Last week, NBC pulled the plug on the medical drama, Brilliant Minds, as the last 6 episodes of its second and final season will begin to air later this month. The series which saw its ratings plummet was taken off the schedule in February, with reports of it being on the bubble until finally the decision was handed down.

Al Calderon, who departed Days of our Lives in the role of Javi Hernandez in 2025 to join the primetime series as Nurse Nico Silva, was a part of the stellar cast that also featured One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) and series star, Zachary Quinto.

On Brilliant Minds, Quinto plays 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.

Photo: NBC

In a real-life twist, Days of our Lives announced Calderon’s successor, Jacob Martinez as the new Javi debuting this June on April 30. Come May 1, NBC canceled Brilliant Minds. Now, on Wednesday, May 6, Al Calderon took a moment to reflect on his experience at Bronx General Hospital, the backdrop of Brilliant Minds, via a post on his Instagram.

“Thank you Brilliant Minds” Calderon began. “What a life changing experience. Met forever friends. Learned from the absolute best. Was reminded that my voice mattered. Learned that it’s okay to believe in yourself. Felt like I was part of something. While our beautiful show has gone onto glory we’ve got 6 more incredible episodes to share with you starting May 27th.”

Al also added, “NBC and Warner Brothers TV, thank you for allowing me to be silly and quippy, Demane Davis, Michael Grassi, David Rapaport, Zachary Quinto, thank you for all of your encouragement and support.”

As his heartfelt post came to a close, Calderon explained why the experience on Brilliant Minds was life-changing: “I’ve been at this a long time and this show gave me hope for the future of my career. I owe it to these incredible individuals. Our crew. Our writers. Our editors. The whole shebang. I love you all endlessly.”

Taking to the comment threads were several of Al’s Brilliant Minds and DAYS former co-stars, and even his successor, Jacob Martinez jumped in and shared, “YOU are brilliant 💕”

What did you think of Al’s heartfelt message about his time on Brilliant Minds? Will you miss seeing him on DAYS and on the primetime series? Looking forward to seeing what he will do next? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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Next month, Jacob Martinez will make his highly-anticipated debut as the recast Javi Martinez on Peacock. Martinez takes over the role from Al Calderon who wraps on-screen in May. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episodes, Jacob has been firmly entrenched in Salem for quite awhile now.

Martinez who is out in real life, shared how he realized the importance of LGBTQ and Latino representation in movies, television and streaming projects, and on DAYS when Javi is now played by Jacob, he will be in the thick of the drama with the man he had married, Leo Stark and the other members of the Hernandez family and more.

The young actor who is also quite the singer, spoke with OUT about working on a soap opera for the first time in his career, and what makes Javi, one of the most beloved and unique character’s on the soaps these days. In an ironic twist, Javi is a paramedic, and Jacob has also worked similarly in a related field.

“Being Hispanic, gay, and an emergency medical technician definitely helped me draw from real-life experiences when I got the role, explained Martinez. “But after reading the first few scripts, it became clear to me what truly drives this character: his heart. Javi is the type of person who constantly puts others before himself — not only on the job, but in his personal life as well.”

JAVI CAN CHANGE LIVES

Jacob who was born in Nebraska, didn’t publicly come out until he was 22, and shared he didn’t have the easiest time growing up: “You can probably imagine what it was like growing up as a closeted, gay, Christian boy in a conservative red state, with a preacher for a grandfather and a dash of Hispanic intolerance.”

Speaking on his takeaway from his time thus far inhabiting the on-screen life of Javi Hernandez on the long-running soap, Martinez expressed, “The truth is, Javi is the kind of character I wish I could have looked up to on television as a kid. Getting the chance to hopefully be that inspiration for another kid somewhere in a small town makes it all worthwhile.”

Make sure to circle June 30 for the new Javi to show up on your screens in Salem. Now the question is, will he be back in the story with a new love, trying to get back with Leo, or will forces keep them continually apart?

What did you think about Jacob’s thoughts on the importance of having a role model such as Javi for young latino and gay men to look up to on TV and to see themselves reflected in our pop culture? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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Two-time Daytime Emmy winning star, Eileen Davidson shared many tidbits about her life on and off screen in the latest edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart that dropped today on Tuesday, May 5.

Davidson best-known for her enduring role as Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless, the OG Kristen DiMera and Susan Banks of Days of our Lives, has also been featured in the cast of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, played Ashley on Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful and was a recast Kelly Capwell on the critically-acclaimed Santa Barbara. All that, plus numerous other TV, motion picture and book projects along the way.

Doing a deep-dive on Eileen, with Eileen, Budig and Rikaart hit upon some interesting moments in her career and upbringing. First, as it turns out, Eileen had a favorite soap opera growing up … and it was none other than ABC’s Ryan’s Hope.

Photo: CBS

Davidson shared, “I moved in with my sister when I was 16, 17. I was her nanny when she had her kids, and she was in love with Ryan’s Hope. So, she got me hooked on Ryan’s Hope, and by the way, Ryan’s Hope was brilliant. The whole cast was incredible and the writing. That was the show my sister watched. I would come home from school because I would be done by noon and we’d watch that together.

GENERAL HOSPITAL MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOAP HOME

Before becoming Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 1982, Davidson professed she was going out for many roles on ABC’s General Hospital. Eileen explained, “I had been auditioning for General Hospital, constantly. Marvin Paige was the casting director at the time. He was an incredible casting person, the kind that would call you at home and tell you to come in the day before and he’d work on (the audition) with you. He was very gruff. He was very scary, but he would work on it with me. He really wanted me on that show.”

“It was during the whole Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) thing,” Eileen recalled. “I believe right before Demi Moore (ex-Jackie Templeton) came on, or right around that time, and he was really trying to get me on that show.” Davidson clarified that she believes the roles she did audition for at GH, are not characters that are currently still on the show, but back when she auditioned were, “big ones at the time.” Next, Eileen shared she landed the role of Y&R’s Ashley.

Photo: JPI

KATHERINE KELLY LANG – THE QUEEN OF B&B

Back in 2006, Eileen exited The Young and the Restless, only for Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer, B&B) to bring the character of Ashley Abbott from Genoa City to Los Angeles and the world of The Bold and the Beautiful. While, there, Ashley shared a story with Ridge (then Ronn Moss) and worked with original star series star, Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke).

“When I went over there, that show was so terrific. It’s a dream to work on,” recalled Davidson. “It’s a beautifully produced show. I worked with Kelly, who was lovely. She’s a lovely person to represent her show.  She’s amazing, she really is. I don’t know if everybody knows that about her. She handles that mantle beautifully. She’s very welcoming. (One time) she invited all the actresses to do a cooking thing at the Four Seasons in Westlake, and we made butternut squash soup!”

Now below, watch Eileen’s sit-down chat with Rebecca Budig (Taylor, B&B) and Greg Rikaart (Leo, DAYS) on the latest edition of Soapy.

Then let us know, would you have loved to see Eileen on GH? If so, what role? What do you think Eileen being a big fan of the critically-lauded Ryan’s Hope? Did you enjoy Ashley’s jaunt to The Bold and the Beautiful? Let us know in the comment section.