Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Production Designer, Tom Early, Shows Off New and Reimagined DiMera Mansion Set
It’s always great to see a face-lift to the sets on your favorite soaps. So many of then have been around for years and years, and in these changing times need to be given new life and freshened up, as much as longtime fans may miss the comfort and familiarity of the originals.
2020 and 2021 has also definitely been filled with challenges and keeping everyone safe on set throughout the coronavirus pandemic on all of your favorite soaps.
Photo: TEarlyTwitter
Recently, Days of our Lives fans noticed a change to the famous DiMera mansion set, where for decades the likes of Joe Mascolo (Ex-Stefano) graced the room with bluster and drama as only Stefano could.
With so much of the action taking place there in story, and several key characters living at the mansion, it was time for an update.
Production Designer, Tom Early took to his Twitter account and shared two views of the reimagined set.
Take a look and let us know what you think of the new look DiMera Mansion via the comment section below.
Nice changes.
I really like the brightness of the new sets. I wish they would acknowledge the change onscreen like they did when the Kirriakis set was updated.
When new sets are introduced as if nothing has changed or rather quickly (like a remodel taking place in one week), that IS very jarring for viewers.
I am NOT a fan of soaps continuously doing this.
The DiMera mansion set looks nice enough but it will take some getting used to.
Victor and Maggie’s new set looks like they mugged grandma or stole it out of mothballs in the attic. Yuck!
I more than disagree! It is about time the DiMera mansion got an update to show that a younger generation now lives there. The mansion is supposed to be a home for a couple with young children NOT a mausoleum. It should have been years ago.
Didn’t they have an update several yrs ago about the time Chad & Abigail were getting married – hence the blue furniture and brighter surroundings?
Imho the last Kiriakis set was brighter and more tastefully done that this dark room.
Agree – IMHO the former set in main room of Kirakis mansion was bright and cheerful. This room, not so much.
I have never seen such a beautiful set be turned into such an ugly set. You really ruined this set
I’m late to the ballgame, but can you or anyone tell me what in the world happened to Maggie and victors home? Is that supposed to be their home or an old home of someone else??
They completely remodeled both the Kiriakis mansion & the DiMera mansion right around the same time. In some ways, it almost seemed like they just swapped sets and changed them up slightly so nobody would notice the difference.
Ironic that you have these really rich families remodeling their houses and the rooms somehow get smaller. Guess Titan & DiMera Industries must have taken some hits in the stock market??
I agree it looks like an abandoned home from th 60s I just tuned in today for first time in about a year. Hideous old set was far bar
I SO agree! These are suppose to be wealthy people with old money. The rich wood, big fireplaces and art nouveau were totally appropriate! And what happened to the gorgeous staircase at the Kiriakis mansion? It also appears that the very rich John Black and the successful Dr. Evans can’t afford new furniture or a decent painter! Apparently the police commissioner Rafe has the nicest home in Salem!
I totally agree with you. They ruined both mansions.
Also in the Demera Manson I’ve noticed that the chimney has been moved over and a window put in so where did the Secret Door go to the basement of the hidden rooms. ?
The “secret basement” door is still there, though it somehow might have switched to another wall in the same room. I don’t know why they bother hiding it anymore. Half the town has been held prisoner there at one time or another, and the other half probably was involved in rescuing them, so it’s not really much of a secret anymore.
Plus it’s a wine cellar. What rich family hides a wine cellar?? Most people with wine cellars like to keep their collection on display so they can show it off to their guests. Not to mention they might send Henderson down there to grab a bottle or two if they have a party going on.
Here’s my issue with the recent set redesigns. First, there was Nicole’s apartment, which went from nice and conservative darker colors, to a spring explosion of bright colors of flowers on the wallpaper and in the pictures hung on the wall. It was a total 180 in terms of style and while it might, perhaps, possibly match Allie’s personality and style, it certainly isn’t Nicole’s. She who dresses to the nines to make breakfast and sit around reading the paper and never working.
Then we had the Dimera mansion. I actually kind of like it, although the double-columns is a bit of over-design. And more importantly, the design would have meant a major renovation / construction job since that room bears no resemblance to the structrural integrity of the room that came before it (nor in fact did the room that came before match the structure of the room before that!). And it’s the same room because you can see the stairs right outside the double-door. Where Stefano’s portrait is hung was a wall, with a entry to the tunnels in it’s previous form – now there’s a fireplace and windows looking outside (and prior to the last room, it was an entryway with double-doors to another part of the house). Plus, the same week the new room debuted, we saw the hallway upstairs that had the same old wood-looking walls – so, they ran out of money???
