Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Head Writers Talk Challenges of Episodes Taped 10 Months in Advance of Streaming
Days of our Lives is the only soap opera which continues to find itself in a unique situation due to its cost-cutting measures to enable the long-running drama to go on well past its 60th season. Last year, DAYS marked its 6-0 milestone, and the episodes fans were watching and continue to watch on its streamer, Peacock, where taped 10 months prior.
As 2026 kicks-off, DAYS head writers, Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford weighed-in on the challenges this schedule has on the story while they teased what’s ahead in Salem this year. According to the duo, there will be more of what viewers like about the show, expressing, “Salem is and always has been about family, friendship, mystery, and romance across multiple generations. And there’s plenty of the above in 2026.”
However, it’s the romances that can be tricky, whereas in other daytime dramas, if a couple is just not clicking on-screen or the audience reaction is so poor, the writers may be able to make a shift to save the story. For Cwikly and Ford, that is not the case. As they explained to TV Insider, “While we get feedback from the producers on what is currently taping, we don’t have the ability to change course in the middle of a story based on fan reaction. Romantic chemistry is the most difficult area for us to gauge because we don’t see the couples we’re writing for many months.”
Photo: JPI
The Peacock soap opera also faces, quite often, not knowing if they will be renewed or not, but the great news for DAYS fans is that in the recent pick-up, Days received two-more years and will live on at least through its 63rd season. Cwikly and Ford shared another complexity in their jobs, “Any time we begin winding down the writing of a season without a pickup announcement, certain contingency plans go into place that drastically affect the storytelling. Knowing that we have a two-year pickup gives us much greater ability to plan ahead and breathe.”
Now as they look to 2026, most of which has already been filmed given the 10-month lead time, they shared a couple of major previews worth noting below!
LEXIE OR NOT LEXIE?
First, it sounds more and more like Lexie Carver could be the person in the chamber in EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) secret lab, especially when the scribes shared for 2026, “Theo’s (Tyler Joseph Andrews) life is about to be turned upside down.” The character of Lexie, formerly portrayed by Renee Jones died on-screen in 2012 of a brain tumor caused by toxic fumes. But on DAYS, many a DiMera have come back to life.
Photo: JPI
In addition, after Dimitri Von Leushner’s (Peter Porte) return at the end of the Friday, January 2 episode just after Leo (Greg Rikaart) and Javi (Al Calderon) tied the knot, the head scribes, tease, “Dimitri’s return will directly impact Javi and Leo’s future plans. Both Gwen (Emily O’Brien) and Dimitri are seeking revenge, and there will be fallout and collateral damage.”
CASTING SWITCHEROOS
They also noted the casting changes that viewers will finally see on-air due to the 10-month delay come this spring. “New Rachel starts airing in March, and we’ll see Conner Floyd as Chad starting in April. There is also a new actress taking over the role of Ari (formerly Marissa Reyes) in April. Stay tuned.”
Check out the latest promo for the action in Salem the week of January 5-9 below, as the clock strikes twelves on New Year’s Eve several lives face shockers including, Dimitri’s arrival and the aftermath to Javi and Leo, Peter (Dan Gauthier) still hanging on to life, after Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) decided to pull the plug on her brother at the hospital, Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) kissing while Xander (Paul Telfer) is shown saying Brady is fired from Titan, and Theo wakes up in the hospital, plus the mystery person in the black hoodie is walking around as Stephanie (Abigail Klein) and Alex (Rob Scott Wilson) ring in the New Year.
Now let us know, how do you feel about Days of our Lives production schedule which does not allow the writers to make shifts in story in line with viewer reaction or fizzled chemistry issue in on-screen romances or storylines? Are you glad the show is able to make the adjustments it needed to stay in production and streaming on Peacock? Do you think it will be Lexie who has been resurrected and back from the dead? Share your thoughts via the comment section below,
Being nearly one year tape-to-release is ridiculous in 2026. Especially when in 2020, there were mere weeks when they returned from COVID hiatus. Give the cast a year off, catch up to what’s releasing in ten months, and then use that money to improve production, sets, makeup, hair, and costumes.
The unions might not make an extended hiatus so simple…..
But I do wish there was a way they could slow down and close the gap. Maybe instead of filming 8-10 episodes a week, they just do 5?
They’d have to be paid as contractual fulfilment. But even on hiatus, they would release the cast from their contracts⏤which they’ve done before⏤which would also likely open the cast up to join other soaps (and some should).
