After nearly five years of soapy love triangles, Kim Matula (Hope Logan) has opted to exit The Bold and the Beautiful. The announcement was made on Matula's Instagram account, and later confirmed on the show's official Twitter feed.
"What can I say about today? I can officially confirm that I filmed my last scenes at The Bold and The Beautiful. For now," Matula wrote. "It was a day full of love and laughter and reminiscing about the past 5 years. I made the incredibly difficult decision not to re-sign my contract so that I could spread my wings as an actor and see what this big, beautiful world has to offer. But I can never put into words just how amazing and inspiring this show has been. What a huge part of my life."
"We wish #KimMatula the best as she moves on to other opportunities," the post read. "We love Kim & she will always be a part of the #BoldandBeautiful family."
It was business as usual just hours before the unheralded announcement as Matula appeared on CBS's The Talk to promote B&B's upcoming story with co-stars Darin Brooks (Wyatt Fuller), Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer), and Ashleigh Brewer (Ivy Forrester).
"Hey guys. It's true, Kim has elected not to renew her contract with B&B," Clifton shared on Twitter. "We're so sad to see her go, and yet thrilled to see her shine."
"Kimberly is a vibrant and talented young actress," B&B's executive producer and head writer, Bradley P. Bell, said in a statement upon her hiring in 2009. "I look forward to seeing her bring Hope to life."
A native of Forth Worth, Texas, Matula was the vice president of the thespian society in high school and moved to Los Angeles a mere ten months before to pursue her childhood dream of becoming an actress.
Matula first aired on B&B on January 11, 2010. She received a Daytime Emmy nomination earlier this year in the Outstanding Younger Actress category.
A show spokesperson notes that "[t]here are no plans to recast at this time."
"I do not see this as a 'goodbye' but more of a 'see you later," Matula added. "Thank you for giving me an unforgettable 5 years as Hope Logan and thank you to every single viewer who sat side by side with me on this journey. Cheers to the next adventure!!"
Matula will air for the last time on December 12.
What do you think of Matula's exit? Should B&B recast the role of Hope? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
