Days Of Our Lives
THE THAAO PENGHLIS INTERVIEW – TV SOAP AUSTRALIA -DAYS OF OUR LIVES
By Michael Fairman
This interview appears on newsstands now in the January 7th 2009 issue of TV SOAP Australia.
“NOBODY IS SAFE”
Following the news that two of Days of our Lives biggest icons have been axed, Aussie actor Thaao Penghlis concedes it’s all quite unsettling, but he isn’t anxious. Nowadays, he has his fingers in other pies and is adopting a come-what-may philosophy.
TV SOAP:
The news that “DAYS” Deidre Hall (Marlena) and Drake Hogestyn (John) were let go was certainly a shock. From your perspective, what do you think happened?
THAAO:
I was not there, so I don’t know what happened, but, Deidre and Drake to me were the icons! Deidre is a real trouper. She does not get into victim mode, but, she has been on the show for 32 years. I looked at her and went, “We were the best of DAYS in the 80’s.” We had the most fun because there was more money, and more rehearsals, and it wasn’t short changed. It’s certainly different now. I am sorry to see Drake and Deidre go. I am sure they will go off into the sunset somewhere. They’ll bring them back when they need them.
TV SOAP:
The fans don’t know how to take this!
THAAO:
The fans are up and arms I hear. I think what the fans don’t understand, and I do sympathize with them because something in their lives has gone away, (is that) the reality in producing a show, and to still keep some quality to it, is difficult. Everyone is under great pressure, and people behind-the-scenes and everyone works very hard.
TV SOAP:
How are things at the set of “DAYS”? Are people walking around on eggshells?
THAAO:
The actors come in and go to hair and make up and do not say much, and in some ways we are respectful of each other. Certainly no one is walking around feeling sorry for Deidre and Drake, because they don’t want to do that. In some ways, many of us don’t believe it is happening, but it is. Are we treading on eggshells? No. We have been through a lot in the last few years, and the fact that the show has been picked up for 18 months, is great. I think we have to adjust to things, like another curve ball.
TV SOAP:
Are you worried about your job there?
THAAO:
I have not had much story of late. I am working this week a lot, but nobody knows and everyone is keeping a straight face. I think some actors have had their salaries cut. It’s not only happening at “DAYS”, it’s happening in Daytime. Everybody is doing it kind of quietly, but when you let go of two daytime icons, it’s like, “Whoa, nobody’s safe!” You just roll with the punches. I have come to a point in my life where I have been gone from “DAYS” and come back. I am concentrating on other things, which is what is helping me, so I am not just about “DAYS”.
TV SOAP:
You have been written off four times and brought back, though.
THAAO:
One year they killed me off, and they called me upstairs. When they call me upstairs, I know it’s never going to be about good news. I remember they said to me, “The character was going to be killed off at this time.” It was under the late James Reilly’s writing regime. I remember talking to the producer at the time, and I said, “I think it would be a better idea to wait till after the actor finishes his work to tell him this.”
TV SOAP:
Reilly kept killing you off!
THAAO:
Yes. One year I was killed four times. He did have me in some interesting circumstances and they were always over the top. The James Reilly’s of the world are gone.
TV SOAP:
What is happening currently with Tony Dimera in story?
THAAO:
My scenes are mainly with EJ and my father Stefano, and they are competitive scenes. I am concerned about EJ getting under the thumb of my father. I think Tony is an independent soul. He wants to give some integrity back to the Dimera name. EJ needs me because the character is not strong enough on his own as a Dimera. He does not possess what Tony and Stefano have, and that is to be a killer. You need those shadows. I would like to see where the father is trying to control him and gives him the empire, and I have to battle him for it. I know they like the two of us together. James Scott (EJ) is just too tall for me to work with! (He laughs)
TV SOAP:
How is it to still work with Joe Mascolo (Stefano)?
THAAO:
Joe and I go back a long way. You know, I really enjoy him, and his character had become so wonderful in many ways. Joe is as good as he ever was, right now.
TV SOAP:
If you were writing the show, what would you still love to do with Tony?
THAAO:
I think more than anything, I would love to unravel a real great mystery, and have someone like Anna along… like (famous fictional detectives) Nick and Nora Charles. Even with her stumbling, she comes across evidence. I love thrillers!
