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Thaao Penghlis on His Return to Days of our Lives, “The New Writers are Making a Difference”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

Three weeks ago, Days of our Lives announced a slew of returns that will be seen starting next June on the Peacock streaming soap opera.

The names included longtime fan favorites: Thaao Penghlis (Tony DiMera) along with LeAnn Hunley (Anna DiMera), Christie Clark (Carrie Brady), Chandler Massey (Will Horton), Victoria Konefal (Ciara), Charles Shaughnessy (Shane), Matt Ashford (Jack) and Melissa Reeves (Jennifer), among others.

Now, Thaao Penghlis took a moment to post a photo of himself on X alongside his TV brother, Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera) from inside the Days of our Lives make-up room. Not only did Penghlis give high praise to Flynn, but for the new co-head writers of the soap opera, Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford, who replaced former head writer, Ron Carlivati back in June of this year.

Photo: TPenghlisX

Episodes under Carlivati’s tenure will stream through April of 2025, before new material, scripts and storylines from Cwikly and Ford kick-in for viewers; due to the length of time between the soap taping new episodes and when they finally are made available for fans on Peacock.

Photo: JPI

On his latest Salem return, Penghlis shared, “So good to be back at Days working with one of my faves. Billy is so special to work with. Since he’s had his two boys his heart has become more open. Thank u my friend for ur warm embrace. The new writers are making a difference. DiMera is back.”

Back in May of this year when Thaao spoke to Soap Opera News, he had decided that he was done with soap operas and and that it was time to move on, citing, “Things are changing with new characters and budget constraints. Some characters are not there any more. It’s time to move on and appreciate the time that’s been spent.”

However, with a new outlook and new writers in place, it looks like Thaao seems to be enjoying being back with the cast, and being part of the DiMera clan as viewers will see come the summer of 2025.

So, are you looking forward to seeing how the new writers change the shape or direction of Days of our Lives? Do you think they will make significant changes, or small incremental ones? Are you glad Thaao is back on DAYS? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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I pray that they are making a difference, because the “writer” has been erratic and horrific since Sheri Anderson left the writing team in February 2019. I am praying Paula Cwikly & Jeanne Marie Ford infuse some heart and normality back into this soap, because it’s needed! No more plot-driven bull.

Get rid of body and soul. It is a dumb story line. Feels so fake.

Praying by May 2025 it’ll be fully GONE!

Should just call it Return to Fraternity Row. No originality.

I hate when Hattie comes back. It’s ridiculous. The soap opera the cast is working on is also ridiculous. I fast forward to those days that concentrate on that. Stop changing the names of the characters. Example Alex who was Ciara’s husband

Ben Rogers and Alex Kiriakis are two different characters, Claire. Both portrayed by an “actor” who cannot act. Both roles can exit PERMANENTLY.

I actually live to see Dee portray Hattie, she is so fun to watch. I have sneaking suspicion that she is more fun to portray than Marlena.

With all these returns, I have high hopes that Patsy Pease will be back as Kimberly. I have missed that character.

Sounds good. I hope I can survive Days until then. Not liking today’s ep.

I’ve stopped watching; just got through July 2024 this past weekend, and won’t be going back in until May 2025.

I am so glad to see Thaao coming back, and I am excited to see what the new riders are going to bring to the show, I hope they just don’t redo the same scenario over and over like the old riders did

writers**

And given that both Paula Cwikly & Jeanne Marie Ford were there during the “Last Blast” era, which a lot of people liked, there is a great deal of potential promise coming from their regime. Only thing that could have made it better would be to hear Sheri Anderson’s name involved in the regime.

Thaao made JR look like a Boy Scout. He was awesome and can’t wait to see him back.

All shows go through changes that don’t always please everyone, but Days of Our Lives is always interesting and I love seeing characters from the past suddenly returning. Definitely happy with Tony and Anna DiMera returning’

Really happy Thaao and LeAnn are coming back! It’s long overdue!!

Oh my goodness, the writing HAS to get better, as it couldn’t possibly get any worse!

Oh, the writing has been way worse. When Dena Higley was the HW her writing was laughable every time she was the HW.

Soooo happy they are coming back. Maybe they will bring Hope and Bo 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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