Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Promo: A Martinez Makes His Debut, Andre DiMera Returns & A Serial Killer Tries To Take Down His Biggest Target!
Courtesy/NBC
Next week is game-on for Days of our Lives! NBC has released their latest promo ushering in the excitement of the drama ahead.
Up first, will be the highly-anticipated debut of Santa Barbara iconic fan favorite, A Martinez in his new DAYS role as Eduardo.
What will happen when Rafe (Galen Gering) sees his father again? What will happen when Eve (Kassie DePaiva) sees her ex again? What secrets is Eduardo harboring? Meanwhile later in the week, Thaao Penghlis returns as Andre DiMera just as Stefano’s (Joe Mascolo) health is deteriorating, and just as the necktie serial killer is on the loose!
Does Andre have something to do with the killings? Maybe so, when the next intended victim is none other than Marlena (Deidre Hall)! The same woman he used mind control on during the Salem Stalker storyline! Is this all just coincidence?
Watch the latest NBC teaser for Days of our Lives after the jump. Then weigh-in: Are you excited for the debut of A Martinez? Do you think Andre is a major mastermind behind the necktie serial killings? Or, could he just be a red-herring? Comment 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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I wish I would have been there when all these storylines were evolving. I do not know Andre, his history with Marlena…or the developing melodrama of that time.
Now, the suspicion shifts from Clyde to Andre. I think it could be either. Is all of Clyde’s intimidation of the nice residents of Salem, a ploy by the writers? We all know how the story goes. If James Read is to be a permanent fixture, then he is not the killer. The same goes for Andre or Aidan.
I’m a little confused….the implication is not clear. Is Eduardo Eve’s ex? Paige’s father? A Hernandez half-sibling?
Oh, Gee. I hope Paige is not really dead….maybe a faked death for her own protection? Does Eduardo have her?
So, according to the promo, we know, the killer is a “he”. Looking at the height and size of the killer attacking Marlena, it looks to be Ben, or Clyde. Someone tall and lean. However, I have never been sold on Ben or Clyde or Aidan for that matter as the killer. It just can’t be that easy. Ok, well, out of those three, maybe it is Ben. But, honestly, I’m not feeling it for those three characters. I think I need to find out WHO the third victim is, to really get a better sense of motive and patterns. I wonder if the third victim is female, too. Both Serena and Paige had affiliations with the hospital. I’m waiting for more patterns, to see who the killer could be. The ties are also a big clue. Perhaps, Clyde knows who the killer is (working with the killer), and framing Aidan? Who’s the 3rd victim? It’s got to be a bigger character on the canvas.
I think that the serial killer will be prevented from killing Marlena by her grandson Will. In saving his grandmother Will becomes the third victim because he has seen the killer. It’s been announced that Will is leaving the canvas. And Corday did warn that more than one legacy character would be killed off permanently. And it would be reason enough for Sami to return for a short time.
It looks like Eduardo had/has a secret life, CeeCee.
Eduardo must’ve left his wife and children and met up with Eve and fathered Paige…then left Eve and Paige high and dry.
I seem to recall Paige and JJ babysat little Arianna. It’s too bad she didn’t know she was caring for her niece.
Of course, you’re right in your assumption, Jeremy. Yo usually are. That’s why I keep emphasizing the fact that all fingers point to Clyde to throw us off track. However, it doesn’t mean that he or Ben or Aidan didn’t do it. Everyone here has great, sensible predictions. I still feel these guys are all connected somehow. Plus, whoever is exiting the stage….well, he is probably the culprit.
Now, is it true Daniel, doctor of all trades, is also leaving, or fired? Was that done to leave Nicole’s door wide-open for messed-up Eric?
Intriguing, isn’t it, 4ever? I am wondering how Rafe and Gabi will react to this. Will this revelation entice Rafe to go full force in finding his sister’s killer? Or, will he be so disgusted that he will fumble?
You think you missed stories…lol..do you remember when Diedre Hall was Elektra Woman on ABC..when Wesley Eure who played Mike Horton on Days was on ABC’s Land of the Lost at the same time..and the Salem Strangler storyline that gained Days 80’s ratings..and then the Salem slasher who killed my favorite actress of the time Phelice Sampler’s Rene Dumonde..I loved her almost as much as Edge of Nights Raven Swift..Sharon Gabet…girl you must be very young…LOL
I do have to say I AM NOT an A.Martinez fan..I watched Santa Barbara from day one and off and on to the last show and still don’t get all that Eden/Cruz hype..I was a Lane Davies Mason fan all the way. He’s of the Maurice Bernard school of acting…so not into it.
