Days Of Our Lives
Stephen Nichols Remembers His General Hospital “Son/Nephew” and Days of our Lives Castmate, Tyler Christopher: “My Heart Aches”
When Nikolas Cassadine (Tyler Christopher) first emerged on the scene on General Hospital in 1996, it was his Stefan Cassadine that brought him to Port Charles to save the day as Laura’s (Genie Francis) daughter, Lulu. needed a live-saving bone marrow transplant. As it turns out, Nikolas was the biological son of Stavros Cassadine (Robert Kelker-Kelly), even though at one point, Stefan believed he was Nikolas’ father. That story, brought together two of daytime’s strongest actors, Stephen Nichols and Tyler Christopher.
On Thursday, taking to his Instagram, Stephen Nichols shared a deeply personal and touching tribute to Tyler, who passed away on Tuesday, October 31st at the age of 50 in his apartment in San Diego.
For Nichols and Christopher, they would appear for seven years together on GH from 1996-2003 until Stephen’s exit, but as luck would have it, they would have the opportunity to share scenes together one more time when Tyler came to Days of our Lives in 2017 and took on the newly created role of Stefan DiMera, while Nichols was continuing to play his most notable daytime role that of Steve “Patch” Johnson.
Photo: JPI
In his grief and sorrow, Stephen Nichols wrote these words, accompanied by some clips of Tyler’s work from GH: “This is something I was hoping I would not have to write about, another young man taken. A sweet natured man. An Ohio boy like me. A man who had his demons — another thing we had in common. A young man I called son for the early part of our time together. Not this one!”
Stephen went on to share, “Tyler and I met when I visited his dressing room on the day he was about to camera test for the role of Nikolas Cassadine, my “son/nephew” on General Hospital. We went over the scene a few times. He was very green and eager, and he had a kind of grace and a connection to the heart of the material that was special. I felt connected to him immediately. I can’t say enough about the beauty of Tyler Christopher’s work. He was an actor who was all instinct and spontaneity. It seemed effortless for him. I knew I wanted to work with him. I knew he would make me better.”
On their time together in Port Charles, Stephen expressed, “Our Journey on GH spanned around seven years. In the beginning, he asked for advice, and I offered Michael Chekov’s Book, To The Actor, which had inspired me when I was starting out. Tyler gave so much to every scene. We connected in a deep way and lifted each other up. I know he was proud of the work he did even though he continued to look to me for approval. I reassured him that he was ‘there’ and to keep doing what he was doing. I called him ‘Baby Brando’. He always laughed about that, but I wasn’t joking. I can only imagine how much more could have been.”
Photo: ABC
Nichols also addressed Tyler’s battle with addiction: “I know that over the years Tyler had addiction issues. I understood and told him so. We talked about it and checked in over the years but never really got deep into the subject of recovery. I regret that. When I asked how he was doing, he would generally say, ‘good…fine.” Some 20 years later, after several nominations, Tyler stood on that stage, with his Emmy in hand, and held up the book I had given him. I was thrilled for him, and so touched and honored that he had mentioned our early connection. I had heard about Tyler’s troubles during his time on General Hospital. I checked in with him and he assured me he was fine. In 2017, a few months before he started on Days of Our Lives, Tyler called and asked if he could meet me for lunch. He flew in from the Midwest. He told me he had been having a hard time and he was now sober and working to stay that way. He said needed to take care of his kids and he needed a job. I advocated for him, and it took a while, but he finally came over to Days.
Photo: JPI
Speaking about Tyler’s final daytime role on Days of our Lives, Stephen shared, “As usual, Tyler was doing remarkable work, but I could tell that he was unsettled. Again, when I asked how he was doing he said he was good. Looking back, I now know he wasn’t. My own family was affected by addiction and alcoholism. I have been fortunate to have survived all these years. I don’t take it for granted, and this great loss of this sweet man reminds me of how important it is to reach out to others who are suffering with these demons. I know how desperately Tyler loved his children and wanted to be with them and provide for them. When we met, they were all he could talk about. I hope that his children and family members, friends, those who are feeling this great loss will, with the passage of time, find peace. My heart aches, but all I wish for now, sweet Tyler, is that you are finally at peace. We won’t soon forget you.”
