Tucker McCall is a fictional character from The Young and the Restless, an American soap opera on the CBS network. Introduced by former head writer Maria Arena Bell, the character debuted during the episode airing on December 2, 2009, portrayed by William Russ. The character was slated to be a new businessman and billionaire, leading to speculation that Tucker would become a replacement character for icon Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), as Braeden's future with the series was in jeopardy at the time. However, Tucker ended up being a new character who would be revealed as Katherine Chancellor's (Jeanne Cooper) long lost son. Russ was let go shortly after his debut because producers wanted to take the character in a different direction, resulting in the hiring of Stephen Nichols as his replacement.

The character then became involved with Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson) and the two were later married; their union ended after a year due to Tucker's adultery. In 2011, it was revealed that Tucker was the previously unknown father of Devon Hamilton (Bryton James), which also revealed a long ago affair with Yolanda Hamilton (Debbi Morgan); a plot that was met with positive reviews. While several television critics were surprised by the decision to replace Russ with Nichols, the actor was well received throughout his run. In December 2012, it was announced that Nichols had been let go from the soap opera; he made his final appearance on January 29, 2013. In September 2022, Trevor St. John assumed the role of Tucker.

In October 2009, it was announced that William Russ would be joining the cast of The Young and the Restless as Tucker McCall, a billionaire.^[1][2] Initially, Russ' casting was questioned by the press due to the lack of information on the character and the unsuccessful contract negotiations between Sony Pictures Television and Eric Braeden, who portrays icon businessman Victor Newman. Speculation arose that the producers were attempting to recast Victor or looking for a character to replace him, but Tucker ended up being a completely new character. Russ made his debut on December 2, 2009.^[3] Weeks after his debut, it was announced that Russ had been replaced by soap opera veteran Stephen Nichols. Former executive producer and head writer Maria Arena Bell released a statement concerning the casting switch, saying that Russ is a "talented actor" and they "enjoyed working with him", but they had decided to take the character in a "different direction".^[4][5] Bell and co-executive producer Paul Rauch stated that Nichols brought many "complexities, a strength, sexuality, and drama to this character".^[6] Afterward, Nelson Branco of TV Guide revealed that former vice president of CBS Daytime, Barbara Bloom, wanted Nichols for the role from the start. Nichols made his debut on January 27, 2010.^[7] In December 2012, it was announced that Nichols had been let go from the soap opera and had taped his final scenes. He made his final appearance on January 29, 2013.^[8][9] In May, following the death of Jeanne Cooper, several sources reported that the soap opera planned to recast the role,^[10] however, the producers decided against an immediate recast and believed it would be too much of a distraction.^[11]

In August 2022, it was reported former One Life to Live actor, Trevor St. John, was cast in an unknown role.^[12] One month later, it was reported St. John would be playing a recast Tucker; debuting on September 28, 2022.^[13]

The soap opera's official website describes the character as the "powerful millionaire-tycoon with a secret agenda to take everything from his long-lost mother Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper)."^[14] Nichols describes Tucker as "a self-made success, a regular guy who can tend bar and shoot pool and talk shit with anybody. He's very unassuming in many ways."^[15] Nichols stated that he doesn't consider Tucker a villain, but considers him a "player".^[6] Following the reveal that Katherine was Tucker's long lost mother, Nichols was asked if Tucker has abandonment issues, to which he stated: "He has all that stuff, but he has found a way to create a very strong armor. He doesn’t let it break very often. He does not let anyone see his true feelings, and I think the reason he is such a player is, and it’s my take on it now, is that it’s for that very reason. He does not want to get close to anyone. He does not want to get hurt." In a separate interview, the actor stated: "Family and Katherine in particular means more to Tucker than he is willing to admit and his feelings for Katherine are sneaking up on him."^[16] He also described the character as "very, very cool, and "full of a lot of fire and a lot of surprises".^[6]

The character's main love interest throughout his duration on the soap opera was Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), whom he married in 2011. Nichols had previously stated in an interview that he thought Tucker would "definitely 'team up' when he finds the right woman".^[17] Davidson stated in an interview that the pair will "have their ups and downs, but they're definitely in each other's lives."^[18] In September 2011, it is revealed that Tucker is the biological father of Devon Hamilton (Bryton James), the result of a long-ago affair with Harmony Hamilton (Debbi Morgan). When asked of Tucker's reaction to the news, Morgan stated: "It's revealed that Devon was the result of a one-night stand between Harmony and Tucker. That night meant the world to her—Tucker was the love of her life—but it meant so little to him that he doesn't even recognize Harmony when they meet again. Not a clue! It's like a dagger through her heart."^[19] James said he was "overjoyed" at the revelation, stating: "There's so much they can do with this story. The relationship between Tucker and Devon—my character allowing that relationship to grow. How it affects Neil. And there's a plethora of possibilities that can come from his relationship with Mrs. Chancellor. I'm sure that relationship will develop just as it will with Devon and Tucker. And then, there's Devon's mother, Harmony, who is back."^[20] Tucker and Ashley's marriage ended the following year, after he cheated on her with Harmony. Following their divorce, Nichols stated in an interview with Xfinity that Tucker would "have to find a new woman" as he "can't be without female companionship".^[21]

