It's crunch time for NBC and its fledgling soap opera, Passions. Though NBC has already green lighted Passions for another season, the three-year-old soap is also seeing the end of many of its stars' contracts. And that means it's time for negotiations.

Nearly each of the show's big-name stars had contracts expire or set to expire in the past 45 days. Among the those re-signing with the show are James Hyde (Sam Bennett), Brook Kerr (Whitney Russell), Lindsay Korman (Theresa Lopez-Fitgerald), Jesse Metcalfe (Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald), Juliet Mills (Tabitha Lenox), Kim Johnston Ulrich (Ivy Crane) and Mackenzie Westmore (Sheridan Crane).

The re-signing of so many of the show's talent should provide comfort for most fans. However, at least one star has decided not to renew - and another of the show's leading male stars was rumored to want out for quite some time.

Passions' heartthrob Galen Gering (Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald) has been rumored to have wanted to leave Passions for some time. In March 2001, Soap Opera Central reported on rumors that Gering was unhappy with his character's storyline. At the time, a Passions spokesperson confirmed that Gering had expressed concern and that there was talk that Gering might want out.

On his official web site, Gering announced late last month that he'd decided to stick around.

"After a long an emotional discussion with [Passions] executive producer, Lisa Hesser, I have decided to renew my contract," Gering wrote. "I couldn't be more excited to continue my role as Luis and work with the family we have created on the set of Passions."

The news is not so good for fans of Travis Schuldt (Ethan Winthrop). The actor has decided not to renew his contract. For extended coverage of Schuldt's exit, click here.