List of The Young and the Restless characters (2012)

Anita Lawson first appeared on February 7, 2012, as the mother of Chelsea Lawson (Melissa Claire Egan). Casting for the role was announced on January 6, 2012. She is portrayed by former ''The Dukes of Hazzard'' actress Catherine Bach on a recurring basis. ''Entertainment Weekly'' reported that Anita is "the scheming mother of Chelsea". The character of Anita first aired on February 7, 2012. She began taping for the role on January 9, 2012. The official site provided a teaser for Anita's storyline: "Bringing more drama to the already testy situation between Billy, Victoria and Chelsea's surprise pregnancy, Bach will play Anita and join her daughter on a quest to conspire against Billy Abbott."

Anita arrived in town searching for her daughter, Chelsea, to whom which she appeared to be extremely displeased finding out that she is pregnant with Billy Abbott's (Billy Miller) child. It is revealed later that she was brought to town by Victor Newman to town so that she could cause problems in Billy's marriage to his daughter Victoria Newman. Anita sees Jeffrey Bardwell at the local nightclub, Gloworm, and recognizes him, though he doesn't know her due to memory loss. She reveals to Chelsea she has found her father and that it is none other than Jeffrey, which is later confirmed by a DNA test. However, Jeffrey tells Chelsea that her father is his deceased twin brother, William Bardwell. Later on, Anita calls Jeffrey thanking him for the trip around the world; meaning he paid her to leave town until the paternity mess is over. During this phone call Anita reminds Jeffrey that they are still legally married. Four months later, Anita returned to Genoa City upon learning Chelsea is engaged to Adam Newman. Chelsea still firmly believed that Jeffrey was her father, so Anita revealed that the man she slept with had a heart shaped birthmark. Jeffrey's wife, Gloria Bardwell, then realized that Jeffrey was in fact Chelsea's father. Anita also tells Jeffrey that if he does not keep sending her checks, she will show their marriage certificate to Chelsea and Gloria. She ended up doing so, but Gloria ended up forgiving him and Chelsea began to accept Jeffrey as her father.

Nine months and one miscarriage later, Anita grilled Chelsea when she found out that Chelsea was pregnant by her now-ex-husband, Adam, but had told lowly bartender/carpenter Dylan that the baby was his. Anita was disappointed in Chelsea's choice when she could have used the baby to win back a rich man like Adam, warned her that everything will blow up in her face when Dylan finds out he was used, and suggested she get out of it before it was too late. Soon Dylan and Chelsea exchanged "I love you's" while Anita attempted to tell Adam that he was the father of Chelsea's baby. But knowing Anita only wanted him with Chelsea because he had more money than Dylan, Adam refused to let her talk.

Anita was not pleased to learn that Dylan and Chelsea were engaged. Dylan surprised Chelsea by inviting Jeff and Anita to their place for dinner. Both were visibly disappointed in the place, and Jeff insulted Dylan as not being able to take care of his daughter. But Anita surprised Chelsea saying that Dylan was a good guy, and everything would be all right. They discussed potential baby names of Scarlet, Emily, or Terry after Dylan's dad. After Jeff made some more judgmental comments, Dylan said that he was not Adam and glad of it, because Adam was smart enough to make millions but smart enough to make Chelsea happy.

Not long afterward, Chelsea went into labor, and Dylan suggested to Chelsea that they get married right away. When Chelsea's labor stopped, Dylan took her home to his loft which was decorated for a wedding. The invited guests Chloe, Jeffrey, Anita, and Stitch arrived, followed by Billy with a cake catered by his restaurant. After some quick alterations to Chelsea's wedding gown by Chloe, the minister arrived, heartfelt vows were exchanged, and they were married using Dylan's parent's wedding rings. During the ceremony Anita flirted with Stitch. Afterward, Chelsea again went into labor, and Dylan delivered Terrance "Conner" McAvoy.

Since then Anita has been seen in GC on numerous occasions. Her most memorable occasion being in October 2015, to help her on screen daughter Chelsea Newman, leave GC. Although the plot did not go through Anita had a handful of episodes revolving around the storyline. Anita also returns in 2016 to spend time with her daughter and grandson, Conner Anita returns in early 2018, after giving Nick Newman a flash drive, with a video recording from Chelsea explaining why she left, and confirming the paternity of Nicks son, Christian, who is revealed to be her ex husbands, and Nicks half brother, Adam Newman’s son.

Anita returns in mid 2019 when it is revealed that Adam Newman is alive. Provided by Wikipedia