Something doesn't add up for me because one minute she is ill and taking a few days off. Then, she presents a doctor's note and we also heard she got a role in a film and requested to leave and they granted it. I just feel like there may be more going on then is being reported or that we know of.

You know there is LOL. Even her note that was passed around on the boards was just as evasive. There is another story to be told.

I think folks forgot how very young Ashley is. She only just turned 17 in December [Jason47 12/18/89- Ashley Benson (Abigail)...turns 18 this year]. The way I remember things, girls of that age did not go out with guys in their 20's at all. It was an unspoken rule. She would need a few more years to have a romance with the worldly Max (whom I never saw the appeal of). Hopefully that pairing is on hold until Abby grows up. Frankly, I think the writers wrote themselves into a bind here and Ashley wisely decided to take her career into her own hands. I hope she has a part suitable for her age and helps her along her way to a great career.

Darin is 5 years older than Ashley. Max is only, like 3 years older than Abby. It's not that big of a deal

We could get a WORSE actress, but Benson's been given her chance, and IMO, she's hasn't prove herself to be a great actress worthy of my mourning this exit.

Ugh.

This is most unhappy news. There is no one better for Abby than AB.

Why Buddah,why?

This is kind of sad, but not like "NOO!!!! HOW CAN DAYS GO ON?!" sad. She hasn't been with the show that long, she's never really been front burner...I think her shoes are fairly easy to fill.

This is awful news!!

I can understand her reasons for wanting to depart. Days never gave her a really good storyline! However, things were beginning to take an upturn, and she was becoming more on centre-stage. I really am confident Hogan had a storyline set for her and Max. Maybe it would've helped it the story had picked up pace quicker!

I hope Ashley has found something WAY better cuz otherwise, I think she's thrown away a lot by deciding to depart.

With the news that Days might not make it past 2009, you really can't blame the younger set looking for other jobs. If something good comes along, they may as well take it since they know their job is precarious at best. I hope we don't lose some of the others, but Rachel and Darin might not be far behind.

I had a brainchild. Not usually accurate but fun to think about. They had Emily on tap easily enough it seems. She is 23. It occurred to me that she may have been on tap as a Mimi replacement. If so and Abby is sent off to school, then Max could call Mimi and she would come back to Salem as played by Emily LOL. Then the summer university mystery could be Max and Mimi and Nick and Chelsea so that won't have to be rewritten very much.

Edited March 22, 200718 yr by DaysFanJean

Sucks to see her go, since she's been there for awhile. Days could use this as an opportunity to find someone who kicks ass, someone they can pimp as a new star or something. Benson is pretty and talented, but she wouldn't have worked out as that, imho.

I hope they dont get rid of Max he's a good actor.

Ashley's been on contract with the show since summer 05. Before then, she and Mandy Musgrave (ex-Chelsea) were on recurring. She stayed on recurring when Rachel Melvin took over the role as well.

Thanks for clearing that up, Drew. If anyone knew, I figured it'd be you. My condolences.

Ashley has been on contract since her debut. She's been credited as part of the contract cast by NBC since she joined Days in November 2004. If she hadn't signed a contract until summer of 2005, then her name would appear after Rachel Melvin and Darin Brooks, but it appears before them.

That's weird Jason because I remember the mags reporting her upgrade to contact status in summer 2005 as well. I don't know what to think

not surprised.they never really used her and developed her character.

as for Darin and HS "love" for him and the character - he also LOOOOVES abe&Lexie,and we all saw how *that* turned out.I dont see Max staying on the show for too long,and I'm not exacly sad because of it.

not surprised.they never really used her and developed her character.

as for Darin and HS "love" for him and the character - he also LOOOOVES abe&Lexie,and we all saw how *that* turned out.I dont see Max staying on the show for too long,and I'm not exacly sad because of it.

And Hogan's love for Abe and Lexie could still be evident WHEN Renee Jones returns. I say when and not if.

Plus Max is in a different boat than Abe and Lexie. Darin Brooks is a young talented actor. And since Hogan's been accused of favoring the younger characters, that would make sense for him to write story for Max, rather than Abe and Lexie.