The soap star expresses her hopes for an unlikely guest appearance during a recent charity event.
After more than four decades on The Young and The Restless, Kate Linder still finds new dreams in the soap opera world, one of which includes a wish to see Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep join the cast. At the recent Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles’ 2025 Builders Ball held on March 20, 2025, Linder, 77, shared her thoughts with Us Weekly.
“You know what would be really neat? Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I just thought of it,” Linder expressed. “It would be Meryl Streep. Can you imagine? Can you imagine [my character] Esther and Meryl Streep? That would be so good. I would love that.”
Linder envisions a delightful scenario where Streep could appear as herself at the Crimson Lights Cafe, where Linder’s character, Esther, now serves as manager. “Because Esther is the manager of Crimson Lights now, Meryl Streep walks into Crimson Lights Cafe and I go, ‘Excuse me. What can I get you?’ And then I look up and realize it’s her. ‘Meryl Streep, you want coffee?’ Could you imagine? Esther would go crazy! I would love that.”
As she prepares to celebrate 43 years of her journey on the show later this month, Linder reflects on her career and memories of her late co-star Jeanne Cooper, who passed away in May 2013 at the age of 84. “I remember going in there and going up to the hair and makeup room and introducing myself,” Linder recalled. “I introduced myself and I said, ‘I’m playing your mate today.’ And [Jeanne] said, ‘Oh, it’s about time.’ And I loved her after that.”
More than a decade after Cooper’s passing, Linder still feels connected to her. “I miss her, but I still feel her presence,” she shared. “Sometimes I’m in her dressing room. I get her dressing room, and that’s really special for me because I feel her in there.” This nostalgic sentiment is a testament to the enduring impact that Cooper had not only on Linder but on the generations of fans who have watched the show.
Linder had an unexpected start on The Young and The Restless, being initially hired for just one day. As she recounts her long tenure, she acknowledges the evolution of daytime television and expresses excitement for its future. “I’m thrilled for Beyond the Gates,” she remarked, referring to CBS’s new soap set to premiere in 2025. “It’s so good for the genre. It’s so good for all of us. You can’t tell me that soaps are dead when they’re bringing on a brand-new show, and it’s great.”
This spirit of hope and enthusiasm reflects not only Linder’s passion for her craft but also a broader commitment to a genre that has seen fluctuations in popularity over the years. With her impressive run and dreams of notable guest stars, Linder represents a bridge between classic soap opera traditions and contemporary storytelling.
As the soap world evolves, supporters and veterans like Kate Linder remain pivotal in bridging the beloved history of such shows with their dynamic futures—ever ready for the next iconic moment, and perhaps, a surprise appearance by a Hollywood legend like Meryl Streep.
