Days Of Our Lives
Mike Manning On His DAYS Departure: “Thank You to NBC, to Everyone Involved, and Most of All to the Fans That Were Along for the Ride With This Crazy Character.”
Now it’s the end of the line for Charlie on Days of our Lives, his portrayer Mike Manning took to his Instagram for some parting words of his time in Salem playing this very bad dude.
As Days fans know, many people wanted Charlie dead, and now he is! Thus begins a good old fashioned soap murder mystery on the long-running NBC soap opera, the question now is, who ultimately did the deed?
Photo: JPI
After getting a copy of the latest Soap Opera Digest on newsstand now, which features, “Who Killed Charlie?” on the cover, Manning shared in a post on Friday: Everybody has a motive to want this guy dead.” 😂 Not exactly how I pictured my first soap magazine cover, but at least we’re having a good time with it. It’s been fun Salem. I’ll love you all forever. ✌🏼💙. Thank you to NBC, to everyone involved, and most of all to the fans that were along for the ride w/ this crazy character. You’re amazing. I’ll always be grateful for you. Excited to share what’s next as soon as I can. Arrivederci. -Charlie/Mike”
So place your bets on who will turn out to be the murderer via the comment section below and let us know what you thoughts on Mike’s run on DAYS!
View this post on Instagram
I’m sad to see Charlie go as he brought drama and I liked the actor. But, as we know, he can always come back! 🙂
Mr. Manning, thank you for your outstanding work on DOOL! I was hoping that the character of Charlie Dale — or is it “Del?” or “Dill?” I was never certain — would somehow be able to continue in the role. You are an appealing, fantastic actor with great range and presence.
If your character were on GH, the character might have had a chance, as that show has staked its franchise on the glorification of criminals: first, for decades, rapist Luke Spencer, then, for decades, murderer/abuser/mob boss Sonny. Maybe if Herb Alpert’s “Rise” had been playing during the flashback rape scenes, it would have helped.
Nonetheless, you have many fans thanks to DOOL, and we eagerly anticipate good things for you, Mr. Manning!
Well, it’s not like Days hasn’t redeemed its share of vile characters… Ben Weston’s a “reformed” serial killer, for Hell’s sake!
And then there’s Elvis “EJ” DiMera who went from Sami’s rapist to the so-called “love of her life”. Pretty much the same thing with his adopted sister, Kristen.
And even right now, ReRon is doing his damnedest to turn Ava Vitali and even Gwen (Rizchek?? Deveraux?? what are we calling her now??) into some sort of sympathetic victims we’re supposed to feel sorry for, due to the family circumstances they were raised in.
Stefan DiMera couldn’t really be redeemed, so they brought him back as a twin brother. Considering how Ava seems to have forgotten Charlie’s entire existence until just recently, how the Hell do we know she didn’t also forget he had a twin brother. So maybe (in the words of my neighbor Poppy Bush) we’ll see a “kindler, gentler” Charlie in the form of his twin brother down the road.
Sonny & Luke got new leases on life because they were too good to be thrown away after 13 weeks. Charlie as a character? No chance in Hell… but Mike Manning under a new character? Who knows.
Saying I always agree with Satan is a scary thing! But, I do. Your comments are right on the mark! Here’s a question; who the hell is his father? Dale/Del/Dill? She’s Ava Vitale, this week she said his father was a guy named Jimmy Jackamo……don’t get me started on that. Once again Ron can’t tell a straight story. And suddenly she has a picture of holding Charlie as a baby??? Oh M Gee.
Moto62
I had read somewhere that Jake might turn out to be his bio dad, since Charley, Ava, Jake and Gwen all come from Penn.but that hasn’t panned out.
Oddly enough, when Gabi mentioned “Ava Vitali, mafia princess” to Jake today, there was no reaction from him.
Not saying he was necessarily Charlie’s daddy, but given his past dealings with “the Philadelphia mob”, it seems unlikely that he would not recognize Ava’s name. Unless there’s some other Philly mob family out there (possibly another one of ReRon’s dumb inside jokes for the OLTL fans, since that show was based in PA)
Gwen & Jake – by all rights – should already know Ava, and probably Charlie too. But they seem to be forgetting where these two allegedly came from, since they moved into the DiMera mansion.
Yes, everything you say makes sense but why did they stress from the beginning that Jake came from Philly, bringing Gwen along with him. We know they don’t say things that don’t mean anything, or will in the future. Also, sending Steve and John to Philly to talk/threaten Ava’s cousin and later on Victor himself to settle the wimpy Philip’s problems with the “family” has got to tie in to Jake. I can’t believe it’s just coincidence that he was from there and had been tied in with the mob. Also, what about that book, remember the one he had that he said belonged to the big boss?
I know there are more than one mob in a city, especially one as notorious as Philly but with their tentacles reading out to Salem via Ava,Charley,and possibly Jake is very interesting to say the least.
Unlike what happened with the rapist Luke Spencer on GH, the writers on DOOL understand that there is no justifiable redemption for rapist Charlie or any other.
Huh? Current DAYS head writer, Ron Carlivati, wrote years of storylines for Todd Manning (OLTL) and started the “redemption path” for Franco when he reintroduced the character to GH.
Well, the writer on DOOL gave serial killer Ben Weston a free pass, didn’t he? Similar what he did on GH… except Frodd isn’t really so much the serial killer Franco, but more like the serial rapist Todd, pretending to be the serial killer Franco (hence the name “Frodd”)
What Luke did way back in the disco era doesn’t really bear any resemblance to Charlie, Ben, or Frodd. And while the GH writers did a retcon of Luke’s backstory to explain some of his other actions later in life (and botched it badly) they never tried to negate Luke’s rape with “magic DVDs”, a brain tumor, or some sad story about how “mommy never loved me”.
