Days Of Our Lives
Brandon Beemer and Martha Madison Back At Days of our Lives!
Courtesy/NBC
As DAYS move full stream ahead under head writer Ron Carlivati’s storylines, looks like two favorite Salemites are back on the canvas and taping episodes!
According to Soap Opera Digest, look for Shawn and Belle, Brandon Beemer and Martha Madison, to be back on the series in shows that air later in the year.
The talented twosome had appeared in storylines and been on and off the canvas over the last year as well.
Madison confirmed her being back at DAYS tweeting: “It’s good to be home. frequentFlyerMiles #Days #TheGoodOldDays #Family #Shelle“
So, what does Mr. Carlivati have planned for Belle and Shawn when they get back in story? Comment below.
I am SO happy to hear this! Ron HATED writing for vets on GH….but DAYS is different as it has always retained and maintained its basic core! Shawn and Belle are a part of that! They should be like the Mike and Nancy from Edge of Night…or Eden and Cruz from Santa Barbara…that happily married couple who get embroiled in everyone else”s messes and dramas…solve the problems…and remain a happy couple. If I swear…..if Ron digs up Jan Spears…then I sincerely hope the show is cancelled!!
Completely agree with the Nancy/Mike, Eden/Cruz idea.
Lol I had to look up Jan Spears, and just the fact that I had to look her up is proof that they don’t need her, in my opinion as well. I have to say to Ron’s defense on GH he is still considered to be the main person responsible for keeping it on the air when he got there, and he not only wrote for vets at the beginning but even juggled characters from OLTL until that horrible Prospect Park got their non promise keeping grubby dishonest hands on them, and then the lawsuit, where he was forced to keep Oltl actors on the show by changing their identity; it all went downhill from there.
Now I’m not saying that he didn’t completely lose steam towards the end and made several characters that no one wanted or needed to see on canvas, and killed off several characters that served the canvas well like A.J, and I think Duke, and made the horrible mistake of making Ava kill Connie, a dark mark that will always tarnish her from being completely redeemed, but he brought back characters like Lucy, Kevin, revitalized the Jeromes and he made great characters like Ava that Maura West plays to perfection, and made several old and new lgbt characters front burner AND legacy, and only Days has had more than one gay character and written seriously for them, and that was quite a feat. Yes, he went completely off the rails with characters like Sabrina and wasting Roger Howarth on Franco when no one liked that character and only supports him because of who’s playing him, he still brought humor and several vets back on like Felicia and did what he could until he was blocked by the powers that be from cutting loose and doing it his way, from what I’ve heard. He should’ve been given a long vacation like the actors are given but he wrote non stop year round until he just lost his luster. Days is a much better fit and goes to his strengths, many have said and he has said. He even talks to the actors which many writers never do, and they respect him enough to return to canvas if he asks. So I would say, give him a chance, 6 months at least to start cooking and making the show shine with his personal signature, and hopefully he will dig deep for old gems in new story, but not just any character like Jan, lol.
So glad Ron C. brought Shawn and Belle back, he is doing so many great things already!
Yeah, blake….good to see familiar faces. I wonder what their return means for Claire.
—aside—-Brandon looks like he’s lost some weight.
I will take Brandon thick or thin;)
Well, it will take over 6 months to find out..
that’s so crazy the way it plays for half a year before new stuff can get in..
wonder what the reason for the 6 month span is..
1,000% agree.
as much as i like brandon, jason cook will be the only real shawn d in my books!..
i know he s not committed full time but considering shelle never seems to stay long to bad they cant work around jasons schedule.
Yes totally Jason is a doll too
Yeah he was great as Shawn D. He definitely looked and acted like Bo’s son.
Maybe we are building up the core family units again with legacy characters and popular talents. DAYS needs that. Just please give them something meaningful to do and do not shuffle them in and out hurriedly. Take a lesson from the Y&R revival. I like what I see in Genoa City.
I absolutely agree. Y&R has improved considerably under Mal Young and Sally Sussman. I said from the time Shawn and Belle were ushered off the canvas that they should be at the top of Ron C’s return list, and here they are! They’re two of the shows best characters and they are both talented actors. Ron said in a recent interview that he wants to write for the vets, and it looks like he’s going to deliver. I hope they are offered contracts and stick around for the long haul.
Good thoughts, Iakovos. You’re right….Days does need legacy characters. We barely see the ‘steady’ ones.
As Yogi Berra famously said, “It’s deja vu all over again”. Didn’t we just go through this revolving door of returning and exiting vets? Ron’s writing can be brilliantly nuanced and also insufferably over the top. I tuned in to see his material debut this week and saw no noticeable change in tone or substance. I was seriously put off by the wacky factor of having the character of Hattie suddenly appear front and center again. Having beloved vets return is in and of itself not a harbinger of great storytelling. The way Days has been going they could feature a hologram of MacDonald Carey and still have it be a bust!
