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Richard Wharton Replaces William Utay as Days of our Lives’ Dr. Rolf

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

This week on Days of our Lives, Dr. Rolf returns to the long-running NBC soap opera. However, he will look different, because the role is being played by actor Richard Wharton.

As longtime DAYS fans know, mad scientist, Dr. Wilhelm Rolf, had previously been played by veteran character actor, William Utay.

According to the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest, Wharton will make his DAYS debut on the Friday, July 22nd episode.

Utay was unavailable at the time of the taping of these episodes, thus requiring a recast.

Within the history of his story, Dr. Rolf started out as sort of a medical henchman for the late Stefano DiMera, when the character made its debuted in 1997. Rolf was killed-off in 2003, but then as most people do in Salem and on DAYS, he came back from the dead in 2007.  Since that time, Dr. Rolf has developed devastating drug concoctions, wild experiments, plus resurrected many from the dead.

As for Wharton, he may look very familiar to primetime TV fans having appeared on: Nip/Tuck, Will and Grace, Bones, The Mentalist, American Crime Story, to name just a few.

What trouble will Dr. Rolf cause on his return to Salem? Share your theories via the comment section below.

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Well… I doubt he will be bringing Abigail back right away… though Chad might ask him to do so.

I would think that Rolf might be working with our latest DiMera escapee from Hell, Megan Hathaway, though he didn’t appear to be in the room when she thawed out the “Bo-sicle”

From what I hear he’s ready to break out of jail with the rest 9f the bunch.

Dr Rolf could bring back Bart.

I got this feeling that Abby will be back.I wish it would be Marci though.

It doesn’t matter if they recast Dr Rolf – he’s not that critical a character really…and Lord knows they’ve recast so many other roles on the show. Off topic, I think they should have re-cast Abigail rather than just Killing her off…..it served no purpose really.

I felt the same. Why kill off a core character because the current actres can no longer play the part. In the past , when an actor/actress could not continue, they would recast. Why couldn’t they do that this time?

Maybe because they had been playing “musical chairs” with the two different actresses for the last several years, and they suddenly found themselves unable to keep either of them on board. And knowing that 99% of the recasts have sucked dragon ass since ReRon has been writing the show, didn’t want to take a chance on a rookie Abigail right now.

Could have been worse…. I have a pretty good idea who ReRon would think of as an Abigail recast, and if he did that, I’d have to stop watching, because that no-talent twit damn near killed GH when he forced her on to that show. No names mentioned, but I think everybody knows who I’m talking about.

Satan
You’re driving me nuts, racking my brain trying to figure out who you are referring to. The only twit I can think of now is LuLu.

I was referring to the annoying little talentless Manning child StarrTwit, who ReRon forced into GH for no good reason at all, so she could spend an entire year crying about a dead kid and an escaped criminal boyfriend whom nobody in Port Charles knew or cared about – and then, once the legal hassles over the online version of OLTL manifested themselves, rather than letting this idiotic character go, he rebranded her as “Kiki”, a character that only gained any sort of credibility when the no-talent twit finally left the show (rumored to be because of her real life breakup with Chad “Mikey” Duell) and was recast with somebody who could actually act.

Lulu’s not a twit, though I definitely preferred Julie Berman’s original over Emme’s version.

Satan
Thanks for the explanation I’d forgotten about her and sorry about LuLu, I guess we all see people differently. Here’s a good example, like you feel about “Frod”, and a lot of us like him.

Satan
I’ve already sent a reply just about begging you to reveal this no-talent twit. The only one I can think of is LuLu.

Violet, I’m with you and Satan here. Both Starr and Lulu are/were eminently annoying. I liked Emme as Lizzie Spaulding on GL but I’ve never liked trouble-making Lulu so Emme didn’t get much of a chance with me. Plus, she kind of reminded me of Cousin Itt from THE ADDAMS FAMILY T.V. series.

Recast of Dr. Rolf is alright being it is only temporary due to William Utay being unavailable at the moment.
However.. that being said.. much like The Highlander.. “There can be only one” local mad scientist of residence in Salem and that is the Dr. Wilhelm Rolf we have all known and enjoyed despising for decades now.. the original.. William Utay.
Do not get it twisted DOOL.
You already made a major faux pas in killing off legacy character Abigail.. one I sincerely hope to see rectified in time and in true DOOL fashion.
Meanwhile.. the misadventures of Milo and Clyde are sure to prove very entertaining.
The Clyde/Nancy pairing is endearing.. would be nice to see Clyde display a bit of chivalry towards his new lady.. perhaps doling out a bit of retribution to notorious Leo after discovery of the infamous wig snatching incident in the town square.
Tres gallant!!

Seven
I saw this new DR. Rolf yesterday snd couldn’t even remember what the previous one looked like. I think he’s pretty good.

I agree that he’s doing a good job , Violet.

They should’ve just waited till hw was available I doubt the storyline was that important they couldn’t wait a few weeks there are some characters you can’t replace especially Stefano I’ll quit if they do that the steve incarnation waa bad enough

It’s hard to say exactly what Kristin’s plans for Rolfie are, but it’s got nothing to do with Stefano. The brain chipped Steve was a 666% failure, and not even ReRon is dumb enough to believe that Stefano can actually be recast…. though he wasn’t above doing a “head fake” on the possibility in the recent Peacock spinoff, at least for those who didn’t figure out what Megan’s agenda truly was, early on. (which should have been obvious enough to anybody who remembered who she was obsessed with back in the 80s).

Rumors here in Hell is that Kristin might enlist Rolf’s help in some odd business involving her little brother Jake in the very near future. If you have seen next week’s preview clips, you may already know that Jake has an unfortunate run in with some armed idiot. So he could be the upcoming death that ReRon referred to in his recent interview with Michael…. although he is a DiMera and deaths are rarely “final” in that family.

It’s going to be a twist alright, wonder how that will involve Gabbi?

Possibly bring jake back but maybe as stephan- or yup work with stephanos daughter to bring no back ‍♀️

Breaking News

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

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Kyle Pryor

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!

Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.

He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Dominix

Photo: Peacock

Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2.  In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.

So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

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Conner Floyd

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?

Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

EJ and Chad

Photo: JPI

DIMERA RIVALRY

After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”

As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Belle and Chad

Photo: JPI

BELLE OF MY HEART

With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”

Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.

“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart.  I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”

But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”

MAKING CHAD HIS OWN

Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Susan Seaforth Hayes

Photo: JPI

ICONIC

When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.

“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know?  We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.

“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”

Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.

Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.

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