And last but not least, we come to the Kiriakis mansion. Where once we had a bright room filled with Maggie’s knicknacks, now we have a darkly lit room that is better suited as a reception room at a funeral home. Everyting is so dark, and dreary. It’s almost like the previous lighting schems for the Dimera Mansion and the Kiriakis Mansion were switched. This renovation is completely off – and it appears as if the room was enlarged some.
And for the life of me, I can’t understand why they don’t incoroporate these renovation projects into the actual story???!!! It would make so much more sense then one day being the old set, and the next day, a brand new set that no one acknowledges being different. Yes, I get – we accept recasts and masks and children growing up overnight – but this would be so easy to ground in reality. It’s just one of those soap specific things – like characters that are leaving deciding one day they they are moving to another city or another country and have to go NOW – in 24 to 48 hours. No packing up, no long goodbyes, no winding down their life in Salem – just poof, got a job offer last night, took it, moving today. Same thing with these rooms.
Drives me crazy.
Mike, I am not fond of Nicole’s and Allie’s apartment makeover either. I enjoy sunny yellow as much as anyone, but they incorporated soooo much of it. It’s overwhelming and distracting.
I notice in Nicole’s apartment bears two windows headed out towards where they go towards there bedrooms how is that possible I guess the long hallway to their bedrooms and windows outside the hallways rain straight down
Mike
Very interesting take on the new sets. This is another thing I have always wondered about. It’s when a character, a woman usually is in dire straights and the next time she is sporting an elaborate hairdoo, etc. Leaves us wondering how or when she could spend hours at a beauty salon with all she’s been going through. Very unrealistic to say the least, with nary a mention.
At least on GH, the two major set redesigns (Q foyer/living room and Corinthos entry/living room) were discussed by characters.
My issue is when the same trend carries over from one set to another. On GH, the white marble was used in both the Q and Corinthos sets as well as the new PC Grill set and this week’s redone courtroom set.
Overall, though, it is good to see some investment in set design.
I didn’t know where there were for a few episodes. I thought Ally had gotten her own place.
How do u put the fireplace on a different wall!! Can’t happen!??
What happened to the secret passage? How do u get outside Windows that use to be an exit to the kitchen?? Totally ridiculous!!
Well, the other end of the “secret tunnel” used to be under the old “Doug’s Place” restaurant/nightclub, but is now in the middle of a public park.
So apparently the DiMeras can change their secret passages around at will any time. Even more amazing since Stefano & Andre are dead, Elvis is a Rolf zombie still “recovering” overseas, and Kristin has a revolving door to her prison cell, leaving the DiMera legacy in the hands of Chad & Jake – neither of whom seem to have old Stefano’s Rolodex of “secret passage” subcontractors on speed dial. So Hell only knows how these things get built or rebuilt when needed.
I agree with you 100% on the Kiriakis set.
Mike, great commentary throughout! I’m with you on all of it. But your last few lines about characters deciding in 1 day that they need to leave “NOW” is one that resonates with me the most. It’s so unrealistic. Sometimes a character will inform someone (who just happens to be home) of the news while on the way to the airport. In another thread, I recently mentioned my personal disdain for Johannesburg because we have lost JJ and Claire to that faraway city. I think that adds to the preposterousness of it all: no one in real life moves from the United States to Johannesburg! Right?!?!
So, I’m really late to the game, but am I the only one who thinks the new artwork in the DiMera mansion looks like a close-up shot of a hairy chest? I wish they would change it out. Maybe they have by now, but I’m about 5 months behind.
I agree! I’m actually in the middle of March now (had to play catch up from the past year) & I really don’t like the new sets. Too much change for simple updated decor.
Thanks for covering the change. I thought they took Stefano’s picture down in the scene I saw.
The change is nice because that orange and red couch was lookin rough!
I like it ok but I DO think something about a redecorate should have been written into the script!
The set overhaul was long overdue, and seeing it in production stills is a much different task than it looks onscreen, and that is because the production level of Days of Our Lives is quite poor, so I hope that is going to improve next! Would love to see some other updated / new sets come out, too!
Refreshing a set (a necessity over time) is one thing. Moving an architectural element from where it’s always been to another place is quite another because it defies logic. It appears that the foyer which had previously been opposite the fireplace is now oriented perpendicularly.
The DiMeras can do anything! 🙂
The same thing happened with the shifting of the front door to the Q foyer on GH.
