Breaking News
Freddie Smith Reveals That He and Chandler Massey Will Be Exiting DAYS
In a shocking and special videotaped message and posting on Wednesday from DAYS Daytime Emmy-winner, Freddie Smith (Sonny); the actor shared that he, along with his longtime on-screen scene partner, Chandler Massey (Will), have been reportedly released from their contracts at Days of our Lives.
Freddie relates that the two are currently wrapping up their final episodes, as of now, with the long-running NBC daytime drama series, which was just officially renewed for another season by NBC.
According to Smith, what he posted with the video said: “I know it’s a bit shocking, but it’s true. Will and Sonny’s last episode is projected to air September ”
Remember, DAYS tapes months ahead of air. Smith says he will not divulge how Sonny and Will leave the canvas. He also says that Massey will join him for a special podcast tomorrow to discuss the situation further.
Within the video, Smith shares his thoughts on being part of the power couple of WilSon that has meant so much to so many fans of the series and the LGBTQ community. He adds on the upcoming departures: “It was not our choice. We were looking forward to staying on and keeping the story going.”
In a tweet today, Chandler Massey added: “Wish it weren’t coming to an end, but I will be forever grateful to everyone who went on this journey with us.” While Smith shared: “I will miss Salem so much!! Thank you all for the incredible love and support throughout the years. I really feel we told a love story that will live on forever.”
Watch the video below where Freddie talks about his exit at DAYS and his thoughts on it.
Now let us know, what do you think about Freddie and Chandler exiting Days of our Lives? Share your sentiments in the comment section.
Unbelievable – well this is the end of the only male gay couple on our soaps…………
Um… Lucas and Brad are still hanging on by a thread.
And yet, I don’t see them surviving the fallout, once Lucas realizes his “son” is actually his nephew’s son, and that Brad knew about it all along. Actually Lucas already knows this, but a head injury made him forget it. Once his memory returns, Brad is probably toast. Sad for Lucas, as there doesn’t seem to be any other options for him in Port Charles (the nurse, Felix?? was that his name?? seems to be long gone.)
I do agree that Brad (despite being on the show for 7 years) is not viable as a long term character. Felix isn’t the answer as the character is rather milquetoast.
Perhaps someone like Brando will surprise us and be on Lucas’ team.
Well, depending on who Brando works for, that could present some interesting conflicts. Logically, he’s either an undercover cop, federal agent, or working for this new criminal Cyrus.
Lucas is a Jerome by birth, and he has two sisters married into the Corinthos organization (not to mention Brad’s lineage to the Chinese mob of the old Asian Quarter storyline) so his life is already a mob balancing act as it is.
Will and Sonny haven’t had a good storyline since before Chandler came back. Seems to me that the writers have no idea how to write for this couple. I’m sorry to see them go.
The writers do know, but co-executive producer Albert Alarr strikes every “Wilson” storyline down. He has said some of their proposed storylines are too gay.
I think Albert Alarr wanted Sonny and Will gone long ago
Wow… this is a virtual replay of the way ReRon destroyed characters on GH. Write nothing but steaming piles of dragonshit storylines for them for months on end, and then force them out completely.
Will being a Horton & a Brady and Sonny being a Kiriakis, this couple represents a big part of carrying Days forward into the next generation. Add to that the fact that they were the first gay couple on the show, which was a pretty big deal at the time it happened.
Huge mistake to screw them over like this.
What are they doing to this show? All the favorites are being let go. This stinks. Fans will be dropping like flies. Hate these changes.
I would not be surprised if letting Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey, along with Galen Gering, go is in response to NBC orders to cut the costs of production
Who is the idiot who who fired them? I came back to Days when Chandler returned, I’ll leave again when he does.
This is sad. It was Will and his coming out story that made me a regular viewer of Days and while I’m surprised, I’m not surprised (hey, this show wrote Marlena and John off for a few years – ANYONE is clearly expendable on DAYS). Thing is, this is DAYS – they could easily be back in six months or a year. I think in some ways, Will and Sonny were cursed. Too ‘special’ to the show as their first gay couple to actually tear apart for long, and the only gay guys in town unless the show brings in a ‘third’ every so often to cause some potential – but not long lasting – problems for the duo. It’s ulitimately a limitation of imagination and willingness, but it has been an issue for them on the show. And although they could always be in other stories, Sonny was never a convincing suited up business man, and Will is a writer only when it’s convenient for the story. Romance and breakups and new partners are ultimately what keep a soap couple or character going over time and if the writers are going to treat them like delicate crystals that you don’t want to put too many cracks in – then there’s no where for them to go. I wish both of them success.
I have been a DOOL fan since 1965(yes,Iam old).Chandler and Freddie are two of my favorites,cannot believe they will not be on show.Let’s hope it’s only a short hiatus because,if they don’t come back eventually,DOOL will lose a long-time viewer.
OUTRAGEOUS! Two of the show’s best, and bravest, actors gone? Casey Moss leaving also? Wow, the dreamboat factor just hit a major iceberg. Two core family characters cut reminds me of Y&R’s current crisis…abandon the best in favor of the new. Not sure that’s what’s happening here, but whatever it is stinks. It also reeks of homophobia. On the plus side, maybe they can move to GH or Y&R.
Here Ye ; Here Ye
“…dreamboat factor just hit a major iceberg ”
“No shit” !!!!! NO!
