Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Nicole Says Her Final Goodbyes To Daniel & Chad Remembers!
Courtesy/NBC
It was heartbreak city for many Salemites on Wednesday’s episode of Days of our Lives with sad goodbyes, plus a major breakthrough for another.
It had been decided that Brady (Eric Martsolf) will get Daniel’s (Shawn Christian) heart, and the transplant surgery needs to begin asap. Next, Nicole (Arianne Zucker) and Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) must say their final goodbyes to Daniel. Arianne Zucker really made viewers tear up just as Nicole was, as she was overcome trying to say farewell to the love of her life. Nicole tells Daniel in their final moments: “Thank you for loving me. You were an unbelievable gift in my life.” Maggie also had to be strong in the face of the most tragic circumstance a mother should ever have to endure.
Courtesy/NBC
Meanwhile, Billy Flynn delivered another touching performance as Chad finally makes his major breakthrough from his heinous brainwashing at the hands of Andre (Thaao Penghlis)! Chad recalls his love for Abby (Kate Mansi) and their relationship and relates to his newborn son, Thomas! It was once again powerful work by Flynn and Kate Mansi. Later, in the hospital, Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) tells Abigail that Daniel did not make it. Abby is devastasted while in the midst of her happiness with Chad.
The heartbreak continued after the heart transplant surgery when Nicole insists on seeing Daniel in the hospital morgue. Once again she breaksdown as Fynn (Alexander Bruzt) stands by her.
So, what did you think of the performances on Wednesday’s Days of our Lives? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
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Days is my favorite American soap right now but thats not the reason i believe Days should sweep the emmys next year…its because of the improved writing and bravo performance by its vets!
Hi, Jimmy,
You may be right about Days, as doing better, even after the best storyline has taken a ‘leave’. As macabre as Ben and his madness was, his story kept me on my toes. But, Jimmy, I have had it with Hope and the continuation of her stupid revenge/hate/futility into all that is Days. So boring……so annoying…..so not entertaining. Right now, that is the only deterrent for me. I wouldn’t mind if Hope disappeared altogether. Later.
..Hope shot the Steph…she will probably get off with temporary insanity…i would rather Ciara leave-she is a snooze and so is the whole teen snoozapalozza gang!
@jimh
Lol, Jimmy. That stupid shooting was so weird. It just didn’t seem real. It was as though it all played out in Hope’s head. She should be locked up; not for shooting Stefano, he deserves every rotten thing coming his way; but for her revenge-binge…….an asylum? I said this before. She didn’t seem so concerned about Bo when she was doing the IT with pie-faced Aiden.
Ciara? Mousy-looking girl, and just as boring. Someone remarked she looks like a young Kristian Alfonso. My gosh….Kristian’s face was so beautiful at that age. I watched old episodes. Ciara doesn’t even come close. The only thing they have in common is their Italian heritage.
Another great episode for Suzanne Rogers and Ari Zucker. I also think Billy Flynn just keeps getting better – a true leading man.
It was so sad I cried seeing Nicole crying.she is such an amazing actress.I hope she stays around for long time
Ari and Suzanne are killing me. I’m literally sobbing every day.
I love Billy Flynn! Aside from Jen Lilley, and Patch and Kayla being reunited, he is the single-handed BEST thing DOOL has going for it.
That being said, I am so glad Chad got his memory back because if I have to see him envision that spider, the lions attacking one another, the maggots, etc., again I think I was going to scream. Pretty poor brainwashing there, Andre, if putting one’s infant in your arms can undo everything.
I am happy that he snapped out of it because this week with all the doom and gloom at least ONE couple should be happy and an infant child really does better to be able to bond with both its mother and father from the beginning. I remember when our 4 and 6-year-old boys were infants and all the time both me and my husband spent with them laying on our chests. They call it kangaroo care and it is such a special thing for both parent and child to experience.
With whatsherface leaving as Abby, her and Chad wont be happy for long…Andre will catch on to Chad’s deceit and Abby will vanish…its just a guess…unless they do a quick recast!
Chad remembering was very clumsy came way too fast. And it didn’t really answer, for Abby, what had happened to him.
On the other hand, I thought Nicole saying goodbye was very sad.
Where is Maxine? And why has no one told Maggie ERIC WAS DRUNK AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT????!!!!
