Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Confirms the Character of Will Horton is Coming Out!
Courtesy/NBC
In the midst of persistent speculation, and seemingly some brakes put on along the way, it has now been confirmed by Days of our Lives that it is indeed Will Horton (Chandler Masseey) that will be revealed as another gay character on the canvas, following Freddie Smith (Sonny) who joined the show this past summer.
EW.com released this statement from Chandler Massey, about Will’s upcoming coming out story: “I’m thrilled to be able to portray my character in an empowering way that will show his struggle to accept who he is. It is my hope that this storyline will inspire others to be true to themselves as well.”
“DAYS Co-Executive Producer, Greg Meng explained, “Will’s sexual orientation will become obvious to the viewers as well as family and friends but his journey toward self-acceptance is expected to unfold over the next few weeks, the show says. We are excited to have the encouragement and support from both NBC and Sony to tell the inspiring story of a young man learning who he is as he defines and creates his relationships with others.”
EW.com also states that for now, the show won’t say whether Will eventually hooks up for Sonny.
So are you looking forward to Will Horton’s coming out story? Let us know!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
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I’m glad they waited until Marlena arrived, to tell you the truth. The scenes with those two so far show that chemistry is not something only a romantic couple must have. The day Massey and Hall shared the scene at Horton Square where she reminded him he had mentioned something in emails he wanted to talk about–nothing cane out, but the scene was still amazing! Can’t wait for more. (Too bad Will’s dad won’t be around, too!)
Awesome! About time! I’m really looking forward to this storyline.
I am escatic about this storyline, it’s about time Days has done a storyline like this. I hope it paves the way for other soaps to do it this kind of story. (Like OLTL with Jack Manning)
I am tired of every single show jumping on the bandwagon. In every show the topic of homosexuality ends up being the exact same.
Yea, Ellen because all of the straight couple storylines of mixed up DNA tests, surprise pregnancies, marrying every family member, surprise family members company to town are so original! LOL
believe me, its not original. its the same storyline used on every single show that introduces gays. big deal. generic storyline for soaps now.
Not really a bandwagon , Ellen . It’s life for some of us . like it or not , we exist EVERYWHERE . Now the fictonal town of Salem has a couple of gays ! About time ! Who in the world of 2011 doesn’t know or is somehow connected to a homosexual ??? You calling this storyline a bandwagon gives me the impression that your interaction with the current world is stiffled and naive .
never did i say i was against it, if you read the second part you’ll see i said in how it is presented. its getting old now.
Maybe that’s because the “topics” we deal with are universal human “topics” experienced by everyone regardless of sexual orientation. We’re all the same inside, but equally as important we all form a diverse society and that it’s important that diversity be represented in every aspect-soap operas included.
actually, no.
One thing that is “same old, same old” is prejudice. Maybe this storyline will raise your consciousness and dispel some of your opposition to gay and lesbian characters being integrated into shows that had been straight-only. I’m actually going to start watching for the first time-just like I did when “Luke” came out on ” As The World Turns.”
I’m looking forward to this storyline. I love his relationship with Marlena and I’m looking forward to whom he comes out to. For me I hope he come’s out to Marlena as Deidre and Chandler have such wonderful chemistry together.
Can’t wait to see whom Will trusts enough to share his secret:)
This looks like a good storyline compared to the other awful storylines they have at the moment. EJ and Nicole have literally bored me to tears!
Maybe this could be the storyline that fills the void for those of us who followed Luke and Noah so closely on ATWT.
This is great, I was wondering what was going on with Will. Could tell he was checking that guy out during the town square opening.
Homosexuality is a fact of life not a bandwagon topic. It should be discussed. If this story line can help anyone, then it is wonderful. The fact that these are characters from major families is commendable. I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully they will bring Lucas home to help his son!
its political correctness
LUCAS LUCAS LUCAS
help your son Will HORTON
This storyline will be pointless without Lucas. They need to bring back Bryan Datillo. Will will need his father and I’m sorry but Rafe is not his dad. I don’t understand why Lucas is the only one who has not come back of the original 6 who were rumored to be coming back this past summer. Do the writers dislike him that much? Lucas/Lumi still has a lot of devoted fans. I don’t understand why they won’t bring him back.
Ejami is maybe the most popular potential pairing this show have had in years but years after years these writers NEVER give them a chance so Lucas not being here is not surprising as a wasted potential for a good story..Rafe seems to be the ‘new’ Lucas sadly..except Lucas was an interesting character whereas Rafe is the epitome of BORING..no wonder you are LAST in the ratings Dool..no wonder..you are not smart to say the least.
Hey Guys I have not watched this show in years but did it ever occur to somebody that Ellen was not making a homophobic statement maybe just maybe she might have been suggesting writers just throw something against the wall and try to make it stick. The case of writers for soap operas has been established they are not like the old days and just maybe you might want to consider she thanks they will screw this up also. Hey Ellen I never respond when I get attacked so yes you can thank me! Ha!
