Aiden Turner was given walking papers yesterday at All My Children. According to SOAPnet, the actor was told that his character, Aidan Devane, would not be written past his current contract. ABC’s standard official statement on the news was, “Mr. Turner’s departure is storyline dictated. Given AMC’s upcoming move to Los Angeles, we wanted to give Mr. Turner advance notice so he could plan accordingly. Mr. Turner is a talented actor and we wish him well.” Turner signed a 4-year deal with the soap in the fall of 2006.
A former model, Turner originated the role of Aidan in 2002. The actor reportedly auditioned for a different role, but producers were so impressed with his audition, they created the role of Aidan Devane specifically for him. Through the many writing changes at All My Children, Aiden Devane never really became a priority and no writer ever invested in his character. A character once full of potential (he was a former British Special Services Agent) with ties to a transplanted core family in Port Charles, Aidan never amounted to much more than a string of failed relationships.
Aidan’s mother was Lindsay Devane, sister to Finola Hughes’ twin sisters Alex and Anna Devane, making him the cousin of General Hospital’s Robin Scorpio, played by two-time Emmy winner Kimberly McCullough. Aidan, who had never met his Aunt Anna until he blew into Pine Valley in 2002, has also never met her daughter Robin. Could Turner be welcome over at General Hospital? With Robin delving into her investigative side, having her detective cousin around might just work for GH. Fans have speculated about their interaction since McCullough made her return to the network’s flagship soap in 2005.
After granting a divorce to wife Greenlee (Rebecca Budig) earlier in the year, Aidan recently spent time in a mental health facility posing as a patient to keep tabs on Annie Lavery (Melissa Claire Egan), who broke up with Aidan and is now the prime suspect in the murder of Stuart Chandler (David Canary). Since then, Aidan has been on backburner status. At this time, Aidan’s exit storyline is unknown.
Born and raised in England, Turner’s television credits include the Australian television series Heartbreak High, the British soap East Enders and the MTV primetime soap Undressed. He was also featured in a music video with former Spice Girl, Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell. Turner was nominated for a Daytime Emmy as an Outstanding Younger Actor in 2003 for his work on All My Children. In 2006, Turner married Megan Marshall. The couple resides in New York City where they recently welcomed a baby girl named Ciella Larryn Turner, born on August 21, 2009. Last year, Turner starred in the independent film Manhattanites, directed by costar Darnell Williams (Jesse, AMC). For more information on Aiden Turner, visit his official website.
UPDATE: 9/24
Aiden Turner revealed to Soap Opera Digest when his last airdate is. “After November 6, no more Aidan Devane,” the actor said to SOD. “I had a meeting with [EP] Julie [Hanan Carruthers], and she said, ‘I hate to tell you this, but I have to give you your notice.’ I was shocked.” Soap Opera Digest will have more on this news in their upcoming issue.
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