Tyler Michaelson is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless.

Created by head writer Josh Griffith, the role is portrayed by international model Redaric Williams.

Executive producer Jill Farren Phelps introduced him during the episode that aired on December 17, 2012, as the younger brother of lawyer Leslie Michaelson (Angell Conwell).

Tyler's storyline saw him become a potential threat to the marriage of Lily and Cane Ashby (Christel Khalil and Daniel Goddard).

However, a story arc about Tyler and Leslie's 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 Davis and Valerie.

"[1] In August 2012, with the installation of new executive producer Jill Farren Phelps and head writer Josh Griffith, The Young and the Restless released a casting call for the contract role of "Tyler Douglas".

[6] Initially, Tyler "Douglas" was to be introduced as the nephew of Sarge Wilder (Darnell Williams) and interacts with Lily when he starts working at Jabot Cosmetics.

[7] After much speculation, Soap Opera Digest later revealed that the character would be the younger brother of Leslie Michaelson.

[8] In October, it was confirmed that Williams had been cast in the role;[9] he taped his first scenes during the week of November 5, and was scheduled to begin airing on December 12.

[10] According to legendary casting director Judy Blye Wilson, despite Williams being very well known as a model, he was not on the soap opera's radar.

Williams' manager heard about the casting call and had the actor upload his audition tape to his personal YouTube channel so Wilson could see it.

[11] Williams later revealed that after sending in his audition tape, he was contacted by the series to screen test with Khalil and Goddard.

[12] He stated that he had "mixed emotions" of signing a contract, saying that he was "a little concerned" about being "locked in for years", but added: "On the other hand, knowing how this industry is, it felt good to have job security.

"[2] In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, Williams described the character as being a confident, well-rounded, and ambitious, "street-smart guy", with intelligence.

CBS Daytime's senior vice-president, Angelica McDaniel, described the character as a "young and hip" artist who understands the power of social media and marketing.

"[21] In January 2013 when Mark Pinter joined the cast as Congressman Marcus Wheeler, an associate of popular characters, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), Tyler and Leslie's past is explored.

[27] In the meantime, Tyler changes his tune about wanting to testify against his father as he is faced with the reality of Gus's release.

[29] For so long, Tyler thought Gus was responsible for Belinda's death and when all of that suddenly changes, "it's kind of a cool place to be in as an actor!"

"[30] In December 2012, head writer, Josh Griffith revealed that Tyler would set his sights on Lily in the New Year.

[37] After Leslie sets up an impromptu job interview with her boss and Jabot Cosmetics CEO, Neil Winters (Kristoff St. John), Tyler is hired to help with marketing.

Though Tyler has great ideas, his flirtatious behavior with Neil's daughter Lily doesn't sit well with her husband Cane.

[38][39] Jamey Giddens praised Williams' audition tape[6] and along with other critics applauded the writers for introducing Tyler as Leslie's brother, adding a new African American family to canvas.

[44] On December 7, Williams appeared on The Talk along with costars Ignacio Serricchio, Lamon Archey and Marco Dapper to discuss their new roles.

[48] Y&R's casting director, Judy Blye Wilson described Williams as a "real natural" and applauded the actor for being able to make the transition from modeling to acting so easily.

[50] During a press conference for the show's 40th anniversary, CBS Daytime's senior vice-president Angelica McDaniel accredited Williams and the other new younger hires as complements to the already very talented cast.

Some embraced the potential pairing, while others were a bit cynical believing like past regimes, the new bosses would fold under the pressure of Lane (Cane and Lily)'s fans.

[52][53] Sara Bibel stated that the character had proven to be a formidable potential love interest for Lily[40] and Jamey Giddens agreed describing Tyler as the more "palpable" threat to the couple compared Cane's sketchy past.

[54] However, majority of Soaps In Depth readers disagreed; according to a poll in the February 25, 2013 issue, 65% of fans said that Tyler would not be able to come between Cane and Lily.

[55][56][57] Soaps In Depth described Lily and Tyler getting stuck in the elevator as unrealistic because neither used a cellphone and said the scene "came across as very unnatural to the viewer!

[59] Sara Bibel later commented that Tyler and Leslie's visit with a falsely accused and incarcerated Gus was one of the highlights during the week of Y&R's anniversary.