I don’t disagree that it is a huge problem that Days films so far in advance. However, if the show stops taping, the actors/ crew won’t get paid. If they can somehow continue to pay the actors / crew then I would be all for the production halting for at least 6 months. Unfortunately, there are already budget cuts now so I can’t see this happening. It sucks for all involved. I am sure everyone there agrees that their advanced schedule is more of a detriment than a positive.
They would still be paid for their ‘likeness’ being used. They’d have to be. It’d be a risky move, but it wouldn’t be the first time the cast has been released from their contracts for a period of time.
In Days defense i think this is the production model that they have been given in order to keep the show on the air I feel giving the cast a year off would be the death of a beloved soap !that’s definitely not the answer.
I am fully aware as to why the original six-month (which was ridiculous) tape-to-air (now tape-to-release) schedule exists. But in 2026 it is a detriment to them as a serial. And it wouldn’t be the first time they all got contractually released; in November 2019, the whole cast was released from their contracts, and they all re-signed in February 2020 when filming resumed, and then COVID happened a month later.
I agree with your comment a 100%
I don’t understand why taping 10 months in advance saves money.
The problem with this ridiculous taping schedule is that when they start doing idiotic storylines that the viewers obviously HATE (like the massive waste of time “Body & Soul”, for example) they can’t change direction and dump the next several months of episodes that are already in the can and start over. As opposed to a show that follows a more conventional taping schedule of 1-2 months ahead where you can change writing if the fan backlash is clearly obvious (though sometimes the “powers that be” will still choose to ignore the fans, such as Frank Valentini deliberately ignoring what GH fans think about Dragon Chow Drew, for example)
As for as the identity of the person in the cryogenic tube in EJ’s secret lab… Lexie would make sense in some ways, though I really don’t think a Lexie recast makes sense at this point. If Renee Jones wanted to comeback, it would be different, but that does not seem likely.
The big question there would be why Gwen – who never met Lexie – would be bankrolling the effort to bring her back to life? What would she gain from that? Now on the other horn, if the tube occupant was Abigail Deveraux, that definitely explains Gwen’s involvement. It’s not about Gwen having much love for her sister. We all know she doesn’t. But what Gwen does want – and what she has always wanted – is the love of her father Jack. And since she can’t seem to get that on her own, then bringing back the daughter that Jack truly loves might get some appreciation from him.
And let’s face it, when they dug up Abigail’s grave and found an empty coffin, we all knew it would be a matter of time before she showed up in Salem. Since neither Lexie or Abigail went to Hell, I’m not personally involved in the decision either way, so this is all unholy speculation on my part, of course. But Gwen’s involvement in the process makes Abigail more likely to be resurrected than Lexie.
The long delay between taping and streaming is their own doing. Prior to the 2020 shutdown, DAYS was a little over 6 months ahead. When taping resumed, they were about 2 months ahead. Instead of using that to their advantage, Corday made it more extreme.
There’s no simple fix to this. Crews have to be paid and performers contracts need to honored. Combine that with a bare-bones budget and this conundrum is doomed to continue.
BTG appears to be 3-4 months ahead. Y&R and B&B typically 2 months ahead. GH is the most flexible with its block filming schedule. Some scenes may be 2 months ahead, while at times they are able to get some scenes on air in under 2 WEEKS.
Days of our lives writers can you please tell us does sarah and Xander get back together! and does sarah get pregnant by Xander and have twins another girl and a boy
No, Star, Sarah gives birth to Xander’s son who has a parasitic twin.
A new Rachel?! Just got used to Alice.
I remember years ago when we got a new Belle, Charity Rahmer, She was awful. Due to taping in advance viewers had to suffer through her until Martha Madison aired. Fortunately, Days realized they had made a mistake hiring Charity once she started airing.
Taping so far in advance means when we hear about actor changes, like Chad, and we don’t see them for months. It is a bit jarring seeing Billy on Days and Y&R at the same time. Sometimes I forget who he is playing.
Your memory has failed you, Momo.
Charity Rahmer appeared in 15 episodes from July 19th to August 9th, 2004…courtesy Jason47
My belief is her casting wasn’t a mistake by Days. Kirsten Storms was very popular in the role, and Days knew there would be backlash no matter who replaced her, so they cast Charity knowing she was horrible, so fans would be happy when Charity was replaced by Martha.
I believe I’ve heard that Martha simply wasn’t available and so they just brought someone in to tape until she was.
