Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Linsey Godfrey on Actors Working on Soaps During SAG-AFTRA Strike: “I Know My Co-Stars Share This Sentiment and Stand in Solidarity With Me. However, We Do Have to Fulfill Our Contractual Obligations”

The last 24 hours have turned Hollywood further upside down, when the actors union of SAG-AFTRA decided to strike after not being able to negotiate a fair deal and come to terms with the AMPTP. As previously reported, this marks the first strike for their TV/Theatrical agreements since 1980.
What that means for you, the viewers, is that your favorite scripted network and streaming shows, and motion pictures have come to a halt with the actors walk out on top of the writer’s strike.
What is not shut down are soap operas, game shows, unscripted reality shows and news program which are under a different contract. These shows work under SAG-AFTRA’s National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television, better known as Netcode. This current contract is at play through July of 2024.

Photo: AP
The decision to strike had, of course, put many actors on your favorite soaps in the difficult position of wanting to join their union on the picket lines, but being contracted to work and do their jobs under the Netcode agreement. This includes Days of our Lives, and while they are no longer on network television, the show and the actors are still under this agreement while streaming on Peacock.

Photo: AP
Days of our Lives star, Linsey Godfrey (Sarah) took to her Instagram over the last 24 hours, and summed it up best: “I absolutely stand in solidarity with SAG/AFTRA and the WGA. I know my costars share this sentiment and stand in solidarity with me, however, we do have to fulfill our contractual obligations. It doesn’t make us any less of actors or mean that we don’t agree with or don’t want all the regulations and protections that the strikes of both unions are trying achieve. While I can only speak for myself about how hard it is to rationalize this in my head, I did want to share this information. I absolutely mirror the sentiments of @nancyleegrahn”

Photo: ABC
General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), previously posted to her Instagram account a videotape of the speech from SAG-AFTRA President, Fran Drescher, in which the former ‘Nanny’ star noted how unhappy she and the union were that things had to get to this point. However, the strike is about labor, she expressed and can impact workers and unions across the U.S., if they don’t stand together strong.
Grahn expressed: “Fran Drescher gave a powerful speech at the SAGAFTRA press conference. As most of you must know by now, all SAGAFTRA actors are now on strike. What you may not know is that daytime actors are members of SAGAFTRA but work under a different contract called Netcode. While we very much support our union and their determined efforts for fair and equitable working conditions, we are legally required to fulfill the obligations of our contract. We will be working through the duration of this strike while we stand in unity with our union.”
So, what do you think about soap actors being able to continue working during the SAG-AFTRA strike as they are under a different agreement? Glad to know they can continue in the roles you love to see them in? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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It must be tough for the soap actors to be in this position. I hope that everyone realizes that they are only doing what they are obligated to do and won’t be looked down upon.
Though I’m glad we are not losing our Soaps I feel for the actors who feel in any way disloyal to their fellow strikers. I appreciate your service to your faithful fans and viewers.
I understand their conflict; they stand with their peers but have to fullfil their obligations to the contract they’re under. I’m assuming they also want to make their opinons publicly known so as not to seem like traitors to their profession…
On another note, Nancy needs to learn not to be so reactionary without giving someone the benefit of the doubt. She (along with some others) harshly criticized Fran Drescher when she saw a pic of her in Italy, but then when Fran was back and gave her speech, she and the others were singing her praises. I dont recall Nancy apologizing; if you’re going to smear someone on a huge platform at least acknowledge your misjudgment. If she did apologize and I missed it, then I’m apologizing for MY misjudgment right now, lol.
As for Fran, she reacted to the much criticism she received: “That wasn’t a selfie,” (regarding the pic of her with Kardashian in Italy) Drescher said, later adding “I’m a brand ambassador for a fashion company and so is Kim. I had only met Kim seconds before that publicity picture was taken. It had nothing to do with being at a party having fun – it was absolute work.” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, co-chair of SAG-AFTRA, chimed in to defend Drescher on Thursday, saying “Fran was working, which is what our members do,” and that “she was zooming in to our negotiations after work hours, working 18 hours or more a day.” (Not to mention she had to look in on her elderly parents.)
I say, “good job, Fran, working under pressure with so many obligations happening at the same and having to face such scrutiny!”
Let’s hope that the strike does not last long and everyone returns to work soon. Happy to see that some daytimers and soap actors will continue to get a paycheck. If the strikes last long and soap ratings continue to deteriorate i can see all of the remaining soaps exiting off the networks and being available only on paid tv just like Days.
Breaking News
Donna Mills, Linda Gray, Nicollette Sheridan, Morgan Fairchild, Loni Anderson to Appear in Lifetime’s 80s and Soap-Themed Holiday Movie

