Days Of Our Lives
Greg Meng Interview: Exclusive Behind the Scenes – Days of our Lives
Executive in Charge of Production for Days of our Lives, Greg Meng, chats with Michael Fairman in this exclusive behind the scenes visit to the set of the NBC soap. In honor of DAYS 45th Anniversary, Meng and co-author Eddie Campbell, have put together Days of our Lives 45 Years: A Celebration in Photos. Watch as we take a look at a day in the life in Salem with special guests, Galen Gering & Shawn Christian.
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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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
Former Y&R favorite, Conner Floyd made his debut as the recast Chad DiMera on Days of our Lives last week on the April 21 episode of the Peacock streaming soap opera
Floyd replaced Billy Flynn in the role who is firmly cemented in his old stomping grounds of Genoa City and The Young and the Restless as Chad DiMera. For the last year or two of Chad’s story, he believed his wife, Abigail Devereaux DiMera could be alive, he even thought Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) was Abigail until the story turned.
Now with Floyd taking over the role and Lexie coming back to life after years of being dead, and Chad noting how Dr. Rolf (Richard Wharton) and his brother, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel), could resurrect somehow they all love, he thinks, how about Abigail? The part of Abigail was played by Kate Mansi and then Marci Miller.

Photo: JPI
Speaking with Stephanie Sloane for her new Daytime Dish Newsletter on the matter, Conner shared, “Any kind of idea that she could possibly be coming back, as farfetched as that may seem, he’s stuck on it. The idea gets in his head, and he’s locked in on it.”
CHAD WRESTLES WITH THE FATE OF ABIGAIL
Floyd added that Chad, “He’s asking Theo (Joseph Tyler Andrews) about it. He’s asking EJ about it. It’s one of those things where he loves her so much that the peace in his mind that he’s made with this kind of comes unbroken. So the fact that that she might be able to come back, he’s so bent on it, he thinks it’s going to happen and he kind of spirals away.”
A NEW ABIGAIL ON THE HORIZON?

Photo: ABC
That begs the question, with Days of Our Lives taping ten months in advance, which is already taking them into the beginning of 2027, is it possible that the soap has already recast Abigail and its being kept top secret?
Recently, it was revealed that former General Hospital favorite, Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha) has joined Days of our Lives. Back on March 30 it was reported that Mattsson is now taping all-new episodes that will be seen in 2027, but her role was being hush-hush! Could she the new Abby?
If not, the question is, since it seems that Kate Mansi is not coming back as she is firmly entrenched in her role as Kristina Corinthos-Davis on General Hospital and other outside projects, and Marci Miller has also been away from soaps for awhile working on other TV and film roles and indie motion pictures, who should play nuAbby?
Now below, let us know, who do you think would make the perfect leading lady opposite Conner Floyd as a recast Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Be our armchair quarterback casting director and drop your pick in the comment section.
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Michael, what a trip! How neat is this? We got to see the actual stage set ups and the interiors of the rooms,etc. It is great to see you walking through history. This project must have thrilled you. You did an amazing job, and it was terrific to watch you work you way with the stars and with Greg. I hope you can do this with other soaps and give us more glimpses into the workings of soaps. Now I have to check out some of your other pictures and interviews that were not in the walk through. Oh yeah, Galen does have exceptional teeth! Ha,ha! Again, great job, Michael…..
ITA. It’s nice to see Greg Meng too as we usually just see his name at the credits. Michael, this is so cool. Thanks for posting and Galen is always a good idea! Great to see the dressing rooms. Thank you 😉
Thank you Michael! You always make the fans feel apart of Days!! lol Love seeing Shawn and his dressing room… I also spotted a t-shirt I sent him in one of the photos in the book… That was so amazing… Michael you are the best!! xox AlyciaRashea ~~Alycat04 and The Shawn Christian Angel
no james scott/ej dimera ?this is boring
I agree
I agree too & I think James is the leading man not Galen
In traditional Michael Fairman fashion, a fabulous look
into Days. I have been watching Days since from the first
episode and I have been a devoted fan since day 1. Thank
you MIchael for another great interview. Thank you Greg
for the tour. Thank you Galen for being a part of Days of
our lives. This book is #1 on my Christmas list. Awesome
gift for Days fans.
