Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Casting A Return For Mid-1970's Character, Valerie Grant!
Courtesy/NBC
Here’s a very intriguing casting call coming from the NBC soap opera, Days of our Lives! Under the new head writing regime of Ryan Quan and Dena Higley, the scribes are digging back into Salem’s past with the return of none other than Valerie Grant.
The histor of Valerie Grant to daytime is important and a key point in DAYS history. The character, originally played by Tina Andrews, was involved in the first interacial love story on the soaps opposite Richard Guthrie, who played Julie’s (Susan Seaforth Hayes) son, David Banning.
Back in 1977, the duo called off their engagement after a one year courtship, due to the fact that the storyline was unpopular with the viewers. Even having the on-screen couple share a kiss was a fight in itself to get on the air. At the time, Valerie was sent off the canvas to attend medical school. The character was last seen in 1982 as played by actress Diane Sommerfield.
According to Soap Opera Digest, in 2016, the mature version of Valerie that DAYS is seeking is described as: “A gorgeous African-American woman in her mid-50s. Courage and perseverance are two character traits that people admire her for the most. And while her experiences might have hardened other people and made them cynical, Valerie has grown into a wise and compassionate person – who still occasionally gets tripped up by her own mistakes.”
DAYS reveals in the casting notice that the role is recurring and will begin taping mid-May. The show is looking to cast an experieced actor only for the role.
What do you think of Valerie Grant returning to Salem? Who would you like to see play the role? Will she be romantically involved with someone this time? Do you remember, as we do, the love story of Valerie and David in the mid to late 70’s? Comment below!
Let me guess, this character is a love interest for Abe. Maxine has disappeared into the woodworks and Lani is gone. Days is a mess right now and a 10th reboot can’t fix it.
Amen. I’m so close to just dropping the show. I barely watch it now without ffing huge portions.
I agree, I’m glad the show got renewed for the sake of the cast and crew but Ken Corday is a cancer on this show.
Blake…y-e-s. And, further proof that Ken Corday himself obviously thinks that all of us soap fans are idiots…which we are N-O-T!!!!!!!!!! Bottom Line Here: I wish that SOMEONE would show that Ken Corday dude ‘the exit door’…N-O-W!!!!!!!!!!
long before my time but have heard of that storyline . The only actress who can play her in my opinion is Debbi Morgan . If that is the case i hope the character becomes a regular on the show and not a recurring one . And why not create the Valerie Grant and Abe Carver love story !
i had wriiten Days that suggestion some time ago so it might happen-i even had written that idea some time ago on this message board also suggesting she be Maxine’s cousin but it looks like Maxine is gone???
I would LOVE… for Debbie Morgan to return to serial
especially as a doctor… it’d be great to see Debbie Morgan… in a romance… with … Abe
plus to see her working side by side with Kayla and Finn
DAYS sure missed the boat… by NOT bringing back Vincent Irizarry as a doctor…
imagine Mary Beth Evans, Vincent Irizarry, and Debbie Morgan in Salem Hospital
Well I certainly agree with that – if they can snap up Debbi Morgan they should grab her while they can –
She was last seen on the re-boot of ALL MY CHILDREN on-line – too bad it all didn’t work out, that was so sad.
Days of our Lives needs all the help it can possibly get, Heaven knows – and casting Debbi Morgan would be a step in the right direction.
So, she will be onscreen in 2017?
LOL!!!
It’s ridiculous to keep bringing on all these new characters that noone cares about. Getting rid of Eve was a huge mistake. Fix it
it’s absurd isn’t it? FIRING Kassie DePiava…Eve’ return; would lighten up and bring back intelligence
I miss her… and , for all the posts that comment on how “DARK” Days; IS
??? I can’t over that pall … that has been cast on DAYS… it’s like a dark cloud that’s hovering…. (every since the Ciera and Chase RAPE)
I posted… bring back Kassie DePaiva and Chandler Massey to get this show out of the darkness
What would be great if Kassie DePaiva won the Emmy. Mostly because she greatly deserves it and it’s LONG overdue. And it would be a slap in the face to Ken and Sony for firing her.
Days needs to hire Kassie back.
