Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Casting Two New Roles! Who Would You Suggest To Play Them?
NBC’s Days of our Lives is casting two new roles: one is a contract role, and one is recurring, with the possibility to go to series regular!
The first is for the part of “Maya”, who is described as a 25-30 year old, gorgeous, African-American female. She is a confident, dedicated professional with a sensitive side. The character would be scheduled for first tape dates in late November/early December, which means she would likely be seen in mid year of 2015! The role is contract.
The second role is that of “Mateo” who said to be a handsome, and part or fully Hispanic male in the age range of 25-35 years old. The character is supposed to be charming and honest, which makes the women melt at his feet. He’s got courage, which creates a an exciting aura. “Mateo” is the role that starts recurring, but could go to a contract role.
OK, soap fans, put on your casting director hats! Who would you suggest to play the roles of Maya and Mateo? Who would you like to see on the NBC soap opera from daytime or primetime television that might be the perfect fit? Weigh-in below!
Instead of GH getting Y&R actors, its Days turn…the actress who plays Hilliary is gorgeous so she would be perfect in the role of ‘Maya’…an old flame of Bens perhaps?…could Mateo be really Dario, Rafes bro?…charming and honest doesnt fit him but maybe he’s a changed(different actor…lol) man?
Your suggestions are perfect, jimh…much better than mine. Y&R’s Hillary’s talents are wasted there,. This actress has so much potential which is not being explored on Y&R.
Also, Mateo, as Rafe’s brother makes a lot of sense….unless he’s another one of Stefano’s long, lost, prodigal sons. Stefano and Sonny (GH) must compare notes.lol
I wonder if this new female character will be related to Maxine…or like the poster below suggested, a niece for Abe…either way works for me!!!
DOOL needs some new blood. I feel like the clock is ticking, knowing that EJ, Sami and Kristen will soon be off the canvas. Currently, there are no characters the have any rooting value, with the exception of Hope and Aidan. There are so many stories that are NOT working. Unfortunately, the show tapes so far in advance, it is frightening to think that the ratings could tank before something happens. The writers need to make the villainess characters have more depth. The character of Eve is a disaster. Theresa is still making me cringe. The amount of time spent with day players talking to major characters is not moving the story along. Dies the show really think the audience cares about Ben talking to Tee? I am also feeling like Paige is being forced down our throat. I want characters with depth, not being a bitch just for the sake of being one. Let the audience know why Eve still holds a grudge against Jennifer. The whole Frankie/Jen/Eve story of 20+ years ago is not believable.
I’m hoping that “Maya” is related to Abe… he does have a brother & sister out there so maybe this is a niece. No idea who I would suggests to play her. Maybe the girl that played Cassandra on the AMC reboot. I’m wondering if Mateo is going to be Rafe’s brother Dario– Rafe needs family on canvas. I liked the guy who played Dario fine enough. Most of the actors & actresses I really want to see back on daytime are not in that age range.
The guy that played Connie’s son on GH has been recurring on Graceland, so not sure that Days is his speed anymore, but he would make a good Mateo.
Good deduction, Reagan, albeit what I said above may also apply…lol.
Interesting. Could Mateo be another Hernandez (or a possible Dario recast?). I wouldn’t mind it. As far as I’m concerned, Rafe is the best thing Days has going for it right now, and I wouldn’t mind another Hernandez family member in town.
I wonder if this is a Dario recast? Not sure who could play either role, but wish it were some Bradies or Hortons coming on instead. I wouldn’t mind an extension of the Hernandez family if they would recast Gabi and bring on the mom by casting Saundra Santiago (ex-Carmen, GL, ex-Carlotta, OLTL).
Yeah for the Hortons & Brady’s to have been such staples in the show’s history, the presence of both families — especially the Brady family– is almost non existent. The ethnic casting is much needed for Days. I do wish though that Melissa Archer had been cast as a Brady or Horton instead of another new character.
How about Maya from B&B!?
Off-hand, I would say, Ella Thomas or Tiffany Hines as Maya.
I would love to see Enrique Iglesias as Mateo, but, he is not Hispanic. Iglesias is a Spaniard; European/Caucasian .
Galen Gering is not Hispanic neither are the other actors who played Hernandez family members.
That’s true, but they specifically ask for an Hispanic actor…perhaps tptb want a sexy, mysterious hispanic accent?
inglesias mom is filipino, so he’s hardly caucasain/wasp!
I did not know that. My bad.mi thought he was 100% Spaniard.mthanks, Aria.
More new characters? It seems like DAYS has been on a casting spree lately. And the role of Maya sounds suspiciously similar to the character Maya Avant, on The Bold and the Beautiful, who is also African-American and around the same age. Coincidence? Probably. I just hope these aren’t needless characters because DAYS’ cast is already pretty large, and unless they’re bring characters from the past back, or with already established ties to characters in Salem right now, I don’t see the point for them. Hopefully they’ll find some good actors for these roles, though, like Melissa Archer (Serena).
I can’t help you here. I was hoping to read that the casting call called for a woman between the age of fifty and sixty-five with a lilting East Coast accent–a woman who manages to be both intimidating and rather adorable when angry, well educated, and well suited to serve as the reigning matriarch of a wealthy family.
I will give you three guesses as to whom I would suggest and the first two don’t count.
Erika Slezak…duh!…and we have a WINNER!…lol Please Days…she’d be the perfect Laura since Susan Flannery…there is even a good resembalance!