TV SOAP:
The Dimeras have been such an intriguing family lately, especially after Stefano came out of his coma.
THAAO:
It was the beginning of the rivalry with John and EJ, with Stefano coming back to life. Everybody was demanding that they are the rightful heirs to the empire. The Dimeras are dark, intense, and very European, especially Tony and Stefano. EJ is an Englishman, so that is a bit different.
We have a different passion that we share with
each other. We eat our victims, our poor victims!TV SOAP:
How would you feel about leaving “DAYS” if that time should come?
THAAO:
I feel at this point with “DAYS”, if they were to let me go, then I would go, “Onwards”. I am not having regrets anymore. I did my best work and lifted the dialog from the page. You have to allow life to let you know there is going to be a change. So I am open about things. If I am meant to move on, that is fine, too. There is nothing to apologize for. It was my first Daytime Emmy nomination this year, and I was not utilized much after that. I just feel…. opportunity missed.
Days Of Our Lives
Raven Bowens Breaks Silence About Being Fired From ‘Days of our Lives’ and Her Future Plans
Days of our Lives actress Raven Bowens has opened about publicly about what happened when she learned back at the very beginning of 2026 that she was being let-go by the soap opera after playing Chanel Dupree for five years.
Bowens took to her TikTok and explained in a video what went down and how that helped inspire her next move in life. “On January 2nd, before I could even start on any of my New Year’s resolutions, I got fired,” shared Bowens after receiving a call from DAYS early that morning.
“For the backstory, I spent five years working on Days of Our Lives. I played Chanel Dupree. I love my character. I love the show. I love everyone that I worked with. I had just signed a new contract that was for nine months, but every three months, your contract can not be renewed or picked up.”
Photo: JPI
THE DREADED CALL
Chanel recalled the moment she found out. “It’s like, eight o’clock in the morning, and I am completely blindsided” Next, Bowens recalled saying to her sister in that moment, “‘Why would my producer be calling me on January 2nd? We don’t go back to work for a week. Something is going on. I think I’m getting fired.” Then, Chanel revealed, “I answered that call, and that is what that call was.”
As to the reason for her pink-slip, Raven shared, “I was told that they didn’t have a storyline for me at the moment and so they will be writing my character off at the end of my current storyline.”
Trying to buckle up after hearing she was being fired, Raven recalled, “While that isn’t fun, that is the business of show business, especially on soap operas. So it is what it is. That’s the contract I signed. I had to accept it. But it was a really hard reality.” She realized, “Having spent five years in Salem, I got comfortable. That was like my second home.”
RAVEN BOWENS EXITS DAYS ALONG WITH THREE OTHER ACTORS
As Days of our Lives fans know, Bowens along with her on-screen love Carson Boatman (Johnny), Leo Howard (Tate) and Ashley Puzemis (Holly) were also let go at the same time. Since DAYS tapes nearly 10-11 months in advance, Raven and Carson’s final airdates should be right around the corner, although nothing has been released.
After explaining the life-changing job news, Raven explained what she is up to next: “My next chapter is not my acting career ending because I’m an actress. I will always be an actress. I have sacrificed so much for this life and for this career and I love it. I will never give it up and I will never quit. However, losing the job made me realize the importance other streams of income.”
THE NEXT CHAPTER POST-DAYS
From there, Bowens encouraged fans to follow her journey on TikTok to become a millionaire by the end of 2027 with money and wealth management. In fact, she launched a new TikTok series, Millionaire Pending where she plans to document the financial journey she is with advice from a financial adviser, wealth coach and her father.
Bowens explained, “When that job ended, I was kind of shocked. I had felt a certain sense of security, even working in a non-secure profession, and I didn’t really prepare. This series is me trying to put myself in a position so that nothing like this ever happens again.”
So what do you think about Raven coming forward with how her dismissal from Days of our Lives went down? Will you miss Chanel and Johnny when they eventually exit Salem? Will you be interested to check out Raven’s wealth management series on TikTok to see if you can pick up any pointers for financial security and success? Let us know via the comment section.
Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady, Days of our Lives) is jumping head first into the celebrity podcast rage with the launch of hers entitled, Between Takes with Alison Sweeney.
In between her busy schedule of Hallmark Channel movies, features, TV appearances and returns to Days of our Lives, Sweeney will now feature special guests each episode as previewed in her Instagram video clip announcing the new podcast series.
Accompanying her video, Sweeney expressed, “Trying something new! Check out my new podcast. Just fun casual chats with my friends. Links are in my bio.”
Photo: Hallmark
The first episode features former DAYS star and Hallmark Channel mainstay, Victor Webster (ex-Nicholas Alamain). It was back from 1999-2000 that Victor first appeared on the then NBC soap opera.
As previously reported, Sweeney will be reprising her role of Sami on Days of our Lives, next summer in June when she returns along with several fan favorites for a story arc.
During Alison’s premiere of “Between Takes,” Webster shares stories of his time on DAYS, being a proud dog dad, and globetrotter, plus working on action scenes and for Victor, taking over from The Rock in the the Scorpion King franchise appearing in Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption. Alison and Victor also chat about their time on sets.
You can listen to Between Takes with Alison Sweeney on all major podcast streaming platforms; including Apple Podcasts here.
So, will you be checking out Alison’s podcast as it continues to grow? Intrigued who from Days of our Lives and the soaps might chat it up with her in future episodes? Let us know in the comment section.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Fall Preview Reveals Sofia Mattsson as Chloe Lane and New Storyline Twists!
On Monday, November 2 Peacock released Days of our Lives extended fall preview promo that always coincides with the series anniversary where this year it will turn 61 on November 8.
Within it, the long-running soap opera finally revealed that General Hospital alum Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha Gilmore) is playing a recast Chloe Lane, when in a sexy moment, nuChloe is seen with Brady (Eric Martsolf) saying, “I’ve missed you so much,” and the two share a passionate kiss!
Since DAYS confirmed Mattsson was hired by the show back in March of this year, up until now who she was playing was kept under wraps, but smart viewers were betting on a Chloe recast, or perhaps a very much alive, Abigail Deveraux.
Photo: JPI
A NEW CHLOE
Back in August of 2026, Nadia Bjorlin confirmed during a livestream interview on the Michael Fairman Channel alongside Kyle Pettis about their new film, Veronica and Julian that she was asked back to Days of our Lives to reprise the role of Chloe. However, she now lives in Ireland with her husband and children, and not in Los Angeles where DAYS tapes all-new episodes.
Bjorlin clarified why she turned down a return, “Logistically, it just didn’t make sense,” as well as it not making sense for her financially given the long distance and the budgets these days with the soaps.
In an emotional moment the actress shared that, “It hurt my heart to have to say no. So, I guess I can confirm that it will not be me playing Chloe if there’s a Chloe that comes back.”
The character of Chloe Lane first came on to the canvas back in 1999 and was played by Bjorlin for various runs up until 2023 when Chloe was once again written off the canvas.
THE STORY OF DOMINIC MARINO
In other stories this fall, front and center in the preview is the arrival of Dominic Marino played by Kyle Pryor who debuted on today’s Monday November 2 episode on Peacock.
Now the twists begin as if he will be proven to be the true biological son of Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) and Stefano DiMera, with the shocking ending where Marlena’s enemy, Orpheus (George DelHoyo) is back with some intel on the true story of Dominic and more!
Courtesy/Peacock
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Also, things look like they are about to wrap up for Chanel (Raven Bowens) and Johnny (Carson Boatman) as she suggest they leave Salem. We know that Carson Boatman and Raven Bowens have been gone from the show since January of 2026 when they were left go. The timing would seem right that soon they will exit the show.
In addition, lives are on the line this fall as Xander (Paul Telfer) and Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) reunite, only to have him in the middle of more danger, while Leo (Greg Rikaart) is in peril drawing Javi (Jacob Martinez) back into his feelings for his ex. Is this the turning point to reunite the two? Stay tuned.
Take a look at the Days of our Lives Fall Sizzle below and then let us know what you thought of it and if you are happy that Sofia Mattsson is playing Chloe Lane, or were you hoping she would turn out to be playing someone else? Let us know in the comment section below.
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