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
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as 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.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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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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.