'Young and the Restless' Alum Hartley Sawyer Joins 'The Flash' as The Elongated Man

If you were hoping to see Ralph Dibny on The CW drama The Flash, it turns out that isn't such a stretch! Former The Young and the Restless actor Hartley Sawyer will be stepping into the recurring role of Dibny, better known as the Elongated Man, next season on the hit #DCTV series.

Described as one of the Flash's most iconic allies, Ralph Dibny - a.k.a. The Elongated Man - is a fast-talking private investigator with investigative skills that rival those of Batman. Upon discovering he has the power to stretch his body to any shape or form, Dibny uses his new abilities to help Team Flash solve one of Central City's greatest mysteries.

In the comics, Dibny developed as a private eye after he struck out on his own, but it's fitting that he's making his live action debut on The Flash. The character first debuted in 1960's The Flash #112, where he became a supporting character in the comic before later appearing in Detective Comics and eventually joining the big league as a member of the JLA. He also played a key role (along with his wife, Sue Dibny) in 2004's impactful Identity Crisis.

The Elongated Man's abilities are all in his name - he can alter and contort the shape of his body to make it longer, larger, flatter, or just about any other shape imaginable. Combine that with his brilliant detective skills and he's likely to become a powerful new ally to the Scarlet Speedster.

Sawyer played Kyle Abbott (Jack's son) on The Young and the Restless, and you may have seen him on the CW Seed's Saving the Human Race or Anna Akana's Miss 2059.

Hartley Sawyer Leaving THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Hartley Sawyer, who replaced Blake Hood as Kyle Abbott on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS in March, has been let go. The news was first reported by Daytime Confidential.

According to a Y&R spokesperson, "Hartley is wrapping up but will be airing for several weeks into the new year."

In the current Y&R story, Kyle, the son of Jack and the late Diane Jenkins, recently went to work for Victor Newman to serve as a spy for Jack.

No reason for Sawyer's exit has been released.

NEWS: Maura West, Kristian Alfonso, Hartley Sawyer, Michael Easton, Katie Couric, Isaiah Washington, Aaron Sorkin

Maura West on playing GENERAL HOSPITAL's Ava Jerome and her stint on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
"I try to bring the best energy I can to work, to be the very best scene partner, to be prepared. I don't try to outdo anyone in a scene, or undermine anyone. And that does happen — everywhere! I mind my own business. And, also, they're a very nice bunch of people at GH. Tony and Jane Elliot [Tracy] were so embracing and kind to me and that really made a big difference because they have power and they can really shape your experience there."

"Honestly, I was at Y&R so briefly that I don't even think about it! [Laughs] I must have blocked it out! I met some wonderful people at Y&R but that experience is not something my heart aches over, not something I miss at all. Clearly there was no intention to make Diane a viable character at that time, so I probably would have been off by now anyway."

Y&R's Hartley Sawyer raises funds for animal rescue and rehabilitation
Sawyer (Kyle) will be participating in "Strut Your Mutt" fundraiser for animal rescue and rehabilitation on September 15 in Van Nuys, CA at Woodley Park. "Your time and a few of your bucks means the world to me," says the actor. "I love my dogs more than anything. Help us reach our fundraising goal of $20k."

NEWS: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Erika Slezak, Eric Winter, Michael E. Knight, Natalie Zea & Travis Schuldt

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood's next THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL appearances: July 11 & 12
"Wouldn't you like to know?" teases Scott Clifton (Liam), when asked where his storyline with Steffy was heading now that her portrayer, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, is technically off-contract with the show. "Let me be clear — she's not gone," he clarifies. "She'll be around. If you talk to her, she'll tell you she has no intention of, like, never showing up again. She's going to be coming back."

ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Erika Slezak dishes on her Philly roots, says Viki will stay busy
Slezak had a rebellious streak during her time at the now-defunct Sacred Heart at Eden Hall in the Northeast.

"My best friends used to convince the teachers that we needed to go to the library in Torresdale to study," Slezak told me. "We would spend 20 minutes there and then we would go to the Mayfair Diner. We would eat hamburgers because the school's food would leave something to be desired."

Hartley Sawyer Joins THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Blake Hood Leaving

Blake Hood is leaving THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and the role of Kyle Abbott. According to Soap Opera Digest, the show is replacing Hood with Hartley Sawyer.

Hood was cast as the aged version of Jack's (Peter Bergman) son in April 2012.

Sawyer, a daytime newcomer, begins taping the week of March 18. Soap fans may have noticed him as Bozeman Peacham in GCB last year or for his appearance in JANE BY DESIGN.  He guest-starred in NCIS: LOS ANGELES last month.