What did you think about Stephen Nichols deeply-affecting remembrance and tribute to Tyler Christopher? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Stephen nicknaming him Baby Brando. 🙂
Lovely but heartbreaking remarks about Tyler from Stephen Nichols. I would have expected nothing less from a classy guy like him.
I loved Stephen as Stefan Cassadine on GH. I really enjoyed his scenes with Tony Geary, as Luke and Stefan had their rivalry over Laura. The scenes always felt like two great acting titans going head to head. Always wished that with all the resurrecting of supposed dead Cassadines that they’ve done over the years that Stefan would turn up in Port Charles alive one of these days. Helena came back from the dead how many times, and Stavros, and Victor, why not Stefan too, lol.
Stephen had an instant chemistry with Tyler on-screen, which was important for the uncle/father figure relationship that Stefan and Nikolas had. Similar to what Jonathan Jackson wrote, it’s clear that the bond was there in real life, as well.
I remember when Tyler mentioned him from the stage when he won his Emmy, and always thought that was such a classy gesture. I’m glad to hear that they remained close friends over the years.
Tyler always channeled Nickolas’ royal blood.You could really believe he was a prince. I always hoped he would return to the show. My heart goes out to his family.
So sad but a beautiful tribute..You can feel his own sadness & how much he wished he had reached out a little more..I hope these are the things his children will hear about not so much about the addiction he had but more of the kind wonderful person he was…
The love between the two was obvious. I remember when Tyler won his Emmy and him holding up the book and thanking Stephen. It was very touching.
DAYS is the best SOAP. The CASSIDINE family has always been at the center! . So sad to see that Tyler is another great talent and sensitive guy gone way too soon. Thanks to Stephen for honoring Tyler! RIP Tyler . Condolences from RICK DEMERIAKIS.
The *Cassadine family is on General Hospital, not Days. Beautifulnl words by Mr Nichols. RIP Tyler. You will be missed.
Agree
The Cassadines are on General Hospital.
What beautiful memories watching the clips. Tyler brought class and elegance to the house of Cassidine. He will always be the one and only Nicholas Cassidine. Rest Sweet Prince.
I am so sad about Tyler’s passing I have watched GH since it started I always hoped he would come back I loved him as Nicholas no one has done the role justice God’s Speed you are at peace you are loved
Tyler was the personification of the soap opera character, Nicholas Cassidine.
May he rest in peace.
More casting news from Days of Our Lives, and for now, the soap opera seems to be breaking their new additions to Salem via their Instagram account. Now comes word and picture on August 24, that General Hospital and The Young and the Restless alum Brytni Sarpy has joined DAYS!
The Peacock soap opera’s Instagram account, showed a photo of Sarpy standing in front of her dressing room in the hallways of Days of Our Lives’ studios. The caption read, “Someone new is checking into Salem… Welcome Brytni Sarpy to the Days of our Lives family! Stay tuned.”
The casting of Sarpy comes on the heels of the announcement of Sydney Malakeh coming to the show in September, and earlier this year General Hospital favorite, Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha Gilmore, GH) joining the show in a mystery role when she began taping back around the end of March of this year. Now Sarpy is the “mystery role” category too!
In addition, the Days of Our Lives social team dropped a video ditty of the cast spoofing Love Island, where Sarpy appears as the new “bombshell” of the villa. Other cast members such as Rob Scott Wilson (Alex), Abigail Klein (Abigail), Casey Moss (JJ), Sal Stowers (Lani), Paul Telfer (Xander) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah) pop-up in it too, among others.
Photo: JPI
SOAP HOPPING
Soap fans first met Sarpy when she played Valerie Spencer, the niece of Luke (Anthony Geary) and Bobbie Spencer (Jackie Zeman) on General Hospital back in 2015. She made her final appearance on the series back in 2019 to join the cast of The Young and the Restless in the role of Elena Dawson.
Elena was introduced as a love interest for Devon Winters (Bryton James). She later cheated on him with his cousin Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic). Elena began to be back-burned by 2023 with Sarpy’s last on-screen appearance in Genoa City in November of 2024.
