Days Of Our Lives
Billy Flynn Makes His DAYS Debut As Chad DiMera! What Were Your First Impressions?

Courtesy/NBC
On Monday’s episode of NBC’s Days of our Lives, Billy Flynn shared his first dialog-driven scenes as the new Chad DiMera with his on-screen brother EJ, played by James Scott.
In the scenes, a very upset and revenge-seeking Chad pulls a gun on his elder brother, after first throwing a punch, and let’s him know how betrayed he is that EJ took up with his girl Abigail (Kate Mansi) after Chad was sent away to recover after taking a bullet meant for EJ! Chad clearly wants payback and is showing his new “DiMera” side!
Flynn takes on the role of Chad after Casey Deidrick had inhabited the role and became a fan favorite. However, as fans clearly know by now, Flynn’s take on the character will not only be different, but so too, is how the character is being written by the DAYS writing team – this looks to be a more vindictive and cunning Chad, but with a deep sadness underneath it all.  How will it all play out? That remains to be seen!
So what were your first impressions of Billy Flynn as the new Chad DiMera of Salem? Weigh-in below!
Oddly, ive accepted him already as Chad…it usually takes me time to adjust to recast…it took me months to accept nuWill…this Chad actually seems more like a Dimera…so IMO this is the perfect recast choice in a long time! He could be to Days what J.R.s son is to Dallas…he kind of reminded me of him during those confrontation scenes with E.J.,…maybe no one else felt that but i did!!!
I am not impressed with this new Chad, especially if he is suppose to be the new leader of the Dimera family and another EJ. He does not have the looks or charisma to fit that kind of character. He cold NEVER be remotely close the EJ character portrayed to perfection by James Scott.
I have no intentions of watching Days after EJAMI are gone. Nothing at all to look forward to in my opinion. EJAMI are the best thing on Days and the only capturing duo. The rest are SO boring and pathetic!
@Amanda….I agree. Flynn put on a mediocre show, sadly, not even close to my idea of what a DiMera should look like or act like. Nonetheless, it would not be fair and very remiss of me not to, at least, give him a shot. I did notice an edge to him…he has that I-dare-you-to-defy-me look. But, he looks very Irish….nothing Italian about him.
Frankly, I think Ben would have been a better choice for the Chad role. Who knows, Flynn may surpass what we expected, in a positive way.
I must amend (somewhat) my previous comments. Today, Flynn WAS a DiMera. He executed the role with aplomb. His icy stare burned a few holes in me.(sorry about the oxymoron…lol…just came out that way), I admit he was great….still too young for being pushed into this dramatic change of character, though….IMO
Same here, Amanda. A recast is always difficult, but this one doesn’t seem to fit the bill. And I actually preferred the first Ben!
James,
Yes…AGREED!!!!! To me, Billy Flynn just ain’t cutting it here in the role of Chad DiMera. No. To me, Casey Deidrick was W-A-Y better in the role!!!!! As for that Billy Flynn dude…No Thank You. Next…….
I agree, he is more DiMera-ish?..lol I loved Casey as Chad but Billy is bringing the DiMera out in him. By the way..I loved the right hook to EJ. Looking forward to what happens next! I can’t wait to see how Sonny and Will react to the nuChad…that will be very interesting!
I was not overly impressed but whatever – it seems to me that it will be a somewhat predictable triangle between Abby, her current love interest Ben and the “new” Chad. I guess with current cast members departing, they obviously have to aim storylines around existing and new faces – however I still maintain that instead of constantly adding new actors, they should get some new sets. Everyone is always in that stupid park set, please – the labor day picinic, the big College together, someone’s wedding, the Vatican, an afternoon stroll, outspoken confessions to murder – PLEASE get some new and diversified sets.