My thoughts exactly. How did Chad get over the brainwashing that fast & will he turn on Abby the next time he sees Belle? Is Andre gonna grab him from behind at the mansion, chloroform him & do it again? How is it these people just get grabbed & snatched & strangled-what a very scary little town.
I about died myself when they took Daniel to the O.R. & he was in the bed next to Brady & they got out that instrument that starting buzzing-GOD.
And I did not expect them to bring Daniel back & let Nicole see him again after the transplant. I made the mistake of watching this very late last night & just tossed & turned all night. This has been a very disturbing last few weeks on the show.
And where IS Maxine? She will be devastated over this-she should have been on duty that night.
And I wish somehow they could get everyone together & tell them all everything! I mean hardly anyone knows that Eric was drunk-does Kate even know about the accident? Does Caroline? She lives at Victor’s now. You’d think they’d have gotten her up when Victor & Maggie left or at least sent Roman over there or something.
And how weird when Gabby & Rafe were in the square & Gabby checked her phone & said “oh my friend’s mother was in an accident, I hope she’s ok” Seriously? Does Gabby not know that Rafe certainly knows Jennifer & JJ? Why did Rafe not hear about this wreck? He would want to be there for Nicole & everyone else.
And finally, I have not heard Parker’s name mentioned once! Or Chloe! I always thought Parker looked exactly like Daniel from day 1. Who remembers the paternity swtich when Caroline (I believe) made the switch for reasons I struggle to remember.
Anyway, Maggie & Nicole have done me in-so so sad beyond words.
In theory, Gloria…I agree, the entire operating room/instruments scenario was horrifying. Too close to home for me.
I know it’s a soap, LOL, but, what struck me was the fact that Daniel’s coloring was as normal as can be. No colorless lips, no ashen complexion. Plus, in death, the face does not usually look scrunched up….especially, not after the care of a medical staff. Daniel’s brow was furrowed, perplexed almost. That was odd. The make up people should have worked on his face or something. You know, smoothen it out and make him look like a human sans a heart. DEAD!!!! Later.
That’s a good question, where in the heck IS Maxine? Did she go on Family Medical Leave or something? Isn’t she the Lead RN at the Hospital? Just how much vacation time has she accrued?
Kudos go to Arianne Zucker and Suzanne Rogers for great acting through the story of Daniel’s passing. The story with Abbi and Chad is beyond ridiculous. Brainwashing miraculously cured by a baby? Please! The Dimeara powers must be really really weak if that is all it takes. This is where DAYS does NOT follow through adequately. They tell far fetched tales and the pay out is seldom worth it. Now let’s see where the crazy train departs next. I understand that another bloody murder is coming down the line….but seriously it’s getting to the point where I don’t really care. Which is a sad state. Billy Flynn is an acting dynamo who deserves a better story than this.
I also didn’t quite get how Chad picks up the baby and his memory comes back. It was almost, anti-climatic in some ways. I thought maybe he would remember that his evil villainous older brother strapped him to a table and put strange thoughts in his head – at any rate, it was so stupid that I’m glad that portion is over.
But the absolute most RIDICULOUS scene was when John squinted and said he wanted to “donate his heart” for a transplant. Really? Who does that? Of course, maybe I shouldn’t complain because then we would be spared his non stop inquisitive confused squint and his raspy voiced speeches. The scenes between him and Marlena could be used as a cure for Chronic Insomnia.
Jughead does that, Bil. Everything John says and does is open to ridicule. I could go on and on….lol. But, my comment will be banned, if I do.
Nicole (Ari) is always fantastic! She is a great actor, and once again did an outstanding job as she painfully said good-bye to Daniel. She always brings raw emotion, warmth, and realism to all of her performances. As always Maggie (Suzanne) is the dignified matriarch of Days who poignantly and beautifully portrayed a heartbroken mother with the intense emotion that no one would ever want to experience. Both Ari and Suzanne gave excellent performances. They are very important to Days. Billy Flynn has really evolved in his role, and is giving fine performances as a strong Dimera and leading character. Kudos to all.
While these performances have been great, I hope Days will move away from constant deaths and murders. You can only take so much sadness. Romance, intrigue, mystery is fine for a nice soap escape.
Without a doubt, DAYS is THE BEST soap on TV right now. No other show is even close to it. Every day is must watch. It has returned triumphantly to the top. Just great on all levels. Congrats to the whole cast & crew. Bravo!!!!!
k, now that nicole has said ‘ bye’ to daniel she can now say ‘ hello’ again to her true love eric! …# ericole all day!!!