Oh Michael how you have spoiled us with this amazing behind the scenes walk through of Days! Thank you for presenting such a rare treat! Greg was very generous on his tour and I loved his introductions of Fran and Jayne both of whom are in the book. Being a huge fan I had to have A Celebration In Photos. It is everything you say it is on your tour – a beautiful presentation. I feel fortunate to be able to own this collection of vintage and recent photos of what is still my family’s favorite program. I feel as though I was raised on Days and now my daughter tweets me from college her reactions on the latest episodes. Thank you for the exciting tour. I’m passing the link on to other family members to also enjoy.
When you next see Galen and Shawn thank them too for the peek in their dressing rooms. Galen’s smile is always bright, but not as bright as the one he brings to the fans. ( Darn that his character Rafe’s wedding to Sami didn’t happen in time to make the book! I’m sure it would have been a stunning addition to the weddings section.)
Great interview ! You are so relaxed and comfortable with the people that you interview. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for this wonderful backstage tour of DAYS. It was totally exciting to see the sets and the dressing rooms and how things actually work on the show!
Please thank Shawn and Galen for letting us share time with them. They were more than gracious in letting us in on their world.
Can’t wait to get this book! It ‘s definitely on my Christmas list!!
Absolutely loved this interview! It makes me want to go out and buy the book right now! Do you know if they are coming to the Chicago area? I heard Detroit but would love it if they would come to Chicago! Loved seeing Galen’s dressing room and Shawn’s too! Both are such handsome men! This just made my day seeing Galen! You also do an excellent job of interviewing!
Hopefully you will have more and more interviews with Days characters especially Galen/Rafe!
Excellent job Michael! I wanted to see more and more. Very well done and enjoyable to watch!
Funny, Michael, telling Galen he even looks good in the book. Like that’s hard for him to do. Loved everything about this. Can’t wait to get the book, hopefully for Christmas. Thanks to Galen and Shawn for sharing with us.
Thank you Michael for doing another amazing interview.Thank for sharing more behind the scenes stuff. I will be getting this book for Christmas. Thanks Galen and Shawn for sharing with us. You do the most amazing interviews.
Thanks again Michael for a wonderful interview I can’t wait to get the book looking forward to getting it.
thanks for the interview and look behind the scenes and the making of the book 😉 love the bits of info.. nice sets and great look back at the costume. please pretty please soap gods, let there be a red dress in sami’s future with EJ – she is the only other character that can pull that color off plus she has already done white way too much and black of course.
Thank you so much for video! It was great to see what goes behind the scenes!
Hi, I am a HUGE fan of Days of our Lives and have been watching it since I was a toddler…. I think this book is a fantastic idea!! Is there anywhere in Canada that I can buy this? Or do I have to purchase it online…. I don’t have a credit card so that’s my dilemma with buying online….
Thanks, this is great.
my gosh what can i say but it felt like home as days has been a part of my life for years.finally i saw a glimpse of part of the set its so awesome to see how it all works to make the majic we enjoy.salem usa will always have a special place in my heart and to actually see the set im like a scool kid .i will definately get the book showing the iconic set and pics of our beloved actors and actresses who became our family and will be in our hearts for all of the days of our lives. days stole my heart many years ago and i am a proud man who will not deny what i like . have a great day goood job with the interview. i look forward to many more days of our lives episodes as i hardly miss any unless im in a hospital lol. thanks again mr.gareth oscar tillery of greenville alabama
Greg, you said that you need to get the nfans back who have stopped watching? Well most of those fans are women that have watched the show for many yearsmainly due to family values. When we lost Francis Reid, Bo & Hope was next to be the family tradition. Now your getting rid of the main character in that duo.You need to get rid of Gabi,Roman,Tee,Kate,Jen,Abigail,Cameron,just to name afew. their storylines are over.You talked about romance!.Why not give family tradition a go. Bring back Shawn & Belle. I have been watching this show from day one 49 years ago. I have read the fans thougts on the show about letting Bo go & 145 out of 166 was in awe of him leaving. Is it not true that the fan base is what makes the ratings? You & the rest of the writers & execs come in and think you know this show.Please dont insult all of us that have watched this show since Mr. Corday created it.