, how did you feel about the grasp they seem to have on your character and the direction they’re taking him in?
Grossman: I feel good about it. You know, I owe so much to [former head writer Josh Griffith], but I’m very excited for Jamey and Dan. They’re wonderful people and seem to have a deep history with the show and they’re coming in with a lot of energy. I feel like we’re in great hands. I think we’re all really excited.
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