Melrose Place: Murderers Revealed? Can Cast Changes Prevent Cancellation?

It seems that Laura Leighton’s Sydney isn’t the only casualty on the new Melrose Place. The series has been picked up for five more episodes and now it’s been revealed that two regular characters won’t be around to see them. Are they the lucky ones?

After seven episodes on the air, it’s been announced that Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Colin Egglesfield have been let go from the new Melrose Place. In an interview with EW, executive producers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer have revealed some additional upcoming changes as well.

Slavin and Swimmer say that the cast exits were planned from the start and that it’s all part of the Sydney murder mystery that’s scheduled to run for 12 episodes. Slavkin said, “We always knew that [Ashlee’s] character of Violet would be instrumental in that as a suspect, and [Colin’s character of] Augie as well. And once that murder mystery was solved, she would go on her way. That was the original plan going into the development of the show.”

With the murder mystery being solved and two suspects leaving the show, one could infer that mystery has just been wrecked. After all, the murder mystery is slated to finish in December and the actors’ last episode will air in January. Perhaps the killers are revealed before Christmas but not caught until the new year?

Of course, the bigger problem for Slavkin and Swimmer right now is finding a way to keep the show on the air. In addition to the exit of the two characters, they say that they’re shaking things up and adding two new ones.

Can these changes enough to save Melrose Place? Yes! I can't wait. Maybe, I'm not sure. No! Are you kidding? View Results  Loading ...

One character is a young resident at the hospital who moves into the apartment complex and forms a close connection with Lauren. The other new face is actor Billy Campbell. He’ll be playing an irreverent billionaire who starts dating Heather Locklear’s Amanda for a three episode arc.

And speaking of Locklear, they’re so enamored with her that she’ll be sticking around for the rest of the season. Not surprisingly, they say her Amanda character has a secret agenda and is not just the boss of Katie Cassidy’s Ella character.

Fellow original castmate Thomas Calabro isn’t going anywhere either but Laura Leighton’s future on the show is understandably questionable. Slavkin said, “We would never close the door officially. She did her part in the murder mystery. We love her. We think she is gorgeous and a great actress and would love to have her be involved in the future, but there is no plan at the moment.” Leighton’s character is dead but of course, that little detail hasn’t stopped her in the past.

What do you think? Will these changes be enough to attract some new viewers or is the show already a goner?