Though the actress is in the midst of a front burner storyline, Soap Central has learned that Victoria Rowell (Drucilla Winters) will exit The Young and the Restless this spring.

According to a spokesperson for the award-winning actress, Rowell asked to be let out of her contract early and the show accommodated that request. To some, Rowell's desire to exit might seem oddly timed. Fans may recall that contract negotiations between the actress and network execs went down to the wire just a little over a year ago. The terms of that contract were not released.

It is unclear at this time if Rowell is dissatisfied with the direction of her character and storyline or if the actress received an outside offer to work on another project.

Rowell's spokesperson declined to comment.

This is not the first time that Rowell has parted ways with The Young and the Restless. Rowell joined the Y&R cast in March 1990 and remained with the show through 1998. After a brief run in 2000, Rowell left again before returning as a contract player in July 2002.

In addition to her work on The Young and the Restless, Rowell has appeared in the primetime drama series Diagnosis Murder. She has also graced the silver screen, including the critically acclaimed Eve's Bayou.

With Rowell's exit confirmed, Y&R viewers have begun to speculate that Drucilla might be behind the death of Carmen Mesta.

Rowell will last air in April.