As Days of Our Lives Leaves NBC, Its Stars Speak Out: ‘There Were Lots of Mixed Reactions,’ But…
Friday, September 9th, 2022
The news took everyone by surprise!
It’s been a wild ride since we learned that Days of Our Lives would be leaving NBC, it’s home for over 50 years and streaming solely online at Peacock. And we aren’t just talking about the fans. The actors, too, had their own feelings and their own worries!
More: ‘Stayla’ has us on the floor with their bloopers
Soap Central’s Tony Moore visited the set recently to talk to Eric Martsolf (Brady), Camila Banus (Gabi), Robert Scott Wilson (Alex), Deidre Hall (Marlena), Drake Hogestyn (John) and James Reynolds (Abe) about the switch. They chatted a bit about what shows they like to watch on Peacock and what characters would do well on on the streaming service’s other shows, but they also got into some deeper stuff — like how they were almost as shaken by the news as the fans!
When asked about their initial reaction, Martsolf amusingly led the way with an exaggerated sigh. That was pretty much how they all felt. And, honestly, it’s good to know we weren’t alone!
“There were lots of mixed reactions,” Hall admitted, “partly because we didn’t know what it meant.” NBC had been the home for Days of Our Lives for so long, she said, it was surprising. But, she added, “I’m very optimistic.”
There was the initial shock, Wilson agreed, but they knew the move online was coming sooner or later, and once the news settled in, they realized that, “There’s longevity, there’s opportunity, there’s all this great news attached to it.”
“Wait, what is this on my phone? Days of Our Lives? I wonder if telling Stephanie I watch it will score me points…”
Credit: © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
One way or another, streaming television is the future, and Days of Our Lives being the first soap to make the move will hopefully position them to stick around for many, many years to come. Besides, Martsolf explained to Moore, soap fans “embrace change. They always have. Whether it’s a new face or a new character, whether it’s a storyline, they love change.”
Well, in a world where Robert Scott Wilson can go from playing a reformed serial killer to a reforming womanizer and kids can grow to full-blown adults in a matter of years, we know soap fans are definitely used to change… But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t worry some of them! But still, Martsolf said, this move to Peacock is ultimately pretty simple.
“I think that we have been so steadfast for over 50 years,” Hall added, “and the audience has come to find us and trust us, and we’re not going to make it hard. We’ll make it easy for you.”
And it’s not like everything’s going to be completely reinvented! They aren’t trying to jettison the lifelong fans but bring them along. When asked if there’s been any change in filming or storytelling since the news was announced, Banus was quick to assure folks that the show will still have the “Same cast, same great stories, same amazing romances.”
“I know it’s scary, Gabi, but everything’s going to be OK. Oh, and I’m sure that zombie Stefan stuff will work out too.”
Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
More: Robert Scott Wilson reaches out to fans
“The Powers That Be stressed that they were preserving the integrity of the show,” Martsolf added. Where the show is airing may be changing, but as for Days of Our Lives itself, it’s just “going to evolve.”
The long and the short of it is, according to Martsolf, “This is our new home. Home is where you hang your soap opera hat.”
And we guess this hat is now being hung on Peacock!
Beginning September 12, Days of Our Lives will be airing exclusively on Peacock. To make sure you never miss an episode, click here. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Get ready for the big jump with our who’s who and what’s what gallery of all things Days of Our Lives.
