Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Shawn Christian Interview: Why he disappeared from Salem! Now that Jenn/Daniel are OUT … Are Billie/Daniel IN?

Courtesy/NBC
Days of our Lives fans were wondering where did soap heartthrob Shawn Christian (Daniel) disappear to after the Daniel/Jennifer/Jack triangle was getting a bit murky, and Daniel was having some health issues that were impacting his surgical prowess? Well, we finally got some answers when On-Air On-Soaps chatted with Shawn to get the lowdown.
In addition, Shawn reveals his thoughts on the dissolution of the Daniel/Jennifer romance and previews the next gal on the dashing doc’s long list of female admirers in Salem … and it may turn out to be the just returned, Billie Reed! Check out what Shawn had to say on a myriad of Salem and DAYS hot topics, as we welcome him back to the screen!
So we were wondering what happened to you on-air! All of a sudden it was like “Poof” you were gone! Did they decide to give the character a rest so they could figure out where do go next with him? Daniel admitted to Jennifer he went off surfing! But, of course! (Laughs)
SHAWN: First off, Daniel was off the canvas searching within. (Laughs) And as for me, yes I was off the show while they were figuring out what were they going to do with Daniel this “wild card”. You can do anything with him, and somehow he will survive. I think they needed to rethink what is the best way to utilize this character? And I think they are exploring that, even still. His stories do not run linear. Who is going to have a kid with a one-night stand with Crystal Chappell’s character of Carly? Daniel! And, people will buy it. Who could have an affair with a girl when he is also sleeping with her mother? Daniel! He could do that and still survive! (Laughs)
At least they did not pink-slip you from the show! The powers-that-be had gone through the entire Maggie and her egg story so that it gave you an anchor into the Horton family as her bio-son, and you already had been given a daughter in Melanie. But there must have been a moment where you weren’t sure if Daniel might have a surfing accident off-screen never to return!
SHAWN: When the writers and producers come to you and say, “We don’t know which direction we want to take the character,” you immediately either think, “I am replaced or I am gone.” But they were very kind and immediately said to me that they want to re-work and recreate him. It isn’t that they wanted to get rid of him which was refreshing, coming on the heels of possibly being written-out. Look its work. I get it. They are working with the history of the show, and it’s not as if Daniel has a whole lot of history … in fact he would probably take the history and put a twist to it. If you look at how he was brought on and how his character has interacted, besides from Maggie which gives me great roots on the show, whatever you thought historically such as if you thought Phillip and Chloe were going to be the be all and end all, well wait a minute? Here’s a curve ball. Daniel is going to screw that up! (Laughs)

Courtesy/NBC
Have you had any scenes with Molly Burnett (Melanie) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie) since you have been back?
SHAWN: No, I have not had scenes with them. Molly is in story right now and the show is about family. They did have Daniel pick up a picture of him and his daughter, Melanie. So, I don’t think it has been forgotten.
What did you think about how Jennifer and Daniel’s ill-fated love story came to an abrupt end?
SHAWN: It was a story about, do you fight for the family that you raised and grew up with and known to love? Or is it, do you pursue a new love and a new life? It was put to the test and it was very well-done and the answer was, “No, I am going to stick by my family.” For the character of Jennifer it was a wonderful choice. I loved working with Melissa Reeves (Jennifer). I got it. It made sense to me in the end.
Your closure scene aired yesterday. Daniel told Jennifer something to affect that when he looks at her, he doesn’t feel that strong pull anymore to her! Do you like how this was resolved?
SHAWN: I do explain to Jennifer some of the clarity I experienced while I was away and that I have come too. Melissa was so present as an actress in those scenes, but I come off looking like an ass, which is great. (Laughs) I mean, in a good way. It was two characters doing what they felt was right. For Daniel, Jennifer was one of the purest people he had ever met. There were no lies, no cheating, and no deceit with them. It was, “My cards are on the table if you want me great, if you don’t, I understand that.”
Looks like Daniel’s “shaky hands” are also gone!
SHAWN: Yeah, it’s not really formally addressed, but the idea being that he is a surgeon and there was no other medical way to treat it, Daniel traveled the world and found alternative medicine to heal this shaking. Now, what I will do from time to time, if you notice, is massage my hand as a way to suggest this is part of the healing process. There is no longer a story point of course (Laughs) But for me as an actor, I at least try to maintain history to it, but I don’t want to make it a story point, because we are no longer pursuing that. I also don’t want to leave the viewers wondering what happened with that as the front man of that beat of the story.

Courtesy/NBC
Lisa Rinna (Billie), who we recently spoke with and who has been making the rounds promoting her return to DAYS (officially airing today), has been hinting at a romantic entanglement with Dr. Daniel! What can you tell us?