They skipped a year forward in order to avoid the huge tape to release that they previously had and now they have it again! If the audience is unhappy about the direction of the storyline, they should be able to pivot. People are fickle and if they don’t like the storyline they will stop watching the show. This is ridiculous to me (I’ve been watching wayyy to long to give up now lol) but they lose viewers. And as far as Lexie, she’s been dead for 14 years!! Where/How would they be keeping her on ice for that long?! Also, in the previews it seems to show a man’s hand wearing the signet ring Stefano wore so…
I hear crazy shit from y’all every day. They skipped a year forward in story. They didn’t skip actual episodes.
The new writers need to start writing for the male cast members and not make them weak and dominated by the females.
Gwen and Sophia need to be gone or at least recast as I fast forward through all their scenes.
Let’s hope the new Javi is as good as Al as I want him with Leo.
Its just poor business. Taping so far in advance doesn’t allow for fixing what isn’t working. This could lead to a huge drop in viewership. If this happens around when the decision to renew the show is being made, then we lose our show.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Favorites Making Returns: Alison Sweeney, Christie Clark, Chandler Massey and Bryan Dattilo
Great news for Days of Our Lives fans, now that Ryan Quan is co-head writer of the long-running soap opera. Coming in June of 2027 (since DAYS tapes ten or so months ahead), you can look forward to the returns of Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady), Christie Clark (Carrie Brady), Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).
The foursome is back on set and began last week to tape their upcoming story arc, according to TV Insider. As to what exactly is going on that brings sister Sami and Carrie’s history back up, as well as Will and Lucas’ is only being teased at this time, but suffice to say, it should be intriguing.
Alison Sweeney explained on being back on set, “It was a lot of dialogue and emotion, but with all the best actors to work opposite, we fell into it as if no time had passed. It was really wonderful.”
Photo: JPI
As to working with the longstanding rivalry of Sami and Carrie, Alison added on working with Clark, “So, it really does feel like we’re sisters. It’s so fun, and she’s such a good actor that she makes everything so natural that you can really disappear into those stories.”
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
It also seems like the deep-history, which often had the sister fighting for the love of Austin Reed, but that might not figure into the equation this time, or will it?
Alison indicated what she thought of the scripts she was given. “I felt like when I read it, it was a page-turner. I was very excited. There’s a lot of history here, and a lot of things that haven’t been said. So, it’s really not like, ‘Oh, rehashing stuff.’ And now having played some of the scenes, I’m psyched.” Sweeney added, as for the men, working again with her on-screen son, Chandler Massey and Will’s on-screen father Bryan Dattilo, was also extra special.
The last time DAYS viewers saw Sami on the canvas was back in November of 2025, when she revealed she has gotten engaged to never-before-seen Dante Vitali. As for Clark, she last visited Salem for the episodes surrounding John Black’s memorial in June of 2025.
Chandler Massey’s Will Horton last made a visit to Salem in November of 2025 when he attended the gala for the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the soap opera’s 60th anniversary celebration. Bryan Dattilo was last seen in December of 2025. So, by the time we see all four again it will be close to two years since they were on new episodes of the series. Time to look forward to June of 2027.
So, excited by the news of Alison, Christie, Chandler and Lucas making a return to Days of Our Lives? What do you think the story will be involving, Sami, Carrie, Lucas and Will? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Talks On His Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes as Javi Hernandez (Exclusive)
Last Tuesday, Al Calderon scored the first Emmy nomination of his career for his role as Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives.
Calderon name was announced as one of the performers competing for gold in the Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30.
This week, Calderon chatted live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a one-on-one conversation where he discussed: his nominated scenes and time on the Peacock streaming soap opera, his decision to leave DAYS, his role of Nico Silva on Brilliant Minds and its sad cancellation, plus his passing the torch of Javi to Jacob Martinez, who took over the role on-screen on the June 30, 2026 episode of Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
JAVI REVEALS TO LEO THAT HE HAD A DAUGHTER WHO DIED
Al revealed the scenes that comprise his now Emmy-nominated reel have at its epicenter the heartbreaking moments from the September 12, 2025 episode. In it, Javi shares for the first time to Leo (Greg Rikaart) that he had a daughter named Solana, with a woman he was seeing named Sylvia. One fateful day, Sylvia left their child in a car when she went to work and the little girl died. Javi had blamed himself for not being the parent to take his daughter to school that day since he was hungover the night before, therefore it opened up the opportunity for something to happen to the his child, and it did.
