Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of Our Lives’ Dan Feuerriegel Teases the Mystery of Marlena’s Chess Set, and Opens Up About the Departures of His Co-Stars (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

Published

4 months ago

May 15, 2026

Michael

Photo: emilysandiferphoto

EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) is always in the thick of things on Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Currently on all-new episodes his pet project to bring his sister, Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) back to life, seems in part, successful.

Meanwhile, his machinations with the women in his life continue as viewers wait to see just what he may remember about Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) and his past, and what trouble he and Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) will stir up, and that’s only part of EJ’s story.

Recently, viewers learned at the reading of Stefano’s will, that the Phoenix’s Queen of the Night, Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) was bequeathed a chess set. In fact, Stefano left it not only for Marlena, but her late husband and Stefano’s ultimate adversary, John Black. Clearly, there is more to the story, after Marlena declined the gift and walked out without saying a word, opening up another mystery.

Photo: JPI

In a brand new conversation with Days of Our Lives leading man and villain, Dan Feuerriegel now featured on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, he previews just how EJ may be deployed into the mystery of Marlena’s chest set from his father, the iconic Stefano DiMera.

CHECKMATE

First, Feuerriegel weighed-in on what EJ truly thinks of Marlena. “Respects, but cautious. Marlena’s the Queen Bee,” explained Dan. “So, there are some people on DAYS that EJ will not mess with, shall we say, and Marlena is one of those characters.”

As to what is up with the chess set that Marlena was given and turned down at the will reading, Dan shared, “There’s some fun that that occurs with that chess board and shall we say, like a little adventure. Obviously, EJ is suspected of having something to do with this, but also, in regards to the will reading, he was shut out. So, he’s curious. EJ’s kept a little bit to the side about what it is, because it’s his father. However, it’s going to lead to some pretty fun stuff.”

EJ has always wanted his father’s respect, so might that be what drives him to make sure Stefano’s wish with Marlena is carried out? Dan weighed-in. “I think in the end, EJ will do what his father wanted. So, whatever that entails that’s what he’ll do. With this and the chess set, he’s a little bit out of the loop, which is infuriating for him, but it also gives him a lot of curiosity. He definitely wants to keep himself involved. But as I mentioned, he’s kept to the side a bit, but he’ll get his mitts in there somewhere.”

THE HARD GOODBYES

In soap operas, cast members come and go, and sometimes, often like a baseball team analogy, they are traded from one show to another, or their story has run out for now. But in soaps, never say never.

For Dan, he had to say goodbye to some very key members of his on-screen family when they departed Days of Our Lives for various reasons: his on-screen brother, Billy Flynn (ex-Chad, now Cane, Y&R), on-screen son, Carson Boatman (Johnny) and on-screen sister, Stacy Haiduk (Kristen/Susan, now Patty, Y&R). As DAYS fans know, the series tapes ten-months in advance of dropping new episodes, so fans can expect to see both Boatman and Haiduk firmly in their Salem roles for months yet to come.

Photo: JPI

BILLY FLYNN

“It was a bit of a bummer because I had developed a close bond with him and he was a lovely guy,” Dan shared fondly. “We shared a lot of the same kind of humor and views on the world and things like that. We were able to chat and it was shame. But look, Billy’s got a big family now, and he needs to do what’s best for him and his wife and his family. And so, you completely understand it. Then, Connor Floyd came in and Connor is just as lovely. It kind of sucks because the guy that is more handsome than me leaves, and then is replaced with a guy just as handsome. I’m like, ‘okay, alright.”

Photo: JPI

CARSON BOATMAN

It’s no secret that some of the best scenes were always between EJ and his son, Johnny. So, when Carson Boatman was let go from the show late last year, it was hard for all involved. “It’s a similar situation to Billy to be honest. It’s like the people that I loved the most moved on from the show and it’s sad,” shared Dan. “It’s because Carson and I were friends outside of the show. We would hang out and just like me and Billy we’d talk to with each other and everything like that and that just translated into (our on-screen) father/son dynamic.”

Photo: JPI

STACY HAIDUK

Since Dan became the new EJ DiMera back in 2021, he had the opportunity to work with Stacy Haiduk not only as EJ’s sister, Kristen, but as the wacky Susan Banks, EJ’s mother! Here he sums up his experience working with Haiduk and the respect he has for her as a performer.

“I adore Stacy so much. Whenever she plays (Susan Banks) my mother, it’s so much fun,” said Feuerriegel. “They give her so much dialogue and the way she talks is so different. Stacy will improvise a little bit here and there. But the amount of times I’ve had to bite my lip from not laughing because she just makes such great, fantastic, outrageous choices … and she’s also an absolute sweetheart. Then, to go from that, to the dynamic of Kristen where it’s very brooding and a very similar brother/sister dynamic, it’s fantastic. To be able to work with with her was really, really lovely. She’s an amazing woman and a fantastic actor. I know she’s at Y&R now which is great. But, that’s another a bummer for me. There’s been a few little heartbreaks for me, personally.”