My recent favorite was the front of St. Luke’s School/ Church was simply the staircase that used to be a part of the Horton Square with a sign that said St. Luke’s and a green carpet to look like grass where the Square’s flooring was. But the oddest thing is the past the school and the church had no steps– which begs the question, where did those sets go??? But to be fair for the college party they at least put out different park benches—perhaps COSCO had a sale on them– LOL
Lol…i noticed that too about the steps when Hope was sitting on them…now i wonder what happened to that missing couch that used to be in the square and never got dirty…lol…speaking of missing whatever happened to Bev…she, not dayplayer Jill, shouldv’e been the one helping Eve split up J.J. and Paige…Bev was attracted to J.J., and it wouldv’e made more sense but then Paige might’ve quickly realized it was a setup if Bev was involved…or if she didnt, Bev couldv’e been desperate and blackmailed Eve for more money and this is how Paige learned it was her mother who planned it all…just a thought!!!
@jimh– perhaps because their budget for sets is so low that couch belonged to a former cast member who when they left the show, took their couch with them– LOL
As for Bev– Eve needed to use someone JJ could not track down after the fact– if she used Bev, I think Paige might have been inclined to believe JJ since Bev already tried to deceived Paige into thinking JJ had an STD. But that Jill lady could show up again at some point and start blackmailing Eve for more money— I think at some point Eve will tell Paige that Jack is really her father and JJ is her brother, not that it will be true, but it would be a way to stick it to Jennifer and break up JJ and Paige.
I have never seen Catholic Church steps look like that. All the Catholic Churches I have ever attended/and schools, have basilica-style steps…weird!
Tony, funny stuff! It used to be that everything happened in the town square (aka shopping area), and that has been overused. Now, as you say, everything takes place in the woods. If you turn on your TV in the afternoon and you see trees, you’re probably in Salem!
James,
More and more, you are TOO FUNNY…LOL!!!!!
To me, whenever I continue to leave my TV on in the morning after TPIR and I see trees in The Katherine Chancellor Park, I know that I’m watching something going on in Genoa City…LOL!!!!! Yep.
Take care, my friend. Peace.
James…dude…quick correction:
I meant to put the word ‘watching’ in-between the words ‘after and TPIR’. It should have read ‘after watching TPIR’. Anyway…MY BAD!!!!!
From J to J…Peace.
Tony…y-e-s. To me, even a walk along a beach would be a refreshing change of pace. Yep. And…’stupid park set’ is right. I mean…spread out, move around…something. Oh, those soaps…LOL!!!!!
Take care, Tony. Peace.
I really didn’t feel it….to me he seems even younger than the last Chad… if he were in a t shirt and jeans he would have looked as though he could be in HS! Even younger than JJ.
I was hoping with EJ leaving that he would be the new sexy mysterious Demeara, but that’s out the door. maybe in a decade or two…LOL..
Where’s the sexy romance DOOL? ( Don’t say Jennifer and Daniel…please!)
I heard Melanie was coming back… perhaps a recast, but she was a fun character! 🙂
Can’t imagine a DOOL without EJ, Kristen, and Sami…. writers better ramp it up!
Days without SAMI EJ(who was only on 7 or 8 yrs)will be just as they always are
FINE.
I LOVE nu chad scenes,a real tall guy like other chad was, played by cute casey.
casey imo took some getting liking too as well. so i m giving this one a fair chance
My first thought was he looks a bit like Nick — too bad that character’s dead, he might have been a good recast for the part. As Chad —still thinking about. I am pleased they are making Chad darker, turning him into a proper DiMera but without the crazy side.
Not sure if having him confront EJ and then Abigail for his first scenes was the way to go. They were great scenes just wished I had seen them with Casey in the role or they have given me some time to get to know this new Chad before having him confront them.
Because I was spending most of those scenes too aware of the new actor that I missed some of the enjoyment of what should have been epic confrontations. But what is done is done and I’m sure over time I will less aware of the new actor that I begin enjoying the character again.
