Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Brandon Butler Takes Over the Role of ‘Zack’ as Bo Has a ‘Visit’ with His Beloved Son Before Coming Back to Life
Before you watch next week’s episode of Days of our Lives, we suggest you have hankies near by as every step of the way it’s going to be a tearjerker that will be filled with happy tears and incredibly heartbreaking ones.
On the beautiful side of the emotional rollercoaster will be, according to the official teasers and latest promo from Peacock, that Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) will be reunited with his family, and has come out of his coma after receiving the critical dose of Versavix. Bo was only able to receive that dose after his dear friend, John Black, was able to lay his hands on it, before being overcome by the explosion that will ultimately take his life.
However, in story, before Bo comes to the land of the living on the Monday, June 2 episode he is set to visit with his deceased son, Zack in heaven. Could Zack wind up being the final push that gets Bo to wake up? Will Bo have an emotional farewell for now to his son, who he will see again the afterlife, years down the line? Stay tuned.

Photo: JPI
This time, Zack will look different as actor Brandon Butler is taking over the role from Scott Shilstone who last played the part back in 2022 during the Peacock limited series, Days of our Lives Beyond Salem Chapter Two, when Bo came to rescue Hope from heaven and hell and met up with Zack. Shilstone first played the adult-version of the role back in 2016 in another special episode where Hope was ‘reunited’ with her son.
DAYS fans know that Zack was tragically killed as a little boy back in 2006, when his half sister Chelsea (Rachel Melvin) accidentally hit him with Bo’s SUV, and his death sent a ripple effect through Bo and Hope’s relationship for years.

Photo: JPI
As for Butler, his previous TV credits include roles on: 13 Reasons Why, Hysteria!, Trinkets, and Seal Team, to name but a few. He also appeared on General Hospital back in 2016 for one episode.