I have an idea. Why don’t we get rid of all the existing cast members and bring back all the actors who played them if they are not deceased. We can eliminate any current storyline and go back to the days when all we did is talk about drama. Just what DAYS needs is to bring back another character no one was thrilled with and hurl them at us. Maybe Valerie can hook up with John and they can find out who they are together. I understand that back in the day, Valerie had an affair with Victor Kiriakis and that they had a child together. It turns out though that Victor had the baby removed from Valerie’s womb and transferred it into Maggie’s tired uterus whereby she gave birth to octuplets that no one knew of, including Maggie. Maggie spent all these years thinking she just had a very large tumor. Deimos found out about it and sold the babies to Kate. Kate raised them until they were 16 and then sold them to a child slave factory where they worked them to death to produce her latest fashion line. Nicole stumbles on to the story and finds out that Daniel is indeed alive but is being brainwashed by Paul Norita who is tired of being John’s puppet. Marlena goes on a quest to find Maggie’s missing children and instead stumbles on to her own secret children that she conceived while possessed by Satan. Instead of an immaculate conception she had a dirty conception and now has to explain to Sami, Eric and Belle how she gave birth to 25 children who now all live in Salem. Hope finds all this out and shoots all the residents of Salem thinking that they are ultimately responsible for Bo’s death and Ciara’s rape. When the story finally ends ( in about 25 years) we find out that it was all a dream of Stefano Dimeara who is actually John’s brother and they were all fathered by Abe. Write this down. Oh yeah and it turns out that while Valerie was off the scene she opened a brothel in Vegas where she is keeping Ciara, Clair and Summer who is pregnant with Brady’s child because everyone knows Brady can’t keep his hands or his….to himself….
I can and will accept any actress hired to play Valerie IF TINA ANDREWS IS OFFERED THE ROLE FIRST!
If I find out Tina wasn’t asked back, GOODBYE DAYS!!!!!
Loved Tina but she stopped acting in the late 1980s,,,plus Richard Gutherie passed away 20 years ago and they had fine chemistry together-Debbie Morgan and Tracey Ross would make fine replacements unless Tina is willing to come out of retirement but i doubt it.
An Affair Cut Short : 1977
It was a groundbreaking story when “Days of Our Lives” paired David Banning (Richard Guthrie) with Valerie Grant (Tina Andrews), but it proved too much for some viewers.
Though other soaps had danced around interracial romances, “Days” took it to a new level by pairing a white man (David Banning) and a black woman (Valerie Grant). Their relationship was rated G throughout its run and wasn’t necessarily an OMG moment until the reason behind the couple’s split made the papers: “The studio has been getting a lot of hate mail from people threatening to stop watching the show,” Richard Guthrie (who played Banning) told the Los Angeles Times. The show denied that was the reason behind the split, however.
———
I immediately thought of you JimH… when I saw this headline
anyway… I hope it’s to bring Abe and Theo back to life… and that this actress is in the hospital…
PS: more info on the character
Days of our Lives Wiki
Portrayed by
Tina Andrews (1975-77)
Diane Sommerfield (1981-82)
Current status
Former; Regular
Duration
1975-77, 1981-82
First appearance
October 1975
Last appearance
July 1982
Cause/reason
Left Town
Valerie Grant is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives portrayed by Tina Andrews from 1975-77, and Diane Sommerfield from 1981-82.
Days of Our Lives started to break new ground in the 1976-1977 storyline involving David Banning and Valerie Grant (played by Richard Guthrie and Tina Andrews). However, the producers unfortunately backed away from the story after receiving negative feedback. Some reports even said that Andrews received death threats from racist viewers.
David Banning was the son of longtime DOOL character, Julie Olsen Williams. Dr. Tom Horton convinced her to put David up for adoption after the death of his biological father, David Martin. David and Valerie fell in love and got engaged after her family took care of him following a car accident. They later broke off their engagement after David had an affair with Trish Clayton.