I was thinking the same thing, this guy has “Nick vibes” and would have been a good recast for the role of Nick. Predictably, there has already been a brief confrontation between Abby and Ben and Chad in the Fake Leaf park where everything happens. In Salem, you have two places to meet someone – either at the Pub or in the Fake Leaf Park. That’s it. If you want to have dinner somewhere, sorry, it’s a sandwich at the Fake Leaf Park or a fruit plate at the Pub.
I liked Caey, but he didn’t want to stick around so I think Billy will do a fine job in the role. At least the writers have realized the need for more Dimeras on the show. Only if a they could find a few more to keep Chad company come November.
Maybe, he will be ok, Steeeeeven. But, already I see traces of an out-of-character Chad. This nuChad is certainly acting as Lord of the Manor, robe and all…lol. The REAL Chad would never roam around the house in a velour robe, no less. Flynn needs to find the REAL Chad somewhere inside and emote that character.
chad will show salem the new bad boy hope he is not whipped like ej from sami they made ej into a little lap dog he should have told sami kiss off but he didn’t but I will stay with days chad is what I am watching days for now
I have a sneaking suspicion that EJ is setting up Sami — I don’t think she can humiliate a man like EJ without consequences. I think he is doing to her, what she did to him, making her believe he is on her side, wants her back, will protect her– but at the right moment I think he will yank the rug from under her, take her kids and disappear. Then Sami will go off looking for them, which is my theory how they will write these two characters off the show.
Sounds plausible…and i love it…you should be a story consultant…but what would be a great twist is that Sami secretly knows what E.J. is up to and she takes off with the kids…and E.J. goes looking for her!!!
@jimh– yeah that would be a good twist on a twist, but since we already know that James Scott left the show before Allison, we have to assume EJ is first to leave Salem. My theory is based on the fact that I can’t see Sami wanting to leave Salem, uproot her children, be separated from her grandchild, unless the reason was really compelling. So that is why I thought EJ will take off with the kids forcing Sami to go after them– but who knows what will shake down, Days is the only soap I have a hard time predicting.
Jimh, you’re just too funny. Always one up on all of us.
Does anyone else see a resemblance between Billy Flynn and Casey Moss?
Ye, I do, Jimmy…it’s around the eyes, for me…not the color…just his glance. The nose is similar also.
Don’t like the new Chad at all. They should have gotten someone at least as tall as Casey. Billy Flynn looks more like the actor who played Nick. My Mom even thought it was Nick!
Don’t like Flynn’s interpretation of Chad. He plays Chad too creepy. Casey’s Chad was never creepy. Also, I liked the scenes between Casey and Joe Mascolo as Chad and Stefano respectively. Don’t expect to see that same dynamic. I think casting messed this one up.
I don’t care for him much. I understand the writing of his character being different though. He’s been living with Stefano of course he’s changed and not for the better. I wish Days would move on from someyhing/someone always breaking up Daniel & Jennifer and JJ & Paige. Move on already!! They rehash the same scenarios over and over.
I still miss the original Chad but I’ll give the new actor a chance. I’ll root for any character that will try to make Abigail’s life messy and unhappy.
I liked him.. good choice.. a good Dimera!
My first impressions were YIKES. Wish nuChad and nuWill would exit.
And bring Stefano back FOR REAL.
He does look like a combo of Nick and JJ. I will give him a chance but I was pretty fond of Casey as Chad. If Melanie is coming back also and going to be in a quad with Abigail, Chad, and Ben that might be hot.
It today’s show is any indication it looks like there might be a Chad/ Jordan pairing in the making. If so, then l hope that will make her more interesting, because she is so dull with Rafe.
The same thing crossed my mind, Mary……he looks kind of young, though. I think an older Chad would have been a better choice.
Chad needs to be replaced. He just does not fit.
I really hate the new Chad. The old Chad was so cute and lovable/likable. I thought the new Chad was Nick at first. I couldn’t stand the Nick character either. I hope they do an immediate recast of the new Chad. I’ll never get used to him in this role… Very disappointed!!!
The character of Chad is a new man. He has recovered from his gunshot and feels betrayed by Abby and EJ. Also, Stefano has influenced Chad.
