'Days of Our Lives' Cast News: Kate Mansi Exit CONFIRMED, Actress Leaving Role Of Abigail Deveraux, Will Character Be Killed Off? [PHOTO]
After numerous reports surfaced hinting that Kate Mansi was planning on vacating her role as Abigail Deveraux on Days of Our Lives due to contract issues, it has been confirmed that she has indeed left the soap opera and already finished taping her scenes.
Kate Mansi Leaving 'Days of Our Lives' Because Of Contract Issues?
According to Serial Scoop, Mansi did leave the role behind and finished taping her episodes already, but is expected to still appear on the soap through at least May since it tapes six months in advance.
No official reason has been given as to why Mansi left, though it was initially reported in November that she was considering opting out of renewing her contract with the show, which was up in December. However, there were no confirmations that she was the actor considering that possibility.
Is 'Days of Our Lives' Looking To Recast Abigail?
There were also reports of a potential recast for Abigail a few days later, when a new contract role of "Val," described as a "gorgeous, 25-year-old Caucasian female who is described as 'Passionate, intelligent and sensitive," was put out for the show. That call began speculation that Val was a code name for an Abigail recast so that news of Mansi's departure would stay quiet until she confirmed it for herself, a move that Days has used in the past.
However, rumors have surfaced recently that a major character would be killed off the soap in 2016 in a shocking murder mystery, though there has been no confirmation as to which character it would be. The rumors have suggested that Joseph Mascolo, who portrays Stefano DiMera, was forced into retirement and may be the victim. However, with news of Mansi's departure, it could be possible that Abigail will be a murder victim.
Because the news has not been openly confirmed by anyone at Days or by Mansi herself yet, it is unclear what Mansi's departure will mean for her character's future with Chad (Billy Flynn), one of the soap's more popular romance storylines, and currently a front burner story.
Days of Our Lives airs Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. on NBC.