Glad to hear they’re back. They should never have let them go.
I am tried of have days not beaning on because of new breakins win I stode watch it on the fox new if you wated to see it just go to fox news
Bring back my baby Jason cookie cook!!!!!!!!!
Sorry but I thought these two characters were as dull as dish water – I didn’t miss them at all (no offense to the actors portraying them intended) – it’s just that, they seemed to constantly re-hash the same on-again, off again romance between them. If other viewers are happy to see them back on the canvas, I guess that’s fine by me but I didn’t find them captivating at all.
Exactly. At least belle isn’t with Phillip. That really stunk up the place. I agree, keep these two apart. I thought Shawn had places to go with Lani. This time around they must show Belle interacting WITH her parent’s, John N Marlena. I’m glad they’re back. Martha Madison has grown on me
Shawn and Belle, children of two supercouples, should be leading. I’m hoping they’re back longterm!!
I couldn’t have said it better, 4ever! You’re the first person I thought of when Ron came, because I knew if you loved the show already no matter what regime, then imagine how much diehard fans/supporters like yourself will love it when a fresh writer comes on with new energy and isn’t just wiping out history and rewriting it to serve his/her needs, but the total opposite, respecting previous story, making new ones, AND writing for the vets in a way that’s so respectful that it looks like a brand new season of the soap! The show has it’s fair share of vets, but uneven attention to several characters kept many undeservedly in the background, or off the canvas completely.
Fortunately Ron realized right away the mistakes in my opinion that almost decimated this amazing and long running soap, like killing Will off, an important legacy character in a story that no one will remember, and Belle and Phillip both leaving town and leaving their daughter behind to be raised by whoever is willing was ridiculous and out of character even for two divorced parents. Plus Martha Madison is compelling in a way that I had never seen her and was as interesting as her other siblings, but on and off the canvas for no reason when both have something to offer their respective families in storyline if written properly. Hope is strongest when she’s with her family, and she needs a story that doesn’t involve force feeding us her boring relationship with Rafe, who I’ve seen click with several couplings, but he will never be the second coming of Bo like the Dena tried to make him. Hopefully Hope’s family can keep her busy with a story until they find someone that she has electric chemistry with, in a love story that happens organically, makes sense, and doesn’t just look good only on paper. Hopefully the revival of this show will finally make not only Belle and Shawn stay, but with story worthy of the characters and their fans.
I’m very excited that tptb listened to the fans deafening screams of getting a writer that fits the shape of the show, and wants to write for vets. The returns alone and the excitement of the cast and the specific things they’ve said about the new energy on the set and even being excited to read the whole script just tells me this was the right decision, and I thank and respect Sony for doing what needs to be done to take the best care possible of the soaps we have left, by getting writers for Y&R and Days that know and respect the history, because in one fell swoop Days is becoming my must see soap and GH has become my least favorite, but hopefully ABC will see what the other two channels are doing and giving Gh a much needed makeover with a new writer and producer.
I also hope that they give Ron a chance to spread his wings and not only write for the cast equally, but give Abigail and Chad a chance to stay together and get the hernandez homewrecking crew some single characters, because both of them wanting to divide and conquer a married couple is ridiculous and doesn’t do either of them any favors. Finally Kate will have frontburner story and not walk around trying to unite Chad and Gabi together which is beneath her character’s importance and frankly none of her damn business. Hopefully we can see couples that click, and not junk like Jennifer and Eric who have a brother sister vibe. I have immense excitement and hope though, looking good already!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!
After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.
So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.
Photo: JPI
FIERY FACE OFF
The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.
Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.
Photo: JPI
A BROKEN SOPHIA
Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”
Photo: JPI
A DEADLY TRAP
Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.
So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
View this post on Instagram
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
Judith Light Talks Her Role in ‘The Terror: The Devil In Silver’ Dropping on AMC+ with Co-Star ‘Downton Abbey’ Alum, Dan Stevens
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
-
Days Of Our Lives5 days agoDAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
-
General Hospital4 days agoBrandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
-
General Hospital1 week agoPaige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
-
General Hospital6 days agoGH’s Giovanni Mazza Performs Violin Version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ at LA Lakers Playoff Game; Co-Stars Heap High Praise
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
-
General Hospital1 week agoSteve Burton’s Wife, Michelle Lundstrom, Raises Alarm on AI Scammers and Hoaxes, Pretending to be the ‘General Hospital’ Star