I know DOOL isn’t taping eight months in advance anymore, so why did the writers not change the direction of this storyline? Were they not aware of the fans not liking Charlie? The show needed a character that wasn’t a Horton, Brady or DiMera, I am hoping Mike will be back on the show as a “third” son to Ava. If not, maybe a recast for Dillion Quartermaine on GH?????
He might work as a Morgan Corinthos recast on GH (assuming Bryan Craig doesn’t come back). He’s slightly old for the part (same age as Chad Duel who plays Michael) but in the soap world it’s not that uncommon to play a few years younger than you actually are. Especially when characters who really should still be in grade school have been SORASed to adulthood and nobody really remembers how old they are supposed to be now.
But I could definitely see him as a Corinthos. And given his portrayal of Charlie’s mental issues, he could probably pull off a Morgan bi-polar meltdown, if necessary.
In sorry to see Charlie go. Mike Manning is a fabulous actor and is one to watch.
Are we to think it’s only the people on the cover because I like the idea of it being Belle too. She told him she’d kill him. I’d even like it to be Claire. Isn’t Drake being written off? John killing Charlie intrigues me.
Sami is being charged and that’s too obvious. Ava doing it? I don’t think she would since they are making her a redemption character which, yuck.
I don’t think it’s Allie.
Honestly, I thought Ron would write Gwen into the mystery and she would kill him for her former friendship with Claire. What was the point of those scenes where Gwen & Charlie were talking anyway?
All that being said, I hope it’s Lucas. I love Lucas and Bryan Datillo. Lucas FTW!
Sami is obviously not the killer, but she’s covering for somebody. Allie would be the obvious choice there. Not to say Allie is the killer either, but Sami may THINK she is, which led her to attempt to tamper with the crime scene, which she was doing when Rafe showed up.
John is a viable suspect because he blacked out during the time of the shooting. He was near the crime scene by his own admission (to Marlena) but has no memory of actually going into Charlie’s apartment. But the last thing we saw from him on Friday was flashing back on the sound of a gun shot.
Would Sami also cover up for John? Yeah, because she still feels guilty over causing his aneurysm, and Hell knows he hasn’t been the same since that happened. That said, I doubt John did it either. But he probably saw the killer enter or leave the apartment, heard the gun shot and then blacked out from the residual effects of the aneurysm in his head.
Lucas will obviously be considered a suspect at some point, because he was dumb enough to threaten to kill Charlie right in the middle of Horton Square with several witnesses present. And Lucas would give a false confession to protect Allie, if he thought she did it. We know this, because he already did that for Will, when he was a teenager & shot EJ in the ass.
Gwen would be an interesting suspect, but she’s already apparently going to get away with killing Laura. No way they pin this one on her too. But the real question I have, is…. shouldn’t Gwen & Charlie already have known each other before they came to Salem? You may recall the back story of Gwen & Jake is that they were hiding from the “Philly mob”. And the Philly mob is the Vitali crime family. Oddly enough, I don’t think Jake & Charlie ever had scenes together, nor has Jake been in the same room with Ava that I can remember. But if they were all part of the Vitali circle, it’s not much of a stretch that they would know each other. At one point, I actually thought they were going to make Jake into Charlie’s father (though he doesn’t look old enough for a son that age) because Ava had never mentioned the father’s name until just this week. “Jimmy Jackamo” or something ridiculous like that??
Love him or hate him ( the character), Manning put out an outstanding performance from the onset. He is so versatile, so believable, he should get an award for his short stint.——Awesome!!
Cherlie’s fate was sealed from the onset, nonetheless, many a baddie received his/her redemption –given time. Look at Jack. He raped Kayla….among other “things”. It’s normal fodder for soaps.
I guess TPTB needed him to redeem Ava?—to “unite” Tripp and Allie?
Perhaps, Manning will pop ip elsewhere.
Aside—is Marcie enceinte?
Sorry but I for one did not care for his character.He is a good actor.Good luck in whatever you do.
Friends and Fans,. HELP me remember another soap years ago when a woman character so glad someone died, went up and shot the corpse at a funeral service. This thing with Sammy shooting Charlie for the second time brought back memories, but not enough details.
Shooting a corpse in Salem might not be such a bad idea. If for no other reason than to make sure they’re dead, and less likely to become a Rolf zombie and return a few months later.
Thanks, was hoping Michael F. or maybe some other old timer like me would have some memories of this incident in soap history.
Oddly enough, I do seem to remember some sort of funeral shooting like the one you describe. But I’ll be eternally damned if I can remember what show it was, who the corpse was, or who did the shooting.
Days & GH are the only two soaps that have aired continuously down here in Hell, so if I saw it, it would most likely be on one of those two.
Unless it was on a prime time show. Wouldn’t be surprised if somebody didn’t try to write that scenario more than once.
Satan
Thanks for trying. I think I have watched so many over the years I get them all mixed up in my head.
I really believe John shot Charlie and telling his wife that he heard the load noise, before he blacked out. If this turns out to be true, he will hopefully not be convicted because of his medical condition, whereas one of the other suspects will be facing prison. When are they ever going to find out that Charlie was shot twice, and get a credible ballistic report?
Bring Mike over to Y&R; we need some talented eye candy.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Heather Tom Talks Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and What’s Behind Katie’s Deep-Seated Issues with Dylan (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Did Brook Lynn Deserve Chase Walking Out on Her?
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
-
News6 days agoVivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
-
News1 day agoJess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
-
General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
-
General Hospital4 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Bluesy Burke Marks 1 Year as Charlotte Cassadine: ‘It’s The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received’
-
News4 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Drops First Look 40th Anniversary Opening Title Sequence
