Days of Our Lives actress reveals she’s leaving show after 13 years and explains reason behind her shocking exit

DAYS of Our Lives star Camila Banus has confirmed that she is leaving the legendary soap opera after this season.

She revealed the reason behind her departure in a recent interview.

Camila told The Wrap on Monday that her time playing Gabi Hernandez on DOOL has come to an end.

Although the Emmy-nominated actress filmed her last episode on April 28, it will not air for many, many months, so fans still have some time left with Gabi.

Camila may be ending this chapter of Gabi's life, but she is excited to "start the next chapter" of hers.

“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," she told the outlet.

"And I kind of just saw that as a sign for me to start the next chapter in my life."

As for what she wants to do in this next chapter, her first priority is having a baby with her husband of two years, Marlon Aquino.

The 32-year-old told The Wrap: "My husband and I are trying to start a family, hopefully. And that’s another big factor in possibly just slowing down for a little bit and seeing kind of where this time takes me."

"But I’m also open to other opportunities and ready for big things. I’m just ready for something different.”

"I’ve been very blessed and very lucky to have been representing Latinas and Latinos as Gabi. And I’m just ready to see how I can represent further along in my career, you know, see what the next chapter of representing will be," Camila said on playing the role for 13 years.

The actress went on to say that there were problems negotiating her contract and time off, so she just decided to leave.

Although Camila "cried her eyes out" on the last day of filming, she is not giving up on acting.

She told the outlet that she would love to star in a film.

Camila's departure came just months after the show lost two of its stars.

Cody Longo passed away in February and Quinn Redeker died in January.

DONE WITH DAYS

Camila is not the only actress to leave Days recently.

In December, Tamara Braun confirmed her departure from the show.

She played Ava Vitali, portraying the character on and off since 2008.

The 51-year-old took to her Instagram to let fans know that her run as Ava was coming to an end.

She shared a touching tribute to her time on Days of Our Lives with a series of behind-the-scenes photos and videos from throughout the last few years.

Tamara first starred as Ava in 2008 for a few months before returning for another guest stint in 2015.

She became a regular on the show beginning in 2020 until her final episode was released in December.

In her goodbye post on Instagram, the actress wrote: “Hey all you Days fans!! If you want to see Ava off, tune into DOOL today for her last day in Salem. 

“Thought I’d share some of my memories from the last (almost) two years. Starts at the end and ends at the start with my first nasal swab. Oh Covid!! 

“Thanks for all the love and support you continue to show me. I will miss you all!! Wait, I’ll still be here, you can find me on IG!!”

She finished off: “Much love. #farewell #bekind #love #solong #Ava #tobereal #give #grateful #thankyou #adios #byebye #days.”

Lucas Adams, who plays Ava’s son Tripp Dalton on the soap, wrote: “Gonna miss you so much!!!!”

Tamara sweetly replied: “You too my ‘golden boy!’ Love you!”

After fans shared how “sad” and “bummed” they were that she was exiting the show, Tamara decided to respond to one follow who asked: “Why are you leaving?”

The actress simply explained that the “storyline went that way,” suggesting it wasn’t her decision to leave.

DARK DAYS

A handful of actors have left the show within the last year, due to the soap moving to Peacock.

Last August, DOOL announced they were leaving NBC after 57 years.

Vulture reported the news.

The historic shake-up officially made its move on September 12.

One upset fan wrote: “This feels like the absolute last genre of TV I’d move to streaming, given the average age of its viewers, but it’s better than canceling it I suppose.”

Another said: “What the absolute f**k?”

“This makes as much sense as DWTS moving to Disney+,” tweeted a third, referencing ABC’s recent decision to move Dancing With the Stars to its streaming service.

A fourth blasted: “Comcast so desperate to make Peacock a thing they’re killing Days of our Lives. Yikes!"

"That sucks! Not everyone can afford to pay for streaming services," wrote another. "Also, internet is spotty in rural areas. They will lose millions of viewers, including myself!"

Peacock is already the home to DOOL's spinoff series, Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem.

The second season of the show released on the platform in July, dropping one of its five episodes each day over the course of a week.

The first season, which was also five episodes, released on Peacock in September 2021.