Days Of Our Lives
Mark Hapka speaks out on online chat on his axing from DAYS!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
As reported a few days ago, Days of our Lives Mark Hapka (Nathan Horton) had been suddenly let-go by the NBC sudser. Hapka, who was extremely disappointed by the news, took to an online chat to tell his side of the story and to engage with his fans, who are extremely saddended by his ouster, as the young actor is very popular!
Here are a just a few excerpts below of Hapka’s comments from that chat that were posted on the Daytime Royalty message board, “I spoke with show executives a few months back to discuss my concerns with the direction of the character. I felt similar to the way my fans are all feeling. I didn’t feel as though I was given a fair chance to show my ability. I felt my stories were treated entirely too casually. I asked nicely for DAYS to either utilize me, or let me go. Ken Corday is a good man, Gary Tomlin really believed in me from what I was told. As far as Dena Higley goes… we don’t speak. We never really have. We may have uttered a few words once during the Emmys. That’s it though. I don’t know who got the final say but that person is going to be the demise of this show if there isn’t a power shift. I’m not trying to burn any bridges in any way here. I am simply given credit where credit is due. I haven’t said an ill word about anyone. I simply have an opinion of the collaborative efforts. I see so much potential in the show and it’s so clear to me some of the simple changes that can be made to better it.”
Hapka’s final airdate is still undisclosed at this time. On-Air On-Soaps will keep you posted.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
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Very sad but Mark is a good looking actor with talent so he will do fine.
He can make it to the big screen for sure. He’s also worked with James Franco as well. Good actor!!!!
After those tweets, Daytime soaps are probably not going to hire him. He seems completely miscast as a doctor also.
so sad to see him go!!!
The chemistry between Nathan and Melanie is so much stronger than the chemistry with Melanie and Phillip. There hasn’t been a stronger pair since the young Bo and Hope. Days is making a HUGE mistake. They wonder why they are having low ratings….well I believe it’s bad choices. I hope Mr. Corday rethinks this decision. I will no longer watch DOOL but I will follow and support Mark.
I strongly agree,that nathan &melanie have great chemistry,I would rather see them together,then Phillip & Melanie.I wish they would give Nathan a chance,he is great on our eyes,so attractive,and has great potential to be a great actor if given the chance,like Bo had with Hope.Melanie is a hot fire redhead,like Maggie,and they would make a great couple on dool,I wish the writers would keep him on,and get Chloe together with Phillip,it would be a better story line,to show Victor & Kate that Phillip belongs with Chloe,I would rather see Chloe with her husband,they had a great chemistry too.Phillip does nothing for me.Stephanie is the one that should be leaving,not Nathan! need to get another male actor for chloe ,or a better phillip.Writers need to give Nathan a chance,he has a lot going for him!I like Nicole back too,I hope they keep her,since they let Marlena & John gone.I like the new Brady for her.
I agree, i watch days to follow the story of Nathan and Mel. I’m sick to death of Samantha Brady!
If DOOL doesn’t rethink this decision they won’t have any ratings coming from my house.
He is right in what he had to say about the writers,for the past 4 year it’s all about THE DiMera’s,I want The Horton charecters back and Bryan Dattilo/Lucas back.
Over lunch today I was surprised to find out how many of my co-workers watch Days of Our Lives. They were shocked to hear about Mark Hapka being let go and said that they too would fast forward to scenes between Melanie and Nathan. They make the show worth watching. Although I like many of the actors on the show, they were one of my favorite couples. I won’t be watching if Mark is gone. The producers and writers will probably regret this move once they see how many viewers they will lose.
“I see so much potential in the show and it’s so clear to me some of the simple changes that can be made to better it.”
I agree 100% with what Mark said. I wasn’t a big fan of Nathan or Mate but I think it is sad Mark is being let go especially considering the reasons. It is interesting to see that some of the actors are as frustrated with the same things that we viewers are. I really hope this will be a wake up call for whoever is in charge and that they will make necessary changes to better the show overall ASAP.
I too am very saddened to read that Mark Hapka who plays Nathan is leaving the show. I feel that he and Melanie are a great pair and have wonderful chemistry with each other. I agree that they should let Stephanie go, she has not got the talent that Mark has, and I never liked those 2 together anyway. I think it will be another mistake like letting John, Marlena, and Lindsey Hartley go, she is also another talented lady.
I think it’s time that I give this show up, everytime you really like someone on the show, they let them go. Bad decision Days of Our Lives, you need to think of the fans out there that are keeping the show on the air.