For the role of Maya I’d like to see the young woman who played Destiny on the Prospect Park rendition of One Life to Live, Laura Harrier. She seemed to have a lot of potential.
I’d like to suggest the very pretty gal who played Angie and Jessie’s daughter Cassandra on the Prospect Park version of ALL MY CHILDREN, she also had quite a bit of acting potential.
I am glad that DAYS is trying to add some Ethnic diversity to their cast, I think it’s important to include everybody.
Laura Harrier for Maya.
How about Karla Mosley for Maya? 😉
Eric Veldez
Instead of new characters, how about bringing back some older ones with ties to the canvas? Resurrect Madison (Sarah Joy Brown) and bring back Taylor (Natalia Livingston) to the series. And then recast Sarah Horton, and bring on some familiarity and family ties to the canvas. I’d love to see Lindsey Hartley reprise Arianna, too. Though, she’d want to go to GH.
Melissa Archer shouldv’e played Sarah…not that new character Serena…unless she will be Sarah with a split personality named Serena…doubt Days would suprise us but im still hoping!!!
Daphne Duplaix
Ignacio Serachio (not sure of the spelling) , formerly of Y&R and GH, would be good. So would Jordi Vilasuso from GL and AMC. I also agree that Erik Valdez might be an interesting choice. Or DOOL could go with a talented newbie to soaps.
Actress SAL STOWERS who played Angie and Jesse’s kidnapped daughter on the Prospect Park version of ALL MY CHILDREN would be a perfect addition to the cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES. She really did an impressive job in the role of Cassandra.
Brook Kerr (ex- Whitney, Passions) and Jordi Vilasuso (Ex- Griffin, AMC)
Oh, yeah! Brooke would be perfect.
I’m excited to see more African Americans being cast on DAYS. I’d love it if Maya was related to Abe or Maxine. There was also a casting out a while ago for Shauna who was also an African American. Maybe they could also bring Celeste back with Tanya Boyd reprising the role. Celeste was always strange but very fun to watch on screen. If we’re lucky the writers might not mess this up
Love all the female choices. Samantha Logan is also a good choice.
If you’re talking about the Samantha Logan I think you’re talking, who appeared on GH, then she is way too young for this role.
For the role, I would suggest Shannon Kane (former Natalia-AMC) if she is interested.
Yeah you’re right, 17 years old can’t pull of playing 25-30, but 25-30 year olds can pull of playing 15-17. Shannon Kane is an excellent choice.
I’m honestly not optimistic AT ALL when it comes to Days casting African Americans. Remember Cameron?! They did absolutely nothing with him. And as long as I’ve been watching this show, I think they’ve put out a casting call for a new African American actress almost every year and I have yet to see one role actually be cast. Meanwhile, they currently have Alex Shipp who plays Mary Beth, the girl is really good in my opinion, but instead of putting her on contract, and making her the foil for JJ and Paige, and making her a relative of Maxine’s (who everyone seems to like and want more for), she is still being utilized as a side character.
As for the Hispanic character, if it is Rafe’s brother, I wish they would just bring back the original Dario, Francisco San Martin. He wasn’t a bad actor, he had a lot of charisma, and was way more interesting then his older brother. YET, we’re stuck with the boring mess as a leading man.
I agree– Mary Beth should have been tied to Maxine. I actually liked Dario w/ Melanie a lot more than the forced relationship of Daniel & Jennifer… not that those two are a good comparison.
You’re so right about the yearly contract casting call for “AA Female” fitting that description, but one never shows up. I wonder what all the fake out is about? Once Sami & EJ leave, so will I.
I think Maya could be played I don’t know her name but the one playing Nurse Hatheway on The Young and the restless.
I would love to see Jessica Leccia back on any soap again. Solid actress.
One more thing DOOL doesn’t know how to write for black characters b/c they see color instead of the character. Its been their problem every single time. The world is filled with bi-racial couples but the writers at Days are just stymied by the thought od blacks and whites being romantically involved or that black people can have personalities and livesthat are equally as interesting as caucasian or hispanic counterparts. IMO.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
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
Raven Bowens Breaks Silence About Being Fired From ‘Days of our Lives’ and Her Future Plans
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.
Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady, Days of our Lives) is jumping head first into the celebrity podcast rage with the launch of hers entitled, Between Takes with Alison Sweeney.
In between her busy schedule of Hallmark Channel movies, features, TV appearances and returns to Days of our Lives, Sweeney will now feature special guests each episode as previewed in her Instagram video clip announcing the new podcast series.
Accompanying her video, Sweeney expressed, “Trying something new! Check out my new podcast. Just fun casual chats with my friends. Links are in my bio.”
Photo: Hallmark
The first episode features former DAYS star and Hallmark Channel mainstay, Victor Webster (ex-Nicholas Alamain). It was back from 1999-2000 that Victor first appeared on the then NBC soap opera.
As previously reported, Sweeney will be reprising her role of Sami on Days of our Lives, next summer in June when she returns along with several fan favorites for a story arc.
During Alison’s premiere of “Between Takes,” Webster shares stories of his time on DAYS, being a proud dog dad, and globetrotter, plus working on action scenes and for Victor, taking over from The Rock in the the Scorpion King franchise appearing in Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption. Alison and Victor also chat about their time on sets.
You can listen to Between Takes with Alison Sweeney on all major podcast streaming platforms; including Apple Podcasts here.
So, will you be checking out Alison’s podcast as it continues to grow? Intrigued who from Days of our Lives and the soaps might chat it up with her in future episodes? Let us know in the comment section.
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