Days Of Our Lives
Patrick Muldoon Speaks Out On His Exit from Days of our Lives!
Courtesy/NBC
Patrick Muldoon, who was part of the first wave of casting casualties, as Days of our Lives tries again to reposition itself with the audience and the ratings, opened up to Soap Opera Digest in the latest issue on newsstands now! Muldoon expressed his disappointment at how Austin Reed was portrayed and shared what he had hoped would have happened in his return to the role after 18 years away from Salem. Here are a few excerpts below!
Patrick discussing what went wrong with his return to DAYS: “I was all set to come back and be the romantic hero with a broken heart. That’s who the guy was when I left. What I walked back into was pretty much the disintegration of Austin. Not one thing went right for him. I thought that was out of the ordinary and pretty creative. Truthfully, Austin and Carrie had to be broken up anyway for story. But in the back of my head, when I would get the scripts, I was always waiting for that turn where the character would be allowed to be heroic and not passive. That’s who Austin was when I originally played him. So leaving, without seeing that happen, was sad for me.”
Patrick on if he sensed there were potential problems that would leave to him being written-off the series: “I would have really liked to be around to see Austin man up and claim what is his. When I thought Austin was really strong, the story continued that he was passive. That’s not our former head writers, Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas’s fault. Those decisions were made by whoever behind the scenes. I didn’t necessarily know I was leaving. I just sensed something was up.”
So what do you think about how DAYS wrote Austin? Are you sad to see Patrick go from the series? Let us know!
He was wrong for the role since Austin Peck. AP should’ve returned, not Patrick Muldoon. He wasn’t right for the role anymore. Plus, they ruined everything Austin/Carrie.
I hate to agree because I hated AP in his run and PM is a vastly superior actor but, yeah, it is one of these times where the character somehow got away from its creator even if people always thought of *him* as the character. It is a bit the same with Billie, I think. I know LR *is* Billie but somehow she is not playing Billie the way we think of Billie now.
Anyway a lot of people have come down on the fact PM looks older than Austin is supposed to be which is part of it but I think the interview illuminates the deeper problem. Austin was *not* the character PM describes anymore by the time AP was done with him but we had gotten used to who he was – good-hearted dumb-as-stumps Austin. That PM didn’t realize that certainly explains the misunderstanding. Too much water under the bridge.
In the end I do feel it was a waste of a return because, in the understandable urge to break Austin and Carrie up for sake of story, they didn’t play them in a sympathetic or compelling light. It is too bad coz those two are good characters and two good actors.
Also, instead of putting bland Rafe with every woman of that age group, I think an Austin/Nicole testing of the waters would have been interesting and had more story potential.
Agree… Austin and Nicole would be an interesting pairing!
LOL… “…good-hearted dumb-as-stumps Austin.” Too Funny. it’s true. Austin Peck grew on us. When he moved to ATWT… then OLTL.. low and behold.. soap digest etc… were praising his acting chops…. LOL. He Manned up. that being said… the original, Patrick Muldoon… with the current writers… didn’t have a chance…. He does have a comedic side to him…. I laughed out loud with him… in his acting the well done story… with the couger Abby. The lil hot vixen. I sincerely liked having him and carrie…. home… we grew up with so many day time actors… HEY, I READILY ADMIT… I’VE BEEN WATCHING SOAPS FOR OVER 30 YEARS. When patrick muldoon, was on the first time, and the ORIGINAL, i was just as excited for his and carrie’s return. the writing was so much better.
Carrie is the one i’m going to miss the most. She’s perfect with Sammi, and Marlena… I’ll say this for the last time… She was very believeable with RAFE. yeah, rafe’s acting is always “suspect”. he’s easy on the eyes. but, with Carrie… they have chemistry. i read in soap digest.. that she’s pregnant… easy way out for her and austin to re-unite and leave salem…. TOO BAD. Carrie’s a heroine and just as good as Sammi.
like you said… Billie’s, Lisa Rinna, is our original… however, it’s not the same… they’re not writing for her as well… people screamed and freaked… when she came between Bo & Hope… so what to do? I honestly, liked her with Robert Kelker-Kelly… dag! the reaked SEX together. HOT. also, because of the writing… I really liked Krista Allen: remember when she lost Georgia? Man, I cried… that was so good. So, alas, i’m a devoted follower of Lisa Rinna’s… however, unless they find someone for her… and i don’t see it with Daniel… i’ll get over billie as well.
