Newcomer Billy Miller (Richie Novak) will soon be on his way out. While the actor was a fan favorite, his character wasn't. Look for bad guy Richie to make a a dramatic exit from Pine Valley this summer.
Though unconfirmed by the network, Soap Central has learned that relative All My Children newcomer Billy J Miller (Richie Novak) will be exiting the show this summer. The exit is being dictated by storyline concerns.
According to a show source, creating story for Miller's character has proven problematic. In true soap opera villain style, Richie has committed nearly every crime imaginable - and then some. Stealing bone marrow, anyone? Now, it appears that Richie will be forced to pay for his actions.
Adding to the difficulty of keeping Richie in the fold was viewer reaction to the romantic pairing of Richie and Babe. Viewers rejected the fledgling couple and the writers appeared unwilling to consider another romantic interest for Miller's alter ego.
With a new head writer taking over later this month, the timing seems right for an exit. New writers tend to prune rosters of characters that don't fit into the vision for the show, especially characters developed by previous writing regimes.
Miller debuted on All My Children in August 2007 and drew critical acclaim for his work on the show. Despite the fanfare, Miller makes a permanent exit from Pine Valley this summer. The role of Richie will not be recast. An exact final airdate has not yet been announced.