The multi-talented actor/singer explained his reel: “It was the scene where he is talking about his daughter to Leo. I also included the scene where Javi goes to talk to Melinda (Tina Huang) and to see if it would be a viable option to adopt, because I wanted to introduce the subtlety and nuance of why Javi kind of has this whole connection to Tesoro, in a way.”
It is true that Al can bring the tears and make us cry right along with him during his run as Javi. To that, Calderon added, “I’ve read the comments that I’m a little bit of a crybaby, so I didn’t want the entire reel to be of me crying, but I wanted it to show a little bit of an emotional range of the restraint that Javi was feeling so I included that scene
In addition Calderon shared, “I also included a really beautiful scene with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez, DAYS) where I’m looking at photos of Tesoro, and of course, Javi is crying. I just wanted to show the relationship between Javi and his family as well, and as I mentioned the reveal of the child that he lost.”
Photo: JPI
ALUMS AL CALDERON AND ALICE HALSEY REPRESENT DAYS OF OUR LIVES IN EMERGING TALENT CATEGORY
In a twist of fate, Calderon is also nominated in the Emerging Talent category with Alice Halsey who played Rachel Black. Halsey is currently starring in the reboot of Little House on the Prairie in the lead role of Laura Ingalls on Netflix.
As to his hope on Emmy night, Al expressed, “Of course, I want to win, but Alice Halsey is going to give me a run for the money. And if’s not me (who wins the award), it better be her!”
You can check out the full interview with Al below.
Now let us know, do you remember Al’s emotional scenes when he explained to Leo he had a daughter who died, which made it all the more heartbreaking to not end up with permanent custody of Tesoro? What do you think of Al’s chances to win the gold based on his Emmy scene selection? Do you miss him as Javi? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Emily O’Brien Talks On Her Y&R Past as Jana Hawkes and Working with Peter Porte on ‘Days of Our Lives’
On the latest edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped on Tuesday, July 21, Emily O’Brien is the featured guest. As soap fans know, Emily has worked with Rikaart both in her first soap role on The Young and the Restless as Jana Hawkes and now on Days of Our Lives in her current role of Gwen Rizczech.
While Emily continues on DAYS, she has very impressive list of credits in the other part of her career as a voice-over actress and one in motion-capture in some of the most popular video games in the world.
O’Brien was first seen on The Young and the Restless back in 2006. She recalled her landing the role which eventually paired her for her five year run with Greg Rikaart.
Photo: JPI
BEING CAST ON THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
“The role was just a few days and she wasn’t even supposed to be English,” Emily recalled. “The role was originally called Jade. Karen Rae, the casting director of The Young and the Restless at the time said to me “Oh, you’re from England. Try it with the dialect.” I put it on and she said, ‘I’m going to bring you back at like 3 for s callback.’ So then they changed the role to Jana and they said she’s going to be a Brit. I was only supposed to be on for like five episodes and it turned into 5 years.”
In explaining why she loved crazy Jana, Emily shared, “Jana was sort of like the misanthrope. She was just was the odd one out and I loved it. I felt so comfortable playing that because she was just eclectic and weird and she loved playing with Ouija boards and she rode a motorbike. There was just so much color to bring to her. It was just such a great match to play with Greg (Kevin), and Christian LeBlanc (Michael) and Tracey Bregman (Lauren).
Photo: JPI
GWEN, DIMITRI AND LEO ON DAYS OF OUR LIVES
On Days of Our Lives, the Leo, Gwen, Dimitri dynamic is quite unique and been through many schemes and entanglements. Often Emily finds herself in repartee with her ex-lover, Dimitri, who turned out to be gay and then had a thing for her bestie, Leo (Greg Rikaart)!
During the conversation, Greg and Emily sang, Peter Porte’s praised with O’Brien expressing, “Peter is just ready to play. He comes on set prepared. I’ve never seen him with his script. From blocking and rehearsals, he doesn’t have it. He’s prepared. He’s a physical actor and he always trying to come up with something. I think he let me slap him. He let me kiss him. He let me throw a cheeseburger in his lap. He’s ready for anything for anything.”
You can catch the full episode of ‘Soapy; featuring Emily O’Brien below where the actress also talks about replacing Jen Lilley as Theresa Donovan after being let go as Gwen; and being paired again with Greg Rikaart on the Peacock streaming soap opera this time as best friends and more.
So, were you a big Jana Hawkes and Kevin Fisher fan on Y&R? Did you like them as a couple? Do you like the dynamic between Emily and Peter Porte and Greg Rikaart on DAYS? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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