Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Preview Fall in Salem Including: ‘Tom Horton’ Gala, Major Returns, and EJ’s Nefarious Experiments
Coming off their two-year renewal pick-up by Peacock, the long-running Days of our Lives, which is about to turn 60 this November, has major plans for viewers to enjoy as the summer turns into fall.
To get you ready, head writers, Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford, offered up some insight of what stories will be front and center, and what to be on the lookout for including big returns centering around Salem University’s gala in honor of the late Dr. Tom Horton (MacDonald Carey).
Expected to be back and airing in several all-new episodes centering around the big event are: Lamon Archey (Eli Grant), Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Maree Cheathem (Marie Horton), Roark Crtichlow (Mike Horton), Bryan Datillo (Lucas Horton), Colton Little (Andrew Donovan), Chandler Massey (Will Horton), Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Deveraux), Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant), Stephen Schnetzer (Steve Olson), Christopher Sean (Paul Narita), Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) and Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady).

Photo: NBC
Speaking on the gala, Cwikly and Ford told TV Insider: “The 60th anniversary is the event that brings the town together to celebrate. The hospital gala will kick off a new umbrella story that extends into the new year.” In honoring the legacy of the show as it turns six decades young, the scribed shared, “We wanted to honor the first families of Salem with a retrospective that kicked off new stories in its aftermath. There will be a hospital gala in honor of Tom Horton which coincides with some mysterious experiments EJ (DiMera) is conducting in his private lab.”

Photo: JPI
What is EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) going to be doing in his private lab? There is still this mystery as to why Marlena (Deidre) is experiencing deva vu as the “queen of the night,” feeling Stefano’s presence and according to the writers, her “health crisis will worsen.” Could it be possible that at the gala, somehow a “Stefano” reveal might happen (in the form of who is still a mystery, since Joe Mascolo, his portrayer, passed away many yeas ago), or some other shocking twist? Stay tuned.

