ACTRESS ILLYA FRANK SAYS GOODBYE TO SALEM

Popular actress Illya Frank has quit Salem TV series 7months after joining the show.

The actress released a statement announcing her departure from the show, “To my Salem family, it’s been real for the last few months and it won’t sit right with me if I do not share my heart and experience with you. As an actress, storytelling is a way of life that allows me to connect with people, bring joy to the audience and explore the human experience. I joined Salem in August 2022 following the untimely departure of Mumbi Maina which was an honour to take after her. I fell in love with the show, my fellow cast, the crew and in particular my character Zahra Mufasa.”

Illya said she is grateful to have worked on the show, “Sadly, I want to tell my fans and friends that I will no longer be featuring in the series anymore. While I am disappointed with the decision as I had really created a bond with my character, it’s important to bring attention to the larger issues at play. The series was a collaborative effort and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented cast and crew. The chemistry we shared on the set was palpable and it translated into the performance we delivered on screen.”

She urged production companies to take better care of artistes, “I want to reiterate that acting is more than just a job for me. It is a way of life to bring joy and entertainment to the audience and to explore the many facets of the human experience. The industry is notoriously difficult but it doesn’t have to be. If production companies took better care of their cast and crew, we could all deliver better quality work and enjoy our craft even more.”

Illya revealed actress Jackie Matubia will be replacing her, “I would like to wish my replacement and the very talented Jackie Matubia all the best”