What gets me are obvious staircases to nowhere and walkways directly behind fireplaces.
Except, Steve, the current set actually resembles the original floor plan of the Quartermaine Mansion; the 1990s remodel is the one which changed the floor plan; this was a fix to restoring how the mansion looked pre-1990s.
Scott
The main Q entry from the 80s was always in the rear of the set. The staircase was more towards the center of the room (open on both sides). This can be seen in clips going back to when Lesley helped Monica give birth to AJ.
The good old days, when Stella would always answer the door and cocktails served promptly before dinner.
Yes, I understand, however, the current set definitely reflects the original blueprints than the former set. I am pretty sure having a door front-facing the camera is more technically difficult to shoot than a door to the side of the camera (a.k.a. off-to the side). The door’s location was the main problem with shooting on the old set, hence why it relocated to the side, much like most sets we see in daytime. Not to mention, per the set designer, the original blueprints actually had a side-entrance on them, which is why they went the route they went.
Speaking of design, it looked like Theo’s shirt and Ciara’s hospital gown were virtually the same design. It was distractingly bizarre. Surely, they could have given Theo a solid-color shirt to offer contrast.
Hey, James—-long time no talk–
Speaking of Theo—can we please remove him from all sets/scenes? He looks twelve.
Hello Celia! So glad you reached out. I am on the same page as you here. I just don’t find this character interesting or believable at all, in any scene, with any other actor. Maybe it’s his youthful look, as you mention. Maybe it’s his acting style… I know he’s a recast.
Everyone seems to LOVE Theo. They are seemingly putting him with every other character in Salem. The other day, he had scenes with Chad! They acted like they are best friends. Do they even know each other?!?! I’m furious that Ciara and Ben are not yet together. And Theo’s intrusion is not endearing himself to me.
Please forgive me my rant here, but so glad you opened the door… Take care, Friend! I promise I won’t be a stranger.
LOL, James—always the kind gentleman.
As far as ranting? Well, I rant and fight with the TV as I watch—I used to laugh at and make fun of my grandmother whenever she did that—Lo and Behold!!—I’m now doing the same thing.
Yes, TPTB are overdoing it with this Theo—-I loved the old Theo….such a natural. He made it really easy to be liked.
This actor is still green and so out of his element. And, he was brought in at such an opportune time. WOW!! He so coincidentally appeared almost simultaneously with Chanel ….And, golly-gee, they dated in South Africa. What a coincidence—yes, yes—it’s a soap, but these little, big ( pardon the oxymoron), in-your-face coincidences are getting mundane.
If Theo is to remain on the show indefinitely, I hope ye gods find a more suitable actor for the role.
Thanks for responding, my friend—stay well….
Well, the rumor here in Hell is that Theo will be going back to South Africa soon. Bad news is that Ciara will be going with him. It’s an excuse to make them both “recurring” characters who pop up every now and then.
As for Chanel…. I’m sure she’ll probably cause trouble for herself & everybody else in Salem by competing with the likes of Gabi & Claire (they all seem to be in the same age range now) for the boys, business, or whatever.
I don’t expect her “marriage” to Xander to last very long… if indeed there actually is one.
I think you may be right about Ciara and Theo’s departure for SA. I hadn’t thought of it, but it makes sense, which, as James suggests, will compel Claire and Ben to comfort each other and fall into bed —as is every soap’s standard.
The marriage between Chanel and Xander is very suspect to me—-I mean, what nut-case-justice ( or whomever) marries a sot to a girl who looks like an adolescent? And, how does one get a marriage license overnight?
Yeah, I know—-it’s quite magical living in Soapland—the impossible does happen, more often than not.
But, oh, brother—-what a mismatch. I guess Xander’s shoulders, pecs and biceps are too irresistible—not to mention the Kiriakis’ money.
PS, James—forgive me—I forgot to comment on Ben. The writers must have a reason for this turn of events. I don’t see the dramatic plot—-unless Ciara and Ben are history. I hope not!!
Ciara hates Ben and still thinks of herself as Theo’s girl.
Is Theo taking advantage of the situation to get her back?
James, it makes no sense to me because Theo is supposedly autistic.
So, Theo not showing any signs of ASD is somewhat confusing to me.—-no social interaction being one sign of said impairments. Are we to forget about Theo’s ASD?
Also, counting on this situation to stick it to Ben goes against all known studies. While people afflicted with autism are able to tell little white lies, they are unlikely to be deceitful or scheming.
