“Days of Our Lives” fans have been forced to say goodbye to several characters as of late. The Peacock soap opera is cleaning house, and that means fewer Salemites. Sadly, two fan-favorite characters, Gabi Hernandez and Belle Black Brady, are the next to go.
Days of Our Lives Shocker: Gabi Hernandez is sent to prison
Earlier this year actress Camila Banus announced that she would be leaving “Days of Our Lives” after 13 years in the role of Gabi Hernandez. Viewers were very disappointed as they have grown to love the character of Gabi. However, the actress had bigger career and life dreams in mind.
“There’s definitely been a lot of changes at Days, the last couple of years, one being moving to Peacock. Although it’s been wonderful and we’ve had a super great reception, for me, I felt like that was kind of like the initial start for changes happening in general. And I kind of just saw that as a sign for me to start the next chapter in my life,” Banus told The Wrap of her decision to leave the sudser.
Banus went on to reveal that she tried to negotiate a more laid-back schedule with the show. However, “they didn’t go for it.” In addition, the soap star revealed that she and her husband were planning to have a family, which is another factor that played into her departure.
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As for Gabi’s big exit, she has been sent to prison for the murder of her former husband, Li Shin. Sadly, this isn’t the first prison stint for Gabi, who also served time for killing Nick Fallon.
Martha Madison exits DOOL as Belle Black Brady
As previously reported by Hollywood News Daily, Martha Madison announced her exit from “Days of Our Lives” in August. The actress admitted that she was unhappy with her character Belle Black Brady’s development. For Madison, Belle is an iconic legacy character. The only child of super couple John and Marlena. So, she was disappointed when her storylines didn’t reflect that.
“In my opinion, Belle was never meant to be a peripheral character. She is the only child of Marlena and John, and, after 19 years of coming and going from the show, it just finally clicked for me that they were never going to showcase the character the way I felt she should be,” Martha Madison told TV Insider. “So, I declined the opportunity to recur and shot that last episode in April. Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful to have played Belle for two decades, but I’m ready for more. It was just time to leave,” she added.
Belle leaves Salem amid marriage issues with her longtime love, Shawn Brady (Brandon Beemer). For his part, Shawn is also heading off the canvas to attend rehab for his alcohol abuse issues.
Will Gabi and Belle ever return to Salem?
“Days of Our Lives” fans know that anything can happen. Characters come back from the dead all the time. Since both Gabi and Belle are still very much alive, it would be easy for them to make comebacks down the road. In addition, recasts are also a possibility.
Fans are now hoping that they’ll see the two leading ladies again in the future. Of course, Camila Banus and Martha Madison will be sorely missed by viewers.
Image Credits: Chris Haston/NBC & Todd Williamson/Peacock, YouTube, YouTube, YouTube.
Kendra Quinn