Due to Days of Our Lives nearly year in advance tape schedule, viewers will have to wait till sometime in the early summer of 2027 to see Brytni’s arrival in Salem.
So, happy to see Brytni Sarpy has landed another soap role? Now that she is at DAYS, who you think she might be playing and paired with? Put on your casting director hats and let us know via the comment section.
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Days Of Our Lives
Sydney Malakeh Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’ in Mystery Role: Who Do You Think She’s Playing?
There’s a new gal coming to Salem, or is she new and a recast? That’s what inquiring minds from Days of Our Lives fans have been trying to figure out since the Peacock soap opera dropped an Instagram video heralding actress‘ Sydney Malakeh‘s arrival in Salem.
The soap did confirm that viewers will first see Malakeh on the September 9 episode. In the video, Malakeh is seen going set to set from her dressing room and in to the halls of Days of Our Lives studios.
What we do know id that Sydney has been acting professionally for 6 years and had appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, Apple TV’s Shrinking and the HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Plenty of Malakeh’s DAYS castmates jumped into the comment thread with positive emojis symbols or written excitement including: Paul Telfer (Xander), Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), Sal Stowers (Lani), Conner Floyd (Chad), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Christie Clark (Carrie) and more now that fans will finally see her on-air. Since Days of Our Lives tapes 10-11 months in advance, Sydney would have started taping the show sometime back in 2025.
DAYS fans think perhaps because the actress’ name is Sydney that she might be playing the grown-up daughter of Sami and EJ. That character hasn’t bee on the canvas since 2021.
So, who do you think Sydney Malakeh might be playing on Days of Our Lives? Drop your casting director thoughts via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
Peacock Hikes Subscription Rates for Fourth Time in Four Years; ‘Days of Our Lives’ Fans Sound Off
While recently the streaming service Peacock reported turning a profit for its first time since its infancy, now comes word that the company is raising their prices for all customers, and in some cases it stared today on August 18.
The news of the subscription rate increases marks the fourth time the NBCUniversal streaming platform has done so in four years. So, on August 18, Peacock is increasing the prices for new or returning subscribers and customers, while current subscribers will see the rate increase on or after September 17 depending on their billing cycle when they initially signed up.
Here is the new pricing to follow along: Peacock Premium (which includes ads) will be $12.99/month, up two dollars from $10.99; Peacock Premium Plus will be $19.99/month, up three dollars increase from $16.99; and the Peacock Select tier (which includes current and past seasons of NBC and Bravo shows but excludes movies, live sports and Peacock originals) will increase a dollar from $7.99 to $8.99/month.
Photo: JPI
SUBSCRIBERS CONTINUE TO PAY MORE ACROSS THE STREAMER LANDSCAPE
It was back in June that the streamer reported that aid subscribers were up to 48 million adding a 2 million net gain during Q2 in of 2026. The subscription price hikes are rampant now in the entertainment streaming industry where over the last two years for example, Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+ have all raised their fees to consumers.
Peacock’s tier-levels feature not only Days of Our Lives, but reality hits such as The Traitors and Love Island USA, Bravo series, and a vault of Saturday Night Live, Law & Order, The Real Housewives franchise, and Below Deck episodes as well. Pecock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers have access to sports and live events, as well.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES SUBSCRIBERS HAD A FEW CHOICE WORDS FOR PEACOCK
As Days of Our Lives fans know, the soap opera moved from NBC to the streamer back in September of 2022 after 57 years on broadcast television. When the news hit X on the price increase, DAYS fans had a lot to say about it. Here are just a few of the comments below:
“I can’t believe Peacock and can’t come to a deal with Cordya to air old episodes of #Days. That alone would bring a ton of subscribers,” to If Peacock actually cared about #Days of Our Lives, gave the show the budget it needs for better sets, cameras, background actors and enough time to tell proper stories, I wouldn’t mind paying more. If the money actually showed on screen, the higher price would be worth it,” to “I will continue to pay for a Peacock subscription as long as #Days is on it, but did we know there was another price increase coming?” and more.
So, what do you think of the new price hike increase to watch Days of Our Lives and your other favorite shows and events on Peacock? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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