He is a good recast at the perfect time!
I think Stephano will do something to Sami and EJ will protect her by taking her and their kids somewhere. They’ll go into hiding. Of course, you can’t hide from Stephano (and it’ll eventually show that it somehow was Stephano’s plan all along). This will go on until Days figures out a way to bring them back!!!
Give the new Chad a chance . He does appear to have an edge; plus, I think he’s setting up Kate for a huge fall. Chad is on his father’s team.
Don’t care for the new Chad, I too thought it was Nick at first.. Redo please…
ej will get shot but not killed he will be the new phoenix just like Stefano and he will come back looking for abby and do to abby what Stefano did to marlena just wait and see. Abigail = marlena Ej = Stefano Ben = john see what I see same story and I hope days does it
he is just perfect, love him love him…. NOT the new will yak
Days Of Our Lives
Sydney Malekeh Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’ in Mystery Role: Who Do You Think She’s Playing?

There’s a new gal coming to Salem, or is she new and a recast? That’s what inquiring minds from Days of Our Lives fans have been trying to figure out since the Peacock soap opera dropped an Instagram video heralding actress‘ Sydney Malekeh’s arrival in Salem.
The soap did confirm that viewers will first see Malekeh on the September 9 episode. In the video, Malekeh is seen going set to set from her dressing room and in to the halls of Days of Our Lives studios.
What we do know id that Sydney has been acting professionally for 6 years and had appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, Apple TV’s Shrinking and the HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Plenty of Malekeh’s DAYS castmates jumped into the comment thread with positive emojis symbols or written excitement including: Paul Telfer (Xander), Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), Sal Stowers (Lani), Conner Floyd (Chad), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Christie Clark (Carrie) and more now that fans will finally see her on-air. Since Days of Our Lives tapes 10-11 months in advance, Sydney would have started taping the show sometime back in 2025.
DAYS fans think perhaps because the actress’ name is Sydney that she might be playing the grown-up daughter of Sami and EJ. That character hasn’t bee on the canvas since 2021.
So, who do you think Sydney Malekeh might be playing on Days of Our Lives? Drop your casting director thoughts via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
Peacock Hikes Subscription Rates for Fourth Time in Four Years; ‘Days of Our Lives’ Fans Sound Off

While recently the streaming service Peacock reported turning a profit for its first time since its infancy, now comes word that the company is raising their prices for all customers, and in some cases it stared today on August 18.
The news of the subscription rate increases marks the fourth time the NBCUniversal streaming platform has done so in four years. So, on August 18, Peacock is increasing the prices for new or returning subscribers and customers, while current subscribers will see the rate increase on or after September 17 depending on their billing cycle when they initially signed up.
Here is the new pricing to follow along: Peacock Premium (which includes ads) will be $12.99/month, up two dollars from $10.99; Peacock Premium Plus will be $19.99/month, up three dollars increase from $16.99; and the Peacock Select tier (which includes current and past seasons of NBC and Bravo shows but excludes movies, live sports and Peacock originals) will increase a dollar from $7.99 to $8.99/month.

Photo: JPI
SUBSCRIBERS CONTINUE TO PAY MORE ACROSS THE STREAMER LANDSCAPE
It was back in June that the streamer reported that aid subscribers were up to 48 million adding a 2 million net gain during Q2 in of 2026. The subscription price hikes are rampant now in the entertainment streaming industry where over the last two years for example, Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+ have all raised their fees to consumers.