Debbie Morgan…i wrote to them some time ago about bring backing the character as a potential love interest for Abe-also as Maxine’s cousin who also liked Abe and to stir the pot bring back David…too bad they couldnt get Kin Shriner to play David since he hasnt got much to do at GH-loved David(Richard Guthrie) and Valerie Grant(Tina Andrews)-Tina shouldve couldve been a daytime superstar-loved her work on Days-too bad people werent ready for this story back then but i had no problems with it-wish soapnet had aired repeats of Days since they have all their episodes!!!
Or Tracey Ross-ex Passions!!!
I would start watching Days of Gloom if Debbi showed up. She -to me- is one of the best actresses I have ever seen and a lovely woman and why she is not on-air on soaps today or on prime-time- love her much.
Debbi Morgan and Tracey Ross are great suggestions. I hope this opens the door for David Banning to come back. It would give Julie and Doug more interaction. Also, telling the love story of Valerie and David in 2016 would be completely different than it was 30 years ago.
For the love of “All My Children,” let it be Debbi so we can see more scenes with her and Vincent.
I actually had written Days a year or two ago suggesting Debbie as Valerie!!!
with DAYS being so…. bleak… dismal… dark… you name it… it’s hanging itself
Debbie Morgan would be … my choice…
she imbues humanity… genuine… and her presence lends so much credibility
her appeal is radiant
Yeah!!!!!
Yeah, that would be a kick. It will be like “Days of All my Children” – well anything would be helpful with the way the show is going these days.
Totally agree with your choices and I want it to be Debbi too.
I say Amelia (her last name escapes me right now) that played Gilly Grant on Guiding Light and was also on Passions play her. She’s great.
Amelia Marshall!
If Valerie is indeed coming back, I hope she brings a few grown 20-something kids with her. My wish would be to see Valerie, David Banning, Mike Horton, Sarah Horton, Carrie Brady and Melissa Anderson come back. Now that would really be a blast from the past. Hopefully, Gregg Marx is available to come back as David.
I would love to see Gregg Marx back as David too and Michael Weiss as Mike! I like your list of come backs! Maggie needs her girls there. I think the writers have forgotten that Julie had a son and that she and Hope have a brother named Steve Olsen.
if days is realy serious about coming back from the ratings gutter in the past few months and really want to make headlines i hope the great victoria rowell is considered! … cast a hot african american lead opposite her and of course abe as a triangle and days will have a juggernaut on their hands!
bring victoria rowell back to daytime!!!
Please bring David back too
Debbi Morgan would be great, as would Tracey Ross. What about Amelia Marshall or Tonya Lee Williams? So many talented actresses with soap connections! 🙂
Amelia Marshall! I just posted that she should play this role, she’s a really good actress!.
I remember the David Valerie storyline and the controversy at the time. It was also around the same time that Julie had a girl friend who had a “crush” on her. It seemed like Dayscwas going in a progressive storyline, but just like Valerie and David, the producers got cold feet amid controversy. They abruptly wrote off the ‘friend’ as a crazy woman with unexplained feelings for Julie. Even as a kid, all those years ago, I remember feeling uncomfortable with how the same sex flirtation was being depicted in such a negative way. Julie was such an important character at the time, and I recall watching her scenes closely to monitor her reactions to the gay character. Thank goodness things have changed a bit forty years later. I hope they get Debbie Morgan in the role. If the original actress is still acting it would be really really cool if Corday would bring her back to pay Valerie’s mother.
Thank you for your comment Michael. I didn’t see Days back then, and it is really interesting to hear about that storyline and character.
On Air On Soaps says :
“Back in 1977, the duo called off their engagement after a one year courtship, due to the fact that the storyline was unpopular with the viewers. Even having the on-screen couple share a kiss was a fight in itself to get on the air. At the time, Valerie was sent off the canvas to attend medical school. ”
So in the 1970s, in response to people who disliked interracial relations, Days ended their black/white character relationship and took the black character off screen – sending her to medical college.
Jump forward almost 40 years to 2015, and Days, in response to conservative christians complaining about homosexual relationships on Days of Our Lives, Days ended the gay relationships on their show by having their kingpin legacy gay character (who had “grown up” on the show over very almost twenty years) brutally murdered in an illogical and unbelievable series of events which took almost every opportunity to give out anti-gay messaging – and then Days threw a HUGE PARTY, and resolutely refused to talk about the character that they had had murdered – to the extent that the cast were obviously nervous when asked about it. Further, NBC and Sony have not responded to the complaints brought to them. It’s six months later, and they still haven’t acknowledged the complaints, let alone apologized. And what’s more, Days of Our Lives has RE-EMPLOYED the writer, Dena Higley, who is said to have insisted on murdering the character.
