In February, it was announced that Malcolm Winters and Dr. Stephanie Simmons would be returning to Genoa City, with Shemar Moore and Vivica A. Fox reprising their “The Young and the Restless” roles for a multi-episode arc.

The series promised that the shocking homecomings would have “Lasting implications for the residents of Genoa City.”

Some viewers have speculated that the former couple may be carrying a family secret involving Holden Novak (Nathan Owens). Could Novak be Dr. Simmons’ son with Malcolm Winters? Will Lily Winters (Christel Khalil), Devon Hamilton (Bryton James) and Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic) have a new member of their family to welcome?

The Y&R audience will have to tune in to see where this storyline will go. In the meantime, let’s take a trip down memory lane of Simmons and Malcolm Winters’ history.

From First Meeting to Romance

Olivia Winters (Tonya Lee Williams) and Drucilla Winters (Victoria Rowell), Malcolm Winters’ sisters-in-law, believed that the duo were a “perfect match,” and arranged for them to be introduced so Malcolm Winters could get over Drucilla Winters. The brief relationship ended later in 1995 due to the demanding nature of Dr. Simmons’ career.

Simmons left Genoa City not long after the breakup. Nonetheless, she and the photographer shared sweet moments, including a successful 1995 photoshoot they did together and talks of their first date in the hospital cafeteria.

Dr. Simmons complimented Malcolm Winters on his ability to navigate the studio and on his command when he’s working the camera. He returned those affirmations, stating that when the busy doctor stepped in front of the camera, she changed and showed her fun and “wild side,” which he loved.

Fellow photographer, Blade Bladeson (Michael Tylo) set up champagne and Hors d’Oeuvres for the duo to celebrate the photoshoot, and Dr. Simmons admitted that she really liked Malcolm Winters.

Pleasantly surprised, he said, “Well, well, well, I think I’m finally starting to make some headway with you,” and the two shared a toast.

Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore, left) and Dr. Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox, right) celebrating their 1995 summer photoshoot. Photo provided by Instagram (The Young and the Restless).

Who Was Malcolm Winters?

Malcolm Winters arrived on canvas in 1994, determined to get to know his older brother, Neil Winters (Kristoff St. John), but the eldest Winters son wanted nothing to do with his brother. Over time, the brothers found common ground and reconciled.

A single night of regret would shake their bond, however, because of both men’s desire for Drucilla Winters.

Neil and Drucilla Winters married in 1993, but the former model had an affair later with Malcolm Winters after she had consumed a large dose of cold medicine. Drucilla Winters thought she was being intimate with her husband, but it was actually his brother.

Drucilla Winters would soon become pregnant, convincing herself that her husband was the father of her daughter, Lily Winters. Lily Winters grew up believing that Neil Winters was her father.

After the ordeal, the younger Winters brother was introduced to Dr. Simmons. Malcolm Winters would also experience romance with Olivia Winters, Callie Rogers (Michelle Thomas) and Alex Perez (Alexia Robinson), another woman he was in a triangle with that included his brother.

In 2002, the photographer was presumed dead after driving over a bridge in Kenya that collapsed, but he returned a few years later.

A Winters family secret unraveled when Malcolm Winters convinced Drucilla Winters to take a paternity test so he could know if Lily Winters was his biological daughter. When they found out that he was, they decided to keep the truth hidden, and the photographer left town. However, Lily Winters and Neil Winters found out in 2006, and Malcolm Winters was already gone.

Malcolm Winters returned in 2009, working as a spy for Tucker McCall (William Russ) and supporting his biological daughter during her cancer battle, in 2019, to honor his brother’s death and the death of Kristoff St. John and in 2023, to celebrate “The Young and the Restless” for its 50th anniversary.

Who Was Dr. Stephanie Simmons?

Dr. Simmons first appeared in Genoa City in 1994 but had a brief time. She was completely dedicated to her job and even jokingly told Malcolm Winters that it felt like she “lived at the hospital” sometimes.

She began working at Genoa City Memorial Hospital alongside Olivia Winters. Drucilla Winters wanted her sister to fix up Malcolm Winters and Simmons, which she did.

Simmons also dabbled in modeling, even helping Malcolm Winters and Bladeson with a photoshoot. In 1995, the doctor’s busy schedule became a factor in her relationship with Malcolm Winters, and their romance fell apart.

Dr. Simmons left town in 1995 and never returned, but now she’s coming back and will surely shake up the city, even if only for a short arc.

Looking Ahead

As “The Young and the Restless” unfolds this long-awaited return, the question isn’t just what secrets Shemar Moore and Vivica A. Fox bring back to Genoa City—but whether those revelations could ultimately reshape the Winters family in ways no one saw coming.

These icons will arrive on Tuesday, Apr. 7. “The Young and the Restless” airs on CBS at 12:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.