Roger Newcomb and Matt Richenthal, writing for websites We Love Soaps and TV Fanatic respectively, both described the decision to replace Russ with Nichols as surprising.^[23][24] Allison Waldman of AOL TV said the recast was "bad news", as Russ was "doing just fine as Tucker McCall, new billionaire in Genoa City". However, she also wrote that the role would be "better suited" for Nichols with Tucker becoming more of a "romantic figure".^[25] Tara Blake of TVSource speculated that the character would be tied to a "major Genoa City player" and that was the reason for the recast.^[26] Gwen Morrett of About.com said that Nichols joining The Young and the Restless was "truly their gain" from Days of Our Lives (where the actor had previously portrayed Steve Johnson).^[27] Upon Nichols' debut, Megan Lynn of SoapNet wrote: "Stephen certainly has soap experience — he's previously played Steve Johnson on Days of our Lives and Stefan Cassadine on General Hospital, but then again – we were kind of warming up to William."^[28] Michael Fairman of On-Air On-Soaps wrote of the decision to hire Nichols onto the series: "This week, daytime fans get one of their wishes, to see Stephen Nichols back on daytime. From his role as Stefan on GH to Patch on DAYS, you know that Stephen Nichols is going to play Tucker for all he is worth, and then some."^[6] In August 2010, Tommy Garrett of Canyon News wrote of Nichols' portrayal, saying: "Now going into the 21st century, Stephen has reinvented another part of himself and inhabits Genoa City as the town’s newest and most handsome billionaire on CBS’s number-one daytime drama The Young and the Restless."^[16]

Nekeeta Borden of Zap2it was favorable of the early pairing of Tucker and Ashley, giving them an "honorable mention" on a list of "curiously quirky couplings".^[29] Candace Young of the website She Knows Soaps wrote that, "Ashley and Tucker have been interesting as a power couple, if you will, in business and the corporate world."^[18] In January 2011, Garrett awarded Nichols a "Leading Men Gold Standard" and praised his portrayal that week, writing: "Stephen Nichols as Tucker was all over the place this week. Initially Tucker decided to back the recording label of Devon Winters and Noah Newman. Nichols played a man who wanted to help two young men break into the music industry. However, the shocking news that Cane and Sofia have been lying to Tucker and allowing a conman to swindle Tucker’s company was destined to be revealed. Although the climax came at the end of the week, the intensity in which Stephen Nichols played the revelation was exciting to say the least. Fans know that next week Tucker McCall’s going to cause heads to roll."^[30] Jae Jones of Yahoo! praised the storyline revealing Tucker as Devon's father as it gave the soap opera's matriarch, Katherine, a biracial grandson. She wrote: "What seems to make the story line even more interesting is the fact that she has a biracial grandson. Who would have ever thought the show could catch up with the current times? There are not too many daytime soaps left for housewives and house husbands to enjoy, but those who watch this show are always in for a special treat each afternoon."^[31] They later named the storyline the "best reveal" of 2011.^[22]

In May 2012, when speculation arose that a male star would be exiting the soap opera, Sara Bibel of Xfinity wrote that it could be Tucker, saying: "Who despite being played by one of daytime’s most popular actor's [sic] has never really gelled with the audience. His recent one night stand with Harmony leaves him hated by pretty much everyone in Genoa City."^[32] Of the possible pairing between Tucker and Sharon Newman (Sharon Case), Luke Kerr (also of Zap2it) wrote: "Billionaire Tucker McCall (Stephen Nichols) is the latest white knight to ride in and save Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) from herself on The Young and the Restless. Granted, Genoa City's answer to Sir Richard Branson has ulterior motives, but there's no denying the two share at least a little chemistry."^[33] During a storyline in which Tucker attempted to take over Newman Enterprises, Jamey Giddens (also of Zap2it) wrote, "You know, I'm starting to dig ol' Tucker."^[34] When Nichols was let go from the soap opera, Giddens wrote, "Daytime television's answer to Richard Branson is no more."^[8] Bibel wrote: "The billionaire who turned out to be Katherine’s long lost son and Devon’s father suffered from inconsistent writing throughout his three year tenure on the show."^[35]