SHAWN: Yeah, she may no more than I do. What is great about this dynamic with Billie is she calls a spade a spade saying, “You slept with my mother and you were with my daughter!” Even though I did not sleep with her, that is not brought up yet! I was romantically linked enough to Chelsea to be taken aback. So Billie calls him on it right away and that is great! Billie makes no bones about where she stands with anything which is a wonderful quality. Beyond that, I don’t know what ends up happening. But knowing Daniel’s life, anything can happen.
Daniel upon his return to Salem has been taking care of a pregnant Nicole as his patient in the hospital. Seems like this could also be a good story choice having Daniel paired with Nicole! After all, she loathes EJ right now and Daniel never knew about the daughter Carly had, so he never got to raise a child. I think it would be interesting to see perhaps Nicole and Daniel form a close bond!
SHAWN: I don’t know where that goes, but I can guarantee you if I am in a scene with a woman, something is going to go wrong, and Daniel is going to screw up somebody’s life! (Laughs)
Do you like working with Arianne Zuker (Nicole) in scenes? She is a Daytime Emmy nominated actress and again a Pre-Nom this year, you know! Would you welcome the opportunity to work more with her?
SHAWN: She is very talented and she can spar with me and is wonderful. There is an unwritten history there, because her best friend, Chloe was the love of Daniel’s life. It lingers in the air and it does not even need to be addressed and that does exist. These are two people who have battle wounds from years of being knocked around, pushed around, and kicked around, but both have survived. To what extent you explore their relationship I don’t know. I think Daniel probably feels he is not worthy of love at this point in his life, or a relationship, quite honestly, considering his track record. Nicole lived with Daniel for awhile. I think that is an interesting dynamic and there is a lot there.

Courtesy/NBC
In the conversation, when DAYS told you they were going to bring you back to the show and re-tool the character a bit, did they elaborate or give you any hints what they were going to do with Dr. Daniel in regards to the bigger picture?
SHAWN: I don’t know if I got a straight up plan. However, they got on the phone and told me when I was coming back. As to what would happen, I don’t know because I have not had a new conversation with anybody. Now, they may have a genius plan for Daniel already. But the way they have tampered with everything thus far, I am finding quite intriguing, and the way people have just come into his life. He is a local doctor for one which is why he gets involved with so many people in Salem, but also he is a man who has so many broken tentacles that it’s plausible he could be involved with anyone. I guess I would say, they are trying him out with different characters on screen, which is good, right? And, from a business and marketing perspective for this show it’s about, what is going to sell tickets? (Laughs) I do think that the writers have story points well thought out in advance, and I don’t think it’s as random as I expressed it. I think they check for fertile ground to write with.
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.
View this post on Instagram
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
-
Days Of Our Lives5 days agoDAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
-
General Hospital4 days agoBrandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
-
General Hospital1 week agoPaige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
-
General Hospital6 days agoGH’s Giovanni Mazza Performs Violin Version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ at LA Lakers Playoff Game; Co-Stars Heap High Praise
-
General Hospital1 week agoSteve Burton’s Wife, Michelle Lundstrom, Raises Alarm on AI Scammers and Hoaxes, Pretending to be the ‘General Hospital’ Star
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
It seems like there is confusion at Days. Jack saying he and Jen aren’t meant for each other is a bunch of garbage. Anyone who has watched the show for years KNOW that Jen and Matt Ashford’s Jack are soulmates. Quit screwing us around and put them back together. Geez….
I totally agree!!
Another great interviewMichael, I really enjoyed reading it and hope Daniel will wind up with Billie. Lisa and Shawn are amazing actors and I think they will great together. I can’t wait to see what happens.
im just glad he is back on days a big fan of his
Glad Shawn is back but so disappointed that Jenn and Dan are over. I stopped watching Days 15 years ago. The Jenn and Dan pairing was the only reason I tuned back in. I will not watch to see Jenn and Jack reunite; I never liked them together! I also will not watch to see Dan and Billie get together. She is so annoying and I wish she and Jack didn’t come back to the show. It was better when they added new characters to the mix. Ever since the show re-launched I have been extremely disappointed. At least this interview confirmed that Jenn and Dan are truly done. So long Days of Our Lives.
I love Dan and Jen together!! They have chemistry. Nicole/Daniel worst pairing ever. Nicole is so pathetic they are so boring together. Get Dannifer back together. Only reason I watched because of Jen and Dan they were so good togther. Loved watching when they were going on their dates together.
I hope they don’t get rid of Daniel/Shawn. I liked the Dan/Jen pairing. Loved it actually. I also love Matt Ashford and was so happy when he was brought back. I just wish this show would do something different for once. After watching Jen pine over Daniel, now we are supposed to believe that she loves Jack again. Makes no sense.
The Billie pairing is sort of gross since he’s been with her daughter and her mother. Ewww. They should have just left him w/Carly/Crystal Chappell if they were not going to go with Dan/Jen. This show is in a constant state of confusion.