Sorry, Jack. they shouldn’t have had him, being held hostage… he should have been with Jenn and Abby from the get go… and interacting with Adrienne, and Justine… and working at the paper… being a sleuth… like the old days…
Geez! DAYS, DOOL… is red carpeting with 15 emmy nods… as long as Will.. chandler massey… WINS… i’ll be happy. i have to keep on championing my favorite soap. Alice Hortons spirit…. it’s about family… Hint: writers.
if Sarah Brown, goes back to GH.. like fans want… Johnny is an excellent actor… i think she’d be good with Jason…. which, i must say… i, so far, don’t like how they’re writing him and Sam…. i understand she’s pregnant with francos baby… jasons twin…. i still think sam… ok, robin’s alive, but sam, for story, should be with Patrick…. two lost “souls”… the love of their lives… “gone”. Patrick and Sam gravitating to each other…. she, wanting a family, and love… and Patrick… has to find a way to get over Robin… and give his daughter, a family.
They really rested on hearing the names PATRICK MULDOON and CHRISTIE CLARK together again. I can honestly say they kept saying they kept hearing they wanted PM back, but I heard more more of a pro-AP movement.
SJB wouldn’t go back as Claudia. She’ll either retire from daytime or go back into primetime. Of course, they could welcome her back, but that is IF she decides she’d go back. But I don’t see a GH return for her, I think she’d rather go back to B&B. Or even do Y&R as Victoria.
I couldn’t disagree with you more. Patrick Muldoon IS Austin. The writers have just butchered the character and it’s a damned shame. I’m SO disappointed in what Days is doing. Once again, it has become the “Sami Brady” show and that’s so boring it’s ridiculous. I had hoped DOOL was finally on the way to reclaiming it’s status but sadly they are just destroying it. I also agree, Austin with Nicole would be interesting. If they HAD to get rid of a character it should have been Rafe IMO.
I’m sorry but PM is not Austin. He’s too emotionally disconnected from the character. If AP had been playing this material, it would’ve been stronger and more of a welcome to people. Plus, PM doesn’t look attractive anymore. He looks 60. It’s NBC trying to control the series instead of letting the Head Writers do their jobs.
Days is not much more a ‘Sami show’ than a Nicole show or a Rafe show or even a John/Marlena show..although these last two are core characters as well as Sami who drives story because she has the ties and the complex characterisation, dynamics with other important characters. End of story.
So glad AP did not return. Never liked him as Austin. He can’t act.
I gotta agree with you Mo. Austin Peck couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag. Would NOT have looked forward to having him back at all.
Afraid not pm was better as austin.
I was very sorry to hear Patrick was let go from Days. TPTB have made Austin look like a weepy, groveling wimp, which was not the way Austin ever was. I hope he finds work soon and am sad to see him go. 🙁
I am a fairly new viewer of Days (about 6 years now). I am a 40+ year fan of abc soaps and what I have discovered (and I know alot of you will go crazy) is the acting on Days sucks! They are writing Patrick M like a real idiot. While I realize he loves Carrie his declarations of love make me want to vomit. He maybe the original but it is no longer his role. Austin Peck was much better in the role. I do agree he is too old to play the role any longer. Speaking of old….. Lisa Rinna is a joke as Billie! Her scenes with Kate are laughable at best. Billie looks older than her mother! I always was a Lisa Rinna fan but the way she plays Billie is a joke. Her acting is starined and even she looks like she doesn’t believe herself. Just because an actor returns to a role he created doesn’t mean the role is still theirs. A perfect example of that is OLTL’s ” tale of 2 Todds” so many people wanted Trevor St. John to be Todd as he made the role his in the time he was there. Roger Howarth was the original but St. John evolved. Brilliant writing made the story work. Days is in need of some serious help right now and I do hope they can fix the show as I would hate to lose yet another soap.
I totally agree Austin makes me gag he is such a wimp OMG. Billie should be gone to sorry I can’t handle her either. What are they doing to Days I have watched it ever since it started and its getting to where I can’t handle watching it. If someone isn’t in bed sucking face – someone is having someone else’s baby. It use to have a story line now its getting to be so trashy I don’t look forward to watching it. When Sammi comes on I switch the channel. Need new writes
Patrick will always be Austin…..they ruined his character. Wish they didn’t let him go.