Photo: BButlerIMDb
Now below, check out next week’s promo for DAYS which features the heartbreaking loss of John Black, and the new lease on life for Bo Brady and circle Wednesday, June 6th when Hope, Ciara (Victoria Konefal) and Shawn (Brandon Beemer) celebrate a miracle.
Let us know, are you looking forward to the new Zack/Bo Scenes? Bo coming back to life and being reunited with Hope, Ciara and Shawn? Are you bracing yourselves for the death of the beloved John Black? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
It’s a shame Scott Shilstone was not available to reprise the role once again.
Agree. Scott was just so perfect in that role.
I agree, and it would’ve been good for consistency purposes in terms of who plays a SORAS’d character on “the other side”.
It’s so hard breaking to see John Black leave. Been a fan for a decay. I wish they wouldn’t kill his character off & find someone else to play his role. But I also know their will never be a better person to play his role May he RIP & looking forward to seeing Bo & Hope back❤️
I agree. They have replaced people to keep the character going, why not now?
It would never be the same anyhow! They didn’t replace Stefano, they never could…Both are gone in real life! RIP, John
Never…john cannot be replaced. Just as stefano and victor cannot. They are Icons.. they are what Days of our Lives are!
Even tho writers have taken a small town, Salem and placed hi rise buildings, hospitals, police depts. in it. And the small town center is still a meeting place! Ridiculous??
Brandon is cute as hell but Scott butters my biscuits like crazy!
Having Peter Reckell/Bo return is the BEST thing that has ever happened on Days. He is my all time favorite
Bo has Kways been my favorite too.
Agreed
He need to just be replaced with someone and continue he chapter of the show it will be weard with him gone ?
It wouldn’t be the same having someone else playing Bo. That’s like having someone portray Steve or someone else portray Hope, it wouldn’t be the same
I believe she was referring to John. Drake approved of the send off as he was still alive when they filmed his death scenes. As for Bo, They did have some else play Bo. Robert Kelker Kelly played Bo from 1992 -1995. To me he did not feel like Bo. Peter Reckell will always be Bo to me.
Thought cira had 2 kids and happy to see bo again how long is Bo and hope staying in Salem
I can’t wait to see Bo back on Days . He was on of Days favorites and I’m happy he’s going to be back . I hope you make him a permanent fixture . Would love to see what he can get into with Patch
Yes
I heard they were recasting John Black role. Don’t do it…that’s sacrilegious.
No, they’re not.
No they are not. Drake was to much of a legend to have some one else replace him. He approved his send off.
Will miss John Black. However, look forward to seeing No come back. I love days of our lives. I have been a fan for over 50 years.
Is he the brother of “Austin Butler”? The new Zach looks like “Elvis Presley”, that’s why I asked.
It kind of funny you mentioned Elvis. I remember watching Days with my mom. I was home from school sick and they interrupted Days with a special report that Elvis had passed. My mom went into hysterics over it. She was a big Elvis fan.
I miss John Black, I think that’s going to be so sad. Just like Doug was. R.I.P. to all the characters that have left us. I love DOOLS
So why didn’t his daughter Chelsea, come to say her goodbyes
Can’t wait to see Bo, Hope and Ciara back so sorry to Days family &friends for the loss of Drake aka John Black watching this show since I was a little girl
I haven’t watch Days since Bo left. Looking forward to watching it on Peacock, since apparently it’s the only way I can view days.
I love Days of Our Lives I have watched it ever since I was a child, for over 61 years old and Bo coming back to the show is awesome, is something I so look forward to, coming back to life the show was just not the same after he left.
Bo coming back, yes. Zach & Bo reunion, not so much. John Black dying… I’m definitely NOT looking forward to the tearjerker of losing yet another beloved character (I’ve known these characters, and grown with them, over the past 45 years), but I am looking forward to finally putting an end to the storyline that has been keeping him alive since Drake Hogestyn passed way 8 months ago. Let his our family move on already.
He is doing awesome
I never cared for John blacks character, always found him boring, and I would leave the room whenever he was on. I believe Marlena and Roman Brady belong together
I’ve been watching Days of our lives since 1985 love it and still watching it
Bring John back another character can play his part
When will will Eric and Nicole return. Arianna?? We long time fans are still waiting.
This guy has something special. I liked the entrance very much. I can tell her already is a better actor than Chad
Duell.
Everyone seems to love Drake H.
I will say it and get bashed. I think Drake is one of the most horrible actors on daytime. Also, Deidra Hall is not far behind.
I was hoping that Days of our lives would recast John. It was perfect it was coming off of a serious burn injury no one would recognize him as the old John however I guess the way the story ended is probably the best.
You don’t recast a character that one performer has played for nearly 40 years.
Days Of Our Lives
Christopher Sean and Colton Little Make a Return to ‘Days of Our Lives’

Next week, Days of Our Lives welcomes back fan favorites Colton Little (Andrew Donovan) and Christopher Sean (Paul Narita) when they reprise their roles for an upcoming special episode which contains Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena Evans.
Circle Monday, June 22 when the married couple comes back to Salem. Paul is the son of Marlena’s beloved and late husband, John Black (Drake Hogestyn). Andrew is the son of iconic couple Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy) and Kimberly Brady (Patsy Pease).
According to the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of June 22-26, Andrew scolds Cat (AnnaLynne McCord). Let’s remember Andrew is ISA. Meanwhile while Marlena thinks back on her fifty years in Salem, Paul arrives back in town.

Photo: JPI
ANDREW AND PAUL
Christopher Sean began playing Paul Narita back in 2014. He has come and gone from the show over the last decade. He was last on-screen back in November of 2025, when Paul arrived back in Salem for the dedication of the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the Days of Our Lives 60th anniversary celebration.
Colton Little, first began playing the all grown-up Andrew Donovan in 2022 on the Peacock limited series, Beyond Salem: Chapter 2. Little eventually moved to the mothership and Days of Our Lives in 2023. He was last seen on the soap opera back in March of this year in scenes with Peter Porte (Dimitri Von Leuschner) and Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark).
In story, Andrew and Paul tied the knot in front of family and friends on June 24, 2025, which followed the heartbreaking funeral of Paul’s father, John Black, who had passed away several weeks earlier from injuries sustained in an explosion.