Days’ actions since October have been shocking, appalling, and socially irresponsible. It’s a curious contrast between the present and the past! Betty Corday’s Days simply took a character off screen when under pressure – whilst Ken Corday’s Days had a character murdered in a display of anti-gay messaging; then partied; and resolutely refused to talk about it. And on top of all this the openly gay and GLAAD award winning head of NBC Entertainment, Robert Greenblatt only comment is to say he is “happy” with the show!
I don’t have time right now to investigate the claims in your above statement- so I will assume they are true– and I am furious-seriously that is just plain damned wrong on so many levels- and let us start with a human one. Good Grief! Your thoughts have made me think- is this why the gays on GH are like-well- not in the story- I am guessing that every time a gay character or storyline comes out- including transgender ones- that the machinery that is well-oiled and funded and meticulously organized to destroy the “enemy” goes into overdrive and shuts it down.
And yes – kill the character off or make them mentally ill or both but get them out of here or- and this is exactly what it seems on GH- the old saying “seen and not heard” which I hate. Hate. Good grief -all boils down to hate and money.
I just read an article about “Empire” and how it has been pretty much a resounding flop in other countries that do not accept an all-black cast -etc. And blacks will turn on each other as will gays when the almighty dollar comes into play- I have seen it in my personal and professional life. thanks for your post.
I say Amelia Marshall that played Gilly Grant on Guiding Light and was also on Passions play her. She’s great.
YES! Great actress. And then snap up Rick Hearst to play her love interest. Remember their chemistry on GL? I wish the show would have explored a relationship between Gilly and Alan-Michael!
Oh yeah I do remember them work together and flirt.
Too bad Vince Williams died, Hamp and Gilly were great.
What’s funny is that instead of aging this character, they are having this character age backwards as Valerie would be pushing into her mid-60s if I’m not mistaken. The other thing that is off the wall is that back then, when the show got a lot of hate mail about he interracial romance, the show fixed it immediately since they weren’t 6 months ahead in production. This is a surprise that the character is coming back though. I am with the majority on Debbi Morgan playing her. That would be fun.
DAYS has become my new home soap after the cancellations of recent years. I have seen moments of brilliance in Salem, been excited about developments and then… felt like the rug is pulled out from under me (for example, the firing of Kassie as Eve, the decimation and murder of the Will character)! I like diversity in daytime drama. I like the idea of a revived character. Cast it correctly and move forward with a long-term plan. Seems today’s dramas are shortsighted. Too many comings and goings, lurches in plots and characters, revised histories. That is not direction. I would think there is a bible of sorts to guide writers at every level and entry.
I remember the story very well. I was a huge fan of Richard Guthrie. I understand why
the relationship was terminated. I loved the storyline between David and Trish, and
thought that it was beautiful that the writers portrayed David as an honorable man who
chose to do the right thing by Trish. I remember when David and Trish were in the delivery room. After watching her go through 14 hours of labor without any pain
meds (she was afraid it would harm the baby), he looked down at her from behind, while holding her up as she was going through a contraction, and said “I am so sorry I did this to you.” I was deeply saddened when he died, at the age of 45, after taking a
fatal combination of cardiac medications. He died in his sleep October 29th 1995.He
will always have a special place in my heart.
I remember the storyline. I was a huge fan of Richard Guthrie. I thought it was beautiful the way they portrayed David as an honorable man who chose to do the
right thing by Trish. I remember the scene when He and Trish were in the labor room.
After watching her go through 14 hours of labor and refusing anything for pain (she
thought it might harm the baby), he looked down at her from behind and said: “I am so sorry I did this to you.” I was deeply saddened at his death from a fatal combination of
cardiac meds. He died Oct. 29th, 1995 at the age of 45. He will always have a special place in my heart.
