Days Of Our Lives
Is DAYS Continuing Their Search For A New Abigail?

Courtesy/NBC
While fans of NBC’s Days of our Lives now know that Kate Mansi (Abigail) has confirmed her exit from the series, it looks like the casting search for her replacement is still on!
According to Soap Opera Digest, the original casting call for “Val” has resurfaced in the casting breakdowns. However the call does say, “The show is seeking very, very strong actors for the role, which is currently recurring with the possibility of going contract.” Leaving some to believe this may not be for Abigail.
The casting breakdown added: “Please do not resubmit actors already seen for Val Role in December.”
As a reminder, the character of “Val” is described as: 24 to 28-years-old and a gorgeous young professional. Val has already experienced great love and great loss in her young life which has left her strong spirit with a fragility she passionately protects. She has a determination to live and love as fearlessly as she can in the wake of all she has been through.
SOD also notes that Mansi will wrap up her run on-screen in May.
So, is this a casting call for Abby? If so, who would you suggest to play the part? Comment below!
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.
Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?
Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

Photo: JPI
DIMERA RIVALRY
After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”
As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Photo: JPI
BELLE OF MY HEART
With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”
Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.
“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart. I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”
But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”
MAKING CHAD HIS OWN
Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Photo: JPI
ICONIC
When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.
“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know? We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.
“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”
Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.
Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.
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Kate Mansi is going to be a hard act to follow, especially now that she and Chad appear to be the next super-couple. I will miss her Kate in the role.
If the chemistry is different with a new actress, I would like to see DOOL explore a Chad/Abigail/Theresa triangle. For some reason, I think Billy Flynn and Jen Lilly could have that same chemistry as EJ and Sami.
Let’s hope the casting department has better luck finding the new Abby than they did with the hiring of the teenage actors. It is too painful to watch. I hope Ken Corday does wait until the ratings fall until he addresses AGAIN what is/isn’t working on the show. Let’s not have another the ill-received elephant statue, Part II in 2016.
.
Ditto… I don’t like to talk bad about actors so much but definitely a couple of these younger actors are not in the right role for themselves and the show…
I wouldn’t about a elephant statue , since whitesell and tomlin are gone.
elizabth hendrcckson as abby
that could work!
Nice
Chloe had it in spades… with both of Nina’ sons (ronan and chance)… YIKES! and with Kevin
so… this ladies got IT
Elizabeth is beautiful and a true talent. Sadly, she is too old to play Abby.
I was actually thinking Elizabeth for Stephanie. Doesn’t look much like Kayla/Steve but does favor Shelly Hennig who was in the role before.
Brittany Underwood as the new Abby!…someone previously mentioned her and she would be perfect!
for Abigail recast Lindsay Hartley, Kim Matula, Kelly Thiebaud or Heidi Mueller…
for Val role Brook Kerr, Alicia Minshew, Bree Williamson, Jessica Collins
We must keep in mind that Abby is supposed to be in her twenties.
PS.
If Abby is to, indeed, be recast; please, oh, please, I hope that Days, in ITS search for a ‘new Abby’, does it right this time. There have been many great suggestions on this board, but also some drastic ones…… as I said above, she needs to be in her twenties. It would set everything awry; from the disparity in age between Abby and her brother; to being not long out of school. Do not, I beg you, do not stick Chad with someone in her mid thirties or approaching forty years of age! The entire concept is just so distorted; it fogs up the entire storyline……a love story which has gone through hoops to get to the present.
Lindsay has been on Days and looks Hispanic. While I like her, I don’t think she has the right look.
Kim would be great, but don’t know if she wants to do another soap.
Is Heidi still acting?
It isn’t even the right look, Mo. Lindsey is not Hispanic. I believe she’s Italian and Greek. Kate Mansi is also Italian. It is her age that does not jive with me. Lindsey is 36; while Kate is 27. Actually, Abby is supposed to be around 24/25.
The same can be said about Gering. He plays an Hispanic character, but he is Russian and Spanish ( Spaniard, from Spain, Europe).
Plus, if Lindsay, for some odd reason, returns as “Abby”, the character might fall for Brady (and the 3rd time the actors are paired together as a couple again).
And we know what happens when you become Brady’s nth significant other unless your name is Jeanie Theresa Donovan. heh
To bad they cant find someplace for Lindsay Hartley,I always liked her ,but I like her ex even more,hubba hubba,lol
Brooke Newton from AMC 2.0.
