Recasts are a common occurrence in the soap opera world, with some characters getting new faces more often than a change of clothes. But it seems Days of our Lives may be having a bit of trouble replacing Kate Mansi in the role of Abigail Deveraux.
As previously reported, the NBC drama put out a casting call around the time Mansi announced her intention to leave the role she's played since 2011, and it sounded a lot like her alter ego. The notice called for a 24- to 28-year-old to play the part of Val, "a gorgeous young professional" who has "already experienced great love and great loss in her young life, which has left her strong spirit with a fragility she passionately protects." In addition, Val "has a determination to live and love as fearlessly as she can in the wake of all she has been through."
The soap has been considering only "very, very strong actors" for the role, which they've been trying to fill since December. And now, Soap Opera Digest is reporting DAYS once again put out the casting notice, leaving many viewers wondering why the show is having such a hard time finding the perfect someone for the role, which the notice says begins taping at the end of April.
Rumors have swirled that perhaps Rebecca Herbst, who's recently been in contract negotiations with General Hospital over her long-running role as Elizabeth Webber, might replace Mansi, though there are not insider whispers that Hersbt will stay put at GH. Meanwhile, many fans are taking to social media to suggest One Life to Live alum Brittany Underwood (ex-Langston Wilde) as a good replacement for the part.
The new casting call for Abby reveals, "She comes from a loving home, despite her father's lack of consistency in her life. Abigail looks innocent and young but can often seems more mature in essence than her 26 years because of the difficulties she's experienced. She's made plenty of mistakes in her life, but she tries to learn from them and has compassion for others. She's fiercely loyal and protective of her family, and she has a spark and youthful joy that endears her to everyone she meets."
Who do you think would make a good replacement for Mansi in the role of Abigail? 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.