So sad what they did to Austin… Patrick is great and did well with what he was given. He’s absolutely adorable still and wish him the best in finding something else. DOOL is having it’s challenges and I am getting so tired of all of the shake-ups and repositioning and the Horton Town Square! They must have spent a mint on it because it is the star of the show.
I HATE to see Patrick leave!!! Days is losing a great actor! I really wish the new writers could find a way for him to stay!
Patrick is one of the nicest, funniest actors I’ve ever talked to. I wish Patrick nothing but the best wherever he may roam.
Yep he is fun and funny, great sense of humor and sarcasm..too bad his character Austin is a pathetic bore (although better than Rafe the Hero)
Honestly, I thought Patrick was the one and only Austin, but something was missing this time around. DAYS keeps rebooting and promising happier days ahead. I’ve heard this for over a decade now. The show just does not work, and you can change the head writers and the producers, rotate cast members in and out continuously, but the common denominator is Ken Corday. DAYS and Y&R both need a Ron Carlivati/Frank Valentini dream team.
You are right on one count and on the dream not so much.
PM was good years ago and that was the reason he went to Melrose Place (if I am correct), but this time around, his character was not fully developed and it was poorly written. He should have been paired with an older woman; he could have played the rescuer instead of Rafe. BTW, I like him — he is just a good egg with morals, and he appeals to minority viewers. I think it is a shame that PM and other who are leaving were not utilized. This show is like a yo-yo; if it does not work — get rid of this one, bring someone new in but don’t write for them either, and bring some one old back. Also, I remember when I was a kid, this show was the Julie hour; then the Marlena years, but whoever thinks obnoxious Sammy works needs to have his/her head examined.
Sami WORKS !!! She is the most complex and dynamic character on the canva HANDS DOWN, hate her, like her she is interesting to watch.
After that the writing stays bad, most of the storylines are weak and boring (except Sami stories actually) and they should use in a better way other characters..but really these bitter comments against Sami are pathetic and innacurate..without her this show would be EVEN MORE boring and the ‘haters’ would be frustrated with the search of another scapegoat..lol
it is the sami show… for good reason… like you said… she’s complex, and dynamic… no matter who she shares the screen with… she’s a viable… addition to this show… that being said… i’m most sad, about Carrie leaving… don’t you agree? that sammi and carrie… are the perfect two some, sisters, DAYS Heroines, that would center the show? I say his cause, carrie, of all the newcomers and returnee’s.. who’ve come back… she’s done the best work.
Sucks that he was written so badly for. They finally got the original Austin and Carrie and dropped the ball, majorly!
The current regime ruined Austin and Carrie. Too bad. I used to like the characters, now I can’t wait to see them go. Take John Black with you.
They didn’t write good story. Having Abby go cuckoo totally went against who the character was. I’m sad to see Patrick and Austin go.
Frankly, I would have bought an Austin/Will pairing. PM’s acting this time around just lends itself to it.
LOL. I’m not the only one who saw this… it was laugh out loud, entertaining… his eye contact, body language, hands flitting to and fro… camp entertainment.
altho, i couldn’t see him with Will. Dag! Even Carrie, was struggling with intimate sceneries… LOL. alas, we got the one good story with Austin and Salem’s HOT lil’ Vixen, Hot about town Abby.
with all due respect… the original, Austin, PM…. was nice to see…. The Writers lost him. DAYS – Keep Carrie. Hire Eileen Davidson, as Kristen, to helm the DiMera Empire and lock horns with Marlena.. over John.
Hello! Will is his half-nephew! Gross!
I was so excited to watch Days again for Carrie and Austin. They are my favorite couple. Man, was I let down. After a 5-year hiatus, I came back to Days expecting love and romance with Carrie and Austin. Instead I suffered through 7+ months of crap only for my couple to be sent packing. Days has screwed me over for the last time—-when Carrie and Austin leave, I leave. If Carrie returns without Austin, I won’t watch. I want my couple back together!
