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 long-running cast member James Reynolds revealed on the November 10 edition of Entertainment Tonight that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his character of Abe Carver will now be going through an on-screen Parkinson’s battle as well.
Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner, the 80-year-old actor and Daytime Emmy winner shared how he attempted to hide the warning signs dating back to 15-20 years ago when he would have, “What they call the hallucinations. My wife (Lissa) would say, ‘You were hitting me last night in bed,’ and I would say, ‘What?!’ I was having these really horrible dreams.” Reynolds also added that he realized falling out of bed was an early symptom of Parkinson’s too.
Discussing the on-going tremors that have become more noticeable over time especially in hands, James shared that when he finally told the Days of our Lives cast they were nothing but “extraordinarily helpful and supportive.”
Photo: ET
SCREEN LIFE TO MIRROR REAL LIFE
Now with DAYS about to launch into Abe’s Parkinson’s storyline, Reynolds hopes that he can turn his experience into something positive by encouraging others facing the disease to keep fighting. During the sit-down, Reynolds co-star Jackée Harry (Paulina Price) recalls her reaction to learning of Reynolds’ real-life diagnosis and how she has continued to search for new treatments to inform James about.
Although Parkinson’s disease currently has no cure, there are medications and treatments can help those manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The condition progresses at a different pace from individual to individual.
As discussed in his conversation with ET, Reynolds cited Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda as two high-profile celebrities who have brought awareness to the disease.
Photo: JPI
In story on DAYS, Abe in recent weeks had been experiencing tremors which led to seek help and a diagnosis Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Soon Abe and others will find out of his battle with Parkinson’s. Although on the promo for this week’s DAYS, Abe is seen telling Kayla, that he will do something, “when the time is right.”
James Reynolds is one of the most prolific performers, being the longest-running Black Actor in a role on a television series, not to mention his aforementioned Lead Actor Daytime Emmy win in 2018, and being inducted in 2025 into the Daytime Emmy Gold and Silver Society of honorees.
You can check out James’ in-depth conversation on his Parkinson’s diagnosis below.
Share your thoughts for James after learning of his health battle, and what do you think of Days of our Lives incorporating the disease into Abe Carver’s Salem storyline? Let us know in the comment section.
Alice Halsey is making a return to her Daytime Emmy-nominated role of Rachel Black on Days of our Lives. In a twist, Halsey is actually filling-in for her successor, Lorelei Oliva Mote.
According to TV Insider, an offer went out to Halsey to make a short comeback for four episodes when Mote had a scheduling conflict. The episodes Halsey taped will not be seen until late in 2027, due to Days of our Lives ongoing production schedule which tapes almost a year ahead of dropping new episodes on Peacock.
Mote has been playing Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) and Brady Black’s (Eric Martsolf) daughter since March 2026. Halsey had stepped away from the role in which she played from April of 2025 to March of 2026, and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination along the way in the Outstanding Emerging Talent category at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Photo: JPI
FROM ‘LITTLE HOUSE’ TO SALEM
Halsey is now starring in the central role of Laura Ingalls in the Little House on the Prairie reboot on Netflix, which premiered this past June and in which the second season wrapped last month in October.
On coming home to Salem, Halsey shared, “It was very exciting. My parents told me that I would be coming back for a few more episodes, and I was so happy. I was freaking out. I was like, ‘I get to go back to Days. I get to see everybody again.’ And I’m just really glad that I get to be here.”
Stepping into Rachel’s skin after months away from the role, Alice explained, “I came in, and I did my work, and it was just awesome. It was fun, and it reminded me so much of back when I was Rachel before, and it made me even more grateful to be able to be Rachel again.”
She added “Rachel has matured a little bit more than when I was there, and it’s really fun to be able to play that up. She is older now, and so, of course, Rachel has changed, but my portrayal of her is essentially the same. She’s still the little girl that she used to be.”
Now below, you can check out Michael Fairman TV’s chat with Alice on the red carpet at the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards via the Michael Fairman Channel, where she furthered discussed being a part of the reboot of the iconic series, Little House on the Prairie, plus loving her Days of our Lives family.
So, what do you think about Alice filling-in for Lorelei Olivia Mote on DAYS? Have you watched her on Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie? Let us knoq via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
Today, November 8, marks the iconic Days of our Lives 61st anniversary having first burst on to the soap scene back on this date in 1965 on NBC. For 57 years the soap opera was a part of the NBC daytime programming block, and then in September of 2022 it debuted on the NBCUniversal streamer, Peacock as the first broadcast television daytime drama to move onto a streaming platform.
Now, here we are in DAYS sixth decade, and it’s found a way to survive with their unconventional taping schedule of shooting almost a year ahead of dropping new episodes on the platform, and Salem is still kicking as of this moment.
The anniversary week of episodes which begin tomorrow on Monday, November 9 through Friday November 13 will feature: the returns of Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley as Tony and Anna DiMera, more on the arrival of the newest DiMera, Dominik Marino as played by Kyle Pryor, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) in dire straits, and whatever secret long-running character, Abe Carver (Daytime Emmy winner, James Reynolds) is keeping.
Photo: Corday Productions
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ON SALEM CANVAS LOOK IN THE MONTHS AHEAD
Days of our Lives executive producer, Ken Corday, who took over the reins of the soap from his parents, the late Ted and Betty Corday, fully in 1986, previewed what’s ahead as Salem turns 61 with Soaps.com and talked about the foundation of the shows legacy characters and families. Previously, the series was renewed for its 62nd and 63rd season.
Most intriguing is Corday revealed there is a brand new female character coming to the show in the Spring of 2027. Ken explained what lies ahead, “There are some new, young loves, rekindled romances and complicated triangles. I’m particularly excited about a brand-new character who brings some levity to the canvas and gets herself involved with almost everyone in Salem. She’ll debut in the spring. Stay tuned!”
Corday also added, “We are having fun exploring the dynamics between the Kiriakis and DiMera families, much like the Montagues and the Capulets. Each of our core families – the Hortons, Bradys, Carvers and Hernandezes – will be important in upcoming stories and will intertwine.”
NEWCOMERS AND FAMILIAR FACES
Pictured in the celebratory cast photo which was shared with the outlet were: DAYS newcomers Sofia Mattsson (Chloe Lane, and ex-Sasha Gilmore, GH), Brytni Sarpy (whose DAYS role is yet be revealed, ex-Elena, Y&R and Valerie, GH) and the return of Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).
You can check out this action in Salem and DAYS anniversary week promo below.
Then, share your congratulations today for Days of our Lives as they celebrate their 61st anniversary via the comment section below. Let us know your thoughts on who could be playing the brand-new female character Ken Corday is speaking of? We previously reported that it looked like Brytni Sarpy would not be hitting the screens till early Summer.
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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.