Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Freddie Smith Shares Sentiments On Departure Of Chandler Massey: "It Was An Incredible Time"
Courtesy/NBC
The other half of DAYS super couple WilSon, Freddie Smith (Sonny) shared his thoughts over the weekend via Twitter on the departure of his long-time scene partner, Chandler Massey (Will) who finished his last tape day on Friday.
Freddie related to his fans and followers: “I feel so lucky I got to work with @ChandlerMassey these past two years. It was an incredible time. I wish you all the best. You deserve it!”
The duo made WilSon hugely popular for being the NBC soaps first same-sex couple, and now the question remains, who will be the actor to fill Chandler’s big shoes, and how soon will DAYS release the casting info?
Whatever the case, many fans are heartbroken that Smith and Massey will no longer be together on-screen! So, how do you feel about Freddie’s tweet? Will you give the new Will a chance and see how their on-screen chemistry is with Sonny? Or, are you giving up on the couple and the story, if Chandler is not playing Will? Comment below!
So sad to see Chandler leave, and such a sweet tweet by Freddie. Will miss the “original” WilSon so very much. Definitely going to give the new guy a chance, he might be great, but if I just can’t adjust then I’ll have to stop watching. Hoping for the best.
I’m heartbroken that Chandler is leaving, but I support him 100%! To me FS deserves our support and CM has asked us to support WilSon! He was pushing for a recast. I will do my best to support and watch Sonny love another Will. I’m not sure I could have ever watched Sonny fall in love with someone other than Will…I think that would hurt my heart more then it aches today!
I feel the same way. I loved Chandler and will miss him. I wish him success and love for the future and hope to see him in other projects. I support Freddie Smith and love him as well. I support the WilSon love story and will continue to watch Days. I hope whoever takes over the role of Will is a good match for Freddie’s Sonny and the fans will accept the change.
Chandler Massey is leaving “big shoes to fill” vacating his role as Will. He is a superb actor in his scenes with Freddie. As much as I didn’t want Chandler to leave, I suppose I will give the new Will a chance although it will be hard not to constantly compare the two actors. Maybe Freddie will blend well with the new actor making it more acceptable to the viewers. As they say, time will tell.
I think Drew Garret(name right?) would fit the part perfectly because of his uncanny resembalance to CM, if available. However, who plays the part…ill wait and see how it goes first before i make a decision if ill give up on it or not…soaps are like long running plays where actors gets replaced and no one stops going to those plays when different actors take over..ok soaps are different with changing stories and running 5 days a week but as long as stories hold my interest i dont give up that easily unless they bore me…so ill wait and c what happens when the new actor takes over.
I will give the new Will a chance. I didn’t like Chandler so much at first. I think it was more the shock of, who is this person? Good luck to Chandler!
I love so much Chandler & Freddie together on-screen! They look so ridiculous adorable together. I want to support Freddie/Sonny… I love him and I love Chandler.
Definitely will get the new actor a chance. Will is a character- the character has not left, merely the actor playing him. I said it before I will say it again, on soaps the story is the star, and if the story requires a certain character to be on canvas then I rather lose the actor than the character. In this case Will is too important to the story in so many ways, I am just glad they didn’t get rid of the character. I know on daytime we viewers tend to blur the actors with the characters especially when they played the role a very long time– but in the end the character for me will always be more important than any one actor. I seen recasts work before and I have faith that Days would not have let CM out of his contract early unless they found who they believe is a talented actor who can take on this role. If they let the character go, then Sonny would have to start over with someone new–someone who is not tied to the core families and stories and I don’t think fans would like that either– so as good as CM was– I rather lose him than Will.
i shall support the new actor wilson story is the important issue
These two young actors — and their compelling well-told stories — are a major reason why DAYS became my new soap home following the cancellations of those serials I loved for years. Actors cannot be expected to stay in their roles forever and the award-winning Mr. Massey should be wished the very best as he explores new opportunities in his career. A new actor surely has been carefully auditioned and tested to step into the Will Horton role. I pray the writers do not minimize the storylines for this couple with the cast change. As much as ATWT and OLTL pushed their pioneering same-sex couple plots, Will and Sonny seem even stronger. Mr. Smith is a class act for this public show of support for his friend and colleague. Best wishes to them both! And to DAYS!
the reason I think this couple is so strong is because Days isn’t making their sexuality the storyline. They are merely characters in a story that happened to be gay–just like all the straight characters– this is a huge step forward in integrating this segment of the population into mainstream media– it doesn’t cover up their sexuality, but it isn’t the only thing about them– which makes them real and a couple that both gay and straight viewers can relate to as people— I hope that isn’t lost in the recast, but like you I am sure Days would not have release CM earlier unless they had someone very talented to take over the role.