I’m not sure what to make of this. Autism does lessen for some as they age (higher percentage with girls than boys)—-if that’s the case; the writers should prepare a segment dedicated to Theo and his autism—this is a very sensitive subject.
Who’s ranting now, James?? LOL.
LOL, indeed, Celia! Thanks a million for your replies and for broadening the discussion with your great points: the coincidence of Chanel living in South Africa, Theo’s autism, among others. You obviously know more about autism than I do, but I would expect the writers to explore that at least somewhat with this new actor. Maybe the writers could give the actor who plays Theo better motivation, address his autism, and flesh out this character more. In contrast, I think the actress who plays Chanel has star power. Her character is interesting and appealing, a very flashy performance!
All along, I have had this sinking suspicion that Ben and Claire would turn to each other romantically. Given the way they’ve both been treated by Ciara, that seems like a good bet. But I also see Satan’s comments about Theo and Ciara going off together. So your thought about perhaps an end to Ciara and Ben’s relationship is also looking more certain. If so, as a viewer, what was the point in Ciara being alive after all and Ben rescuing her?!?! To end in such a way would be a rather cruel slap in the face to the viewer.
So from one “ranter” to another, til next time, Friend!
Yes, James—I have had the same suspicions about Claire and Ben for a while. However, after knowing that Ciara was alive, my suspicions, which do not thrill me one bit, went down the drain.
I think Ciara was ” found” for a definite reason. The fact that she has partial amnesia (not remember Ben as the love of her life) is to dispel the notion that Ciara was dead—-this chaper in Ben’s life needed to be closed so that he could move on and put Ciara to rest—-metaphorically speaking.
Later, my friend.
Chanel’s entire backstory keeps getting more ridiculous all the time. Now not only did she date Theo (her cousin’s little brother, no less) in South Africa, but she was also Allie’s best friend in London. What’s next? Did she work for Chad while he was running the DiMera branch office in Paris?? Was she Carrie & Austin’s nanny in Switzerland (or where ever the Hell they live now)? What other exiled Salemites (past or present) can she be tied to in some weird way??
They had an emmy winning Theo! Why they let him go is beyond me. Recast Ciara already. This actress is not worth working stories around her swinging door! Dimera set-A Kiriakis set-F. They had just remodeled the Kiriakus mansion and it looked great. Not now!
Hi, I just happened to see this a year later. Theo is Chad’s nephew. He is the son of Chad’s late sister, who was married to Abe.
Very Nice.
Just glad Days has the money to spend on new sets. For a while there the Horton square and the hospital was the only set.
I like the new design but was confused if they were still in the D mansion?! Should have been written into the story line … fireplace should have stayed on left wall ! I only realized it was the living room because of the old staircase rail ( which should have been updated too) It’s nice they are filming back in that room as the old study was used for over a years. Love the show … been a long time fan since 1986 ❤️
They did update the stair rail and steps. Still the same shape tho.
I had no idea where they were for the longest time. The style is nice, but should have been announced as part of the storyline. Not a fan of the framed artwork though. Looks like a child scribbled it.
I love the changes to the Dimera mansion.
The den was claustrophobic with half of Salem living there. It annoyed me to no end! Thank you!!!!
They changed it up several yrs ago very bright with lighter colors. That’s when the blue furniture came in around the time Chad & Abigail were getting married in that room. Ben was still terrorizing Abigail.
Wish they would bring it into the story line like when the Kiriakis set was changed a few years back -just makes more sense.
The only thing I want to see , is there still an entrance to the hidden passages in this new room? That can’t possibly just disappear as it’s a huge staple to everyone sneaking around in the diners mansion.
They might as well just put a regular door on it. For one thing, it’s supposedly a “wine cellar” which isn’t exactly secret. And for another, pretty much everybody in Salem knows about the tunnel by now, so it’s not really much of a secret. They just need to seal off the other “secret” door hidden behind the shrub in the park.
Sorry, but not a fan of the new look. It’s not the Dimera mansion at all. Did they move? What is it? It also does not provide the audience with the answer as to why it changed. It’s not good, in my opinion.
Agree – what an abrupt change with nothing to alert viewers. I had no idea where they were. There seems to be some sort of light that shines in Dimera, Kiriakis and Horton house – as though lights are off & moonlight is streaming thru windows.
Yes, I guess none of the Salem houses have roofs on them any longer. The blue “night” moonlight is very jarring. They are missing the cricket chirping sound effects since it looks like they all live indoors/outdoors now. Ha!
