List of Shows


Tell your friends

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

As the World Turns - NEWS ROOM

In our 'As The World Turns' News Room, Soaps.com keeps you up-to-date with the latest Soap Opera news on the net. We also feature interviews with the soap stars, as well as local appearances by the actors and actresses.

Martha Byrne Talks About Leaving ATWT!

Thursday, March 20 2008


Martha Byrne (CBS.com)
After more than two decades playing beloved Oakdale character Lily Walsh Snyder, actress Martha Byrne has made the difficult decision to leave the show and explain the reasons she felt she had no other choice. Martha's leaving is not news; rumors began to circulate over the Internet several weeks ago.

You can read more in the original Soaps.com article here. Executive Producer Chris Goutman said at that time that the show made Martha a "generous offer" but that it had been refused.

Martha disagrees with that statement and in a live chat on her website gave her side of the story.


Martha Byrne as Lily. (Soaps.com)
"This has been a difficult few weeks...I did not quit negotiations. I did not want storyline approval-No one gets that," said Martha during the chat. "I had already taken a substantial pay reduction last year. The only thing I wanted was to work at least the same amount of episodes this year as last year. This was denied and that is when I heard about my recast."

Martha went on to say that when she heard about the recast, that was the end for her.

As for what she plans to do with her free time, first and foremost, she is going to spend some time with her family. Her husband is a retired police officer and they have three children (two boys and a girl). After than, Martha has said she will take some time and work on her music. She has also agreed to be an advisory board member for St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Acting-wise, Martha says she wouldn't count out a return to daytime television, but that she needs some time before making that decision. She is also interested in behind-the-scenes work as a producer or writer. In fact, she mentioned working on a few writing/producing projects already!

So even though we won't see Lily for much longer, it looks like we'll be seeing - or hearing! - more from Martha very soon!

Martha's official last day was March 14 and her last episode will air in April. Sources tell Soaps.com that Lily will leave town in a limo and at some point later this year nuLily will return to town. At this point, there is no word who will replace Martha as Lily but as soon as Soaps.com can find out we will pass the word along here.


email PRINTABLE VERSION - View a printer friendly version of this article

Please register and login to be able to email this article to your friends

USER COMMENTS

Posted by PelphreyPosse at Thursday, March 20 2008 01:12 PM

I am a little surprised at this article from soaps.com. It states that she has two children. Martha has three children, two boys and a little girl. I would think that the facts could be checked a little closer before writing an article like this one.

Posted by at Thursday, March 20 2008 01:14 PM

NO ONE!!! Will ever replace Martha, she played Lily in a way no other actress will ever be able to duplicate. Martha to us is Lily in the sense she all but originated the character, she certainly gave the character life and for that I am forever a fan. Thank you so much Martha for all you gave and for the memories I will always cherish.

Posted by yandr73foreverfan at Friday, March 21 2008 08:41 AM

How sad! We will miss you Martha. I have been watching you since you first appeared in the 80's. The powers that be have definitely cheated everyone, you, fans, and co-workers. You will be missed, and as was proven the last time they tried to recast your part, noone will be able to bring your role of Lily the same qualities that you have. Daytime Soaps are in a world of trouble, and letting go of terrific actors like yourself are just proof of that serious problem.

Posted by barry at Saturday, March 22 2008 12:50 PM

i benwatch as the worlds turn fora longs time.
we will miss martha.
best wish for you.
your fan foxie9156@comcast.net

Posted by Hot2death at Monday, March 24 2008 10:47 AM

Martha you will be missed tremendously.

Posted by taramomo at Monday, March 24 2008 02:45 PM

Martha, I hope that you read this and I wish you much happiness and maybe they had your music to the show all I know is that the story lines that they have now are so boring that I don't even watch I thought they were going to put Carly and Jack back together and now it looks like they are'nt so I just don't watch. Anyway if your husband is retired and being a policeofficer I know that it's not easy when they are working you just never know what can happen but now yall can spend more time together, God Bless and may you have a good and wonderful life with your family.

Posted by dwebster at Monday, March 24 2008 04:16 PM

PelphreyPosse - The article does say she has three children, see below:

Her husband is a retired police officer and they have three children (two boys and a girl).

I don't think for one minute her request was demanding. I think that CG jumped the gun and when MB found out she said good-bye. ATWT's loss.

I personally will miss MB, however, her charactor was written so badly at times and so unrealistic that I didn't care for Lily. I do think MB is an excellent actor and I certainly wish her the very best life has to offer.

Posted by dwebster at Monday, March 24 2008 04:22 PM

misunderstoodman - I don't want to get technical but MB did not originate the role of Lily.

Posted by at Wednesday, March 26 2008 10:06 PM

dwebster,
Go back and read my post again and you'll see I said she all "but" originated the role meaning she didn't originate it but she might as well have since we all think of Martha when we think of Lily.

Posted by pookie61998 at Thursday, March 27 2008 08:11 AM

I have been watching As the World Turns for 32 of my 44 years, and there's just no way there could ever be another Lily other than Martha Byrne. Amazingly stupid move, Proctor and Gamble! I believe they've already gone the route of a re-cast in this role, and it didn't work then, and I highly doubt it will work this time around. No offense to the new actress. I'm sure she's a wonderful person, but you just don't replace actors of this caliber. Likewise there could never be another Holden, Lucinda, Carly, Jack, Barbara, Kim, Bob,...Hey, there are some awesomely first-rate actors on this show! You would think SOMEONE would eventually recognize this fact!

MORE COMMENTS: 1 2 » »| page:

Please Register and login to post your comments.
» Back to News Room