I would love to see Valerie come back, and reunite with David. (Maybe Gregg Marx) David had moved to Los Angeles to be near Scotty who was Chief of Residents at a
large hospital nearby. He had seen an advertisement in the entertainment section
of the newspaper for an opening night gala featuring popular recording artist….
“Trish Clayton”. He went to the show and she invited him back to her dressing room to talk. They both realized that they still had feelings for each other. He invited her to
dinner at his townhouse and they wound up once again in bed. She did not get pregnant, however, but it was a turning point for them and they soon reunited. They were together for 6 months when she was diagnosed with cancer. It was terminal.
She died a 9 mos. later. David could not bare to stay in the townhouse without her. so he sold it and returned to Salem once again……The rest falls into place. Valerie helps him get over the pain of losing her and they slowly begin to rekindle their
relationship.
I remember this story as well, and I loved David and Valerie’s story. I have been hoping and praying that they would bring them and reunite them again. Valerie was David’s first love, she was the one that truly got away. And so its thirty years later and Val, as David use to cal her is back in Salem for some much needed rest. She has just lost the man who helped mend her broken heart after she broke it off with David. She has a son and a daughter that she brings back home. She takes a job at the hospital, where she runs into Julie. Julie is overjoy to see her again. After talking over old times and getting to know Valerie again, Julie puts in a call to her son and gets him back to Salem. And there it begin.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Jacob Martinez on LGBTQ Representation, ‘Javi is the Kind of Character I Wish I Could Have Looked Up to On Television as a Kid’
Next month, Jacob Martinez will make his highly-anticipated debut as the recast Javi Martinez on Peacock. Martinez takes over the role from Al Calderon who wraps on-screen in May. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episodes, Jacob has been firmly entrenched in Salem for quite awhile now.
Martinez who is out in real life, shared how he realized the importance of LGBTQ and Latino representation in movies, television and streaming projects, and on DAYS when Javi is now played by Jacob, he will be in the thick of the drama with the man he had married, Leo Stark and the other members of the Hernandez family and more.
The young actor who is also quite the singer, spoke with OUT about working on a soap opera for the first time in his career, and what makes Javi, one of the most beloved and unique character’s on the soaps these days. In an ironic twist, Javi is a paramedic, and Jacob has also worked similarly in a related field.
“Being Hispanic, gay, and an emergency medical technician definitely helped me draw from real-life experiences when I got the role, explained Martinez. “But after reading the first few scripts, it became clear to me what truly drives this character: his heart. Javi is the type of person who constantly puts others before himself — not only on the job, but in his personal life as well.”
JAVI CAN CHANGE LIVES
Jacob who was born in Nebraska, didn’t publicly come out until he was 22, and shared he didn’t have the easiest time growing up: “You can probably imagine what it was like growing up as a closeted, gay, Christian boy in a conservative red state, with a preacher for a grandfather and a dash of Hispanic intolerance.”
Speaking on his takeaway from his time thus far inhabiting the on-screen life of Javi Hernandez on the long-running soap, Martinez expressed, “The truth is, Javi is the kind of character I wish I could have looked up to on television as a kid. Getting the chance to hopefully be that inspiration for another kid somewhere in a small town makes it all worthwhile.”
Make sure to circle June 30 for the new Javi to show up on your screens in Salem. Now the question is, will he be back in the story with a new love, trying to get back with Leo, or will forces keep them continually apart?
What did you think about Jacob’s thoughts on the importance of having a role model such as Javi for young latino and gay men to look up to on TV and to see themselves reflected in our pop culture? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Kristen Double Crosses Sophia and Sends Her Up the River; Rachel Boyd Delivers Emotional Performance
The twisted topsy-turvy story of Sophia Choi has seemingly comes to an end on Days of our Lives or has it? Whatever the case, the Friday, May 1 episode of the Peacock streaming soap opera, and the episode proceeding it, gave actress Rachel Boyd a great exit story complete with Sophia writing a suicide note, that also gave DAYS a moment to end their Friday cliffhanger with a suicide prevention message. However, Sophia didn’t take her own life, it appears that Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) murdered her!
