The Young and the Restless (YR) Poll: Should Ashley Abbott Be Recast, or Written Out?

Eileen Davidson’s (Ashley) unexpected voluntary departure from the cast of ‘The Young and the Restless’ instantly raises various questions. One of them relates to our poll. Will the Ashley character be recast, or somehow written out of the show?

Advanced filming schedules allow soap operas to digitally record an episode approximately six weeks in advance. So, if Davidson’s actual departure date is this week it’s possible that Ashley will likely be going away sometime in August. If Davidson is staying through whatever portion of her contract is left, then her version of Ashley could still be seen until this fall.

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At the moment Ashley is an executive at Newman Enterprises. She made that unexpected job-jump after yet another fallout with Jack (Peter Bergman). However, even after Dina (Marla Adams) divulged what is turning into what may be the Phillip Chancellor (Donnelly Rhodes) goose chase Ashley didn’t return. Jack’s absence didn’t produce her return, which was interesting.

Davidson is a strong actor, who has worked extended Y&R runs and has held a cast place on ‘Days of our Lives’. Her Days’ character, Kristen DiMera, is vastly different then Ashley Abbott. Work in both roles has garnered two Daytime Emmy Awards in the lead actress in a drama series category. Davidson was honored for her work on Days in 2014, and received her second Emmy this year for recent Y&R efforts.

The loss of this important actor doesn’t necessarily mean that Ashley is leaving for awhile, or forever. If recast, a new Ashley could take over shortly, or in the near future. As seasoned viewers recall, two other actors (Brenda Epperson, 1998-1995, and Shari Shattuck, 1996-1999) have played Ashley in the past.

It would seem unlikely that Y&R would kill Ashley off. There might not be time to prepare that type of arc and it may not fit with other storyline plans.

Davidson could always reprise this role as she has at various points in time. With whatever the decision-makers at Y&R decide, hopefully Ashley is given a proper sendoff in what may not be a long goodbye, if a farewell is written.

Fans of ‘The Young and the Restless’ rightfully express their opinions on a regular basis. So, will Ashley be recast, written out, or experience some other type of outcome now that Eileen Davidson is leaving the show? Please vote in our poll below!

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