Much has changed since presumed dead Diane (Susan Walters) slithered back into Genoa City some two years ago, notably her evolution into a (seeming) productive member of society.

Susan Walters On Diane

During a chat with Soap Opera Digest, Walters coped to appreciating the mellowing of her alter-ego and explained, “I think it’s always nice to play well-rounded characters, so she’s not just an evil person. By this point, you clearly have seen that Diane has a lot of heart. Even though she has the potential for causing a lot of problems, because that was her, you can also see that she’s put her money where her mouth is and really does love her son and love Jack. That, as an actor, gives you a lot to play and then their actions really affect you more.”

Though there has been a decided dearth of contentious confrontations between Diane and her most vocal opponents — namely Phyllis (Michelle Stafford), Ashley (Eileen Davidson), and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) — at least comparative to when she first clawed her way back from the grave (so to speak), Walters is still game to okay the trio’s foil: “You have to have the person to set these things up and what I’m able to do as Diane right now, because of where she is in her life, is try to rise above it. That has to be her action since she doesn’t have any comeback.”

Is that to say that she wouldn’t relish seeing Diane and one of her rivals, Phyllis in particular, back at each other’s throats again? Perish the thought! “Oh, I absolutely wouldn’t mind that,” she insisted. “I love working with Michelle and their history is always kind of fun.”

As for her own take on Diane’s recent trajectory and what may lie ahead of her:“Well, I’m just kind of trusting the process. The storylines ebb and flow, and everyone thinks happy couples are boring couples. But I think it’s really important for Diane and Jack to have a solid relationship because what comes next matters more.”

What do you think of Diane’s current storyline? Are you appreciating her new level of maturity, or would you welcome a return of the Diane of old? Let us know in the comments section below.

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