I am not so sure how I feel about Will being gay, but now that we know they are going that route, what a perfect opportunity to bring back Lucas. The story line just won’t be right unless they bring his father back to support him.
I’d be happier if there were some signs that Will was gay prior to this storyline coming out of nowhere. It just feels to me like Will is ‘turning gay’ rather than that he was gay all along. Not that I expect 100% realism on the soaps (LOL), but I at least expect that of a storyline of this magnitude.
People do not “turn” gay. When you say you wanted some signs that he was gay earlier, why should that be when in real life, many people do not release “signs?” In real life many guys date girls exclusively and they are still gay. They just repress it or sweep it under the rug in theor own mind. Which is probably what Will has done until recently now that he has become friends with a gay person.
Maybe the show will show that. So far they haven’t.
First of all the idea that Will is gay has been totally obvious for a long time. In fact if you didn’t know, he and Chad have so much chemistry, they gave themselves a couples name Chill! Second of all, you seem to have absolutely no idea how it works to come out. The first person you have to get on board with it is yourself. Coming out to oneself is sometimes the hardest part. Noone wants to be different as a teenager. So sometimes people repress those feelings until they are mature enough to deal with them. Not everyone springs from the womb ready to proclaim their sexuality! I was in my late 20s before I came out to everyone. It starts out as a very private issue that people do not usually discuss unless there is some sort of indication that the person is going to be totally accepted. Will has dated this one girl, who has been the agressor most of the time in the relationship.It is totally believable and within a normal situation for a young man to date and even have sex with a girl before he comes out. In fact it is also normal for the boy or girl to get married and have children before coming out. So your idea of realism is totally not on par with reality
First of all, I am gay and have been my entire life (I’m 39) so your need to educate someone you don’t even know on the coming out process, something I’m well aware of or the realities of others coming out, another thing that I’m well aware of, was unnecessary.
I was commenting on the fact that I felt that this plotline came out of nowhere. Maybe after it plays out I’ll feel differently. But thanks for reemphasizing to me why I normally never comment in online forums. If I had the power to remove the comment (something this site apparently doesn’t give the option to do), I would.
I am sorry if I missunderstood your comments but I stand by my defence of this story. There has been plenty of subtext and ground work laid for this story. For anyone to say it came out of nowhere is to have not been paying much attention. Chad and Will for two years have been playing this crush situation. Then the writers got on board and after Chad got a girl, then Will got into this uneasy uncomfortable relationship with Gaby. He has been half hearted at best and very uncomfortable with this relationship. The sex between them has been blah and when they did do it, it was after alot of pressure being put on him. He doesn’t really think of Gabi as his girlfriend obviously because he didn’t introduce Gabi as such to his grandmother. He also didn’t mention her or anything about himself to her in his emails. Something has been going on internally with him for a while. So to say this is coming out of nowhere is just inaccurate.
Hi Mark, I totally agree with you and couldnt have said it better.
I’m bi-racial and I would love to see an interracial couple on the show. There are so many racist people who watch soap opera’s who believe that race mixing is wrong. It’s 2011 and people care more about the color of someone skin then the state of the economy.
true. interracial relations are still the most controversial, even more controversial than homosexuality. the fact that days can’t even do a storyline on that should be a warning that the gay storyline ain’t gonna pan out. pc police will be on their way picketing days in no time when they realize how limited in scope this will be.
I am very excited to see this storyline unfold. I have been watching Days for 15 years and to finally have a character to be able relate to is a wonderful thing.
I have been watching this show for the last 40 years and will continue to watch it til the day it ends or I am gone, and that won’t be for a long time. This show is what real life is like for people. I love all the cast of days and I think Will should come out…I have known for a long time he was gay and the story line will once again be great. I do not find Rafe boring as one person had said I think he is just a different person than Lucas and I am sure Lucas will return to help his son, although Will loves Rafe as well. They are all great actors and actresses on this show and I say thanks for all the years of hard dedicated work to keep us all with you 🙂
Debbie, i, too have been watching Days for 40 years. My mother and i used to watch it together. i am very proud of Chandler Massey who plays Will as he comes from my home town, Atlanta, GA. I think he is a tremendously talented young man and good looking to boot. i have to admit that i am tired of Sami always screwing (pun intended) up her relationships. She has a great man in Rafe but can’t stay away from EJ long enough to realize it. or maybe she doesn’t want a good man. Anyway i too will continue to watch until it goes off the air, or until i do.
This is great! Cannot wait to see how this will all unfold!
I heard that Sonny and Chad are going to be fighting over Will after he tells them he is gay. Chad will then reveal he is also gay, and that he’s in love with Will. Sonny will tell Will the same, and the triangle will begin. It has been speculated that the three of them will be in a relationship all together, when Will cannot decide whether he wants Sonny or Chad. They will all agree to just be together as a threesome, and will move in together, much to the dismay of Victor and Lucas, who will return soon. Also, I have heard that it will be revealed that EJ is John’s son. Also, Madison, Rafe, Gabbi, Melanie, and Daniel will be written off the show (no great loss on any of them).