Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Co-EP Greg Meng Opens Up About The Departure Of Chandler Massey!
Photo Credit: Adam Campbell
There had been much controversy over the one day Chandler Massey was playing Will Horton on Days of our Lives, and the next day it was over, and he was told by DAYS executives that he had just filmed his last episode. So, what happened from the DAYS perspective?
The Backlot spoke to Greg Meng, the co-executive producer of Days of our Lives who has been the man behind the introduction of the first gay male characters (Sonny and Will) and their love story in the long running history of the NBC soap. Meng speaks on Chandler’s departure and his replacement in the role Guy Wilson.
Meng said on Chandler’s departure: “It’s real simple. There was a lot of accuracy and inaccuracy in the press. Chandler is not on the show right now. We have an incredible actor on board that is able to take the reins from this role that Chandler did an amazing job creating. And we found somebody who’s extremely talented… but more than talented, he’s so sensitive to this role and so sensitive to the story and the relationship and all that stuff. So we feel that we were very, very lucky to find somebody who wanted to take the reins. It’s an extremely difficult thing to do because Chandler had created such a wonderful role here, played it so sensitively and everything. So we think we found him, and we are very lucky to have somebody that will take those reins that Chandler handed to him and go forward with that. No ugliness, no weirdness. It was all done within the family, with Chandler and everything based on his future plans and based on where we needed to go with the story. I even told Chandler, I said laughingly, ‘This is your fault because you’ve created such an amazing character here and the storyline is so amazing and we’ve got major places to go with that and we can’t lose momentum.’ He was always fine with that, but he’s got plans. So it all worked out very well. It’s just gotten some misinterpretation out there.”
Courtesy/IMDB
Meng said on Guy Wilson’s arrival: “You obviously look for some sort of physical similarity on some level. You’re not looking for a cookie cutter because these are human beings and actors, and they have to make the part their own. But it’s beyond just looks. It has a lot to do with the sensitivity to the story and what we want to do with it and the eagerness of an actor to really get inside that storyline. And even more importantly the chemistry between whatever other key characters are important with that role…I’m telling you, [Guy Wilson’s] not only doing Chandler justice with what he created in this role, but he’s inside it. I’m telling you, you will love him.”
So, what do you think about Greg’s comments regarding Chandler’s exit on DAYS and the casting of Guy Wilson in the pivotal role of Will Horton? Let us know!
Lets just move on…PLEASE!!!
They should have cast Philip Seymour Hoffman as Will! Has anyone seen him play Truman Capote?? He plays gay AWESOME!
I think he’s a bit old to play Will.
I think most of this article is crap. Chandler, after all he has done and been to Days, said himself that he was unceremoniously let go without any farewell or even a fare they well. Damage control is a nice spin and I’m sure the new kid is awesome and I look forward to seeing him in the role. But Chandler was bitch slapped, on purpose, no matter how you wanna color it. That’s all.
“fair thee well”, not “fare they well”. My brain and my fingers got twisted up.
And evidently, still are. FARE THEE WELL.
Yes, you are quite correct, it’s just PR crap in plain English. It’s of no consequence to me if an actor has decided to “move on” and vacate an
interesting role – but this is just damage control nonsense.
Were you there?
Writers create characters – Actors play them. I seriously doubt CM was there in the writer’s room when it was decided Sami should get pregnant as a teenager and the father would be Lucas, but she would pass the kid off as Austin’s. He was most likely in diapers himself, so please he did not create the character Will. And he wasn’t the first actor to play Will and he won’t be the last. He did a great job bringing to life the vision of the writers who penned Will’s coming out story line and he had good chemistry with his fellow actor who played Sonny, but to say he created Will and imply Will is somehow the property of CM just because he played him, is a bit much in my opinion.
Very very true.
Sorry to lose Chandler but Days could have given more notice to him that he was being replaced early. It must have been horrible to be told after taping one day that it was his last day. Chandler certainly deserved better. Loved him as WIll. Always will!!!
Happens every single day to regular people out there in the real world. Thousands of “ordinary people” are told that “you’ve done a great job, we wish you well, company is having problems…blah blah blah…we have to let you go” etc.