Poor Nicole finally finds the right man and he is dead. Ari Zucker and Suzanne Rogers definitely need to be nominated for Emmys this year!
Glad Chad got his memory back regarding Abby and the baby. I hated seeing those stupid clips from his brainwashing. Hopefully Andre won’t be able to do it again.
Is Eric supposed to just come back and be okay?
AZ is one of the few actresses who truly makes me feel emotions. when she is happy, I feel happy. And when she is heartbroken, and crying, she makes me believe it. She should be leading the pack of formidable woman on this show, and have a dynamic love interest!! they squandered MAJOR potential of making her and Eric the next power couple. chemistry like that is something most soaps kill for, but DAYS seriously missed the boat!! Hopefully 2016 finds Mizz Walker large and in charge, and having a man who loves her for HER, not for something he wants or expects her to be!
I have commented on that very thing, off snd on, Dylan, since I’ve joined these boards. Ari is not only drop-dead gorgeous, but also a well-balanced, most talented performer. Nonetheless, not as recognized as some with egos as big as Texas, and not as deserving, in my opinion. Then again, who am I but only an avid fan?
I do agree with the Eric issue, as well. I have made my sentiments known. I think Greg is also gorgeous, but Eric is a big wah, wah, wah, baby. So sanctimonious…. He repudiated Nicole one too many times. I do believe, as yourself, that ship’s sails have lost their wind.
However, you are probably right. The most logical conclusion will be to pair Nicole with someone; albeit, as I said before, Nicole should take it easy for a while. No entanglements.
@Mayrettalady.
Hi, May,
A heart infection is not so simplistic. If not properly treated, such infections could lead to a place of no return. Obviously, you are right, in one sense. Eric’s situation was milked to create drama. But, anything to do with the heart needs to be taken very seriously and studied/examined diligently and delicately from all angles. The complexities of the heart are many, as it controls the body from beginning to end.
This episode broke my heart as I watched Nicole in her scenes with Daniel. Arianne owned the day this episode aired. I couldn’t believe just how real her tears and pain were but I felt what Nicole was going through and this has shown me just how greatly DAYS has improved. The stories that have been told lately have all been a grand slam without a single strike against them. Keep it up, DAYS!!!
I agree that Nicole’s performance was outstanding and she seemed to be crying from the heart. However I do think that it just went on and on too long. She had about 4 or 5 scenes over 2 shows where she just talked to a dead Daniel and pretty much kept saying the same thing. They should have inserted some flashbacks in there of her and Daniel to break up the crying and the talking.
Frankly, I always thought they were a boring couple and always preferred her and Eric. They definitely squandered their potential and Eric’s story line potential. I know he is leaving the show but I hope they don’t kill his character. There is more story potential in him having to deal with the repercussions of driving drunk.
The whole Chad being brainwashed story line was so ridiculous. I am just glad it is over.
I guess I will be criticized for saying this, but some of her crying scenes seemed a little forced and “acted” and I didn’t see any real tears. The actress who played Maggie, I thought, was more convincing. I know they are difficult scenes to play, some actors really over play those scenes. At any rate, it was sad to watch.
Oh, Bil. I saw Nicole’s tears. Her face, especially in her interlude with Chloe. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her nose red and her face blotchy. Her acting out her pain was not as impressive as Kassie’s Eve, but I thought her crying, her mourning, her pain were genuine. Not forced, by any means. Suzanne is much older and much more experienced. It is only natural for her to have given us her all. I am sure she performed many similar scenes a few times in her tenure with Days. Acting is her trade. I would hope she’d impress us, considering how long she has been doing this. But, so far, no one compares to Kassie. Just my opinion.
Nicole, on the other hand, must have truly drawn from a deep painful experience in her life to give that performance. I thought she outdid herself. She was great.
Nicole’s mourning probably had to do with it being her actual boyfriend in real life. What I don’t understand is why they had Eric out for so long when he was only suffering from a heart infection? Sure, he had taken a bump or two but no brain injury or other organ damage. He should have been coherent earlier if you ask me but, then again, there wouldn’t have been the emotional roller coaster for his mother and dad to have their scenes. I thought Kayla stating Eric needed the heart just as bad when clearly no protocol of treatment happened first. The logical person to receive the heart was Brady.