It looks like Juliet Darling and the rest of the Darling family are going to have a big falling out.  Samaire Armstrong, who plays Juliet Darling on ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money, will not return to the series as a regular cast member next season.  Her contract was not picked up by ABC.  She will, however, return periodically as a guest star, Armstrong’s schedule permitting.  This means that the most entertaining spoiled twins on TV will be split up.  Dirty Sexy Money hasn’t aired new episodes since before the strike, but has been renewed by ABC and will come back for a full second season come next Fall (which has been the norm for first year shows).  No specific reason for Armstrong’s departure from the Dirty Sexy Money team or ABC has been given.

In October, Samaire briefly entered a treatment facility for reasons undisclosed, but she was quickly back to work after that.  It’s unfair to make presumptions based on that one incident, but you have to wonder if it is indicative of behavioral or performance issues on Armstrong’s part.  It’s possible that this was simply a creative move, and the Dirty Sexy Money writers felt the Juliet character was expendable. 

I don’t buy that excuse, however, because Juliet was one of the best parts of the show for me, and I thought Armstrong did a great job with the character.  It’s difficult taking a Paris Hilton-type person and making them sympathetic, which is exactly what Samaire did. Also, we’re going to lose the give and take between the two twins, which was a significant part of both those characters. 

Realistically, the impressive ensemble cast of Dirty Sexy Money won’t miss a beat with Armstrong gone.  When you have Peter Krause and Donald Sutherland leading the way, you’re going to be fine.  I know I’m excited for season 2 to begin in the Fall, with or without Juliet Darling.

-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer 
Source: TV Guide
(Image Courtesy of ABC)

Oscar Dahl

Senior Writer, BuddyTV