The Biggest Salem Shakeup: Who’s In, Who’s Out, And The Shocking 2025 Days Of Our Lives Cast Changes

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The landscape of Salem is undergoing a massive, unprecedented shift in 2025, with beloved veterans and fan favorites making shocking exits while new blood arrives to shake up the core families. As of December 10, 2025, the latest casting updates for Days of Our Lives confirm a significant roster overhaul that will redefine major storylines for the Horton, Brady, and DiMera clans, promising a dramatic year ahead for the long-running soap opera now streaming exclusively on Peacock.

The transition to the Peacock streaming service has injected new life and a willingness to embrace bold casting decisions, leading to a series of high-profile departures and intriguing returns that are essential for any dedicated viewer to track. From the emotional exit of a DiMera heir to the surprising return of a character from the show’s legacy, this is your definitive guide to the current and future faces of Salem.

The Shockwave: Major Cast Departures and Exits in 2025

The biggest news rocking the Days of Our Lives community involves several major actors confirming their exits, which will leave significant voids in key storylines. These departures are set to air throughout the early and middle parts of 2025, dramatically altering the show's dynamic.

  • Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera): One of the most shocking announcements is the departure of Billy Flynn, who portrays the popular Chad DiMera. His exit is slated to air in early 2025, leaving fans to speculate on how the show will write off the character—will it be a tragic end or a move out of Salem? Chad’s departure marks the end of a pivotal era for the DiMera family and his relationship with the Horton and Brady families.
  • Tamara Braun (Ava Vitali): The talented Tamara Braun is also set to leave her role as the complex Ava Vitali. Ava's dramatic and often villainous presence has been a cornerstone of recent plots, and her exit will undoubtedly clear the board for new rivalries and power struggles in Salem.
  • Cary Christopher (Thomas DiMera): The young actor portraying Thomas DiMera is also leaving the show. Since Thomas is Chad's son, this departure ties directly into Billy Flynn's exit, suggesting a family move rather than a solo character departure.
  • AlexAnn Hopkins (Joy): The character of Joy is also set to depart.
  • Al Calderon (Javi Hernandez): Al Calderon, who played Javi Hernandez, has also concluded his run on the soap.
  • Roslyn Gentle (Rachel Blake): The mysterious "woman in white," Rachel Blake, portrayed by Roslyn Gentle, is also confirmed for an upcoming exit.

These cast shakeups demonstrate the new creative direction of the series, which is focusing on the core family dynamics of the Brady, Horton, Kiriakis, DiMera, and Hernandez families.

New Faces, Recasts, and Fan-Favorite Returns

While Salem is saying goodbye to some familiar faces, the revolving door of the soap world is swinging open for exciting new arrivals and long-awaited comebacks. These new additions are crucial for topical authority, ensuring the show's legacy continues.

  • Michael Roark as Jeremy Horton (Recast): The character of Jeremy Horton, a legacy character and son of Mike Horton, has been recast with actor Michael Roark. Roark's debut brings a fresh energy to the role, which is tied to Stephanie Johnson's current storyline.
  • Wes Ramsey as Owen Kent (Return): Wes Ramsey is set to return to the role of Owen Kent after a 16-year absence. Ramsey is a seasoned soap veteran, known for his work on General Hospital and Guiding Light, and his return promises to stir up trouble in Salem.
  • Dan Gauthier (New Role): *One Life to Live* alum Dan Gauthier is joining the cast in an undisclosed role, adding another veteran daytime star to the roster.
  • Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi (Recast): The role of Sophia Choi is being recast, with Rachel Boyd taking over from Madelyn Kientz in February 2025.
  • Kim Coles as Nurse Whitley King (Return): Kim Coles is returning for a single episode as Nurse Whitley King, Abe Carver's soap-loving kidnapper, a storyline that captivated viewers.

Meet the Stars: Biographies of Key Current and Returning Actors

The strength of Days of Our Lives lies in its talented ensemble. Here is a look at the biographies of some of the most talked-about actors currently driving the major storylines in Salem, including the new and returning cast members.

Carson Boatman (Johnny DiMera)

Carson Boatman is a multi-talented actor, singer, and producer who has made a significant impact since taking over the role of Johnny DiMera in 2021. Johnny, the son of Sami Brady and EJ DiMera, is a young man with swagger and a serious edge, often finding himself in the middle of family drama, including his recent exoneration from a major crime.

Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson)

Born on December 24, 1988, Abigail Klein is best known for portraying Stephanie Johnson on Days of Our Lives and its limited series spin-off, Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem. Before her acting career, Klein was a professional cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from 2007 to 2010. Her character is currently involved in a complex storyline where her past is coming back to haunt her, often involving the newly recast Jeremy Horton.

Wes Ramsey (Owen Kent)

Wes Ramsey (born October 6, 1977) is a veteran of daytime television, having studied acting at the prestigious Juilliard School. While he is perhaps most recognized for playing Peter August on General Hospital and Sam Spencer on Guiding Light, Ramsey first appeared on Days of Our Lives as Owen Kent in 2009. His return in 2025 as Owen Kent is highly anticipated, promising to bring veteran gravitas to the show's new chapter.

Michael Roark (Jeremy Horton)

Michael Roark is the latest actor to take on the role of Jeremy Horton, a character that first appeared in 1989. Roark is known to soap fans for his previous role as Travis Crawford on The Young and The Restless. His arrival as Jeremy, who is now a teacher, adds a new layer to the Horton family legacy and directly impacts Stephanie Johnson's life.

The Longest-Serving Legends and Core Cast

No discussion of the Days of Our Lives cast is complete without acknowledging the legendary actors who have anchored the show for decades, providing the essential continuity and topical authority that fans crave.

  • Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Horton Kiriakis): Suzanne Rogers holds the record as the longest-running actor, having portrayed Maggie Horton Kiriakis for more than 50 years as of 2025.
  • Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Olson Williams) and Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans): These two actresses are the second and third longest-tenured actors, respectively, and continue to be central figures in Salem. Deidre Hall, in particular, is often cited as one of the highest-net-worth actors in daytime television, with an estimated net worth of $12 million.
  • James Reynolds (Abe Carver): His recent dramatic storyline involving Nurse Whitley King (Kim Coles) highlights his continued importance to the show.
  • Other Core Actors: The cast remains stacked with veterans and key players, including Raven Bowens (Chanel Dupree DiMera), Tina Huang (Melinda Trask), Colton Little (Andrew Donovan), and Shi Ne Nielson (Amy).

The move to Peacock has not only secured the future of Days of Our Lives but has also created a dynamic environment where major cast changes—both exits and returns—are now a regular and exciting part of the show's evolution. The new writers are clearly committed to honoring the history of Salem while moving boldly into a new era of streaming-exclusive drama, ensuring that the lives, loves, triumphs, and tragedies of the Horton, Brady, Kiriakis, Hernandez, and DiMera families remain appointment viewing for years to come.

The Biggest Salem Shakeup: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and The Shocking 2025 Days of Our Lives Cast Changes
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