Most Popular
Advertisement
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
1/40
<p>For decades, <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ superspy John Black and super shrink Marlena Evans have been one of daytime’s top supercouples. They’ve survived death, supervillains, brainwashing faux serial killers, real serial killers, unruly children and even a dance with the literal devil. Twice!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
2/40
<p>Rafe Hernandez and Nicole Walker are two newlyweds so deeply in love that they just can’t ever stop kissing. That or they’re so insecure, they can’t ever stop kissing. Nicole’s been pining nonstop over her ex-husband, Eric Brady, ever since he returned to town.</p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
3/40
<p>When Eric returned to town, he was a priest and Nicole was with Rafe, so reuniting was out of the question. But then he was defrocked — which Nicole didn’t learn about until <em>after</em> marrying Rafe! Now he’s a swinging bachelor, pining over his ex-wife. And about that swinging part…</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
4/40
<p>Eric’s sleeping with new-cop-in-town Jada Hunter — daughter of Marcus Hunter, one of Salem’s doctors back in the day. It’s pretty casual right now, but they do live right down the hall from each other, so you can’t beat the convenience. Or the awkwardness, because…</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
5/40
<p>Jada works for Rafe, the Salem police commissioner — and, as we know, Nicole’s husband! Jada also seems to be about the only one who realizes just how utterly bonkers the whole situation is, not to mention the fact that Nicole is still absolutely obsessed with Eric.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
6/40
<p>John and Marlena’s daughter Belle has been through the ringer lately. Demonic possession, demonic impersonation, sleeping with her borderline demonic client, EJ DiMera… Her life’s a mess. But it looks like she and hubby Shawn Brady are finally finding their way back to each other again!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
7/40
<p>It wasn’t good guy Shawn’s fault that he slept with his wife’s nemesis, Jan Spears: The devil literally transformed Jan into Belle’s doppelganger, which is just the kinda thing that happens in this town. Now that Shawn knows he didn’t father Jan’s baby — her tryst with fellow prisoner Evan Frears produced the tyke — he and Belle are slowly working things out. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
8/40
<p>Speaking of Jan, she was last seen getting out of Salem while the getting was good. But something tells us she and son Shawn Christian (an inside joke longtime <em>Days </em>fans well understand) will, like the proverbial bad penny, return. </p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
9/40
<p>Though he wasn’t the firstborn of mobster, mogul and occasional supervillain Stefano DiMera, EJ DiMera probably takes after his deceased father more than any other sibling in the cutthroat world of business. He’s got slightly more scruples than dear old dad, but he’d still tear apart his own family to swipe that CEO position back from interloper Gabi Hernandez.</p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
10/40
<p>Tony was actually the <em>first</em> DiMera to arrive in Salem, paving the way for his villainous dad, Stefano. He’s always been one of the kinder members of the clan.. at least when he wasn’t being impersonated by his identical cousin, Andre! Luckily, Andre’s dead now. We think. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI (3)
11/40
<p>Once upon a time, Stefano’s long-lost son Stefan O. DiMera (get it?) came to town to claim his birthright. He died. Then his long-lost twin brother, Jake DiMera, came to town to claim <em>his</em> birthright. He died. Then his heart was stuffed into Stefan’s body and now the original flavor son is back. Again, that’s just the kinda thing that happens in Salem. Go with it. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
12/40
<p>Dr. Rolf was Stefano’s favorite henchman, what with his penchant for bringing people back from the dead and scrambling their brains. Now he gets to do both with Stefan, as he wipes out the returned-from-the-dead man’s love for Gabi and sends him out into the world! We love when two hobbies come together in one project.</p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
13/40
<p>Gabi did love her newly-undead husband Stefan, but she also loved the stock options she got upon his death. With them, plus a little maneuvering, she rose to the top of the DiMera corporate pile — but with dark forces out to topple her, that CEO position is anything but guaranteed!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
14/40