Patrick is the right Austin. Austin Peck was good, but Patrick will always be the best. I don’t blame him. It was the horrible, awful, shoddy writing that did in Austin this time around. Peck would have floundered terribly with this writing because he just isn’t a strong actor. Patrick at least did his best with what he was given.
Such a shame. When Carrie, Austin, Jack, John and Marlena came back, I was really hoping Days was on the right track. Sadly, I’m done for good now. They blew all their chances.
This is such a sad thing. Austin really should have been given the chance to become a solid force — a strong man with a strong vision that could overshadow Carrie’s foolishness. And, the actor is SO good at his craft! What a sincere and believable Austin Reed he has created. I hope the best for Patrick — I am very impressed with his work.
As Patrick said, he needed a much stronger role. He is a strong actor and could have been good with the right character development and storyline. The problem is (was) that he was not right for the role they were giving him. Too bad that the writers, TPTB were not able to tap into his ability and potential. I would have liked to have seen him have his own story line – he would have made a great journalist investigating a story. They could have teamed him up with Jack. It is a shame they dropped the Afghanistan/Vet story line that could have been interesting. I saw someone say that he should have been teamed with Nicole. Yes, that could have been an interesting dynamic. Patrick needed to be with a stronger actress. Best of luck Patrick!
Back in the Day, Muldoon as the original Austin was fantastic. I was looking forward to his return. In truth, acting-wise, Muldoon is a a far better actor than he was years ago. He played his role full of emotion and truth, and even though the writing REALLY sucked these past few months, he did a good job portraying his role. However, and this is the sucky part, although Muldoon is a better actor these days, he just doesn’t have any chemistry with Carrie (Christie Clarke), and he no longer LOOKS like a young soap star stud (sorry). I found myself looking at Muldoon, and wishing that A Peck was back on. Peck is still hot and seems to have great chemistry with whomever he works with. Muldoon was great, way back when he started- but that was over 18 years ago. Perhaps he shouldn’t have been so quick to leave the show for “brighter pastures” back when the role was truly his.
Well said… this, it would seem, has happened, to both Austin and Billie. They are both, still, very likeable, and capable. Just wish the writing, and the producing… were better equipped to supporting their cast.
Glad he and Jack are leaving. Both are a bore because of the writers, and I prefer Carrie with Rafe. Bt Austin with Nicole would have been nice, at least as a short fling because EJole are written in the stars. Ian should leave, too, with Stefano. Both are useless and take up too much time with the same old storylines. I’d say to keep Carrie and Madison because the pairings of Cafe and Bradison are perfect. But why are Roman, Doug, Julie and Caroline still there when they do not do anything? Maggie and Victor are finally getting screentime, yay! But I think Jack and Austin are a waste of time.
I agree with you 100%. I like Carrie & Rafe together too. Sami never deserved anybody that good.
U got that right! Sami barely deserves Lucas! But I still love Lumi.
Carrie is lily white saint and sami is the real thing, she flawed but she way better character.
Patrick was doomed by that new haircut.
Really? How dumb are you
Clearly smart enough to know a bad haircut when I see one.
It does not matter so much what a character or actor hair looks like, but their acting does count. Get your properties straight.