The unstable Sophia has been causing problems for everyone in Salem most notably, Rachel, Johnny, Chanel, Holly, Tate and more. So, the resolution of this story appears to be what the character deserves, but this is DAYS, and people have habit of coming back from the dead.
On Friday, after tying up Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) in his apartment and turning on the gas, Sophia left him there to die. In the pick-up, we learn Johnny imagined the place blowing up with Chanel (Raven Bowens) inside it. When he came to in the reality of the situation, he is tied up and the gas fumes are on. Outside the apartment, Javi (Al Calderon) and another paramedic show up and he burst down the door to save Johnny. Meanwhile, we see that Chanel is still at University hospital where she learns from Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) that she has a breast cancer malignancy.
Courtesy/Peacock
Sophia, who has just written the suicide note, which is part of the plot that Kristen set for her, is confronted by her mother. Eventually, after hearing Jada (Elia Cantu) and Brady (Eric Martsolf), she sneaks out her bedroom window. Next, she runs into Tate (Leo Howard) and Holly (Ashley Puzemis) at Horton Town Square. Holly goes in on Sophia: “We all know you shouldn’t have been let out of Bayview, you crazy bitch! Part of me wishes you really were dead!” Sophia calls her former friend horrible, blows her and Tate a kiss, and the makes her exit.
At this point, Sophia had been off her medication which would have helped balance her out, but she continues to be a deeply troubled teenager. Kristen had a concocted a plot to bring Sophia down once and for all for having her young daughter, Rachel, while in Bayview together, running drugs fo her to Holly. Viewers will recall the pills were actually Sophia’s own antipsychotic medication, which she had previously been swapped for Holly’s skin supplements. Rachel was unaware she was acting as a drug courier. That sets the stage for Kristen’s ultimate act of revenge.
In the final moments of the episode, Sophia had met up with Kristen on the bridge in the evening. She takes the gun out of her purse that Kristen gave her to kill Johnny, and throws it in the river, making Kristen believe she shot him, when instead she chose to gas him. Perhaps, believing someone would find him, since he is raising her child?
Courtesy/Peacock
Next, Sophia demands Kristen’s promised payment, for faking her suicide and so she can head to Paris to start a new life. Kristen directs Sophia to throw her shoes in the water, and get her fingerprints on the railing. With her back to Kristen, she is double crossed when Kristen picks up a rock, bashed Sophia in the head and had her male cronies toss the young teen into the river below. “I told you revenge was sweet,” announced Kristen!
Following the streaming of the pivotal episodes the official Days of our Lives Instagram account posted some behind the scenes photos of Stacy Haiduk and Rachel Boyd (you can see it below) which says, “Things took a dark turn at the pier for Sophia and Kristen, but behind the scenes, Rachel and Stacy kept the mood a little lighter. Continue watching the drama unfold, only on Peacock.”
If as it appears to be that Rachel Boyd has exited DAYS, she definitely went out delivering some haunting performances. However, the just released Days of our Lives promo for the week of May 4, 2026, shows Kristen being visited by a bloodied Sophia. Is she hallucinating or did the girl survive?
Share your thoughts on Kristen’s plot to kill Sophia, and what you thought of the plot twist and the performances of Rachel Boyd leading up to it via the comment section below. But first, check out the promo for next week on DAYS.
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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.”
Calderon took to his Instagram story and simply shared, “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’ Jacob Martinez on LGBTQ Representation, ‘Javi is the Kind of Character I Wish I Could Have Looked Up to On Television as a Kid’
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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Kristen Double Crosses Sophia and Sends Her Up the River; Rachel Boyd Delivers Emotional Performance
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Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
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General Hospital1 week agoBrandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
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Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
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Days Of Our Lives7 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
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General Hospital4 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Giovanni Mazza Performs Aladdin’s ‘A Whole New World’ Ahead of Monday’s Crossover with Michael James Scott
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General Hospital4 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Chris McKenna On Jack’s Reaction to Carly Cheating On Him with Valentin: ‘Heartbreak and Absolute Rage and Humiliation’
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Recaps3 days agoY&R’s Joshua Morrow Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’: His Co-Stars Couldn’t Agree More (Exclusive)
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Breaking News6 days agoJacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role