<p>DiMera board member Li Shin seemed like just a good (if highly inappropriate) time to Gabi, but somewhere along the way she started falling for him. But the guy’s got daddy issues, has been secretly funding Stefan’s resurrection and seems to think he can out-scheme Gabi, so we aren’t talking true love here.</p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
15/40
<p>Somewhat reformed mob princess Ava Vitali found love with Jake DiMera before his untimely death. As in literally <em>right </em>before. She also found her way into Gabi’s schemes once the two decided to pretend Ava and Jake had married before he perished. Now she gets to live in the DiMera mansion, hate-flirt with EJ and sexy-flirt with his son, Johnny DiMera!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
16/40
<p>Despite being the son of legendary schemers EJ DiMera and Sami Brady, Johnny DiMera is… well, certainly not as bad as he could be! Sure, he may be a little bratty, especially when fighting with his sister Allie Horton over his ex-wife (now her main squeeze), Chanel Dupree. But he’s also prone to taking off his shirt a lot, so he can’t be all bad, right? </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
17/40
<p>Stefano’s adopted daughter, Kristen DiMera, was serving time for a slew of crimes until she strongarmed a pardon for herself and a whole slew of fellow baddies. Now she’s working with Rolf to have newly-resurrected Stefan reunite with Chloe Lane. No, silly, not because she thinks they’re a good pair. Because she wants to get Chloe away from the object of her <span style="text-decoration: line-through">obsession</span> heart’s desire, Brady Black, father of her daughter, Rachel. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
18/40
<p>Former opera singer Chloe and Brady are both lovers and coworkers, wiling away the days at his fashion house — started by dad, John, though now a subsidiary of DiMera Enterprises — Basic Black. They just recently found their way back to each other, but if Kristen has her say, they’ll soon be finding their way apart again!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
19/40
<p>Chanel and Allie spend a <em>lot</em> of time together seeing as how they own their own bakery, Sweet Bits, while dating! Somehow, it’s not <em>too </em>awkward that Chanel was married to Allie’s twin brother, Johnny. Except when it is. </p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
20/40
<p>Chanel’s mom, real estate mogul Paulina Price, is married to Abe Carver, Salem’s mayor and one of its most respected residents. They kinda sorta share a daughter in Lani Price, who thought Abe was her dad (he’s not) and Paulina was her aunt (when in fact she’s her mom), a situation which nearly tore this couple apart. But now that they’re hitched, Paulina’s taking on a new challenge. But can she push Abe into the governorship of… whatever state Salem is in? </p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
21/40
<p>Chad DiMera was one of the kindest, brightest stars in his family and wife Abigail Horton was his entire world. But her brutal murder has left their two kids without a mother, and with a father who’s an angry, heartbroken man with a desperate drive to find whodunnit.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
22/40
<p>District Attorney Melinda Trask isn’t concerned with making friends in her single-minded pursuit of justice. If she gets you in her sights, she <em>will </em>throw the book at you. Heck, she’ll throw the whole library! </p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
23/40
<p>Lucas Horton isn’t a bad guy… he just makes a whole lot of bad decisions, usually with regard to ex-wife Sami. Need proof? He’s currently behind bars for having kidnapped her so she wouldn’t fall into the romantic clutches of rival EJ. </p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
24/40
<p>Upon learning son Lucas was behind Sami’s kidnapping, Kate Roberts kept quiet… even though it nearly cost her the love of good guy Roman Brady! But now that she’s atoning for her sins, it seems like she may get a second chance at love. At least until she screws it up again! </p>
Image: NBC
25/40
<p>Roman runs the family watering hole, aptly named the Brady Pub. With ex-wife Marlena, he’s also the proud pop of Sami, so it makes sense he wasn’t thrilled to learn Kate had been keeping quiet about that whole kidnapping thing. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
26/40
<p>Maggie Horton’s beloved daughter Sarah only just married true love Xander Cook… and boy, did they earn their shot at happiness! Before it arrived, they were kept apart by everything from his deceitful ex, Gwen Rizczech, to a drug which left her so delusional she briefly believed herself to be Abigail’s killer! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
27/40