Chandler had already given his notice, the producers just wanted to get more
mileage out of the character. Such is the way of the world – re-cast, move on.
Exactly. No reason for controversy.
I think it will be years before we will hear the truth because everyone knows it’s career suicide to talk badly, even if it’s the truth, about your former employer. I have no doubt if Chandler choose to return to acting he will be even more successful but my gut tells me his people have told him to keep quiet, about what really happened, for the sake of his potential too return to acting after college.
I sincerely hope that people will still NOT be going on about this in years to come.
This told us absolutely nothing about what was accurate or inaccurate. Sorry Greg Meng, but this falls short.
That is my reaction too. I thought that was a promising beginning–and then it went nowhere. Knowing that there were accuracies and inaccuracies doesn’t help if you don’t tell us which were which. I do get that there are probably aspects he can’t talk about, but the impression I’m left with is that he’s got something to hide and he knows it. If that’s the best he can do, maybe he should have just left it alone. I don’t think he helped his case very much; if anything, his dodging the questions just makes it look as though TPTB were in the wrong and know it.
Didn’t we have other cast members expressing that they could not believe how CM was treated? I suppose they, too, might not know the whole story–but you would expect that they would be close enough to the situation to have a good sense of what was really what.
That said, I hope viewers will give the new guy a chance. None of this is his fault.
I agree. Greg’s comments were so full of fluff and said absolutely nothing to clarify what was already out there.
When I read quotes like his, I have to wonder if there is something wrong with the person’s ability to put cohesive, thoughtful sentences together. Do they always talk in circles? And if so, how do they ever get anything accomplished?
Clearly, when someone talks likes they are avoiding the truth by talking all around the question; never directly answering it.
I don’t blame Chandler or Guy for this mess. I wish both of them well and wish Mr. Meng the ability to answer a question directly the next time he is asked.
i still don’t know what actually happened & probably never will – sorry greg meng but you totally tapped danced around the question.
on the other hand i truly hope the fans give guy wilson a chance to prove what he can do as actor and not start saying hateful things about him.
“…because you’ve created such an amazing character here and the storyline is so amazing and we’ve got major places to go with that and we can’t lose momentum.;”
it’s with adulation – a heavy heart – an uplift for – angels weep – a resounding YES – all systems go….
I have a voice…. THE LGBT has a voice. an equally stunning forum thru which my life… and yours… is flying
It’s just gotten some misinterpretation out there.”
for the love of (our) “Days of OUR Lives” – lets keep this train moving… the momentum forward… the heartfelt moments… and lives afloat… spread your wings both Chandlers’ and know we treasure, appreciate, love, and welcome both Men in their wake, path, and live well in your knowledge that nesting in a gay character is present.
I’m happy
I want 1500 milligrams of whatever you’re on.
i’m in cohoots… with: “Gramma Marlena” to look after our “wills”
I loved Chandler in the role; however, in the real world most people that threaten to quite their job publicly get fired. Period. Chandler is young, hot, and talented- and he learned a valuable life lesson while he still young enough not to repeat a similar mistake in the future. Next.
Exactly! Its like…..PEOPLE!! The dude already quit!!! Where is the juicy scandal here??????
There is no need for a scandal! Why would you want one?!
And Chandler ‘threatened’ to quit his job? Please!..
What is needed is the truth. From TPTB and their real reasons for firing Chandler.
I know that we didn’t get the truth about Chandler’s exit. Greg Meng didn’t just tap dance around the question, he avoided it all together. This article told us nothing. If you read between the lines, he was unceremoniously dumped. When you’ve made a character iconic and won awards for the role and they don’t even throw him a going away party, that means TPTB feel betrayed and fired him before he could quit.
He had already quit!!
Even though he quit, he wasn’t supposed to leave until much later. Also, if one is on a show that long and not to get a send off, just “There’s the door, see ya.” There’s more to the story.
I trust Greg, and I believe Guy Wilson is a good match for the job. With the clips I’ve seen, Will seems like he’s in more than capable hands.
