THE SCOOP

From Harmony to Genoa City, former “Passions” star Dana Sparks (ex-Grace Bennett; ex-Faith Standish) is joining the cast of “The Young and the Restless” in the recurring role of Dr. Lena Cavett, a specialist who will work with Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan) following the character’s recent stroke.

According to Soap Opera Digest, which first reported the news, Adam (Mark Grossman) hires Dr. Cavett to help an immobile Chelsea in her recovery starting with the Thursday, January 7 episode.

Speaking of her character, Sparks told Digest in an upcoming issue that Dr. Cavett is “direct but kind. I play her as doing the best she can to help the situation, whether it’s being honest or encouraging. She’s very grounded and in a very understanding, compassionate way.”

In a post on Instagram last month, Sparks announced she had booked a role on a series but couldn’t say which at the time. “Can’t say what, but I booked one!” she said using the hashtags, “selftape” and “actresslife,” among others.

Sparks most recently appeared in the Lifetime TV movie “Fatal Fiancé” alongside several other soap stars, including Brittany Underwood (“One Life to Live”), Camila Banus (“Days of our Lives”) and Wally Kurth (“DAYS,” “General Hospital”).