Days Of Our Lives
Rob Scott Wilson Gives Special Shout-Out To Exiting DAYS Star Kate Mansi!
Courtesy/NBC
In 2015, one of the more memorable performances has to be that of Rob Scott Wilson in the role of Ben Weston on Days of our Lives. As it turned out, hothead Ben turned out to be the Necktie Serial Killer in one of the most shocking and talked about storylines of last year in soaps.
Over many months, Rob shared many scenes just with Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux)! First, as her viable love interest and fiance’, and then as a killer unhinged.
On Thursday, Rob took to social media to send his gratitude, applause, and thanks to Mansi, who announced her decision to leave the 50-year-old soap opera after five years in the role of Abby.
Rob tweeted: “I think we made ppl feel feelings.. Grateful to have walked the walk down Crazy Town w/ ya @KateMansi #growth”
So, what did you think of Rob’s message? What did you think of the work of Kate and Rob throughout the last six months of airshows on DAYS? Comment below!
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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‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
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Both actors so much improved toward the end of their storyline!
I wish they would bring RSW back as Ben’s twin brother. He was amazing.
I have to say, when Rob Wilson came on the show, he was a handsome hunk who seemed to be given little more to do than be angry and be supportive. Those were his two big emotions, and he was never asked via story to do any more than that. But after making him the necktie killer, the guy got to start stretching those acting muscles – and surprise! – he actually had some skills! And the further into the story we got, the more we got to see. Turns out, there was a pretty damn good actor waiting to get out the whole time. Sorry he only got to show how good an actor he was as part of his exit story, but glad he got to go out on a high note (well, in terms portraying an imbalanced serial killer).
Ron, as Ben, broke the monotony that was DOOL. And, through Ben’s tortured soul, so was Abby reincarnated as one self-assured, in-your-face-actress. A 10++++ to both.
Rob, not Ron.
Both actors showed tremendous growth and I really feel an attachment to Kate Mansi as Abigail – I don’t think a re-cast would be the same for me. But, actors who are very young feel that the time is right to seek other avenues of the entertainment field by their agents, and probably don’t want to be “trapped” into a role for too long a period of time.
I can see that. I hate to see Mansi or Abigail go. I can also see – like you are saying- where young actors want to move on. With only 4 soaps on now & the constant up & down threat of the genre dying, i’m sure they want to expand their resume while they can. And while I fall in love with actors portraying their roles, I also see how some actors that chose to stay in the same role for too long (instead of going & coming back, etc) seem to lose some of their skill. I guess it is easy to get comfortable & not grow.
I thought the Ben and Abigail characters really shown with the necktie killer episodes. Rob really did great towards the end, as well as Kate. I wish they were allowed to have more meat to their part early on. Is this Days final year because so many are leaving? I couldn’t bear NOT having the show to watch every day. I have been watching since 1973!
“feel feelings”? I guess that’s why he’s an actor and not a writer.
Anyway, he did improve once he got decent story. Although, I think Ben should have been arrested shirtless.
Maybe the actress who currently plays Ciara could take over the role of Abbi since she has such “deep” acting skills. *insert sarcasm here* What we need is a tornado to come by and sweep those horrible kid actors away….DAYSNADO!!!!
Vivian is one of the worst casting decisions they’ve made in the last few years.
But, Rob Wilson is another. Lots of people say he wasn’t given good material. Lots of actors on Days had crappy material and they did their best like Kate Mansi did with Abigail being wishy-washy and a liar. Rob just doesn’t have the acting chops. He was a boring hothead and tried embarrassingly hard as the Necktie Killer to be scary bad. The things he did were scary (trying to burn people alive) but he isn’t a good enough actor. Take that final scene with Ben and Clyde. He tried to cry for the whole episode. It was embarrassing just watching him. If the tears aren’t coming, don’t scrunch up your face for an hour.
James Lastovic and Kyler Pettis (hope I spelt that correctly) are decent actors. I don’t have an opinion on the new Belle yet.
I understand, Kathy, what you are saying, but he did show some growth as an actor as the character became menacing, and some of his fight scenes, particularly the one which landed Chad in the hospital were very realistic.
So, no, he’s not quite ready for a William Shakespeare play perhaps but I think he did all right with the role.
However I agree 100% regarding these Teen roles, and their atrocious dramatics. The gal playing Ciarra just isn’t convincing to me.
Am I the only one though I wonder who finds the scenes between Marlena and John to be….I don’t know, draggy at times and not that compelling?
I enjoyed the chemistry between Paige and JJ much more than I am watching him with Gaby – He seemed really, genuinely in love with Paige and torn about the affair with her mom. Right now, they need to develop some very strong storylines and STOP with the (what seems like) a revolving door of characters.