Photo: JAnchondoIG
Michael Fairman TV also confirmed the romance exclusively of Colton Little with former General Hospital actor, Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco Rios) at the end of December of 2025.
Anchondo shared at that time, “I reached out to him (Colton) when I got the job on GH. We knew of each other through mutual friends; so I knew of him for a long time. I started asking Colton about what his experience was like on soaps and asked about SAG health insurance, etc. We met up one night and were hooked from then on.”
So, are you excited to see Andrew and Paul back on your screens? Share your thoughts and if you would like to see them stay longer in Salem in the future, with a story all of their own via the comment section. But first, check out the just released promo for the action on Days of Our Lives entitled “Conspiracy” below featuring Christopher and Colton.
Days Of Our Lives
GH and DAYS Alum Brandon Barash and Wife Isabella Welcome Son ‘Sebastian’ Into the World

Congratulations are in order for General Hospital and Days of Our Lives favorite Brandon Barash (ex-Johnny and ex-Stefan/Jake, respectively) and his wife, Isabella Devoto Barash, who welcomed their newborn son, Sebastian Antonio Barash back on June 5.
For the first time his Sebastian’s birth the couple is posting and beaming with pride at the new addition to the family. This is Brandon and Isabella’s second child and second son together following the birth of Joaquin Lee Barash back in September of 2023. Barash is also the father of Harper Rose Barash from his previous marriage to General Hospital star, Kirsten Storms (Maxie) who is now 12-years-old and big sister to do younger brothers!
In his heartfelt post on Instagram accompanied by several photos of his growing family, Brandon expressed, “The heart is indeed a muscle, and boy, can it stretch. We welcomed our newest addition Sebastian Antonio Barash (Antonio after Isa’s dad) on 6.5.26. Lil Seba, I vow to love you with undying ferocity and without condition. As for our new family of five, we have all already evolved for the better as we rise like the lotus through the muck of sleepless nights, soul-tingling baby whimpers, and yes, poopy diapers. These babies teach us a clinic on love…all we need to do is saddle up, be still, and take em in. Isabella Barash, you’re my hero. Thank you for the gift of your love. House is full, hearts fuller.”

Photo: BBarashIG
BRANDON’S BUDDIES CONGRATULATE HIM ON WELCOMING NEW SON
Several of Brandon’s former co-stars have already jumped in the commenting thread including, Rob Scott Wilson (Alex, DAYS) “Congrats my brotha!!,” Dan Feuerriegel (EJ, DAYD) and Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS), with whom Brandon appears with in the Day Players Band and more.
Back in April of this year, Brandon was granted an emergency restraining order against his ex-wife, Kirsten Storms claiming that the GH favorite was exhibiting concerning behavior and he feared for the well-being of their daughter, Harper. They each now live separate lives in Tennessee.
We send our well-wishes to Brandon, Isabella and their new son, Sebastian as they build their burgeoning family unit.
Take a look at Brandon and Isabella’s new little bundle of joy in the snaps below.
Now, share your congratulations to Brandon and Isabella via the comment section!
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)

Daytime Emmy winner, Eric Martsolf talks about how he learned he was cast as Brady Black on Days of Our Lives on an all-new episode of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart dropping Tuesday, June 16. Martsolf, who is the special guest, related how he was out of a job following the end of his run as Passions’ Ethan Crane when the NBC soap was canceled in 2008.
In addition, Eric shares a heartbreaking and memorable conversation with the late Drake Hogestyn (John Black), who at the time was in the throes of chemotherapy following his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Ahead of the premiere of this heartfelt conversation, Michael Fairman TV is giving you an exclusive preview with two clips from Martsolf’s visit to the CBS podcast.
First, Eric recounted how he and his wife Lisa had recently welcomed twin boys, bought a house, and he did not know if he would find a way quick enough to support the family. Eric had already learned the part he read for at Days of Our Lives, he didn’t get. However, little did he know, that he was about to instead become the recast Brady Black, previously played by Kyle Lowder.

