Kristian Alfonso Reveals Why She’s Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES
As soon as the news broke, fans wondered, “Why is Kristian Alfonso leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES?” The actress shared the unexpected announcement of her decision to exit the soap back at the beginning of July and in an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, has finally revealed the reason behind her decision.
Alfonso has called DAYS home for almost four decades, having joined the soap in 1983, but realized the time was right to step away when executive producer Ken Corday informed her they were going to write her character of Hope off the show for four to five months. Although a new storyline was promised upon her return, the actress decided to take advantage of this moment. “I thought to myself, you know what, it’s time for a change,” she said in the interview. “I was taken aback when he said that they wanted to take me off-camera for four to five months.
“It was not something that had ever been discussed, but that’s what it was,” Alfonso continued, “and to come back in five to six months, or four to five months — whatever that time frame was — I just thought, you know what? It’s time to really write a new chapter. I have had an incredible run there. I cannot say enough how I’ll miss so many people working there and working with them, but like I said, I think it’s time.”
DAYS had been taping episodes so far ahead that even though production has been shut down since March due to the COIVD-19 pandemic, NBC has still been able to air brand-new episodes all summer while other soaps have been forced to show reruns. But Alfonso’s decision to exit means she won’t be returning with the rest of the cast and crew in September to resume filming. “In the storyline, I still have scripts that were supposed to be shot,” she revealed. “Of course, everything is being probably rewritten because of COVID and guidelines that they have to adhere to. But that was not supposed to be the end.”
It remains to be seen exactly how DAYS will write Hope off the canvas, though Alfonso added that she was told they wouldn’t recast. She also insisted that unlike other stars, she will not be returning for guest appearances and short runs — this is it. “I tell my children all the time, if you feel it’s time for a change then it must be and take that leap of faith and believe in yourself,” she declared. “I don’t know if I will continue in this business, but possibly. I have been getting calls and some interest on some projects, so we’ll see.”
Please join us in wishing Alfonso the best of luck in the next phase of her career, and naturally, keep checking back to SoapsInDepth.com as we’ll keep you updated on whatever she does next!