Hi, davlestev1.
LOL. Yeah, I missed all of them….these shows were on a decade before I was born. But, I searched the Internet. Marlena was such a pretty girl …well, still is. There is a slew of the shows on utube. Thanks, good stuff. I like it.
I asked that before…is Paige related to Rafe…i believe Paige has a twin and one of them was murdered just like when Marlena’s twin sister was murdered by the 1980s Salem Strangler…or Paige is in the Witness Protection Program but i still say she has a twin…as for the killers biggest target that would have to be Stepahno making Aiden another suspect…Andre is like Victor Cassidine on GH…and ironically played by both actors but you already know that…lol…its odd now seeing little Ciara and Chase knowing soon they will be troubled teens!!!
perhaps Eduardo knows so much more about Eve… then even she does
that she could have a twin daughter out their ?
dang… this would make her exit that much more easier, for me to deal
I like the idea that Eve could have a child out their with Frankie… and for whatever reason won’t acknowledge it… and it will surface?
I’m still punched in the gut over KD’ Eve.
it was a treat seeing “little” Ciara… one last time… as she gave approval to Hope that the two of them are ready to move on and become a family with Aiden…
Oopsie…i see the next intended victim is Marlena…lol
I also believe Eddie dumped Rafe’s momma for Eve(Rafe dont know she was the other woman) and Rafe will not like having him in Salem!!!
Maybe I’d be more interested in watching this if Kassie wasn’t playing Eve.
To me, this is just Days hiring any actor that is available that was a “big star” on their show and bringing them onboard. I think Days has enough big stars on their own show — as GH has — that we don’t need A Martinez coming on board. I never was a SB fan and never bought into the whole Cruz & Eden story.
On another note, Clyde is creepy, reminds me of that monster on Wolf Creek. He should be the killer.
Yeah, Ces. This seems to be the trend the remaining soaps are all doing. Melissa Archer, Cady McLain, Michael Easton; to name a few. I have said this over and over, Ces. These spectacular thespians are butchered each and every time. Lol. Clyde is kind of scary and intimidating. The writers are trying to make him into an ominously smooth Svengali, that’s for sure. James Read himself was pretty well known back in the 70’s TV. Sometimes I catch a few episodes of REMINGTON STEELE. He did cut quite an impressive figure. And, I do agree. I want him to be the killer, too. …..Should also take Ben and Aidan with him when he goes down.
You’re right and I’m not fond of the ring-around-the-rosy of soap stars; especially when they join inflated casts like GH & DOOL and put fan faves on back burners.
I do not like Ben and from what I see, I don’t like Aiden; so not Hope’s type!! Clyde needs to go. Fair to say I don’t even like Abigail?
I can’t get started on Abigail, The Innocent Babe In The Woods, Ces. Let’s just say she’s an itch I can’t scratch. LOL.
hmmmmm good tv… finally some good writing and action on Days… bravo!!
Love A Martinez but I can’t fathom watching a show that features that witch Melissa Reeves. I do have standards.
LOL knock it off Carolina..but as we see time and again..the person with the biggest moral compass is constantly swimming in the dirtiest of waters because they didn’t read the fine print..DON’T BE A HYPOCRITE.
@davlestev1.
I am truly starting to appreciate your cryptic writing. I looooove it!! Great analogy, dav.
I stumbled upon DAYS again by accident one day and got pulled back in with one episode. Since Soapnet went away and my market stopped showing DAYS, I had lost familiarity with the show. Now, the local NBC affiliate has returned DAYS to the 1pm time slot, and it comes on after Y&R every evening on Pop.
DAYS was my first favorite, before I got hooked on Y&R. Y&R was always smart and compelling, while DAYS was that guilty pleasure, yet felt comfortable, like family, like home.
It’s wonderful the show is refocused on its legacy characters and maintains cross-generational family-driven stories while also maintaining that edge of terror, adventure and over-the-top romance. DAYS in its heyday was always larger than life, and I like that they are bringing that focus back.
