Days Of Our Lives
A Martinez Says Farewell To DAYS In Heartfelt Message
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
It’s time for us to have to say goodbye to Daytime Emmy winner and critically-acclaimed actor, A Martinez who is wrapping up his run in April as Eduardo Hernandez on NBC’s Days of our Lives.
Martinez, who became best known to soap audiences as Cruz Castillo on Santa Barbara and since then appeared on One Life to Live, The Bold and the Beautiful, and General Hospital as well, is being written off the canvas in Salem.
On Thursday in a heartfelt post as can only be written with such poignancy by Martinez; he shared this with his fans, friends, and colleagues: “As Eduardo is taken ‘off the canvas’ on Days, I want to express my gratitude to all who’ve supported him – and me – over the course of these last eighteen months. It’s been an honor to come to Salem on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of a show I have followed and esteemed for more than thirty years.
The work itself has been a consistent pleasure, partly because of the deliciously wounded guy I‘ve been playing, but mostly because of the multitude of excellent people who pass their days in the ongoing labor of love that is the making of this beloved show.
My pleasure in this process has grown steadily over the time I’ve been at it – and it’s about to come to a memorably emotional peak in the climactic beats of my pivot away. The scenes of failed atonement with Galen, Jordi, Camila – and Lauren – were among the most wrenching of my life, in the most wonderful way possible. Two final thoughts: For the record – Eduardo is not dead. If you care about him, you may choose to remember him.
And further, for those who’ve felt disappointed that he hasn’t conformed to their expectations as a ‘villain’ – I’ll just say that it has never once occurred to me to approach him that way. What I most clearly carry in him is the knowledge that he was deeply broken as a boy, and that he has done his level best to recover – ever since. That he has fallen short is regrettable, but not a negation of his humanity. I kinda admire the guy, actually. Meanwhile, much love to everyone in the Days community, going forward. May we all continue to prosper as best we can, and seek to deal in kindness along the way.”
Will you be sad to see A exit DAYS? What did you think of his post via social media? Comment below!
Such a class act of a guy!
I’m shocked about this news! I am sad to see him go. I don’t understand why he is leaving though. Sad. Very Sad. Best of luck A. Hernandez in your future endeavors.
The writers seemed not to know what to do with his character….
ABSOLUTELY…AGREED!
I have loved and followed Mr. Martinez since his time on Santa Barbara. He is one that if he is on a particular show, I will watch it. God Bless and keep you, and thank you for all the joy you have brought to my TV screen and I look forward to your next project.
i loved him on Santa Barbara,,his coming on the show 18 months,,was a delight knowing A Martinez would show his outstanding acting.it’s really hard seeing A leave in April..he made Eduardo stand out! i wish A will be on Tv shows very soon!
Will miss this wonderful actor! Watched him on Santa Barbara, in Longmire and now on Days. He has nailed each and every role he has been in. What a loss to Days! Class act he is for sure. Will miss him
Yes. I have been a fan of A since Santa Barbara. He is a fine actor and I am very sorry to see Eduardo leave DOL. He was a complex,interesting character – an assassin with a heart and a family. If John loves him, there has to be some good in Eduardo. Please bring him back.
He is such a talented actor. Like many of you, I have followed his career his days as Cruz on “Santa Barbara”. I wish him well and know he will continue to work. I am excited to see what Ron Carlivati has in store for us.
I loved him on Santa Barbara, He is a great actor, but he never really clicked for me on Days. I wish him continued success. He is a class act indeed.
Totally agree with your sentiments. He didn’t hit the mark on GH either, but it wasn’t his fault. The character (Roy) never should have been brought back from the dead.
I think the show did not take advantage of his tremendous talents. It seemed he and Vincent went back and forth being a good guy or a villain.
Once again no one seems to know how to honor this man & his skills. I think the last time he got to really shine was Profiler and that was cut way too short. He has such integrity and is so interesting, his acting choices are always so unique and he has EVER been easy on the eyes. He was so good on SB, he has the ability to have electric chemistry with a costar. I just hope that he keeps working so maybe someday we get that lightening again!
He is such a great guy and I have enjoyed him on DOOL and looking forward to see him again. Best of luck to him.
I like Eduardo and anything he had to do with anybody on the show especially Lauren Koslow. I don’t get why they have to write him off but maybe someone will change his or her mind and keep him around. I’m pulling for him!!!
This is a very kind and positive message. Mr. Martinez is clearly a very classy gentleman. Too bad TPTB didn’t know what to do with his character. I wish him the very best in the future.
He was great on Santa Barbara
He is a great actor… Days have been very boring lately and have been not watching the shows… I am just waiting for the new writing to show up soon… These characters that I used to love in the past.. Just feel no connection or caring about now a days…..
“boring” is the word – this show used to be kind of interesting when they had Will and Sonny, threw Paul into the mix, had EJ and Sammi – and now, I don’t know, it’s just not all that enthralling. Is it the bland writing or is it the fact that the characters just aren’t connecting – I’m not exactly sure what the missing component is.