Reporter really didn’t do his job on this one and shouldn’t have allowed Meng to get away with his spin. There were reports of Chandler in tears yet he indicates Massey was fine.
Day’s has had a tradition of giving a departing actor an on set cake on their last day. I don’t fault them for finding a recast and letting him out of his contract early but the way they dumped someone who brought them lots of publicity. He got two Emmys for them, something they rarely receive and the treatment he received was pretty shabby.
I am looking forward to Mr. Wilson’s portrayal of Will Horton.
The more he or others in days talk, the more I call them BS. Let CM move on stop talking about him, he sure isn’t .
Well, there was not any info about why Chandler was pushed out so fast after he gave his notice of leaving, but understandably in Greg ‘s position he focused on the positive and moving forward. I think there should be a soap opera about the behind the scenes of a soap opera. It would be more exciting than current soap operas. 🙂
I don’t understand how this new guy could possibly do a better job than Chandler Massey, who won an Emmy! I wonder what the REAL story is.
For a start of it wasn’t Meng or Corday that wanted a recast, it was Sony who demanded one for fear of losing advertisers as they realised how popular Will and Sonny were. Secondly ayes Chandler quit but he was initially going to work til the end of his contract at that time they hadn’t found a recast because they didn’t want one it was only when Sony intervened that they conveniently found Guy Wilson who by the way wasn’t someone unfamiliar to Dool as they stated. The whole thing stinks to high heaven but as ppl have said that’s just Hollywood. It’s just sad the way one of their most popular actors who brought them a much needed boost was treated so badly. Yes he may have been a recast but Chandler was the first Will to help create Wilson. So it will be a hard transition for some including me.
There’s one more thing it seems from reading various comments on several sites, that soap actors and fans are treated with such contempt and viewed as inferior in some way. In the UK soap actors are treated like royalty they have a hard job working 20hr days memorising pages and pages of script doing back to back episodes. Soaps have been around forever and have been the mainstay drama on tv. It’s unheard of to treat their actors the way they do in the US. I’m not trying to be controversial for want of a better word it’s just an observation.
You cut off the book promotion part…lol.the whole thing is a total PR written piece. Backlot should have charged Meng for the ad. And it’s also bullshit. If things went down the way Meng said so then Chandler would have been out there? It’s because he wants to work. Whether Guy Wison is good or not is irrelevant. No matter what something stinks.
I’m surprised that so many contributors here see hypocrisy as part of the recast, and insincerity on the part of DOOL producers. Chandler himself announced he wanted to leave the show to pursue college and whatever. Fine. So obviously DOOL had their work cut out for them finding a top-notch replacement. They found someone right away they feel will fill the bill, so they eagerly wanted to move forward with the replacement. It’s all business — not a slam to CM. Both sides get what they want. CM will always find work if and when he decides to return to acting. DOOL will continue on into its [49th?] year. It’s just business!
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
TUNE-IN: ‘Tracker’ Season 4 Premiere Starring Justin Hartley
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali on a Potential Kai/Trina/Gio/Emma Quadrangle, ‘I Don’t Think That’s Impossible, But That Would Be Messy’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: After Carter Blurts Out That ‘Implantation and Fertilization’ Has Begun to Daphne; Will Steffy Put the Brakes on His Scheme?
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali on a Potential Kai/Trina/Gio/Emma Quadrangle, ‘I Don’t Think That’s Impossible, But That Would Be Messy’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: After Carter Blurts Out That ‘Implantation and Fertilization’ Has Begun to Daphne; Will Steffy Put the Brakes on His Scheme?
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days agoREPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
-
Beyond the Gates3 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
-
Beyond the Gates1 day agoTUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
-
News1 week agoJudith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
-
Beyond the Gates1 week ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
News6 days agoY&R Alum Thad Luckinbill Cast in New Thriller ‘Copperhead’
-
News1 week agoMatthew Atkinson Reveals New Project ‘Into the Wilderness’
-
General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Nancy Lee Grahn Marks 30-Year Milestone as Alexis Davis; Co-Stars Share Heartfelt Video Tributes