Photo: JPI
THE CALL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
“I had my kids in their double-stroller in Porter Ranch, wondering how I’m going to pay for this house? Marnie Saitta (casting director, Days of Our Lives) calls me up, ‘Eric, can you get your butt to the studio right now?’ I’m like, ‘Why? I didn’t get the job.’ She’s like, ‘Well, maybe you got a job. They want you for Brady Black. They want to bring back this character. He’s been off the canvas for about three years.’ I said, ‘Marnie, Oh, my God! That is such great news. I have my kids, and my wife’s out of town.’ She’s like, ‘Bring your kids. Drop ’em off at my office!’ I dropped the boys off at her office, went and met with Gary Tomlin (former co-executive producer, DAYS), and he said, ‘You’re Brady now. Here’s your backstory. Welcome to the show.'”
Eric continued, “I went back to Marnie’s and I knocked on the door and they’re my kids. One has the Apple remote in his hand or whatever hitting it against the desk, the other one’s playing with the keyboard. Marnie says, ‘Congratulations, get your kids out of my office now.” I was like, ‘I’m so sorry. I love you. Just send me the bill for the damage.’ Eventually, my wife Lisa came home. I said, ‘I’m on DAYS now.’ We cried and we hugged, and I’ve been with DAYS ever since.”
THE HEARTBREAKING MOMENT WITH DRAKE HOGESTYN
The Days of Our Lives family lost one of its most beloved members when Drake Hogestyn who played John Black for 38 years passed away from pancreatic cancer on September 28, 2024. It wasn’t until June of 2025, that DAYS viewers saw the story play out where John succumbed to internal injuries sustained in an explosion saving the experimental serum to bring Bo Brady back to life. It was John’s final mission.
During his visit to Soapy, Eric Martsolf was asked to share one of his greatest memories of working with Drake as his TV son. In an emotional moment, Martsolf recalled trying to tape a scene with Drake when he clearly was feeling the effects of the chemotherapy he was undergoing at the time, while he tried to soldier on as Drake was known to do.

Photo: JPI
“Not to get too sentimental, but I think it was one of the last scenes we did together. We were in the interrogation room at the Salem PD. John is talking to Brady about something and he had to stop tape because he was on chemo and he would have to excuse himself from the set, come back, gather himself, and just go right back into the scene. You could tell he was really struggling. He didn’t talk to me much about what was going on. I heard through the grapevine what was wrong with him. I just looked at him and I went, ‘How you doing?’ We had a five minute break, and he said, ‘I’m just on a journey. It’s going to be good. It’s going to be fine.’ That just broke my heart. He still wanted to keep telling the story even though his body wasn’t letting him. Drake never complained, never bitched.”
Martsolf added, “My memory of Drake is just a man of fortitude, and a man that was a storyteller until the end that just wanted to keep doing his job. He gave Ken Corday (executive producer, Days of Our Lives) his blessing to film John Black’s funeral while he was still on this planet. Ken said to him, ‘Are you sure?’ Drake was like, ‘Tell the story.’ That’s a man. That’s a guy who is dedicated to what he had been doing for the last 40, 50 years.”
Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart features weekly lively and often nostalgic conversations with beloved past and present stars and creatives from across the entire soap opera community and all networks and platforms, including daytime and primetime. Whether a lifelong fan or discovering the genre for the first time, the series shares that it, “offers a fresh, fun behind-the-scenes look at the stories – and storytellers – that define daytime drama.”
Episodes from the audio/video podcast series are available for free via Audacy and the CBS brand You Tube Channel. The podcast is produced by the Paramount Multiplatform Production Group, with Mike Benson serving as executive producer.
Take a look at these exclusive previews below with Eric Martsolf.
Now let us know, were you touched by Eric’s memories of Drake struggling to work as he battled cancer? What did you think of Eric’s casting story of how he became the new Brady Black? Have you enjoyed Eric’s performance over the last 18 years in the role? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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