Simpson-Wentz axed from Melrose
Actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, 25, has been dropped from Melrose Place.
Simpson-Wentz and co-star Colin Egglesfield were written out of the long-running CW network drama about the residents of a Hollywood apartment block.
Simpson-Wentz, who played Violet Foster, stated: "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 CW and the entire cast and crew of Melrose Place for allowing me this opportunity."
Melrose executive producer Todd Slavkin told an entertainment magazine: "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."
Slavkin added that Simpson-Wentz and Egglesfield took the news "like professionals".
Meanwhile, co-executive producer Darren Swimmer revealed Heather Locklear's character will have a new love interest for at least three episodes. He said of the star, who has returned to show that made her name: "[Locklear is] in every episode moving forward. She's a major focus."
Source: Splash News
