Soap operas definitely raise the recasting issue. It seems that nighttime shows have generally dealt with departures by writing out the character. Of course, Due South may be the most entertaining example of dealing with it by not dealing with it. But I do wonder why more shows don't do it.

The most recent example I can think of is on All Creatures where Diana Rigg's death meant a recast. I think they made a splendid choice and the character lives on.