I think it’s genius that they are retelling the Salem Strangler storyline, one of DAYS’ most popular and compelling storylines from the past half century, the storyline that brought Roman and Marlena together and launched Deidre Hall into superstardom. I can see the parallels, and I fear Marlena is in danger again. Will Salem Strangler 2.0 cause the pain and destruction Jake Kositchek unleashed back in the early 80’s? I’m tuning in, and I applaud the show runners for this unexpected yet clever nod to DAYS’ heyday when it was a show of mystery, intrigue and sheer terror.
Great job, DAYS! Happy 50th!
dang!
Marquee this
FUN READS
all Days
Glad to have Thaao back and A join the cast
If Eduardo was Paige’s father, why was her last name Larsen and not Hernandez?
And Rafe and Paige were 1/2 siblings living in the same town and they never knew it? Didn’t Eve know?
It would be too easy to make Andre the killer!
I do have to admit it makes no sense to kill off Paige and then bring her father on canvas only to get rid of Eve..Killing off Will and axing major stories to SORAS teens..I don’t know if all this is going to be beneficial or detrimental once all the players are in place and the serial killer is revealed..i’m skeptical..but hopeful..
I still think Paige has a twin and will be back or her death was faked as part of the witness protection program…still i think she has a twin who died in her place just like Samantha died and we all thought it was Marlena during the original Salem Strangler!!
I mentioned you in response to CeeCee..LOL..gotta love jimh..but why would you bring on this fantastical storyline to accomadate Eve and Paige for A.Martinez benefit..a new piece of cloth..Paige is dead..Eve is gone..Dena Higley suddenly took off for the hills of who knows where..and Josh Griffith isn’t even trusted enough in his writing for Sony to leave him be and see what he does..Sony the new P&G of daytime soaps…
Futile, isn’t it , davlestev1. Exactly the reason why I think Paige is not dead.
You know CeeCee there is a contingency that likens this storyline to the salem strangler..but sitll..ok then.. hearken back to an older storyline but give us some clue there is more than one child Eve had. And if so why bring on A.Martinez as the dad and throw Eve into limbo by firing Kassie Depaiva even if she does reunite with a never knew i had one other daughter..sadly.. the dialogue may have slowed to real conversations at the expense of details in an otherwise great story..great dialogue can’t be a substitute for rushed story..it has to be an extension of well thought out story…NBC is going for gold using someone else gold pen in the hands of bronze writers..JMO
I’m still going with Clyde being the killer. It’s too obvious all of those who are dying are ones that can help prove Chad’s innocence. While have to wait to have an opinion about A Martinez.
Andre would have to be in cahoots with Clyde to have any part in the Salem killings. Ordinarily I’d say there is no connection. But suppose Cyde and Andre share a common enemy – Chad! It is possible that an alliance was formed between Clyde and Andre to frame Chad. But I think Andre would doublecross Clyde – because Andre is evil and ruthless to boot!
One the other hand Clyde could be working alone, but he somehow gets in the way of Andre’s agenda. So there are various possibilities.
Heard Marlena survives the attack! Glad of that!
There is also speculation that Will Horton will be murdered. Maybe Sonny gets it instead of Will
If Sonny gets murdered, Justin will blow a gasket!
I am looking forward to the “Eduardo” story. Right now my biggest curiosity is how Rafe will respond to being dethroned as the “father figure” in the Hernandez family. That will be a good story!
@Gmbenet – I’m hoping that Andre decides to find out who killed EJ. And when Andre finds out it was Clyde I hope he goes postal. Andre may be evil and ruthless but he is so good. I also wish the writers could have brought back Bart or his identical twin.
It is not over yet… You might get what you want–or at least some of what you want.
I hope this storyline doesn’t take forever to come to an end, since Daniel is leaving I wonder will he also be a victim of the serial killer
Daniel could be the necktie killer!
Lol…what about Eric? He looks lost. I think he’s lost it.
I am thinking the same!
Thinking the same about Daniel being the killer.
I really don’t think so.. he is too gentle of a soul, but he is definitely leaving so is Clyde, Someone is definitely going to kill Clyde, my bet is Paige’s mom
Good one, Keith. …never thought about it; but, Eve killing Clyde, if he is indeed, the killer, makes so much sense.
All I want is for Clyde to be punished for having E.J. killed! I hate Clyde and Ben. Abigail is stupid to forgive Ben for putting that tracking device on her phone. Is she crazy?
stalker much, right?? I would have been outta there. Lol!
Lol. I don’t like any of the three you mentioned.