R u kidding me. Patrick was, by far, the worse Austin Reed between the two. For the years he been acting. PM should be ashamed. There’s another interview doing the rounds were Pat is clearly puting the writers at fault. Pat it is not the writers fault. When u have a much older character paired up with a teen u going to have problems, this is N0T the fault of the writers. This is solely the fault of Patrick’s sick fanbase who wrote in to make that happen!! Patrick sucked with every actor he was paired up with, including Lauren K (his TV mom.) He had no chemistry what so ever opposite Christie Clark. Days writers did write for Patrick he was even given a different Career part. The Abby donors storyline was introduced that’s exactly where Pat left of. Sami was even banished from PM orbit. Days writers went far and beyond trying to make it work. Those that state otherwise clearly failed to watch in the early 90’s. PM expresses Austin should have beaten Rafe to a pulp. News flash Austin is suppose to be character that as worked passed that (PM version promised Carrie dad he would change so he would be allowed in her life) this Austin is new in town. It be unrealistic for him to fly off the handles. For every little. Thing Of cause Rafe was going to punch his lights out. The last time Pat’s Austin was in a fight he (took a bribe) and lost a fight. was punched out. In fact Pat version labeled a fighter has never “fought“ and successfully won So again the writers were playing off that. The whole Scrap book is reminiscent of Carrie and Austin ”when Carrie prawn of her earrings to buy Austin records. For his record player and. Austin selling his records to buy Carrie earrings back Then both of them realizing what they had done. It totally fits in with PM version of the 90. The only Austin that fought off a Rafe type , Lucas type , Ej type was Austin Peck’s version of Austin. Its funny how when it suits PM’s cause then Austin Reed should be like Pecks version. Its no secret that AP use to get in heat conversations with the writers over the writing of AR. And now that I think about it this could be why AP version never lost a beat down, when it came to Carrie. Only loosing to Brandon. Like another poster as said Patrick should have never left Dool in the first place when the role was truly his. These days The only Austin Reed that true Caustin fans care for is Austin Peck’s. AP has grown as and actor. I foved him on ATWT. Brad Snyder was freaken adorable, opposite Henry and Katie. I hope the days writers bring AP back. Because Carrie and Austin have a huge market. Believe me. Just as big as any other fanbase out there.the problem is when other fanbase start having an opinion.
Patrick muldoon was so a way better actor to played austin than peck was; the problem was the austin he played 15 yrs ago was a stronger man rugged and heartbreaker and he came played a water down version of what austin use to be. Austin peck verison is basically what pm had to played. He is better actor and need meatier material. Pm deserve better.
Hey we guess what it was not writers fault but he higher ups and austin peck has grown as a actor but his version strip and begged to keep carrie and did not hardly fight mike for carrie.
Hog wash Austin Peck version would never have been paired up with a little girl. Peck’s version would have share more scenes with Carrie!! Had more chemistry Every time Pat was paired up viewers and ratings sank! Pats voice. Is creepy Atleast when Peck was on he never affected the ratings, like Pat did. PM took a great character an has ruined it. Strong actor my foot if Pat was such a strong actor he would still be on the show. Because is acting would have saved him, like with Christie. Funny how patrick solely puts the blame on the writers. His return was a major fail. And I’m sure as damaged any future acting work.
He did not blame the writers but the higher ups retard
Hey Well AP is back this time. Austin, Carrie, and Sami are back because of Will’s return from the grave storyline. Will’s return is going to be huge this January! Anna is behind it, Sami knows something, and I think Austin, Carrie will know something. Chandler Massey did say in a interview that he loved the uncle nephew chemistry with AP this time. Will’s return is going to have the town in chaos and Ryan Quan teased it’s not your average return from the dead! Alison Sweeney has signed a contract deal but did say that Sami’s return builds up to Austin, Carrie, and Will’s returns. When asked if the old Sami/Austin romance could be rekindled, Ali Sweeney did say Austin will be there for her through a lot of changes which upsets Carrie.
I THINK IT IS RIDICUOUS THAT AUSTIN IS WRITTEN OFF SHOW!
HE WILL BE TRULY MISSED—WHAT A DUMB MOVE BY THE WRITERS…
Writers were not able write they wanted to and the higher ups would change their direction.
I like Patrick but let’s face it AP played the role longer and he made Austin dumb. PM no longer fit. It also sucks that he had to take a backseat to the “Great” Rafe whom it is clear the show is determined to feature among “others”.
Right on; you are so right.
I feel for Patrick because he’s a good actor but AP is who made the character dumb so Patrick coming back into the role just didn’t fit. Also It sucks that Austin had to take a backseat to “SuperRafe,” because its obvious that TPTB are determined to continue to feature Rafe all the time, (among others that shall remain unnamed). I always liked Austin with either actor in the role but he’s gone now and the REAL problem with Days will still be there.
So true
Patrick muldoon should have been a character that reminded us of the old austin and not austin peck water down verison.
My love affair with Days of Our Lives started years ago when Carrie, Austin, Sami and Lucas were still teenagers and just beginning their infamous triangle. Carrie and Austin were my couple. After several years of not watching the show, I was very excited to learn that the ORIGINAL Austin and Carrie were reunited and back on DOOL.
I was really disappointed. Austin had become a doormat, a wuss and Carrie belonged with Rafe. I never liked her with Mike Horton. That was just weird, but her and Rafe are reminiscent of everything that used to intrigue and attract me to Carrie and Austin.
