1984 - "Shawn" & "Caroline"

[Alex_Marshall_fan]

Does anyone know why Lew Brown and Barbara Beckley assumed the roles of Shawn and Caroline in 1984-85? This bit of recasting always bugged me - especially during such a pivotal storyline when Roman "died" on the island after struggling with Stefano. I wanted to see the real Brady parents, not the replacements. Anyone know why Frank and Peggy were let go then brought back?

 

[Jason47]

Peggy didn't want to be background material, which she was at Roman/Marlena's wedding for 3 episodes in February 1983, so she left immediately. She only came back in July 1985 when she was told that Caroline would be getting a major storyline with Bo & Victor (and also be placed on contract). Caroline from 1983-1985 was just a recurring guest star. Don't know why Frank left (he was recurring from 1983-1984, so perhaps he had a scheduling conflict with another show), but he too was brought back when Shawn was made a contract character in December 1985. Frank left briefly from 1989-1990 when "Days" decided to demote a few people from contract to recurring. When EP Al Rabin returned, he rehired and placed on contract most of the people who had been demoted to recurring.