Peacock’s tier-levels feature not only Days of Our Lives, but reality hits such as The Traitors and Love Island USA, Bravo series, and a vault of Saturday Night Live, Law & Order, The Real Housewives franchise, and Below Deck episodes as well. Pecock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers have access to sports and live events, as well.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES SUBSCRIBERS HAD A FEW CHOICE WORDS FOR PEACOCK
As Days of Our Lives fans know, the soap opera moved from NBC to the streamer back in September of 2022 after 57 years on broadcast television. When the news hit X on the price increase, DAYS fans had a lot to say about it. Here are just a few of the comments below:
“I can’t believe Peacock and can’t come to a deal with Cordya to air old episodes of #Days. That alone would bring a ton of subscribers,” to If Peacock actually cared about #Days of Our Lives, gave the show the budget it needs for better sets, cameras, background actors and enough time to tell proper stories, I wouldn’t mind paying more. If the money actually showed on screen, the higher price would be worth it,” to “I will continue to pay for a Peacock subscription as long as #Days is on it, but did we know there was another price increase coming?” and more.
So, what do you think of the new price hike increase to watch Days of Our Lives and your other favorite shows and events on Peacock? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)

In the upcoming indie feature Veronica & Julian from director Otoja Abit, two former Days of Our Lives stars, Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe Lane) and Kyler Pettis (ex-Theo Carver), headline the drama feature in this story of a May-December romance that faces challenges along the way.
Veronica & Julian centers on a confident and successful marketing executive (Bjorlin) who winds up falling for a younger aspiring architect (Pettis). From there, a journey of desire and self-discovery is set against the backdrop of present-day New York City.
The cast also includes: Blake Jenner (ex-Glee), Erin Cummings, Chrystee Pharris (ex-Simone Russell, Passions and Queens of Drama), Robert Lee Leng, Mark Famiglietti and Jennafer Newberry.

Photo:
LIVE CHAT WITH NADIA AND KYLER PLANNED
Now, Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively: the key poster art below, and that current plans that call for Veronica & Julian to be released and made available late this holiday season.
In addition, Nadia and Kyler will join us for a very special livestream conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel (Monday, Aug 24 – 3PM ET/Noon PT) to chat about their roles in the film, their time on Days of Our Lives, life post-soap opera, and much more. Fans can join the live chat and pose their questions to the actors as well.

Courtesy/Bright Leicht Content LLC
THE THEMES BEHIND VERONICA & JULIAN
Director Otoja Abit shared this statement on the feature film, “Veronica & Julian is about the right people who have a chance meeting at the wrong time. It’s a look at two people who don’t grow apart—they just grow up. This film is an authentic exploration of an imminent ending and how two people deeply in love got there. It aims to be quiet while telling a relatable story about modern-day relationships.”
Abit continued, “As a society, mainstream romantic films are often delivered through fantastical aspirations. I created this film believing that viewers who have experienced a breakup can relate to Veronica and Julian, depending on their perspective. They’re a couple navigating some of the most familiar obstacles in love: miscommunication, timing and pride.”
He concluded, “It’s a story about endings told through the small moments we often don’t recognize until they’re gone. With the support of the Panavision New Filmmaker Program, I approached the story with a deeper sense of visual control while maintaining the naturalism that defines each character.”

Photo: Bright Leicht Content LLC
NADIA AND KYLER GOT THEIR FIRST BIG BREAK IN SOAPS
As Days of Our Lives fans know, Bjorlin is best known for her long-running role as Chloe Lane. Nadia played the part from 1999-2023 with various runs in Salem. She is also known for her role as Lara in the Venice the Series since 2009. Nadia’s other TV and film credits include: A Murder Between Friends, NCIS, Two Broke Girls and more.
Pettis played Theo Carver on Days of Our Lives from 2015-2018 and earned himself a Daytime Emmy for his work in the now defunct Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series back in 2019. His other TV credits include roles on: The Rookie, All American: Homecoming and Ray Donovan.
Veronica and Julian is written, produced and directed by Abit and produced through his Willful Productions alongside Kory Apton and Ian Phillips. Executive producers include: Nick Leicht, Gregory Sinche, Shelly Sinche, Torsten Sippel, Tim Freydberg, Ryan Schulke and Matthew Conlin.
So, intrigued to see Nadia and Kyler as a romantic couple in the film Veronica & Julian? Miss them on Days of Our Lives? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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