Stunning Soap Opera Character Exits Of 2022
Published on November 23, 2022.Daytime drama gives, and then it takes away. As much as it stings when our favorite soap steals a character away from us – oftentimes with little notice – it’s one of the many reasons we tune in each day! Covering The Young and the Restless (Y&R), Bold and the Beautiful (B&B) Days Of Our Lives (DOOL) and General Hospital (GH), these are the character exits that rocked us in 2022.
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11. Britt Westbourne – GH
When actress Kelly Thiebaud’s departure from GH was announced months ago, viewers assumed that her character’s exit would be open-ended (much like previous times Thiebaud had stepped away from the show). However, as Britt Westbourne’s stubborn cough developed, and concerns about her Huntington’s Disease were confirmed, the possibility emerged that this time might be different. She’s in the early stages, but could Britt leave Port Charles for good this time?
©Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
10. Ashland Locke – Y&R
The characterization of Ashland Locke changed dramatically after Richard Burgi was fired and Robert Newman was recast. Throughout Burgi’s somewhat robotic tenure in the role, it felt like Y&R wasn’t sure what to do with him. But when Newman took over, Ashland became a boisterous, emotional mess, who craved both control of Newman Enterprises as well as the woman he was betraying to get it! Nobody expected Locke to live forever but his demise, after one punch from Nick Newman, caught viewers off guard.
© Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
9. Ciara Brady – DOOL
When Ciara departed Salem in July, it felt like the closing of a chapter for the character. Actress Victoria Konefal had been vocal in the press about wishing to step away from the role and seek other opportunities. So, once Ciara and Ben’s baby was born – and all of that Devil nonsense was finished – they sailed off to enjoy their happily ever after. But will Konefal return to the role? It’s already been confirmed!
© XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
8. Brando Corbin – GH
Poor Brando… During his brief time in Port Charles, he was shot defending Carly Corinthos, beat up by Cyrus Renault’s thugs and lost his newborn child with Sasha. Finally, after watching his wife spiral, he lost his life thanks to the hook slasher. On second thought, all of this happened in less than two years, so maybe viewers shouldn’t have been surprised when Brando perished!
© Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
7. Ben Weston – DOOL
Although DOOL viewers were well aware of Victoria Konefal’s wishes, they didn’t expect Robert Scott Wilson to also leave the show. So when Ben Weston left town with Ciara to begin their new life together, it may have been the perfect ending to their tumultuous relationship, but it surprised viewers. Luckily, Wilson took a quick detour through wardrobe and debuted as Alex Kiriakis weeks later.
© XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
6. Amanda Sinclair – Y&R
Mere weeks after Mishael Morgan had won a Daytime Emmy award for her portrayal of Amanda Sinclair, Y&R removed her name from the show’s credits. After several months of speculation about her future with the soap, Morgan revealed that she had decided to step away to pursue other opportunities. While viewers got to see Amanda return to the canvas for a quick (and memorable) update, they were let down to lose such a quality actress – again!
© Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
5. Peter August – GH
It wasn’t the fact that Peter August passed away that stunned viewers, but rather the permanent way GH axed this character. Audiences had been begging for August to take a one-way trip out of Port Charles, but somehow the divisive character survived every close call. Finally, he was mortally wounded by Felicia, and laid to rest by Anna. Viewers were relieved to get an on-screen demise, in this case!
© Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
4. Sal Stowers – DOOL
Just when all of the pieces of the Price family were finally together – with Paulina and Chanel now beloved characters – Lani Price departed Salem for good. She had taken the life of her deranged bio dad, TR Coates, and tragically confessed that it was murder. Despite friends and family begging her not to turn herself in, Lani went to prison. Normally, this exit could be a temporary pause on Lani’s story, but actress Sal Stowers wanted to pursue other opportunities.
© XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
3. Rey Rosales – Y&R
The sudden passing of Rey Rosales stunned Y&R viewers on several levels. For one thing, actor Jordi Vilasuso had just signed a fresh contract to remain on the soap. Secondly, Rey’s passing occurred as a footnote within Victoria and Ashland’s storyline, when all three cars were involved in an accident during foggy weather. It seemed unfair that Ashland – who everyone in Genoa City wanted to disappear – escaped with mild injuries, while good-guy Rey perished.
© Howard Wise/jpistudios.com
2. Marci Miller – DOOL
The most stunning character exit on DOOL this year occurred when Abigail Deveraux was slain by Clyde Weston. Recast Marci Miller had worked hard to replace Kate Mansi in the role over the past five years, and that effort had really paid off. So, even though rumors circulated prior to Miller’s exit, Abigail’s murder was still an enormous shock.
© John Paschal/jpistudios.com
1. Quinn Fuller – B&B
No character exit was as sudden and unfulfilling as Quinn Fuller’s exit from B&B. After months of waiting for her character to land a storyline, actress Rena Sofer received a phone call from the soap asking her to drop down to recurring status while they tried to figure out what to do with Quinn. Sofer opted to leave instead, and her last scene didn’t even address her exit. Viewers felt that after nine years as a favorite on B&B, Sofer deserved much better.
© Howard Wise/jpistudios.com