The soon-to-be-history As the World Turns may be one of the least-watched soap operas in daytime TV but it’s looking to go out with a bang: Sources confirm to EW exclusively that the CBS sudser is in serious talks with Julianne Moore (A Single Man) to reprise her role (roles?) as Frannie and Sabrina Hughes. The Oscar-nominated actress got her start on ATWT in 1985 by playing the half-sisters - a depiction that earned her a Daytime Emmy in 1988, the year she left the show.

It’s unclear how Moore will be woven into the final episodes of the drama, which will end its 54-year-run in September, but it’s not expected to be a significant appearance. CBS declined to comment.

ATWT helped launch the film careers of many young actors. Meg Ryan played heroine Betsy Stewart Montgomery Andropoulos in the early ’80s, while Marisa Tomei moved to Oakdale in 1983 to depict teenager Marcy Thompson (she left in 1985). Other actors who did stints on ATWT include Parker Posey (Tess Shelby, 1991-92), Amy Ryan (1990), Dana Delany (1981), Lauryn Hill (1991), Emmy Rossum (1999), Martin Sheen (Jack Davis, 1965-1970), and the late John Spencer (1988).

As for Moore, the actress has made it clear that she wants to do more work on the small screen: she’s been fielding offers this development season after turning heads as Jack’s Boston gal pal on 30 Rock. Sadly, she turned down one of the higher-profile roles for a woman this fall – NBC’s remake of Prime Suspect. The network has since temporarily shelved the project until it can find the right leading lady.

ATWT was created in 1956 as a sister show to Guiding Light, which CBS canceled last year.

UPDATE: A spokeswoman for Moore confirmed that the actress will appear on an upcoming episode of the soap. She could tape as early as Wednesday.

Fans of The Young and the Restless who’ve been holding out hope that the smoldering Shemar Moore will reprise his role as the tempestuous Malcolm Winters are in for a rude awakening … the dude’s never coming back! But his character is: EW has learned exclusively that Darius McCrary – best known for playing Eddie Winslow on the long-running ABC sitcom Family Matters – has signed a multi-year deal to assume the role beginning Nov. 18.  His debut will air on Dec. 29.

“We are thrilled to have the character of Malcolm back on Y&R,” according to a statement from Maria Bell, the drama’s co-executive producer/head writer. “Malcolm, Neil Winters’ brother, has always been a catalyst to exciting stories. He’s coming back to town to see his brother and to reunite with his biological daughter, Lily Winters, as she fights for her life. Malcolm is a photographer…someone who lives on the edge and who always pushes the envelope.”

Though he left the sudser  in 2005 to co-star in CBS’ Criminal Minds, Moore once entertained the thought of briefly returning to the show that made him a star. His reps could not be reached for comment, but it seems obvious that Moore’s busy schedule (Minds is about to air its 100th episode) — combined with the fact that Bell wanted the Malcolm character back full-time – made it impossible for Moore to return (one insider even said that Moore has been approached before about coming back to the show but it was clear that it wouldn’t work out because of his commitment to Minds).

McCrary will find a familiar face on the Y&R set; the Emmy-winning Bryton James (Devon) used to co-star as Richie Crawford on Family Matters, as well.

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