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DAYS Co-EP Greg Meng Opens Up About The Departure Of Chandler Massey!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: Adam Campbell

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!

 

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38 Comments
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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!

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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

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Kyle Pryor

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!

Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.

He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Dominix

Photo: Peacock

Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2.  In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.

So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

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Conner Floyd

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?

Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

EJ and Chad

Photo: JPI

DIMERA RIVALRY

After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”

As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Belle and Chad

Photo: JPI

BELLE OF MY HEART

With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”

Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.

“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart.  I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”

But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”

MAKING CHAD HIS OWN

Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Susan Seaforth Hayes

Photo: JPI

ICONIC

When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.

“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know?  We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.

“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”

Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.

Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.

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