Freddie Smith… if Casey Moss… AND ^^^^ as posted !!!! Galen Gering
well… that still leaves me : dag their dreamboat HUGE. Justin, Eric, Brady, Xander, Ben, Chad
NONETHELESS – my faves being.. JJ – Rafe’alicious – Sonny
so.. the “sting” is on
cache low… sacrifice
it’s a wonder to me how much it hits that these actors have personal lives.. and who knows how much their nest egg meets. LOVE THE SHOW… the upheaval to the respective cast, crew, hardened fan… oy
I am so disappointed in how this show has treated these characters under head writer Ron Carlivati. In the last 3 years, I have finally fallen out of love with Days of Our Lives. Now with my last 2 reasons to continue watching this series being removed, I will no longer be watching after the fall. Both actors and characters deserved so,so much better. I’ll check back in if and when these 2 characters return, or Ron Carlivati is replaced.
Hmmmm, writing out a number of fan favorites? Not very smart! DePaiva, the actor who plays JJ, possibly Galen Gering, Judi Evans and probably more to come. I miss the days when soap writers would give interviews and explain the upcoming plans for the shows. I gave insight into future plots and leave you wondering wtf!
And not leave you wondering wtf??
Quit crying please…you are not the first or last to be written off a soap … Just ask Bill and Mike Horton…
Lol. How true!!
I think they ‘WILL’ be back and there will be ‘SONNY’ DAYS once again!!!!
this IS a’ “bloodbath” @the expense of being renewed
HIT
argh! the heart stop ; empty OUT! fits of anger… why should Hope, Nicole, Jennifer, time and again be given reprieve
if the show wants new viewers.. they certainly don’t know ^^^^ WHY? the acting ; by Kassie DePaiva; Judi Evans, Freddie Smith, Chandler Massey are god send…. on so many levels of parlay AND whet the audience fervor, no?
having no lay of the land, AND waiting out this superlative mind field of ;
GOD … for acting, crew, and audience’ hold
9 years of “WilSon”
grand buffet; these two
my life on screen ? WHAT ? Fine’ally
Freddie Smith: “you” are one of my favorite male Lead
OKAY – so beyond your dazzle GOOD looks.. your acting consummate Camera loved you too
I don’t know… with Judi Evans let ; Wally Kurth enjoying his two show ; how long is John Anniston Victor .. well that’s forever in our heart
No Chandler
No Freddie, ; that’s a gaping “whole”
a quality super couple who could ACT period. which is why this is a downer
I will be curious… or rather numbed down .. come the REAL TURN around that Ron C and his ship WILL MOVE in September
Ron C. is seriously , going to have to , address this , blood let
whos coming ; whos going
like never before to curtail or stampede
fallout ; rally ; this is difficult to fan
it’s still 6 months to wait
Does anyone see the common thread here? The big name characters are being written off. It’s about money. The show had to pitch the idea of a much decreased budget and this is how they got the reprieve back when they were supposed to have been cancelled a few months ago. A part of me feels now that they should have wrapped up all the storylines and let the show die in a happy way. I don’t see how all these exits will keep DAYS going beyond that year extension they just got.
A complete SHOCK! This is NOT good.
I mean, the only reason I’ve ever bothered to watch this show is Will & Sonny. It’s bittersweet, because I know they have so much story to tell – and I’d love to see it play out on screen – but a certain executive producer has held them back for years now. I hope the show can rectify two mistakes as soon as possible here.
Would have been nice if this hadn’t been spoiled. I am sorry to see them go. I’ll miss them.
Being that the show continues to tape 7 months ahead of airing, not spoiling is near impossible. If they waited until the story aired in September, DAYS would be taping episodes for May 2021 then, with storylines likely planned out until contract renewal time. As these are popular characters, releasing the story at this time allows for fan outcry to bring them back in a timely manner.
Very sad.
This is such a shame! WilSon’s story became very ho-hum over the past year or more. They really weren’t given any meaty story to play since that Leo guy left town. And even that wasn’t very deep. If the word is true and that new-ish producer put the ax on any story pitches for them, then he’s the one who needs to go.
Of course, there are many others gone or going that I’m not pleased about. Practically all the time-jump stories leave me wanting it all to be a dream. Maybe this will be just another dream.
On the other hand, budget cuts stink. As soon as the sets started to shrink, I had that de ja vu feeling like when Guiding Light had massive budget cuts and started filming outdoors and in tiny real rooms. It spelled the end for them and I fear the same for DAYS. Hope not.
This show has a lot of dead weight…these two included. I like when they freshen up the show every so often. It’s not like they wont be back! They cut a bunch of contracts back in 2003 with that Stalker storyline. That was just a big money saving crunch. They cut about 10 vets for nearly a year….some of them only returned on a very recurring basis…they saved alot of money. I love DePaiva, but she played a poorly written, islanded character with little to no rooting value. It was time for her to leave. Ron’s writing is SO predictable…Justin and Kayla’s (wedding day) will come….and Steve and Adrienne will crash the wedding. Enjoy the comings and goings…..quit whining…..they’re fun. You know you’re not going to quit watching. I have. Since the time jump I have watched three episodes only. It is plot driven nonsense. It is back to that Jim Reilly level of production…where a middle school stage production is better written and put together. I would be embarrassed to put out this product. New writer time!
As I posted about Rafe/Galen. I think Days is making a BIG mistake. Letting you 3 go doesn’t sound like a good business decision considerering how popular you are with us fans. Going to miss all of you and hope you do get to come back.
Oh and I forgot about JJ/Casey. That’s 4 main characters leaving. Big big mistake on Days’ part. I’ve only been watching when Will, Sonny, and Rafe are on cause I hate the Hope/Gina & Stefano/Steve storeyline. Its just so far out there. But again best of luck!
What are the idiots in charge of Days doing? The head writer should be fired first..he can’t develop characters & creates stagnation. All he knows is tiresome triangles for angst, sci fi body swapping, etc. Keep those two & jettison the ridiculous Justin/Kayla pairing. They can go to GH & pick up their roles as Ned/Katherine. MEH chemistry there too but hey Wally has a full time Contract with GH. Then u can open up money to keep some talent such as Chandler.
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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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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