Jennifer and Daniel are so fun together. Such a lovable couple! Get them back together. I am so sick of seeing Nicole and Daniel together. She should just focus on having a healthy baby and stay away from Daniel.. What a loser!!
I’m glad Shawn Christian is back, and I hope Daniel gets paired with either Nicole or Billie!
daniel is so boring. time to get rid of him right now. days producers fire him. bring back vivian alamain and ivan. they were so much fun to watch.
Great. Jack and Jen were destroyed so Daniel could have a storyline, so now that it’s over when are they going to fix THAT mess? I don’t really care what they do with Daniel next.
Exactly.They’re trying too hard to save a worthless character.No matter if I like Shawn,too many long time fan favorites and supercouples were ruined to prop Daniel,especially Chloe.They should get rid of Daniel,Melanie,Madison,…and bring back the REAL CHLOE, not DH’s version.Philip,Shawn,Belle,.
Why not just get rid of this fail of a character already? He’s such a bland character, and he has been for years now! Just let him go! I am angry that Jack and Jennifer have been thrown to the dogs for this character, and that they’re getting so little screen time for a good reunion story, but Daniel gets to come back and be reset and front and center. And poor Jennifer! I don’t understand why they couldn’t let her do the dumping with finality, as in telling Daniel that she picked Jack, even if Jack said no. She didn’t pick Daniel, and that means something. Why couldn’t they give her back her spine since Dannifer is down the toilet anyway? I guess we just couldn’t have any woman completely resist Daniel. I am so sick of him. I see no difference in him since his return. All woman fall to his charms. He’ll be the miracle doctor with Bo. He gets to save Nicole. It’s the same over pushing that caused me to go from just ignoring this character to actively disliking him, only more so. I’m disgusted at the way Dan’s getting the focus as they try to salvage him while I almost never get to see Jack, and when a character who’s been loved for so many years, Jennifer, and one of the show’s most beautiful love stories, Jack and Jennifer, are the things in need of salvaging.
I don’t think you can blame the character of Daniel for Marlene and Darrell not writing for Jack, it appears like Marlene and Darrell couldn’t care less what the fans want. Just look at the characters always on sceen, Bradison, Rafe, and Daniel. We want Jack and Jennifer what do we get Jennifer flip flopping between two men, we want to see more legacy characters what do we get, an overdose of Madison and Rafe. We could have more Jack on Days if the headwriters would just write for him but they won’t do it. Blame Marlene and Darrell, they are the ones refusing to write for Jack.
Now as for Daniel I hope they write him getting in trouble for banging his patients and he ends up losing his job, someone else that has not been his patient falls in love with him. Some one like maybe Sami HA!
Dami foreva
Please do not pair Dan w/ Billie. He does not need another failed relationship and I just dont see Lisa Rinna sticking around long!
LOVE Shawn Christian and DAYS needs to make this work. There are compelling stories to tell other than romances, dubious parentages, and vague corporate boardroom games. Maybe there could be a plot about health care issues, a crisis of confidence, a medical mystery with Doc at the forefront.
I don’t understand why the show is “recreating” Daniel, when he wasn’t “created” in the first place. Daniel has zero substance, zero depth. He needs to be created, not recreated. In fact, why not just reduce his airtime and let those characters that already have substance have more of a spotlight?
It seems rather interesting to me that now the epic love of dannifer is%
Great interview with Shawn, love him he ‘s great. Hope he finds love soon preferably with Chloe, who he has always said is the love of his life.Thank god Dannifer is over, couldn’t stand him with Jen ,she is extremely boring and fickle. Not interested in Billie, with her recent comments I don’t expect her to last long on the show.I like Nicole, she and Daniel would be interesting since her BFF was Chloe. Glad the show loves him to write for him. Thanks Michael.
No no no …p[aese keep hypocritical heartless Daniel away from Chloe.Don’t waste her on him.If Nadia accepts to come back,give us the real Chloe and Broe/Phloe ,now they are adult and she has a kid with Philip.It would be way more interesting.Iwould rather have Chloe dead than back with Daniel after the way he treated her,.She deserves better.
will not watch days anymore. you all had a good thing going with daniel and jen. then you had to go and do something really stupid and hook up john and hope. why cant you all have made bo and hope the next tom and alice? possible that you could bring back eric for nichol? i mean theres so much confusion and always going back to the same old stories. get with some new stuff.
Although he was with Kate and Chelsea before, I think Dillie would be a nice couple. Daniel and Nicole would be alright if it happened years ago, but EJole is meant to be, and so is Janiel (Dannifer).
Daniel and Billie never happened :(…Dannifer is better anyway. Thank goodness Dicole is coming to an end.
Daniel and Jennifer all the way, I think those two should get married its about time they’ve been together for a long time so they should get married. Days did the best thing in pairing them and keeping them together. what ever days does with the storyline please keep these dan and jen together