Today, November 8, marks the iconic Days of our Lives 61st anniversary having first burst on to the soap scene back on this date in 1965 on NBC. For 57 years the soap opera was a part of the NBC daytime programming block, and then in September of 2022 it debuted on the NBCUniversal streamer, Peacock as the first broadcast television daytime drama to move onto a streaming platform.

Now, here we are in DAYS sixth decade, and it’s found a way to survive with their unconventional taping schedule of shooting almost a year ahead of dropping new episodes on the platform, and Salem is still kicking as of this moment.

The anniversary week of episodes which begin tomorrow on Monday, November 9 through Friday November 13 will feature: the returns of Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley as Tony and Anna DiMera, more on the arrival of the newest DiMera, Dominik Marino as played by Kyle Pryor, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) in dire straits, and whatever secret long-running character, Abe Carver (Daytime Emmy winner, James Reynolds) is keeping.

Photo: JPI

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ON SALEM CANVAS LOOK IN THE MONTHS AHEAD

Days of our Lives executive producer, Ken Corday, who took over the reins of the soap from his parents, the late Ted and Betty Corday, fully in 1986, previewed what’s ahead as Salem turns 61 with Soaps.com and talked about the foundation of the shows legacy characters and families. Previously, the series was renewed for its 62nd and 63rd season.

Most intriguing is Corday revealed there is a brand new female character coming to the show in the Spring of 2027. Ken explained what lies ahead, “There are some new, young loves, rekindled romances and complicated triangles. I’m particularly excited about a brand-new character who brings some levity to the canvas and gets herself involved with almost everyone in Salem. She’ll debut in the spring.  Stay tuned!”

Corday also added, “We are having fun exploring the dynamics between the Kiriakis and DiMera families, much like the Montagues and the Capulets. Each of our core families –  the Hortons, Bradys, Carvers and Hernandezes – will be important in upcoming stories and will intertwine.”

NEWCOMERS AND FAMILIAR FACES

Pictured in the celebratory cast photo which was shared with the outlet were: DAYS newcomers Sofia Mattsson (Chloe Lane, and ex-Sasha Gilmore, GH), Brytni Sarpy (whose DAYS role is yet be revealed, ex-Elena, Y&R and Valerie, GH) and the return of Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).

You can check out this action in Salem and DAYS anniversary week promo below.

Then, share your congratulations today for Days of our Lives as they celebrate their 61st anniversary via the comment section below. Let us know your thoughts on who could be playing the brand-new female character Ken Corday is speaking of? We previously reported that it looked like Brytni Sarpy would not be hitting the screens till early Summer. 

Earlier this week on the November 2 episode of Days of our Lives, Kyle Pryor made his Salem debut when a key scene at the end of the episode, with Rita sitting in a chair, the long-talked about character of Dominic Marino unmasks himself!

This sets the stage for the new umbrella storyline that long-running soap opera set to turn 61 on November 8 is launching into. What we know thus far is the viewers are led to believe from a birth certificate discovered that the late Stefano DiMera and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) are the billionaire’s biological parents, but is he? Does Marlena have another son she will come to love?

Ahead of his debut, Michael Fairman TV caught up with Kyle Pryor on the red carpet at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards where he teased to us, whether Dominik will be all bad or just misunderstood?

Photo: Peacock

Pryor revealed, “I feel like having a bit of a good side makes it a bit more nuanced, but, we always want to see that sort of character development and not be too predictable. Just keep it a bit of a mystery and sort of surprising.”

Speaking about working with Days of our Lives icon Deidre Hall as his alleged mother on the show, Pryor had nothing but winning things to say about the legend. “Deidre is the absolute OG, amazing,” shared Kyle.”She’s so experienced on the show and her character has been through so many sort of trials and tribulations.”

As to his Days of our Lives father, Stefano DiMera, played by the late Joseph Mascolo, Nick shared he heard plenty of stories from the cast about Joe. “I heard that he was quite sort of method in his approach. as well. That behind the scenes, he would be his sort of usual casual self by the sounds of it. And then as soon as he gets on set, he’s in ii! An absolute sort of legacy … amazing character.”

