The Young and the Restless spoilers documented the strongly written storyline that killed off Hilary (Mishael Morgan) and put Lily’s (Christel Khalil) future in peril. After Khalil’s recent social media message to her fans, it’s fair to wonder if Y&R pushed the longtime cast member to recurring status, or if this shift represents her choice?
Khalil advised that she had opted to become a part-time player in Genoa City. Recurring status means that an actor is still part of the cast, but no longer works major storylines on a regular basis. Other actors, including Lauralee Bell (Christine), Judith Chapman (Gloria), Kate Linder (Esther), and Jess Walton (Jill) also occupy said status.
Soap operas continue to generate major dollars for the broadcast networks that millions of devoted daytime fans watch. However, the serialized dramas continue to compete in an ever expanding media market. Cost factors are closely watched by involved production companies, which has translated into cast reductions, salary cuts, and switches to recurring status, which enables well-known faces to be retained at less expensive overall rates.
It’s plausible to believe that Khalil was given the option of taking a lower salary to continue her full-time work and declined. Her agent could have simply been told that she was being dropped to recurring status as well.
Khalil may also have requested the drop, as she’s been a part of the show since 2002. Soap schedules do create burnout due to the extensive time commitments that are required.
Due to what’s been learned and that Khalil mentioned her ability to continue playing Lily in the future, a recast does not appear to be in the works. So, Mrs. Ashby is therefore almost certain to be sentenced to prison for the part she played in Hilary’s death and that of the boy, or girl who would have been Hevon’s first child.
Resultant drama in coming weeks will surely center upon the Ashby family’s crisis in losing Lily, Devon’s (Bryton James) cold-heartedness in wanting to see his sister go to jail, and through Neil’s (Kristoff St. John) efforts to help his family deal with it all.
Khalil was nominated four times for Daytime Emmy Awards. She captured the trophy as Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series during her fourth try in 2012.
Khalil has long been a solid actor, whose best work includes Lily’s response to Kevin’s (Greg Rikaart) illegal pursuit of her, a memorable California run-away with Daniel (Michael Graziadei), the tragic loss of her mother, Drucilla (Victoria Rowell), Lily’s victory over cancer, and many of the issues that Lane, Lily and Cane (Daniel Goddard), overcame, including the acceptance of Juliet’s (Laur Allen) baby, Sam.
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