Brittany Underwood ex Langston OLTL should be the new Abigail. Brittany is a wonderful actress.
Yes I agree with you Ricardo. Brittany Underwood is a terrific actress and the lady can act and pretty too.
Forgot about her. She would make a good fit
I wish LInsey Godfrey was available…. ( Caroline B&B)
I can’t even think who would make a good Abigail…love how the character has grown over the last few years…why is everyone either leaving or getting knocked off of DOOL??
This is like deja-vu…..I thought this question was already asked? Oh, well! I still content that the part of Abby be played by Kelley Missal OR Lyndsy Fonseca. ….right age and both great talents.
Contend, not content…golly!
I would love to see Marnie Schulenberg, Alison Stewart from ATWT, return to daytime. I found her to be a lovely young actress.
I think Charlotte McKinney should play the role of Abigail Devereaux
for the replacement, I so would love to see Kelley Missel resume the role of Abigail; she fits the bill.
Whoever it ends up being, must have fabulous screen chemistry with Billy Flynn.
I’m just glad that DAYS production… is … “taking” their time… in finding that one great actress….
“The show is seeking very, very strong actors for the role…”
Billy Flynn… deserves it. he needs to be propped with the demise and death of Stefano…
Chad is more than able to carry on the DiMera Empire! altho… he’s more in the same vein as EJ… wavering, between the do good denizens of Salem… and the take charge no holds barred DiMera Mystique
so we’ll see… how Chad plays out… after all he stands to inherit… but what will be his devils advocate? this is when they need to recast for Peter Blake or EJ.
Wow! Amen, Patrick!
Absolutely, Jeremy. The chemistry is essential.
” Val has already experienced great love and great loss in her young life which has left her strong spirit with a fragility she passionately protects. She has a determination to live and love as fearlessly as she can in the wake of all she has been through.:
That could be ANY female soap character past or present. HAHA!
Too bad Kristen Aldreson moved back to the East Coast.
Oh gawd, anyone but kristen alderson!
Yeah. Too bad. 🙂
Good! Keep searching until they find the perfect actress to play her. Too bad they couldn’t have done the same thing when they had to find a new Will, if we have a good actor the character would still be on the show.
Amen. Guy was awful.
arienne leon, ex colleen carlton from y n r!… sony owes her after firing her than killing off her character and her adopted dad brad, such stupidity!
her and jj really look like thet could be siblings too! and she plays rebelious great!
Yes, either Adrienne or Lyndsy Fonseca ( both played Colleen on Y&R) would fit the Abby character like a glove.
Adrianne Leon has been far too irrelevant for a while now. Is she even acting these days?
It says recurring, but the character should be contract. Especially if married to a DiMera. Can you imagine Sami and Abby SILs? OMG!
I do hope they get someone good. The recent recasts have not been good. I fast forwarded through the high school scenes. Belle, Shawn, Philip, and Chloe they are NOT!
Wasn’t fond of who they had. Hope they hire someone with some acting chops that has some range.
I think Days is going to recast Abby.
I believe that the original Abby should come back. Ashley Benson was the perfect Abby. I would love to see Chad and Abby stay together with Thomas. I think the actress should be a blond as the original actor was.
I have watched DOOL since it first aired…..watched with my mother, then when my daughter came along she started watching with me…3 generations! I am very disappointed in the new young actors who appear to be reading lines with little emotion. I am so thinking now is the time to stop watching as it is changing for the worse now with good long time actors being replaced and story lines dragging out! Very disappointed! My daughter has already given it up…..will this be the end of Days….????
For the sake of all those who have worked for years on the soap I hope it is not the end and that somehow like Stefano would say “it will rise from the ashes”. Good luck!
What about Farah Fath who played Mimi?She is a beautiful young lady and a great actress.Loved her.
She is a diva and didn’t she break up with Lavossier (spelling)?
Well, many of the actors on the show are not up to par, I am speaking mostly of the younger set, they are awful.
Kate Mansi was great in the role, and whoever they cast in the role of Abigail, well
she will have tough shoes to fill.
She has great chemistry with her family members and with Chad, and they just can’t throw in “anyone” for that role. So, I hope they find someone with strong acting ability unlike the young actors right now playing supportive roles.
How about the girl who played Lilly on As The World Turns,for the life of me I cannot remember her name but I know what she looks and acts like,she would make a pretty good Abby.Can anyone here act?? lol
BRITTANY UNDERWOOD would be perfect.