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.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
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