I hate that the show keeps upsetting the balance. Rafe and Carrie are THE ONLY COUPLE WORTH WATCHING (Sami and EJ are quite good but there is not enough good) and it was cheap of them to have Carrie explain, in her going away speech, that the writers wanted us to start rooting for Rafe and Sami again. Booooooooooooo!!!!!!
Sami has her hands full with Lucas and EJ. They do not need to send Carrie away…they need to explore the chemistry between Rafe and Carrie and forget about Sami and Rafe.
AP’s Austin was really paired with Sami and Austin a lot too. So expect to see a lot of Sami/Austin/Carrie fued reunite. I wonder if Lucas or Rafe will be thrown in the mix this time. At least Will is back and alive!
Terrible, just terrible…the writing staff are absolutely murdering my beloved soap with each passing year, and things just keep getting worse. PM is Austin Reed..point, blank, period! This man did an amazing job with his portrayal as AR, back in the early ’90s, and it’s unbelievable how callus the producers/writing staff/behind the scenes b*****ds are in treating PM as though he never even extisted to begin with. I am an ’80s baby (1981), and started becoming aware of DOOL in 1987. And I must say, Bo & Hope were my favorites from day one. But, it wasn’t until my childhood CRUSH made his debut in 1993, that really made my heart skip a beat or two…Mr. Lucas Horton (Bryan Dattilo) *sighs in total bliss* lol. Not much has changed nowadays, and it’s pretty simple – when Lucas leaves, I leave! I adore John & Marlena, Bo & Hope, Shawn D & Belle (whom I miss dearly), Kate, Lexi, Sami (preferably when she’s taking care of house and home with Lucas and Will).. hell, I even enjoy tuning in to see Doug & Julie.. but, having to suffer through an hr with newbie trash such as Rafe?… never. And having to witness yet another filthy, underhanded scheme from psychotic rapist EJ?… no thanks. And don’t even get me started with that annoying, loud-mouth, hot-headded, disrespectful flea Melanie. Just when you decide to give one new character a chance, 3 more appear, and i’m over it! DOOL are constantly trying to up the ante, and force-feed the viewers with what they think will suffice. These questionable decisions are beginning to destroy the very foundation that this timeless soap was built upon. So, again, If it’s not about Lucas, then I can, and will, do without!
I agree!! PM is Austin Reed and Melanie is indeed a flea lol! Where I live, we are a year behind the US and Austin and Carrie are still on screen. I love Patrick Muldoon as Austin, much as I did when I was a teenager in the early 90’s (I had such a crush on him!). He and Christie have great chemistry as Austin and Carrie and I will miss them both when they leave our screens. If the whole Carrie-Rafe love triangle is an indication of where DOOL is heading, not sure I’ll keep watching.
I hope you people READ THIS AUSTIN PECK PLAYED THE PERFECT AUSTIN PLEASE bring him bak to days soon!! thanks and put him with sami!!!!!!
Beyond the Gates
2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration
The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.
This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.
In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.
Photo: JPI
WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?
The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.
Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.
Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:
Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series
Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones
The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III
Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz
General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen
The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann
So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July
There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.
The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.
On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”
Photo: JPI
THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.
Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.
The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.
As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.
Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.
So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
Daytime Drama Casting Directors Talk Four of the Most Challenging and Important Recasts of Their Careers
Daytime soap opera casting directors: Greg Salmon (The Young and the Restless) Marnie Saitta (Days of Our Lives), Christy Dooley (The Bold and the Beautiful) and Kim Coleman (Beyond the Gates) discussed the process of casting for a daytime drama series from contract players to under-fives along and their expectations for auditioning, plus behind the scenes casting tales at their recent panel from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
The entertainment industry event helps actors receive inside intel from leading casting professionals and took place just over a week ago at the Meryl Streep Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles.
Moderated by noted journalist Jim Halterman, one of the more intriguing moments of the panel discussion occurred when the subject turned to the challenges of a recast on a soap opera and replacing a popular actor with another in a very key role. Each of the four casting directors were able to put a spotlight on such an occurrence and all were leading men on their respective soaps.
