CBS says lawsuit by ex-'The Young and the Restless' star over casting of blacks is meritless

CBS says a lawsuit filed by a black former soap opera actress accusing it of retaliating against her for advocating the casting of more black actors is meritless.

CBS said Tuesday it's disappointed to learn Victoria Rowell tried to rewrite history after leaving "The Young and the Restless" on her own initiative.

Rowell's lawsuit was filed last week in New York City. It asks the court to force the show to rehire her or consider her for a part.

CBS says it carries no ill will against her but plans to "vigorously defend this case."

The 55-year-old Rowell was a star of the soap opera for 17 years, playing Drucilla Winters. She says more black characters were added to the show over time but were treated as second-class citizens.