But unlike the straight couples, Will and Sonny have no love (sex) life. Every other straight couple can go at it like rabbits but Wilson cannot. Days has taken their relationship further than any other U.S. daytime soap, but let’s be realistic…Will and Sonny are still NOT treated like every other couple. They’ve only had one love scene, which was last year! And they have not been anywhere near a bed together in months.
devastating that all the hard work both put into the creation of WILSON could be down the tube now…and Freddie has to carry an awful burden with a new “person” in Will’s slot…doesn’t make any sense…this event may prove to be a serious negative with fan base and ultimately viewership…seems to me powers should’ve use more common sense and kept the BRAND WILSON alive in a better way. Bottom line is under siege.
Agreed! The tv people handled this very badly! We know that Chandler wanted to leave and even earlier than his contract stipulated. But letting him know on Friday that that was his last day, no prior notice! That’s just mean!
I feel so bad for Freddie too! He knew Chandler was going to leave, but not like that! From one hour to the next, puff there you go, here is your new on-screen boyfriend! Now you better create the same mesmerizing chemistry you had with Chandler, with the new dude!… Nice! Really nice NBC!.. No wonder so many of the young folk on DAYS leave!..
The more details that come out about how Chandler was handled in past days, the complete lack of respect for him and how lousy they treated him, even now dropping him from the show events he had planned, the more angry I become. Freddie, I hope, will take this to heart and as a great actor will do what he asked to do. He’s been the ROCK of WILSON but these so-called bosses are basically without soul and quick to cut you off at the knees if you don’t produce. Freddie has my support but I can’t say that I want to watch the newer stuff, when it arrives, with any great enthusiasm. I HURT FOR BOTH GUYS.
Wish him well !, However, won’t miss that weird grin/smile from every scene !
I’m heartbroken!
I will continue watching DAYS for Freddie! Can’t abandon him.
I will follow Chandler and his acting career.
But WilSon without Chandler is not WilSon. His departure was too sudden and too early! They could have given Chandler a little time to let the news sink in and maybe give him a last scene with Freddie, instead of telling him on his last day that it’s his last day! Cruel! Can’t imagine how the two actors must feel right now..
It has been known that some actors are told by their agents they are no longer needed at their job. At least Chandler had a face to face meeting. It’s a business.
I believe that Chandler checked out of his role for awhile now. I could feel his boredom and because of that, Wilson chemistry suffered. He also always seemed a bit uncomfortable in intimate scenes with Freddie. Is because of Freddie that I still believe in Wilson. I hope the new Will has good sexual chemistry with Sonny and hopefully brings new energy to the role. I wish Chandler good luck to his future. Maybe the show should have future storylines focused on Sonny so that the new Will gets time to learn and not worry about getting too much script to learn. We need to find out more about Sonny anyways and you can’t have every problem come from Will. That gets old. Can’t wait to find out who the new Will is.
I hope they get a great recast, because Will is so important to the show and Sonny and Will are such a great couple!
I will miss Chandler terribly he was just incredible from the get-go but I love Freddie more and more and will support a recast. I hope it is someone good and intense like Chandler was.
I do not plan on watching anymore. I think Chandler is a great actor and made his character, along with Freddie, the best part of the show. Good luck Chandler.
I’m inclined to agree with you C.J. I guess we’ll have to take a “wait and see” approach as we have no other choice short of stop viewing altogether. For my part, I shall deeply miss Chandler and wish him the very best! And who knows, perhaps Chandler may return someday to DOOL. It has happened before. I also have full confidence in Freddie and trust he’ll make it work with the new Will. WILSON Forever!!! 🙂
MY WIFE IS REALLY HEART BROKEN ABOUT CHANDLER LEAVING BUT SHE WISHES HIM AND FREDDIE THE BEST SHE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM
i still wish that cm didn’t have to leave. we surely would him being with freddie on screen. great chemistry.. good luck cm we love you and fs…
I dont think it will be the same with out Chandler massey but im looking forward to seeing how will be playing will but it wont be the same.
Oh my gosh, I swear I cant believe that, I can freddie with someone else.
earlier, I was so so happy and excited by watching Will & Sonny (Chandler and Freddie together) but now I dont have any feeling and motivation to watch them, I just hope Chandler comes back one day, I really miss him very much.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!
After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.
So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.
Photo: JPI
FIERY FACE OFF
The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.
Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.
Photo: JPI
A BROKEN SOPHIA
Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”
Photo: JPI
A DEADLY TRAP
Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.
So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
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