14 DAY TRIAL // Heather Locklear, the original “shrew” of “Melrose Place,” has returned to the CW reimagined drama series, as we also reported a while back. While it’s good to see Amanda doing her thing again, fans will have to get used to the idea that other characters will leave in the upcoming episodes: two to be more precise, those played by Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Colin Egglesfield, People reports.
Apparently, it was written in the story from the very start to have the couple move on to greener pastures, as they say. Violet will soon no longer be a part of the “Melrose place” cast, Entertainment Weekly has learned, but it’s not because the CW drama is taking a hit in ratings that has prompted this course of action. On the contrary, Ashlee’s character was never meant to be more than just a starring role, it has been revealed. The network, though, is yet to confirm ongoing reports about the departure.
“The actress and her costar Colin Egglesfield have been cut from the CW drama, Entertainment Weekly reports. The decision to cut the two actors has been ‘the original plan going into the development of the show,’ executive producer Todd Slavkin tells EW. ‘We felt that once the murder mystery [involving their characters] was resolved, the tone of the show was going to shift… and [Simpson-Wentz’s] character would move on.’” People writes.
Ashlee has already confirmed the above, saying that getting her chance to play such a twisted, deeply troubled and troubling character was all she ever wanted. It’s perhaps because of this that she took the news of her run coming to an end so easily, insiders say. Both Simpson and Egglesfield acted very professionally when they were told they would soon have to leave the show, which showed they had already taken this possibility into account and must have been expecting it, sources on the set of the show say for EW.
“Having the chance to play Violet on Melrose Place has been a thrill. Although I always knew her story would come to a final, insanely unpredictable end, playing a creepy, unstable character was something I always wanted to do, so I jumped at the chance. Thanks to the CW and the entire cast and crew of Melrose Place for allowing me this opportunity.” Ashlee Simpson-Wentz says in a press statement as regards her imminent departure from the show.