Allison Lanier is officially stepping away from The Young and the Restless. The actress, who has played Summer Newman since May 2022, announced her departure in a social media post, telling fans her final episode would air Friday, May 2, 2025. In her message, Lanier said she’d “loved the journey” and “learned so much,” but that it was “time to grow in a different direction,” adding that she’s grateful for the support she’s received from viewers.
Lanier took over the role from Hunter King, who previously portrayed Summer and earned Daytime Emmy wins for her work. Summer has been a major Genoa City figure for years, tied to core families (the Newmans and Phyllis Summers) and often at the center of relationship and power struggles, so Lanier’s exit is a meaningful shift for the soap’s ongoing story engine.
In the time she’s held the part, Lanier’s run wasn’t treated as a quiet recast. She became a regular presence in big arcs, and her work earned industry recognition as well: Entertainment Weekly and People both note she landed a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2024.
As for what happens to Summer next, the key point right now is that nothing has been officially confirmed about a permanent replacement. Coverage of Lanier’s announcement consistently notes that it’s unclear whether the role will be immediately recast, meaning viewers may see the character written out temporarily or “rested” rather than swapped overnight.
Lanier didn’t spell out a specific next project in her exit post, framing the move as a personal and professional step forward rather than a drama-filled breakup with the show. The tone of her statement—thankful, reflective, and forward-looking—signals a clean exit, even if the change is a jolt for fans who’ve gotten used to her version of Summer over the last three years.