Photo: SAGAFRAFoundation
For Marnie Saitta at Days of Our Lives, she was tasked with finding the new EJ DiMera. James Scott had become amazingly popular in the role from 2006-2014. Then, enter Dan Feuerriegel, who had the right stuff for DAYS to finally pull the trigger and cast the new EJ. The character returned on-screen in 2021 after 7 years.
RECASTING EJ DIMERA
“I do know now how to best approach a recast, like I’m casting a new character,” explains Marnie. “I feel like the actor just has to come in and make it their own. You can’t even try, looks-wise, to be quite honest. Obviously, EJ DiMera is kind of a focal point (of DAYS) and Dan was such a champ. I swear to God, I think I brought him in maybe six times. I would bring him in for other characters, but I kept thinking he’s really good for EJ and it didn’t go. Then, I brought him for something else, same thing. I knew that the role of EJ was going to be really difficult to find, and it finally clicked. He took EJ in a different direction. He has a totally different vibe, but equally as effective.”
RECASTING ADAM NEWMAN
For Greg Salmon, he discussed the pivotal role of Y&R’s Adam Newman, who was previously by Tracker star, Justin Hartley and what he looked for to be able to find the right actor to be the next black sheep of the Newman clan.
“We had Justin Hartley playing the role of Adam Newman before he went to This Is Us, and now Mark Grossman has been playing him,” explained Salmon. “So that was a really tough role to recast. Before Justin, there were two other people (Chris Engen and Michael Muhney) who played the part. Adam Newman is central to the show. This is Victor Newman’s (Eric Braeden) son. So, it’s an incredibly important character to the show. But now, Mark Grossman’s been playing the role for several years now. He’s completely made the role his own.”
Photo: JPI
Salmon added the key attributes that Mark Grossman or someone like him brings into an audition for the role of that is being recast, “I really think it just comes down to the person’s energy and what they’re bringing to the character,” explained Greg. “You can’t think, ‘Well, I know Justin Hartley looks like this. And the guy before him looked like that,’ because then you’ll just get trapped. You’re not trying to find another Justin Harley. You’re trying to find another Adam Newman. I just remember Mark came in and I think he read with Eric Braeden, and he read with a few other people of the Newman family, and his energy was just off the charts. You know, this is how Adam should feel. Eventually, I think the audience really accepted him.”
RECASTING RIDGE FORRESTER
In a little-known casting story, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Christy Dooley shared how Mark Grossman almost became one of the Forresters! “He tested for us (at The Bold and the Beautiful). Mark came in and read for the role of Thomas Forrester and he was my choice for the role,” says Dooley. “The role wound up going to Matthew Atkinson, but then he came down to read for The Young and the Restless.”
Dooley was also tasked with one of the biggest soap recasts in history when Ronn Moss exited The Bold and the Beautiful in his signature role of Ridge Forrester which Moss played from 1987-2012. Eventually, Thorsten Kaye took over the role at the end of 2013.
Photo: JPI
“When Ronn Moss left the show, Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer, B&B) said, ‘I can’t recast him right now, he’s just too familiar.’ So he waited. The character was always talked about because he is one of the Forresters. Brad finally said, ‘We need to bring him back. We got to find somebody.’ Then to get Thorsten Kaye, who’s so different than Ronn, and he made it completely his own. He’s just amazing at it, so I think time helped (between bringing on a new Ridge.)”
RECASTING DR. TED RICHARDSON
For Beyond the Gates, Kim Coleman, she has a soap opera that is now building a new legacy only in its second season. However, in season one, Maurice Johnson became the first recast in series history when he was replaced as Dr. Ted Richardson with Keith D. Robinson and at a critical point in the storyline.
Coleman explained, “I think it was a transition and everyone was in agreement that it was the right thing to do. And then fortunately, we brought in an actor that the audience knew. They knew his face. He was great. Keith made it his own and there was not a lot of controversy and it wasn’t complicated. Keith D. Robinson is on the show now and everyone loves him. So, it was a very smooth transition.”
You can check out the full conversation with daytime casting directors, Greg Salmon, Marnie Saitta, Christy Dooley and Kim Coleman below.
Now let us know which of the four recasts noted do you think was the most successful? Were you surprised to learn Mark Grossman was a favorite of casting director Christy Dooley for Thomas Forrester before landing his role as Adan Newman? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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