<p>Xander and Sarah have a long, complicated history, starting, as true love so often does, with a deep-seated mutual loathing. Now that they’ve found their way together — several times, actually — the big question is what’s next for this truly super couple? </p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
28/40
<p>Let’s just be clear: Most viewers hate Gwen and kinda wish she’d been offed instead of half-sister Abigail. But the long-lost daughter of Jack Deveraux has her charms — including that adorable accent! — and we kinda can’t help hoping that maybe, just maybe, there’s a redemption arc in her future. </p> <p> </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
29/40
<p>Abigail’s parents are in a tough spot. Jack’s struggling to believe that his one daughter, Gwen, didn’t kill his other daughter, Abigail. Meanwhile, his wife, Jennifer Horton (who is <em>not </em>Gwen’s mom), is barely hanging on by a thread, missing their beloved Abigail so much that as grief swallows her, she’s doing the same with pills… which could just create a whole new set of problems! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
30/40
<p>Until recently, we were fairly convinced that quip-tossing, man-chasing, Gwen-befriending, rule-flaunting Leo Stark was Abigail’s killer. But it looks like we may finally have found the line he won’t cross. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
31/40
<p>When Titan CEO Sonny Kiriakis was stabbed in the back, it’s not surprising that Leo wound up atop the suspect list. You see, ages ago Leo was brought to town to seduce the young exec and create a scandal that would drive him out of the company. These days, Sonny is happily married to Sami’s son, Will Horton, who rushed to his injured husband’s side upon hearing what happened. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
32/40
<p>For quite a while now, Will and Sonny have been proving that long distance relationships <em>can</em> work! Will’s off in Arizona with the couple’s daughter (whose mom is Gabi… long story), while Sonny was lured back to Salem by his grand-uncle, Victor Kiriakis, to run Titan. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
33/40
<p>Victor Kiriakis was never <em>quite</em> as evil as his late nemesis, Stefano, but he’s also never shied away from breaking a law or twenty. These days, he’s mellowed out a bit thanks to the influence of his unfailingly sweet wife, Maggie. He’s as quick with a quip as he is a threat to disown family members who refuse to do his bidding! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
34/40
<p>Sonny’s older half-brother, Alexander Kiriakis, recently returned home, seemingly intent on sleeping his way through the female population of Salem. There could, however, be more than meets the eye, especially since his has been caught by Stephanie Johnson. Meanwhile, he’s getting might comfy in Sonny’s CEO seat while his brother recovers… </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
35/40
<p>Having spent the past few years in Seattle, Stephanie Johnson — daughter of supercouple Steve and Kayla Johnson — recently returned to Salem for work. So far, her toughest job has been keeping Alex at arm’s length, especially now that they’ve been forced to work together. Steph’s been hired to fix Titan’s public image, but Alex is the walking definition of an HR nightmare! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
36/40
<p>Lawyer Justin Kiriakis was much like his son Alexander before he settled down, tamed by the love of a good woman, Adrienne Johnson. This is <em>not </em>Sonny’s mother, Adrienne, who sadly died, but her lookalike, Bonnie Lockhart. Aside from their looks, the only thing the two women really have in common is the fact that Justin fell in love with — and married — both of them. </p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
37/40
<p>ISA agent Steve Johnson — dad of Stephanie and brother of the late Adrienne — has been through it all to be with true love Kayla. He “died” for 16 years, was possessed by the “essence” of Stefano (don’t ask!) and is currently battling longtime nemesis Orpheus, who is determined to punish both Steve and John. </p>
Image: Chris Haston/NBC
38/40
<p>Salem’s top doc, Kayla Brady, is good for what ails you, whether it’s a gunshot wound, demonic posession recovery or brain altering microchip removal. She and Steve have a love that just won’t quit — and they also have two kids, one of whom, Stephanie, is finally back home! (The other, Joey, is currently living in Seattle with Tripp, Steve’s son via a past fling with Ava.) </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
39/40
<p>Orpheus, AKA Milo Harp, has been plaguing the folks of Salem since the ‘70s. He most recently orchestrated a full pardon from prison so he could get right back to what he does best: kidnapping people and holding them hostage while demanding their loved ones figure out clues to rescue them. Wait. Is he the Riddler??</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
40/40
