CASTING NEWS: Nate's All Grown Up!

Nate Hastings is returning to Genoa City -- and he's all grown up. Newcomer Walter Fauntleroy has been cast in the part, and the character will be much older than when Nate was last seen on-screen more than seven years ago.

Fauntleroy has never before appeared on daytime, but he's made several guest spots in primetime. Moviegoers may recognize him from a role in the horror flick, The Mist.

Nathan Oliver Hastings was born on-screen in 1992. The character was last spotted on-screen in February 2003 when the role was played by Bryant Jones.

Though the show has not revealed any details of Nate's storyline -- nor has the show confirmed that Nate is even returning -- there are rumblings that Nate will be involved in a medical mystery storyline.

Fauntleroy is first expected to air on February 7.