Created and introduced by former head writer Maria Arena Bell, the role is portrayed by Angell Conwell, who made her first appearance on the episode that aired on December 2, 2010.

Conwell made a guest appearance on April 25, 2019, to honour Kristoff St. John's character Neil Winters passing, as well as the actor's real life death.

Redaric Williams was later introduced as Leslie's younger brother Tyler Michaelson, and a story arc about their past occurs, revealing that their father Gus Rogan (Tony Todd) was wrongly convicted for the murder of their mother, Belinda, and they changed their names, originally being Valerie and Davis.

Conwell first appeared in the role of Leslie Michaelson on December 2, 2010, introduced by the soap opera's former executive producer and head writer Maria Arena Bell on a recurring status.

[1][2] Conwell auditioned for the role because her "entire family watches the show", she explained "the character was one that I really wanted to play.

[10] When Leslie first arrived, she became a "one-time" love interest for long-running character Neil Winters (Kristoff St.

[12] Luke Kerr from Daytime Confidential recapped the storyline, "At Jabot, Leslie told Neil she couldn’t accept his job offerbecause she was thinking about him as a man.

"[12] In December 2012, Redaric Williams was introduced to the series as her brother Tyler Michaelson, Leslie's first family member to appear on the soap opera.

[22] It was later proved via DNA evidence that Congressmen Marcus Wheeler (Mark Pinter), the man Belinda Rogan had an affair with while she was working on his political campaign, had murdered her.

[23] Leslie appears on the canvas as an attorney who works at a legal firm owned by Vance Abrams (Eric Roberts).

Leslie briefly resumes her position as her lawyer once she is found and brought back to Genoa City, but is replaced by Avery Bailey Clark (Jessica Collins).

Leslie begins having an on-and-off romance with Jabot Cosmetics executive Neil Winters (Kristoff St. John), which neither take too seriously.

After Gus' death, Leslie looks into who Rose was, and finds out that she supposedly died in 2007, and has a daughter, Anne, who lives in Europe.

Jamey Giddens of Zap2it commended Conwell's casting in the role, writing: "Praise the Lord, and pass the diversity.

"[11] Giddens later lauded the romance storyline between Neil and Leslie, "For the first time since Victoria Rowell decided to exit the serial, Y&R is telling a sexy, intriguing, multi-ethnic tale, featuring the talented St. John.

In Conwell, Y&R has finally found a post-Dru leading lady worthy of being by Neil's side during the next phase of his soap operatic life.

"[25] Conwell has been described as a "scene stealer", and in December 2012 received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series nomination of her portrayal of Leslie.