In somewhat of a surprise casting move, Ashley Jones (Bridget Forrester) will be bumped from contract status with The Bold and the Beautiful later this year. The actress, who has been front and center in storyline for much of the past year, will continue with the show on a recurring basis.

Jones has also recently been spreading her wings into primetime television. Last year, Jones secured a multi-episode run on the popular HBO vampire-driven series, True Blood. Jones also appeared in the pilot for an attempted reboot of the 1970 private eye series, The Rockford Files. The series is still in development and could appear on NBC as a midseason replacement in early 2011.

"Although I can't be at B&B full time right now due to other projects, Bridget is not going anywhere," Jones informed fans via her official Twitter page.

"Ashley's not leaving the show," B&B's head writer and executive producer told TVGuide Canada. "We have a huge cast and it's hard to meet guarantees. We've done this before with Ashley and other cast members and it always works out nicely."

Before assuming the role of B&B's Bridget in November 2004 from actress Emily Harrison, Jones appeared for three years as Megan Dennison on The Young and the Restless. During her Y&R run, Jones secured two Daytime Emmy nominations.

Jones' new status with B&B begins in December.