I don’t understand why TPTB bring in TOP NOTCH ACTORS…only to not have a clue how to use them?! 1st Vincent Irrizzary…now A… Funny, I viewed Eduardo kind of like, A did, I never saw him as a VILLIAN…and I think there was CHEMISTRY with Drake/John Black…but due to Drake’s injury, that had to take a back seat to this storyline that is “ridiculous” in my mind’s eye. Best of luck to you A in all your endeavors. As always, you were a delight to watch…thank you..
Such a class act! The character had potential but I agree that the writers didn’t seem to know what to do with him. I hope Ron brings him back, A is way too talented to not be on a soap.
A, I shall miss you on DAYS. Still look forward to seeing you on FACEBOOK ❗❕❗
A very gracious post.
I was thrilled when they announced that they were finally addressing Rafe’s family– but they totally screwed it up– from his father being a forced assassin and Paige’s father after she died–to the mother never living up to her potential either– to putting Rafe onto the sideline as Hope’s love sick puppy dog slave to his brother now taking over most of the screen— and I hate that Gabi is being rewritten as some kind of saint– did Chad forget how Gabi kidnapped his girl friend Melanie so she could be with him? This whole family was badly thought out, is constantly being rewritten to suit whichever writer at the moment wants– and although I think it is important soaps have more ethnic families– this one, might have outlived it usefulness storywise
I love A Martinez. He is such a talented actor. He will be missed.
That was a tremendous message. He is just the latest victim of Days’ inability to create compelling new characters and write long-term story for them. Meanwhile, some of soap’s most brilliant, iconic actors get shown the revolving door. Days – it’s not enough to just make a prestigious hire. You have to follow through with STORY.
I could be wrong, but my understanding is A was given a contract, then requested recurring status because he has other irons in the fire. His availability was limited, so it was hard to focus on a character and storyline for someone who isn’t available full time.
Point well taken. I just wish that overall the writing was better and more consistent. The powers that be must agree as they have hired a new head writer.
I really enjoyed you performances on Days, It is a shame that you are leaving. I would have hoped that you would stay. Your acting is fantastic. The very best of luck to you in whatever you are going for. You will be missed, thank you for entertaining us on Days.
You have done a wonderful job! Best of luck to you.
Sorry to hear this news…I loved A on Santa Barbara & have enjoyed watching him as Eduardo…..it’s such a shame that Days is letting him go. Surely they could come up with more storyline for him. First Vincent Irizarry & now A…..who’s next? They also had the wonderful Kassie DePaiva & wrote her off. Although they brought her back a couple times, they were only for brief moments. C’mon Days…hold onto these fantastic actors! I wish the best to A & hope to see more of him soon.
I am heartbroken to hear this news. A Martinez is a fantastic actor. He was incredible on Santa Barbara and also on Days. I deeply love the character Eduardo and will miss him terribly. Surely hope he returns some day.
we will miss you. Best of luck to all you do,
Days is Days. It will always let a good opportunity go to waste. So many of us were thrilled when Days finally brought diversity to Salem but having finally done so they don’t know what to do with the characters. It has to be kumbahyah Disney all the time. Now Eduardo is leaving after sending Mama Hernandez away previously. The diverse characters on Days never face any discrimination or struggle. so they are just boring. Sonny should be aware of Chad’s relationship with Ari and should be pushing for formal adoption of his child and getting major blowback from the Brady, Hernandez and Horton families. Julie should be struggling to relate to a biracial grandson. Ann should be hooking up with Roman or with Eric and bringing some interfaith diversity to the tube. Paul should be demanding a committed relationship with Sonny. Aint happening because Days lacks imagination. A leaving is another wasted opportunity.
Loved you portral of Eduardo almost as much as Cruz I will miss you
They never integrated his character well and the storylines they gave him were not good.
Please take Dario with you.
He is a great actor and can only do the stories the writers give him. The only thing I didn’t like about him was the beard, shave it off. Would like to have seen him hook up with Kate, she loves bad boys. I thought he used his “mean boy characteristics” when the time was needed. There is also being “too mean” ! Look at Demois, he goes too far (poisoning, and was waiting to watch them die). They finally added diversity with this new family, now they are taking it away. Glad the mom is gone, she looked way too old for Eduardo. Anyway, good luck to A.
For me Days is sinking fast. misuse of good actors, now new writer bringing back the Sami hour something that totally destroyed the ensemble nature of Days and turned it into just all about Sami and a few extras given well left overs with minimal air time and some with none.
Once Sami takes over again I will end up doing what I did years ago and cancel Days. Sad, I had such hope for a revival but now I feel like the writers are just BS’ing us and bringing forth just another diva act. I never liked that and never will
The guy really didn’t have that much of a story to be honest I think his character was boring,i do like the actor but no loss.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
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