Ruth Wilson’s portrayal of Alison Bailey was undoubtedly one of the main factors which made The Affair the global success it is today. Wilson starred in every episode of the first four series but failed to make an appearance in the season five premiere when it aired on Showtime and Sky Atlantic last week. With this being the first time Alison hasn’t starred on-screen and despite her death last series, some fans are wondering if she could make a return in the new and final season.
Is Ruth Wilson in The Affair series 5?
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from The Affair.
Alison’s death in the last series of The Affair paved the way for actress Wilson’s departure from the show.
Originally perceived to have been suicide, viewers witnessed Alison die at the hands of her married boyfriend, Ben (Ramon Rodriguez).
Her body was disposed of in the ocean and he’s seemingly managed to escape justice.
While her death appeared to be a full-stop on the character’s story, The Affair is no stranger to a time jump which has led some to think she could reappear in season five.
However, this won’t be the case as Wilson confirmed her exit from the series last year.
Mystery has continued to shroud the exact reasons why Wilson decided to step away but there are a few clues available.
The Affair showrunner Sarah Treem told The Hollywood Reporter in 2018: “Ruth wanted to leave the show. That was a request, so that was decided basically before we started writing.
“It wasn’t a discovery of any kind. That was very deliberate. And actually, we shot all of her work first. Her whole storyline was shot before we shot anything else.”
A week after the THR interview, Wilson herself made a rare TV appearance to discuss her exit.
On CBS Sunday Morning, she told the presenting panel: “I’m not coming back, so she’s (Alison) dead.”
She went on to say: “I did want to leave but I’m not allowed to talk about why.”
Several theories hint that a pay disparity could’ve been the reasons for Wilson leaving.
Wilson confirmed back in February 2019 she was “definitely” earning less money than the Affair co-lead Dominic West, who plays Noah.
She said to The Radio Times: “Certainly when I signed up to that project, I would have got paid less.
“Then the producers might argue, ‘Well, he’s already done a major American TV show so he’s already got a level.’
“But even after a Golden Globe, I’m not going to be on parity. So he definitely gets more than me. I mean, I don’t know what the figure is, but I’m sure he does.”
Wilson’s words combined with increasing public speculation that pay may have been the reason for her exit prompted the actor to address the issue.
West admitted to the same publication he never “asks what the money is on a show,”
He added: “It was more a question of if I wanted to do it. So it woke me up to the issue. I never realised the disparity and the injustice.”
However, adding further mystery to the situation, Wilson also told The New York Times there was “a much bigger story” for her departure.
She told the publication: “It isn’t about pay parity, and it wasn’t about other jobs,
“But I’m not really allowed to talk about it – there is a much bigger story.”
Wilson isn’t the only series regular to turn down a return in season five.
Cole Lockhart actor Joshua Jackson will also not appear in the final ever series.
The Affair continues on Sunday on Showtime and Tuesday on Sky Atlantic.
Source: Read Full Article