Jen Lilley out at DAYS, says she learned "empathy and grace" from her time on the soap

It's the end of the soapy shenanigans for fan favorite Jen Lilley. The actress is exiting Days of our Lives -- but in a shocker, Theresa Donovan will be remaining on the canvas.

Jen Lilley wraps up her run as Days of our Lives' Theresa Donovan -- but the character will continue on. More on that in a bit.

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"Last week of me exploring this girl's shenanigans on screen," Lilley wrote on Instagram. "Playing Jeanne Theresa Donovan off and on for the last 10 years has taught me so much about empathy and grace. I have enjoyed every moment of her hilarious sass and ferocity, layered with brokenness."

Lilley returned to Days of our Lives earlier this month, but the actress said at the time that there was a misunderstanding about how long she'd be available for the soap. Lilley believed that she'd return to the show for Victor's funeral and some wrap-around stories that stemmed from that return. The show, however, had apparently crafted a twelve-week story for Theresa.

When Lilley reached out to then-co-executive producer Albert Alaar to tell him that she would not be available for that entire four-month period, Alaar, according to Lilley, replied with the jaw-dropping, "Oh no, Theresa is still going to do all of that... We're going to do it with a different Theresa."

Alaar was removed from his position at Days of our Lives in August following an investigation into allegations that he engaged in inappropriate comments and touching, as well as creating a toxic environment on the show.

Lilley went on to thank the show and fans for their continued support.

"To the cast and crew at @dayspeacock, I love you forever. You're my family. And to the best fans a girl could ask or hope for: remember there is no pit so deep you could ever find yourself in where God's love cannot find you still. You are never beyond redemption. You are called by grace and marked with love. Thank you for supporting me on this decade long journey," Lilley added.

Jen Lilley assumed the role of Theresa in 2013 and remained with the show through 2016. She returned for a few months in the early summer of 2018. Prior to joining DAYS, Lilley briefly filled in for Kirsten Storms in the role of General Hospital's Maxie Jones from 2011 to 2012.

Days of our Lives has not officially announced who will take over the role of Theresa.

Are you disappointed that Jen Lilley is exiting DAYS? What are your thoughts on Theresa sticking around? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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