In a move that has sent shockwaves through the cast, the long-running US soap opera Days of Our Lives has brutally axed four of its younger stars immediately after the Christmas hiatus. The sudden purge, described by insiders as a "New Year bloodbath," has left the show's ensemble living in fear and questioning the producers' strategy.
The Shocking Exit of Four Key Players
Carson Boatman, Raven Bowens, Ashley Puzemis, and Leo Howard were all given their walking papers within a day of returning to work after the holidays. According to a source speaking to the Daily Mail, the actors were "totally blindsided" by the decision, with no prior warning signs. The insider revealed that Carson Boatman was even in the middle of renegotiating a new contract when he was let go.
The decision is particularly perplexing given the soap's recent public drive to attract younger Gen Z and Millennial viewers by investing in new talent. Boatman, 31, played legacy character Johnny DiMera, while Bowens, 35, portrayed his on-screen wife, Chanel DiMera. The popular couple, known as 'Janel' to fans, had just remarried in February 2024 and recently adopted a son, seemingly cementing their status as a future cornerstone of the show.
Both actors had recently spoken optimistically about their long-term futures on the programme. Just months ago, Boatman told E! he would take "25 or 50 years" on the show if possible. Meanwhile, Ashley Puzemis (Holly Tate) and Leo Howard (Tate Black), who played a central young couple, were also dropped. Puzemis had only joined in 2023 and won an award for Best Emerging Talent in December.
A Cast Living in Fear and Creative Uncertainty
The abrupt firings have reportedly created an atmosphere of "dread, chaos and fear" among the remaining cast members. The source explained, "If it can happen to four of the young cast who had major storylines, the general thought is it can happen to anyone."
It remains unclear whether the characters will be written out or recast, a practice Days of Our Lives is notoriously familiar with. The show films episodes approximately ten months in advance, meaning viewers will continue to see Boatman and the others on screen for some time to come.
The lay-offs occur under the relatively new creative leadership of co-head writers Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford, who took over in July 2024. Their first scenes will air from April 2025, suggesting these firings are part of a broader, long-term creative overhaul.
A Show Beset by Challenges and Change
This dramatic cast cull is the latest in a series of tumultuous events for the iconic soap, which first aired in 1965. The show has recently contended with the deaths of several veteran cast members, including John Aniston (Victor Kiriakis), Bill Hayes (Doug Williams), and Drake Hogestyn (John Black).
Long-serving actress Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Horton) also underwent treatment for stage 2 colon cancer last year before returning to set. Furthermore, the show lost Arianne Zucker (Nicole Walker) in 2024 after her contract was not renewed following a lawsuit against a former producer.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Carson Boatman struck a gracious tone, saying he was "incredibly grateful for the past five years" and had "nothing but love and respect for everyone." A spokesperson for Days of Our Lives stated, "While we don’t comment on individual contracts... What may seem sudden is part of long-range storytelling decisions. Our goal is to balance the show’s rich history with where we’re headed creatively."
The future of the fictional town of Salem now hangs in the balance, as fans and cast alike wait to see what this drastic shake-up means for the beloved soap's next chapter.
