Will to be recast... *UPDATE* The character has already been recast, and will start filming immediately! Fear of advitisers backing out of a gay couple are no longer part of the show = PROGRESS!
Exclusive: US soap star Chandler Massey done with gay role on Days of Our Lives
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Two-time Emmy winner wraps three months early, show will recast role of Will Horton
Chandler Massey officially finished with the role of Will Horton on NBC's Days of Our Lives today (23 August).
The 22-year-old actor tells Gay Star News that NBC has agreed to let him out of his four-year contract more than three months early so he can focus on school and pursue some other acting opportunities.
The role of Will is going to be recast, Massey said. He will continue to appear in episodes of the show through the end of December because it is filmed several months ahead.
'I'm done. It's bittersweet,' said Massey who won his second Emmy for the role in June. 'These four years have been so amazing I've built a family here. I'm so grateful to NBC and everyone for these amazing four years It's been my privilege and honor to work there.'
The actor added:'I'm appreciative for Days and NBC for letting me out of my contract early so I can go and pursue these opportunities that I have not been able to pursue before.'
It was after his second Emmy win that Massey first indicated that he would not be staying on the show beyond his current four-year contract which ended in December 2013.
Days of Our Lives producers had initially said the role would not be recast. But the coupling of Will Horton and Sonny Kirakis (Freddie Smith) has proven popular with fans and managed to avoid backlash from advertisers.
'I think it's a good move (to recast),' Massey said.'I'm biased because I fell in love with Will and Sonny and I want Will and Sonny to be together.'
The character of Will had a dramatic coming out story that saw him learn to accept himself then come out to his family and then to the entire small town of Salem where the show is set.
Will then fell in love with Sonny but early on, the couple had to weather the fact that Will's ex-girlfriend, Gabi, had become pregnant with his child. In current episodes, Will, Sonny and Gabi are sharing an apartment and raising the child together.
Massey said he is thankful to the show's fans for making Will and Sonny such a popular pair.
'We would not have a show without them and it is their love and support that keeps us afloat,' he said. 'I feel incredibly blessed to have received that love.'
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A certain mmm57002222 has put Chandler and Wilson fangurls/bois on alert by threatening to go to one of two fan events scheduled for this weekend (Chandler's expected to appear) and publicly out him...
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Sources: Gay Star News, Twitter (1,2), Eat Blog And Die
Exclusive: US soap star Chandler Massey done with gay role on Days of Our Lives
Two-time Emmy winner wraps three months early, show will recast role of Will Horton
Chandler Massey officially finished with the role of Will Horton on NBC's Days of Our Lives today (23 August).
The 22-year-old actor tells Gay Star News that NBC has agreed to let him out of his four-year contract more than three months early so he can focus on school and pursue some other acting opportunities.
The role of Will is going to be recast, Massey said. He will continue to appear in episodes of the show through the end of December because it is filmed several months ahead.
'I'm done. It's bittersweet,' said Massey who won his second Emmy for the role in June. 'These four years have been so amazing I've built a family here. I'm so grateful to NBC and everyone for these amazing four years It's been my privilege and honor to work there.'
The actor added:'I'm appreciative for Days and NBC for letting me out of my contract early so I can go and pursue these opportunities that I have not been able to pursue before.'
It was after his second Emmy win that Massey first indicated that he would not be staying on the show beyond his current four-year contract which ended in December 2013.
Days of Our Lives producers had initially said the role would not be recast. But the coupling of Will Horton and Sonny Kirakis (Freddie Smith) has proven popular with fans and managed to avoid backlash from advertisers.
'I think it's a good move (to recast),' Massey said.'I'm biased because I fell in love with Will and Sonny and I want Will and Sonny to be together.'
The character of Will had a dramatic coming out story that saw him learn to accept himself then come out to his family and then to the entire small town of Salem where the show is set.
Will then fell in love with Sonny but early on, the couple had to weather the fact that Will's ex-girlfriend, Gabi, had become pregnant with his child. In current episodes, Will, Sonny and Gabi are sharing an apartment and raising the child together.
Massey said he is thankful to the show's fans for making Will and Sonny such a popular pair.
'We would not have a show without them and it is their love and support that keeps us afloat,' he said. 'I feel incredibly blessed to have received that love.'
A certain mmm57002222 has put Chandler and Wilson fangurls/bois on alert by threatening to go to one of two fan events scheduled for this weekend (Chandler's expected to appear) and publicly out him...
Sources: Gay Star News, Twitter (1,2), Eat Blog And Die