Now below, check out our full conversation with DAYS Dan Feuerriegel now on the Michael Fairman Channel, where we touch on many subjects on the life and times of EJ DiMera.

Then weigh-in: what do you think is the story behind Marlena (and her late husband John) being gifted the chess set by Stefano? What are your hopes for EJ DiMera in the months to come? What did you think about the sentiments shared by Dan on the departure of several of his beloved co-stars? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.

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8 Comments

oldest

newest

marquita

3 months ago

Love this show and EJ!!!

Jeremy

3 months ago

Dan looks totally hot in that photo and the mustache is so sexy, yet so not EJ. Well, Stacy as Kristen/Susan/etc is a bummer, I thought she was going to Y&R for a short story arc. It appears she’s exited stage right, among the others mentioned in the article. I loved when Stacy assumed the role of Kristen, but… if indeed Stacy is at Y&R permanently, I would like to see a new actress to play Kristen #3, it’s time to retire Susan and the other siblings. As fun as they all were with Eileen Davidson, and then with Stacy… those characters and yes dear Susan need to be exiled – it just gets old, it was fun times watching Eileen’s Susan especially and the others, however, if Stacy isn’t coming back to DAYS, I think the focus should be solely on the Kristen character. Who would I love to see take-over the role? DAYS call….Robin Christopher!

Scott (ATWT fan)

Reply to Jeremy

3 months ago

Stacy is not back permanently; she’s a recurring player on both soaps, so she could also work on Days of Our Lives, but they rested the character, and it is not the first time they have done this. I am sure, at some point, Kristen will be written back in.

Jeremy

3 months ago

DAYS call….Robin Christopher!

Scott (ATWT fan)

Reply to Jeremy

3 months ago

She is retired and no longer acting.

Satan 2.0

Reply to Scott (ATWT fan)

3 months ago

rumor has it that Robin is no longer retired from acting. You think you’re always right and in the know, hey.

Jeremy

3 months ago

DAYS Call Robin Christopher as nu-Kristen!!!

Pippa

3 months ago

That man Just oozes masculinity and sexiness

Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of Our Lives’ Confirms Sydney Malakeh’s Casting as Sydney DiMera

Published

1 day ago

September 2, 2026

Michael

The Sydney mystery is solved! On Wednesday, September 2, Days of Our Lives revealed more details on the previous announcement that actress Sydney Malakeh was about to make her debut on the Peacock streaming soap opera on September 9.

However, now comes word via Deadline, that while previously unknown, Malakeh is taking on the role of Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) and EJ DiMera’s (Dan Feuerriegel), grown-up daughter, Sydney DiMera.

The last time anyone saw Sydney she was a pre-teen in the Days of our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas that streamed on Peacock in 2021.

Now the aged-up version is set to have a major storyline, in particular with the news of Brandon Butler showing up in his new role as Mason Whitfield, and especially the other DAYS casting announcement today of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali, with whom we last knew about off-screen was engaged to Sydney’s mother, Sami.

Taking to her Instagram on September 2, Malakeh shared, “Been waiting a long time to share this one. For the past 10 months, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of playing Sydney DiMera on Days of Our Lives. I cannot wait for you all to finally meet her September 9th on Peacock! It takes a village. So grateful for mine.”

WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?

From the looks of it, perhaps Sydney will be obsessed with Dante, sort of like Sami was obsessed with Austin and tried to get him away from her sister, Carrie (Christie Clark). Might Days be about to do a retread modernized version and this time have Sami on the receiving end of manipulations from her daughter? Time will tell.

As previously reported, Alison Sweeney is not due back on-screen until most likely late spring of 2027 after she taped a series of episodes last month in July.

Those who know the dramatic history of Sydney DiMera recall that back in 2008, Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker), who was married to EJ at the time, had a miscarriage and lost their baby. To hold on to her marriage, she plotted to steal Sami’s newborn daughter and switch her with another baby named Grace who’s mother was teenager Mia McCormick (Taylor Spreitler).

A few years later, Grace died, and then Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) began to put two and two together. After one of the biggest bitch-slap showdowns on the soaps back in 2009, Nicole admitted what she did to Sami by stealing her biological child and Sami was eventually reunited with Sydney.

The question is, do you think Sydney DiMera is a bad girl or a good girl? Do you think she and Dante Vitali might have a thing going on? Could she be involved with Mason? Weigh-in via the comment section, and just for good measure, here’s ‘The Slap!’ from Sami delivered to Nicole below.

Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of Our Lives’ Casts ‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali

Published

1 day ago

September 2, 2026

Michael

Days of Our Lives is undergoing a major shift on-screen with the additions of several new characters and actors in September, and now comes word that none other than Franco LoPresti, who appeared in the smash hit series, Heated Rivalry, has been cast as Dante Vitali!

As viewers recalled, Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) revealed on her last trip back to Salem in 2o25 that she is engaged to Dante Vitali, who hails from the notorious Vitali mob family. Remember Ava Vitali played by Tamara Braun? Dante is said to be her cousin on her father’s side.

Look for LoPresti to make his DAYS debut next week on the September 14 episode, and when Dante emerges on the scene, he will be Sami-less. However as previously reported, Alison Sweeney jumped back into her signature soap role last month in July, so she will be seen at some point in 2027, since the Peacock streaming soap opera tapes 10-11 months in advance of dropping all-new episodes.

Photo: Almay

WHAT ELSE HAS FRANCO LOPRESTI APPEARED IN?

Heated Rivalry fans will recall that LoPresti played hockey player, Cliff Marleau, who was a friend of one of the series leads Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) and who caused Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) concussion.

The Canadian-born actor has been seen on multiple movies for Hallmark Channel and Lifetime, and appeared in an episode of Tracker starring soap alum Justin Hartley (ex-Passions and The Young and the Restless) back in 2025. He is married to actress Emily Atalalo (pictured above).

What viewers do know of the back-story of Dante through Sami is that, he wanted no part of the crime family who was based in the United States. Dante had been living in Italy. But with Sami’s luck, can her engagement to this guy go any way but completely off course? We shall see!

So, what do you think about the casting of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali? Excited to see him hit the screen on Days of Our Lives next week? Did you watch the first season of Heated Rivalry? Comment below.

Days Of Our Lives

Nadia Bjorlin Confirms She Was Asked to Return to ‘Days of Our Lives’ as Chloe Lane But Turned Down the Offer (Exclusive)

Published

3 days ago

August 31, 2026

Michael

Nadia Bjorlin opened up during a livestream conversation promoting her new film Veronica & Julian about a hot button topic with Days of Our Lives fan these days – the status of the character of Chloe Lane; a part which Bjorlin played on and off for 25 years and since 1999.

The actress participated in a chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel on Monday, August 31 with her Veronica & Julian co-star and former DAYS star Kyler Pettis (ex-Theo Carver).

In this exclusive moment from the interview, Bjorlin was asked if return as Chloe was in the cards, amid speculation on social media that General Hospital alum, Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha Gilmore) is rumored to have taken over the part of Chloe, although unconfirmed by Days of Our Lives. Nadia then revealed she was indeed asked to return to the Peacock streaming soap opera.

Photo: JPI

A HEAVY HEART AND LOGISTICS

“What I can confirm is they did ask me, but logistically it just didn’t make sense and with TV, budgets and whatnot (these days), it didn’t make any sense, and I said ‘no,” expressed Bjorlin. Presently, Nadia lives with her husband Grant Turnbull and their two children in Ireland. In fact, Bjorlin was participating in the indie film promotional chat from Ireland on Monday.

In addition, Nadia also shared that it was with a heavy heart she turned down a chance to come back to Salem, adding, “It hurt my heart to have to say ‘no.’ So, I guess I can confirm that it will not be me playing Chloe, if there’s a Chloe that comes back.”

As for Sofia Mattsson, she joined the cast in March of this year in an undisclosed role, and with DAYS tape schedule almost 10-11 months in advance of streaming new episodes, it would appear for now, she won’t be seen on-screen until early 2027. The mystery of if she is indeed playing a recast Chloe, Abigail, or a new character, continues.

Photo: JPI

FOND MEMORIES OF SALEM

Moving forward with her life post-Chloe, Bjorlin acknowledged to her longtime fans that she is alright with her decision. “I guess, it’s just sort of a different chapter of my life. I wish another actor all the best, obviously, and whatnot if that was their (Days of our Lives) decision. It’s okay. I’m okay, because they did ask me and I said ‘no.'”

Knowing at least the producers of DAYS came to her first before a possible recast, makes the situation bittersweet for Nadia. “At least, they did that and didn’t feel like, ‘Oh, my goodness!’ But of course (it’s hard), I grew up there. I feel like those were my high school college years and that’s like my family.”

The last time Nadia was on-screen on Days of Our Lives was back in 2023 when Chloe left Salem with one of her great loves, Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). The pair headed to New York City to give their romance another whirl, only it didn’t work out. Philip returned to Salem in 2024 with no Chloe in tow.

You can check out the livestream chat with Nadia and Kyler Pettis discussing their time on Days of Our Lives and their new movie, Veronica & Julian below.

Now let us know, are you sad to learn that Nadia was asked to return as Chloe, but things could not work out to make it make sense for her now that she lives in Ireland? Do you think Sofia Mattsson is playing a recast Chloe or another character? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.