Days Of Our Lives
Freddie Smith Leaves Door Open For Possible Return To DAYS: "I Absolutely Believe There Will Be A Time When I Appear On DOOL Again."
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Last week viewers of NBC’s Days of our Lives saw what was a “quickie” goodbye as Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith) decided in one episode that he was leaving Salem to get away from his dismal marriage to Will (Guy Wilson) and his feelings for his ex Paul (Christopher Sean), and take a gig in Europe given to him via his Uncle Vic (John Aniston)!
That was the final episode as of now after four years of playing Sonny for actor and Daytime Emmy winner, Freddie Smith. In a new interview with Huffington Post on the making of his intriguing new project the horror flick Hiker, that also stars former DAYS star Molly Burnett (Melanie) and her real life boyfriend and DAYS cast member Spencer Neville (Derrick), Smith answered some direct questions about how he left DAYS and what the future my hold for a return to Salem.
Freddie commented: ” I signed on to Days of Our Lives for four years. I knew my contract was coming to an end and the big decision had to be made. I felt the love story was told beautifully and as an actor, I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and pursue other avenues. When I sat down with Corday and the other producers to tell them I had decided to leave, they were so supportive and thanked me for my hard work. They even said the door was always open, which is the best compliment I could have received.”
When asked if he would ever return, it seems that Smith’s answer was perhaps a bit cryptic, because there has been some reports via social media that Freddie was actually back at one point on the set: “I absolutely believe there will be a time when I appear on DOOL again.” Whether that remains to be seen, viewers will have to wait since DAYS tapes six months ahead of what viewers are seeing now.
Would you like to see a return by Freddie sooner than later? Do you hope it would be for a short arc to wrap up his story with Will and Paul … or, do you hope Freddie decides at some point to come back to the show full-time? What do you think about Freddie’s new film project, Hiker? Share your thoughts below!
i wish freddie all the luck in the world – i really enjoyed his web series called addicted anonymous…………………
I would like to see him do spots on the show as he comes home to see his daughter and Paul He would have to see that Will has done mush repair and give up his acting like his Mom! I hope they find a way to keep the story line of the gay actors for the future shows.
I agree, it’s kind of annoying that now neither Paul nor Will have more of a storyline at all. I guess the character of “Derrick” as played by Spencer Neville is off the canvas since the character of Paul said ” I really have nothing to say to Derrick….thanks to Will” – thus right now, Will is just a character listening to Abigail’s love problems, and Paul is just talking with his new found Dad, John. I don’t strictly watch the show for the gay characters, I enjoy all the characters, but enough of Nicole and Daniel, good grief that’s been done to death.
Yesssss I want him back
I would love to see Freddie come back to Days full or part time.I loved his character .So glad the door is open for him to come back.But I wish him the very best of good luck on his other projects.Can’t wait to see Hiker.You are missed Freddie.
I hope he comes back to work on his marrage with will please come back soon dont let the past come in between u and Wil please sonny save your marrage if u really love him dint let anyone come in between u to hope to see u back on days realky soon i miss u
We must believe Sonny in the form of Freddie Smith will return to Salem. I loved Will at the outset but the recast did not work for me. (But you accept things and move on.) Would love Sonny to come back and be the heart and soul of Salem. That Emmy was well deserved!
I too, would love Freddie to return to DAYS in some capacity, with that said, I feel that if in the next six months, there’s no sign of Freddie returning, I would very much be in favor of a recast Sonny. I would love to see Robert Gorrie (ex-Matthew, OLTL) either step into the role, or keep it luke-warm for Freddie’s impending return, when/if that should happen.
Freddie is and should always be welcomed back to DAYS.
‘Hiker’ is a low budget horror film of which there are too many for my taste, but it’s good for Freddie to hone his movie making skills.
I find some of these low budget horror films are a lot of fun. Okay, they are not equal to psycho etc. but still some fun.
I would love to see Freddie,s to come back and forget all about Will and Paul 🙂
I would love to see Freddie come back if the story line dictates and if he is available.
I hope he comes back occasionally as well. He is a great actor and his portrayal of Sonny was amazing!
I hope Freddie will return on Days. I am happy for him to be able to return if he wants to. I know he will do well with his film that he’s working on. I am looking forward to watching it. I know it will be a great success.
I, like so many others, enjoyed Freddie Smith on days & how beautifully he brought Sonny to us. I hope we see him back on the dool canvas again soon. I am excited to follow his film career. Freddie, come back soon to continue Sonny’s story. We miss u.
i hope he comes back and either gthey recast and bring back the lvoe of wilson or if they are not hthen let paul and will live their life nad let him be free and move on to the next chapter in his life nad let will and paul move on iwth their life too
Yes definitely! Sonny is one of my favorite characters! I would like to see him with Paul.
I hope Freddie does return full time at some point. Sonny and Paul were not given the chance it should’ve had under the old writing team. I’d love to see Sonny come back for Paul.
Sonny should come back to Salem to work things out with Will. Even though will did something horrible but if you really love someone you should forgive and forget and take time to trust them again. I know cause it happened to me.
Only if they recast Will. If they got Chandler Massey back- he and Smith had great chemistry, which what has been woefully missing in the current Will/Sonny story line.
I think it is unanimous… we want Freddie back…wonderful actor
Hi. Hope Freddie comes. back. don’t like. Nocole & Danile are. not a. good couple. not. Story lines need. Eve. to. back off. why are they. after Hope. not good
To Me, I think that Chandler Massey was extremely awful in the role of Will Horton, because he played the role like the age that Will was, childish, his Will was too giggly for when he wanted to kiss Freddie’s Sonny on that couch, & when Dattilo’s Lucas came a-knockin’ on Freddie’s Sonny’s door, Massey’s Will reacted like he was caught doing something that he shouldn’t have been.
To me, I think that Guy is the best Will, because we saw his emotional side for when he was in the shower & Freddie’s Sonny came in after playing basketball & heard the shower, he quickly disrobed & walked into the shower & looked how Guy’s Will was, you can see the love that Will has for Sonny, & look at Guy’s Will for when Freddie’s Sonny was attacked & was dying on the table, Will was shattered, destroyed in thinking that the love of his life was gone, & when he was in the hospital chapel for when he brought up ” When Ari goes mountain climbing, rafting the river wild, he wants Ari to do that with Sonny because I’m too scared ” & look at Guy’s Will for when he hugged Victor when he walked into the chapel.
You tell me how Chandler would pull that off ?
I love to have freddie back as sonny as soon he
Is done with his project and make Will see how stupid
He was.
I hope Freddie comes back to be with Will. Even though Will did some really stupid stuff to hold on to his marriage I would love them to be back together. Paul should stay in Sonny’s pass so he can move forward with Will and Ari.
I would love to see sonny back..I have not been watching as when Freddie was on.Please Freddie come back to your family Will and Ariana.It was a wonderful couple and needs to be complete.Freddie you are so good with your daughter Ari. I wish you luck in your new project too.
I think it looks like a great horror film! I can’t wait to see it!!
I can’t wait to see it! It looks like it’s gonna be great!!
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
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