Love the design changes, but should have kept doors, walls and windows in the same place. Especially Rafe’s home, it is like he moved to a new home
I think the new DiMera mansion set is awful
The new DiMera set is bright , modern and a major improvement. There was a dreariness in the old set. I would like to see the characters reference it in the script.
Room seems small and congested,too much furniture
i hate it ngl. that room was a staple to this show. gave it its warmth.
I liked the old DiMera set. This one is too elegant for Chad & Abby. It’s more suitable for Tony and Anna. But to spring this new set on viewers and not say anything about it deviates from how Days has handled set changed before. Also, it seems they enlarged the room, which doesn’t make sense. There’s no portrait of Stefano, which also doesn’t make sense. And suddenly the acoustics have changed? It used to be that if something was happening on the stairs outside the room, like Abby and Gwen screaming at each other, the people in the room would hear. And why didn’t they lock off the cellars with the renovation? Also, why would they make the inside of the cellars entrance so light and airy? Doesn’t make sense. But then, the ridiculous storylines that seem like they’re written by 13 year olds don’t make sense either. Please send Ciara away forever with her self-absorbed mother, Hope. Roman made it clear a while back that he’s through with Kate. He threw her out of the pub (fired her) and told her to clear out of the room she was staying in. Why would he want to get re-involved with her now? Find Roman a decent woman who is a great match for him. And get rid of Kate, too. And PLEASE GET RID OF KRISTEN. Let Brady see what a monster she is and kick her out of his & his daughter’s life.
The new set makes no sense. One doesn’t just move a fireplace or windows. It’s far too busy in the decor also.
And the 1990s columns are outdated. It would actually look better and bigger if they remove the columns.
it is horrible
Rafe’s house is just a kitchen and there is no physical space for the rest of the house due to the new window placements. The hallway leads to the fence outside his house. There is no place in Nicole’s apartment for bedrooms, etc. due to the window placements on either side. The new Dimera set has stairs to nowhere leading to above the living room windows, again due to the window placements. There are way too many patterns and textures every few feet – so distracting. It looks like the set designers shopped at Home Goods/Marshalls/TJ Maxx due to low budgets. And, what is up with the secret passage at the Dimeras? You can totally see the unfinished set’s 2x4s. Sad. Why would Gabby’s bedroom door open out into the hallway? That would not be up to fire code.
Is Rafe’s house supposed to be the same place Maggie lived before she married Victor? That house was just a kitchen.
Maybe he needs to get a big bowl of moss covered rocks, like Sonny Corinthos has in his kitchen on GH?
It might be Maggie’s old set framework but now there is a window in the back center wall where a swinging door used to be to a living room. When Alice Horton died, the Hortons went through that door and into a living room to cry together. Now, there is a window there.
YOU READ MY MIND! It’s as if Home Goods just exploded things all over. And sometimes, you see the same pieces in DIFFERENT sets / houses, AND, the same patterns (think ceramic cut-work lamp bases, vases and bowls in different colors, but EVERYWHERE.
And the famous Dimera rounded-back dining chair in a taupe / brown paisley pattern. In the living room. It may have originated at Chez Rouge and will also show up at The Martin House (where did it go?), the Kiriakis house and other places…
And please, tear down Kayla Johnson’s mobile-home kitchen with wood linoleum back splash and dented freezer door (hidden under postcards / pics)
OMG, RKJ, so true. So many of the current sets are just the worst. The same dent on the unused door on the right side of the re-purposed hospital boxy sets is bugging me lately. And, the hand prints on various doors. Ew. It wouldn’t cost much for the set designers to paint the DiMera’s bedrooms woodwork white to match the first floor, too, and to flip the re-purposed bedroom DiMera door so it swings inward and not outward (this is not fire code since a door that opens into a hallway could be a fire hazard). It looks like two different houses at the DiMera mansion these days. All of the décor just too busy and tacky. I wonder where the head DOOL set designer’s training is from? Answer: from working at Home Goods. Sorry. I digress. So many DOOL sets are just ugly now. I did like Steve and Kayla’s house set when Joey was on DOOL at least but that set did not last long. Also, the nighttime blue indoor lighting has got to go as well – very distracting. Does anyone know how we loyal, decades-long viewers can give feedback to the DOOL powers that be?
Did anyone notice that the side gated hallway outside by the wall of vines outside of the Brady Pub suddenly disappeared one day and now the front the pub is much narrower? Yes, studio space is tight but I am not sure why the set designers are changing the iconic sets. I feel like it is the wrong creative decision. It seems like lot of the current DOOL sets are square or rectangle in shape like closets or cubbies.
