Y&R's Lachlan Buchanan on Kyle's true identity and Eric Braeden's killer manipulations

Genoa City's newest resident has already made some serious waves, having been considered as a possible murder suspect straight out of the gate. And that's not the only twist headed viewers' way when it comes to Jack's newly returned son.

With prior experience on both Pretty Little Liars and the Australian soap opera Home and Away, Lachlan Buchanan is no stranger to drama. And that's a good thing, considering he was thrown straight into the shark tank as The Young and the Restless' Kyle Abbott. Before his feet even had a chance to hit the ground, Lachlan's alter ego was suspected of murder -- and the actor tells Soap Central that things will only get crazier from here on out.

soapcentral.com: You've had a chance to settle in and find your footing since joining Y&R, so do you feel like you've finally hit your groove?Lachlan Buchanan: Yeah. I've been here several weeks now, and it's gone by so quickly. It's kind of surreal. I understand when Doug [Davidson, Paul Williams] said 37 years has gone by like that. It's very humbling to be a part of something so big that's been so long-running, and so you kind of hear about all of these people who have been here for years and years and years, and it's like, "Wow!" I get excited and think, "I want to be here for so long," because I love this job so much. It's really amazing.

soapcentral.com: Were you familiar with Y&R before you auditioned?Buchanan: Yeah, I was pretty familiar with it before. I couldn't say that I knew every character -- I had to work that out a bit -- but my grandma actually was obsessed with it in Australia, and so I grew up [around it] when she was babysitting us or if we were over at the house. She would never miss an episode, so I got to know it through her. And then I became friends with Greg Rikaart [Kevin Fisher] a few years ago, and I told her that when she was still alive, and she was like, "Oh, you've got to be careful around him!" And she gave me advice, and I said, "Grandma, he's just acting!" So it's fun. We had it down there, and I grew up with it, so it's totally cool to be a part of it.

soapcentral.com: What's it like to work with Greg, considering you were friends beforehand? Was that weird?Buchanan: It's more fun than weird. For me, it's a dream come true to work with friends and people I know. It's the best thing, especially on a show like this. I can just walk in and feel comfortable straightaway. He's kind of taken me under his wing.

soapcentral.com: What do you think about Peter Bergman, who plays your father, Jack? Has he also shown you the ropes?Buchanan: Peter is one of the kindest, loveliest people I've ever met. And I mean that honestly. He is such a wonderful human being, and a great actor, as well. A real actor's actor. The first day that I was here, he came into my dressing room, sat me down, and said, "This is a great job. I can't even tell you, this is such a great job. Congratulations." And he gave me some advice about the run of years and what to start doing now so you'll [always] love it, that kind of thing. And it was really invaluable. I'll never forget that. Every time I see him in the hallway and get to work with him, it's a real treat.

soapcentral.com: What have been your thoughts on Kyle? The audience already knew him, but it seems he may be a bit different this time around, even being considered for murder. Buchanan: I love Kyle. He's great. It was a character that already existed, and that's always scary, stepping into an existing character.

soapcentral.com: Yeah, people often have expectations.Buchanan: Yeah, and there's already a set outline of what he's like. But it was really wonderful because [our writers] Chuck [Pratt] and Tracey [Thomson] and [our co-executive producer] Jill told me in the beginning, "Make it your own." They said, "Here are some little things to throw in there, but make it your own," and I have had so much fun with that. I've been able to make him something more, I hope, than what he originally was, and hopefully it gives them something to play with when it comes to writing.

soapcentral.com: How did you do research to get to know Kyle and how far you could stretch it?Buchanan: They sent me a huge bio with paragraphs and paragraphs of his back history, which was hilarious to read. I mean, he was born on the show and aged up over 14 years, but to read his life story, all the paragraphs of "that happened, that happened," it was nuts, but so hilarious and fun. And then I looked up who this person was and who this person was, all the relationships and his family on the show, but even to this day, I sometimes still get confused, like, "Hang on, who's that, and what's my relationship to them?" I mean, Eric Braeden [Victor Newman] has been on the show for years, and he sometimes still stops and goes, "I forget, whose son are you again?" And I said, "Jack Abbott," and he goes, "Ah, right, right."

soapcentral.com: Of course he would forget Jack's son, because Jack is his enemy. It's a secret tactic!Buchanan: Is he trying to psych me out before our scenes? That's what I wonder! He's a genius in disguise.

soapcentral.com: What can you tease as to what we can expect from Kyle now that he's getting more adjusted in Genoa City?Buchanan: He's come in very mysteriously, and he can be a jerk, but also sort of a rock to rely on for Summer [Hunter King]. But there's so much more to him. He's not just here for one reason, which becomes evident. And for him, it's all about growing and getting what he wants, which is a number of things, so he works hard towards that. I think, at the end of the day, he's also an Abbott. And regardless of his views, he's an Abbott at heart, and he doesn't forget that, and he brings his own personal touch to what that means. I can't give away too much, so you can take that as you want!

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soapcentral.com: But basically, you're saying he's a lot like his father?Buchanan: He will always be his father's son, and more. He's the new generation. It's really cool, and I've got some fun stuff [coming up]... I've had the loveliest response from people, and I was kind of expecting like, "Aagghh!" But people have been so wonderful and supportive. It's a blessing.

What do you think of Buchanan's Kyle? How would you like to see Jack's son further ingratiate himself into the canvas? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, on our message boards, or by submitting Feedback.

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