Photo: JPI
In addition, the head writers preview what lies straight ahead which includes: The “Who Shot EJ?” reveal with Rachel Black (Alice Halsey) said to lash out, “in a way that has life-threatening consequences,” plus Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) desperation grows as Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Tate (Leo Howard) get closer to the truth of the baby, plus in a major event, there is a Salem black-out where “secrets and desires” come to light.
So, are you looking forward to the fall in Salem, the big returns for the gala and whatever EJ is concocting in his lab? Share your thoughts on what the DAYS head scribes have planned for viewers in the coming months via the comment section.
Excited about [most] of the names listed as returnees.
I really hope these new writers can pull it together because I’m still feeling like the show is so unhappy these days so hopefully the Tom Horton’s story at least for a short time will give the canvas some happiness.
This all sounds great, except for the possibility of Stefano’s return. Why can’t they let the character rest, especially considering Joe Mascolo died nearly a decade ago? Bring back villains that are already established, or create new ones – there’s no need to keep rehashing this story.
Take a Devil’s word for it. Stefano is not returning to Salem. That two way portal between Hell & the DiMera crypt only works when I’m residing in Salem. It’s completely locked down when that’s not the case.
Most of the Horton family returns will only be short visits probably, but I do believe there will be some new ornaments on the family Xmas tree, this Helliday season.
Now that it’s confirmed that Stephen Schnetzer will be returning as Stephen Olson (Julie’s brother) I suspect they’re going to answer the question of why the new-ish characters Mark & Aaron Greene look so much like him. I’m guessing he’s their grandfatther, since their father was supposedly killed in an automobile accident.
And of course there’s also the fact that Julie is holding a grudge against their sister Cat, due to her previous scam impersonation of the supposedly dead Abigail Deveraux DiMera. Typical soap cliche writing to have irrational hatred between two characters, only to find out later they’re related.
And we all know that the character of Jeremy Horton is getting a reboot/recast. Because he’s been mentioned a lot, recently. And is almost certainly the reason Stephanie wanted a certain portion of that “romance novel” removed before it was printed. Last time he was around, he was running some sort of smuggling operation, using a charter airline as a front. So it wouldn’t be surprised if he was still up to no good.
So in other words, Salem will get some Hortons back. But they won’t all be saints.
But I’m the Devil, so – to paraphrase Billy Joel – “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints. The sinners are much more fun”
I’m excited to see some beloved faces returning to recognize the 60th anniversary and celebrate the core families s of Salem’s history. No thanks to Marlena potentially being hurt by something EJ may cook up and no more Stefano please. That story was told. It’s time for something original and exciting for all the folks of Salem.
SO AGREE.
Sounds good.
Brady needs a love life. Xander and Sarah needs to be back together. At least let a few people be happy. John and Marlena are gone.
I would love to see Sarah and Xander get back together.. They seem to still love each other so much, I just hope that Xander keepy getting his sessions and get his anger controlled.
I don’t know why they brought Gwen back. She adds nothing to the show. She didn’t before and she doesn’t now. A horrible fake accent that should make the Brits cringe. Send her packing…please.
I’m disappointed Days has brought Gwen back too. She’s not going to add anything to the show, in fact she takes away the show.
I thought the new head writers would bring something interesting to Days of our lives but it’s getting worse it is getting so boring and they drag it out too long now if they start getting something better right about
I also hate the fact that Marlena’s getting all this devil stuff again or whatever it is it’s getting very old she needs to stay as being a doctor and quit the dumb stuff
Is Nicole ever coming back on Day’s
Doubt it, unless they recast.
Sadly, it’s not likely after all the lawsuits. They protected that idiot Alarr for way too long. Nicole wasn’t the only long term cast member thrown under the bus for him. But she is the one who legally fought back. Can’t fault her for that at all, but I’m sure Ken Corday does.
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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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
Former Y&R favorite, Conner Floyd made his debut as the recast Chad DiMera on Days of our Lives last week on the April 21 episode of the Peacock streaming soap opera
Floyd replaced Billy Flynn in the role who is firmly cemented in his old stomping grounds of Genoa City and The Young and the Restless as Chad DiMera. For the last year or two of Chad’s story, he believed his wife, Abigail Devereaux DiMera could be alive, he even thought Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) was Abigail until the story turned.
Now with Floyd taking over the role and Lexie coming back to life after years of being dead, and Chad noting how Dr. Rolf (Richard Wharton) and his brother, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel), could resurrect somehow they all love, he thinks, how about Abigail? The part of Abigail was played by Kate Mansi and then Marci Miller.

Photo: JPI
Speaking with Stephanie Sloane for her new Daytime Dish Newsletter on the matter, Conner shared, “Any kind of idea that she could possibly be coming back, as farfetched as that may seem, he’s stuck on it. The idea gets in his head, and he’s locked in on it.”
CHAD WRESTLES WITH THE FATE OF ABIGAIL
Floyd added that Chad, “He’s asking Theo (Joseph Tyler Andrews) about it. He’s asking EJ about it. It’s one of those things where he loves her so much that the peace in his mind that he’s made with this kind of comes unbroken. So the fact that that she might be able to come back, he’s so bent on it, he thinks it’s going to happen and he kind of spirals away.”
A NEW ABIGAIL ON THE HORIZON?

Photo: ABC
That begs the question, with Days of Our Lives taping ten months in advance, which is already taking them into the beginning of 2027, is it possible that the soap has already recast Abigail and its being kept top secret?
Recently, it was revealed that former General Hospital favorite, Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha) has joined Days of our Lives. Back on March 30 it was reported that Mattsson is now taping all-new episodes that will be seen in 2027, but her role was being hush-hush! Could she the new Abby?
If not, the question is, since it seems that Kate Mansi is not coming back as she is firmly entrenched in her role as Kristina Corinthos-Davis on General Hospital and other outside projects, and Marci Miller has also been away from soaps for awhile working on other TV and film roles and indie motion pictures, who should play nuAbby?
Now below, let us know, who do you think would make the perfect leading lady opposite Conner Floyd as a recast Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Be our armchair quarterback casting director and drop your pick in the comment section.
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