Wowza! Now here’s a line-up of soap opera and primetime favorites all in one movie! Coming up for the holidays, Lifetime has revealed they have an 80s and soap-themed film starring: Donna Mills (ex-Knots Landing, General Hospital), Linda Gray (ex-Dallas), Nicollette Sheridan (ex-Knots Landing and Dynasty), Morgan Fairchild (ex-Falcon Crest, SFT, DAYS et al) and Loni Anderson (ex-WKRP in Cincinnati).
Filmed earlier in 2023, Ladies of the 80’s is said to follow five soap opera divas (how fun and perfect!), as they reunite to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running soap opera!
In story, the producer, Alex (Travis Burns) and director Nell (Taylor Ann Thompson), who happen to be old college friends, do their best to keep things on the rails but as the ladies come together, old rivalries resurface that threaten to tear the production apart. With the show nearly canceled before it even begins due to the ladies’ famous diva behavior, they reluctantly agree to set aside their differences and past secrets to “act” as if they all still love each other. When old sparks reignite between Alex and Nell, the ladies become eager to play cupid and conspire to bring the couple together.
But wait, there’s more! In addition to the five leading ladies, the cast also includes: Days of our Lives favorite Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy), Alec Mapa, and Donna Mills’ real-life daughter, Chloe Mills, plus 80s heartthrob, Christopher Atkins.

Photo: TiffanyX
There is even a Ladies of the 80’s theme song, performed by none other than 80’s pop star, Tiffany!
In a statement on the project, the movie’s EP Larry A. Thompson shared: “The opportunity to bring together Donna, Morgan, Loni, Linda and Nicollette, five powerhouse women into one holiday movie, has been like finding the perfect gift under the Christmas tree.”
The official airdate of the holiday movie will be revealed shortly in the networks’s A Wonderful Lifetime Holiday movie schedule. Deadline first shared the news.
What do you think of this upcoming soap opera-themed movie featuring Donna, Linda, Nicollette, Morgan and Loni? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS and Y&R Favorite Zach Tinker Starring in New Film ‘Beneath The Light’

Zach Tinker, who soap fans love as Sonny Kiriakis on Days of our Lives and Fen Baldwin on The Young and the Restless, is currently in production on his latest film role.
In the horror flick, Beneath The Light, which is currently shooting in Lorain, Ohio, stars Zach as a troubled young man who takes a job at an abandoned lighthouse hoping to reconnect with an old friend – daughter of the lighthouse’s current owner (John Pyper Ferguson).
Isolated, with no way to return to shore, he falls headlong into a series of mysterious and frightening experiences that make him question his sense of reality and confront his long-standing anxiety and memory gaps. A budding romance provides comfort, but the key to his redemption lies with the lighthouse owner and the unexpected bond they share.
The film is being shot under a SAG-Interim agreement during the actors strike and recently locked in Tinker, Ferguson and Anna Nicole Chavez as its leads.

Photo: JPI
The indie feature film project includes a novelization and online mystery game tie-in at BeneathTheLight.net.
The creatives behind the camera include: Los Angeles-based producer/director John Baumgartner who hails from Lorain, and his producer/co-writer, Cindy Seng, from neighboring Amherst, Ohio.
So, looking forward to seeing the ever-popular Tinker in ‘Beneath The Light’ when it drops? Miss him as Days Sonny or Y&R’s Fen? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Emily O’ Brien Confirmed as Theresa Donovan Replacement on Days of our Lives

At the end of the October 2nd episode of Days of our Lives, and during its closing credits, Emily O’ Brien was listed in the cast playing the role of Theresa Donovan, which confirms the rumors that Emily is taking over the role from Jen Lilley.
So, what does this mean for O’Brien? Does this mean she is exiting her role of Gwen Rizczech, a part she has played since 2020? It would seem so, but this is DAYS after all, so anything is possible.
As the backstage story goes, Jen Lilley, who had played the role of Theresa on and off since 2013, wanted to appear for a limited-run to be a part of the memorial service episodes for Victor Kiriakis, and honoring the late, John Aniston. Lilley often shared scenes with Aniston.

Photo: JPI
In speaking with Soaps.com on the situation, Lilley thought she was taping episodes during a 3 to 4 window in which she made herself available. However, DAYS actually wrote more episodes of Theresa’s story, and had decided to recast the part with O’Brien Later, when Jen was told who the actress is, she was a bit mystified as they also told her that the show would put the actress in a blonde wig, because O’Brien was a brunette.

Photo: JPI
So, are you excited to see Emily as Theresa? Have you enjoyed her as Gwen? Share your thoughts on this DAYS casting switcheroo via the comment section below.
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