Hadn’t noticed that, but if so that’s a weird thing to change. That exterior of the Brady Pub was pretty much the same even back in the 80s when the pub was a fish market. Why bother messing with that?
I guess with such tight minimal budgets. I just learned from another website that in the original Tom and Alice Horton house, Dr. Tom Horton’s office entry and door used to be in-between the staircase and the front door. Now, it is simply a wall and is gone. Who knows! Hee hee
The change to the dimera & kiriakis mansions are nice, but they really should have had the actors acknowledge the “renos”. Instead it’s all done “like magic” & no one mentions it. Which is weird.
I miss the old ’80s riverfront dock set, Marlena’s ’90s 2-story penthouse, the Salem tunnels with the water dripping sound effects and the big park set of the ’80s where Bo and Hope first kissed. Even quirky Eugene Bradford’s house had a trap door! I just miss the grunginess of some of the ’80s sets in general. I miss Jack & Jennifer set which morphed into Bo and Hope’s house set. Don’t forget Doug’s Place on the Lake with the fancy lobby in the ’80s and live music entertainment by Liz. I guess there is neither a riverfront nor a lake any longer either. And, I guess the Horton cabin was sold. So much good set design history, right? Today, not so much in the illogical set design department. But we still love DOOL!
OMG. I love set refreshes / upgrades.
HOWEVER, Days team, Tom Early, PLEASE – SIMPLIFY! MODERNIZE! I can’t even think about what might be happening at the Kiriakis house.
DiMera bedrooms need to catch up to downstairs.
*On ALL sets. Edit, edit, edit. There may not be $$$ for every set, however, they will be easier to look at if there weren’t so many knick knacks and tchatchki’s (?) laying around that are mismatched and not proportional.
Sometimes I have to look away for a few seconds.
For every set, STOP. Then REMOVE 10 items. Each time you set them up. You’ll have less busy-ness and it won’t be so distracting for the viewer. We can then focus on the great acting and the nice familiar sets that we’ll grow comfortable with.
Thank you for listening.
I don’t disagree with you, RJ— I’d love to have a simpler approach to things— that said, our sets load in rapid fire— we do what we can do— I appreciate your good eye—
Why are your sets so ugly then? Seeing the tan wallpaper poking out on the inside of a the metal hospital door on the (screen’s right side) of frame is crazy are careless on your part.
I absolutely love the black lacquered chairs, does anyone know the designer? Great changes to the DiMera lounge. Old and new mix.
I hate it! Bring back the old house!!!
I hate the new house! Bring the old house back!!!
I felt lost when I saw the Di Mera mansion.Everything was so grey , dusty blue & black. The rich wooden doors were painted black., too. I was shocked to see modern art in Stefano’s place on the wall. But it really looks good over the mantle.
Its hideous!!! Actually all the sets suck, they are too dark, the blue lighting everywhere is stupid, watching it is hard. They are too dark. The Dimera house is horrible, it’s like a mausoleum morbid…yuck ADD SOME LIGHTING. NO ONE LIVES IN A BLUE LIT ROOM. EVEN THE SQUARE IS BLUE…REALLY…TERRIBLE DESIGNING
Love the new facelift at Dimera mansion. Next, you need to do Jennifer and Jacks living room! That couch has to go!
I really like the new changes on the DiMera Mansion. The rooms are more of a modern design for a
young family setting.
The only area that is seriously “improved” is Rafe’s house. The Kiriakis mansion looks like they collected leftover pieces from sets from the last century. Wasn’t that old red and gold furniture somewhere else at one time? Some of the Dimera’s additions (the greek busts and white columns) are a bit over the top. And I agree with many of the comments about Nicole’s (Eriks) apartment – too much color. There was nothing wrong with the tasteful darker colors of old.
Where is Stefano picture now?
The DiMera mansion looks great, but what happen to Maggie and Victors Kiriakas home as it does not look very nice? It looks very cheap. Time for another remodel.
Why does every set use the ugly blue lightening? It’s distracting and awful!
The photo above of the set redesign looks pleasant, minus the absurd columns, for a hotel lobby not a home. But perhaps most troubling is the very strange blue lighting on the show in the mansion. The whole place now resembles a night club at Caesars Palace in Vegas.
That abstract picture does not match the room and it very ugly.
It looks nice but now all the sets look the same, I loved the dark woods that were in the Dimera mansion
Love the wallpaper in Allie and Chanel’s apartment. Does anyone know the name? And also the color of the paint? Thanks
The scribble red painting is god awful and so distracting! What is the point of it?
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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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