Photo: JPI

In addition, TV Insider spoke to the former Home and Away (ex-Nate Cooper) and Hollyoaks (ex-Laurence “Laurie” Shelby) soap star, where he was in for quite the shock at how far ahead Days of our Lives was taping in advance of streaming new episodes on Peacock.

Kyle expressed, “Every other show that I’ve worked on in the past, it’s been a much faster turnaround, Usually somewhere around five, six weeks, so it’s been really interesting keeping a secret for 10 months. Also, this is the fastest soap that I’ve ever worked on, so you have to become very good at being instinctual, which in a weird way works for me. I’m a bit of an over-thinker, so it’s nice to be just very reactive and in the moment. It’s a lot of dialogue to get across, and Dominic loves a chat, so there’s always a lot to deal with.”

You can check out our quick chat with Kyle Pryor on the red carpet at the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards below and make sure to check out more video coverage of Emmy night via the Michael Fairman Channel here.

So place your bets! When all is said and done will Dominic Marino be the true biological son of Marlena Evans she never knew she had? Or is someone else his mother? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

Days of our Lives actress Raven Bowens has opened about publicly about what happened when she learned back at the very beginning of 2026 that she was being let-go by the soap opera after playing Chanel Dupree for five years.

Bowens took to her TikTok and explained in a video what went down and how that helped inspire her next move in life. “On January 2nd, before I could even start on any of my New Year’s resolutions, I got fired,” shared Bowens after receiving a call from DAYS early that morning.

“For the backstory, I spent five years working on Days of Our Lives. I played Chanel Dupree. I love my character. I love the show. I love everyone that I worked with. I had just signed a new contract that was for nine months, but every three months, your contract can not be renewed or picked up.”

Photo: JPI

THE DREADED CALL

Chanel recalled the moment she found out. “It’s like, eight o’clock in the morning, and I am completely blindsided” Next, Bowens recalled saying to her sister in that moment, “‘Why would my producer be calling me on January 2nd? We don’t go back to work for a week. Something is going on. I think I’m getting fired.” Then, Chanel revealed, “I answered that call, and that is what that call was.”

As to the reason for her pink-slip, Raven shared, “I was told that they didn’t have a storyline for me at the moment and so they will be writing my character off at the end of my current storyline.”

Trying to buckle up after hearing she was being fired, Raven recalled, “While that isn’t fun, that is the business of show business, especially on soap operas. So it is what it is. That’s the contract I signed. I had to accept it. But it was a really hard reality.” She realized, “Having spent five years in Salem, I got comfortable. That was like my second home.”

RAVEN BOWENS EXITS DAYS ALONG WITH THREE OTHER ACTORS

As Days of our Lives fans know, Bowens along with her on-screen love Carson Boatman (Johnny), Leo Howard (Tate) and Ashley Puzemis (Holly) were also let go at the same time. Since DAYS tapes nearly 10-11 months in advance, Raven and Carson’s final airdates should be right around the corner, although nothing has been released.

After explaining the life-changing job news, Raven explained what she is up to next: “My next chapter is not my acting career ending because I’m an actress. I will always be an actress. I have sacrificed so much for this life and for this career and I love it. I will never give it up and I will never quit. However, losing the job made me realize the importance other streams of income.”

THE NEXT CHAPTER POST-DAYS

From there, Bowens encouraged fans to follow her journey on TikTok to become a millionaire by the end of 2027 with money and wealth management. In fact, she launched a new TikTok series, Millionaire Pending where she plans to document the financial journey she is with advice from a financial adviser, wealth coach and her father.

Bowens explained, “When that job ended, I was kind of shocked. I had felt a certain sense of security, even working in a non-secure profession, and I didn’t really prepare. This series is me trying to put myself in a position so that nothing like this ever happens again.”

So what do you think about Raven coming forward with how her dismissal from Days of our Lives went down? Will you miss Chanel and Johnny when they eventually exit Salem? Will you be interested to check out Raven’s wealth management series on TikTok to see if you can pick up any pointers for financial security and success? Let us know via the comment section.