If you’ve been flipping through the Salem gossip and can’t keep track of who’s staying and who’s heading out, you’re in good company. The last few months have brought a major cast shakeup, a surprising parentage reveal, and a pregnancy twist that’s already shifting alliances. Here’s a verified look at what’s actually happening — and what’s still up in the air — so you know exactly which spoilers to trust.

4 related posts

Cast members fired in 2025: 4 ·
Years on air: 59 ·
Approximate total episodes: 14,000+ ·
Major character exit pending: Marlena Evans ·
Spoiler timeframe covered: 2–4 weeks ahead

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Four actors fired in early 2026 after the holiday break (Soap Opera Digest)
  • Xander Kiriakis is Victor Kiriakis’ illegitimate son (confirmed by Wikipedia)
  • Joy is pregnant according to spoiler reports (Yahoo)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reasons for each firing have not been publicly detailed
  • How Marlena Evans will exit (death, departure, or recast) remains unconfirmed
  • Whether more cast changes will occur in 2026 is unknown
3Timeline signal
  • Firings reported in early 2026, but on-screen departures won’t appear until late 2026 or early 2027 due to the show’s advance production schedule (Soap Opera Digest)
  • Days of Our Lives films nearly 10 months in advance (Soap Hub)
4What’s next
  • Viewers will see the fired characters exit in late 2026/early 2027
  • Recasts and new characters expected as the show celebrates its 60th anniversary
  • Ongoing storylines around Joy’s pregnancy and Xander’s family reveal will continue through the spring

Six key facts provide the foundation for understanding the current state of Days of Our Lives.

Label Value
Show Creator Ted Corday & Betty Corday
Network NBC (previously), Peacock (currently)
Premiere Date November 8, 1965
Recent Cast Firings (2025) 4 actors
Major Character Exit Pending Marlena Evans
Current Spoiler Horizon 2–4 weeks

Who is leaving Days of Our Lives cast?

Which actors were fired in the 2025 shakeup?

  • Soap Opera Digest (the industry insider for soap news) reported that four contract players were let go after returning from the holiday break in early 2026: Carson Boatman, Raven Bowens, Ashley Puzemis, and Leo Howard.
  • Soap Hub (a trusted soap source) confirmed the same names, adding that the show films nearly 10 months in advance, so viewers won’t see these characters exit until late 2026 or early 2027.

Why were these cast members let go?

  • The official reasons for each firing have not been publicly disclosed. Soap Opera Digest noted that the shakeup was first reported by the Daily Mail (a U.K. news outlet), but detailed explanations remain internal.
  • According to Soap Dirt’s YouTube roundup (a fan-focused soap channel), other departures in 2025 included Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera), Galen Gering (Arnold Feniger), Tamara Braun (Ava Vitali), and Drake Hogestyn (John Black, following the actor’s death). However, these reports are less widely corroborated.
Bottom line: Four actors are confirmed fired. On-screen exits will be delayed by the show’s production lead time. For Carson Boatman and Raven Bowens, this means their final scenes won’t air for nearly a year.

The implication: viewers should not expect immediate goodbyes, as the show’s long production pipeline postpones visible cast changes.

Who got fired on Days of Our Lives?

List of fired cast members

  • Confirmed: Carson Boatman, Raven Bowens, Ashley Puzemis, and Leo Howard — reported by both Soap Opera Digest and Soap Hub.
  • Reported elsewhere: Soap Dirt’s 2025 roundup also listed Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera exit), Connor Floyd as his recast, and several other role changes (Madelyn Kientz replaced by Rachel Boyd, Alice Halsey as Rachel Black, etc.). These have lower verification.

Reasons behind the firings

  • No official statement has been given. The Daily Mail broke the story, and Soap Opera Digest confirmed the four names, but the network has not commented. Speculation points to budget adjustments and creative direction shifts as the show approaches its 60th anniversary.
What to watch

The four fired actors’ final scenes were reportedly shot months ago. Their on-screen goodbyes will arrive before any new character introductions — meaning viewers will see the exits before they see who replaces them.

The pattern: budget-driven cuts often precede storyline resets, and the lack of official explanations leaves room for further departures.

Is Xander Victor’s son on Days of Our Lives?

Xander Kiriakis family tree

  • Yes, Xander Kiriakis is Victor Kiriakis’ illegitimate son. Wikipedia (the community-maintained soap encyclopedia) lists Xander as Victor’s son, a plot point that has been part of the show’s lore for years and was recently re-emphasized.

How this revelation affects storylines

  • Xander’s parentage has been used to fuel conflicts over the Kiriakis fortune and alliances. With Victor’s death (John Aniston passed away in 2022), the power struggle among his heirs — Xander, Brady, and others — continues to drive drama.

“Xander Kiriakis is the illegitimate son of Victor Kiriakis, and his claim to the Kiriakis fortune has been a recurring source of tension.”

Wikipedia – Days of Our Lives character list

The catch: this reveal deepens existing rivalries, making the Kiriakis inheritance a central conflict for the foreseeable future.

Is Joy pregnant on Days of Our Lives?

Joy’s pregnancy storyline

  • Yes, Joy is pregnant, according to spoilers from Yahoo (the entertainment news aggregator) and other outlets. The storyline explores Joy’s transformation and its impact on her relationships with characters like Marlena and the Salem community.

Character transformation details

  • The pregnancy is expected to test Joy’s loyalties and push her toward more mature decision-making. Spoiler sources suggest the father may be a familiar face, but the identity is being kept under wraps.

“Joy’s pregnancy is a major twist that will reshape her character and create new conflicts in the coming months.”

Yahoo Entertainment – Days of Our Lives spoilers

The implication: Joy’s pregnancy is a catalyst for relationship shifts, particularly affecting her bond with Marlena.

How does Marlena leave Days of Our Lives?

Marlena’s exit storyline

  • Marlena Evans (played by Deidre Hall) is reportedly leaving the show, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. Soap Dirt’s 2026 roundup did not mention Marlena, but multiple spoiler sites have suggested her departure is imminent.

Deidre Hall’s potential departure

  • No official announcement has been made. The uncertainty around Marlena’s exit is one of the most talked-about spoilers for 2025–2026. Some fan forums speculate a tragic death; others suggest a peaceful departure or a recast.
The catch

Because Days of Our Lives films nearly 10 months ahead, even if Hall has taped her final scenes, they won’t air until well into 2026. Viewers are in for a long wait before they know Marlena’s fate for sure.

What this means: Marlena’s exit is the show’s biggest upcoming cliffhanger, and the delay adds to the suspense.

Timeline: Key events in the 2025–2026 shakeup

  • May 2025 – Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera) reportedly exits; Connor Floyd cast as his replacement (Soap Dirt, low confidence).
  • 2025 (ongoing) – Galen Gering, Tamara Braun, and others depart; recasts for younger characters (Rachel Black, Sophia Choi) announced.
  • Early 2026 – Four contract players (Boatman, Bowens, Puzemis, Howard) fired after holiday break (Soap Opera Digest, high confidence).
  • Late 2026–early 2027 – On-screen departures of the fired actors expected due to the show’s advance taping schedule (Soap Opera Digest).
  • Future – Further exits and returns possible; 60th anniversary special in 2025 may bring back familiar faces.

Confirmed facts

  • Four cast members fired in 2025 (Carson Boatman, Raven Bowens, Ashley Puzemis, Leo Howard) – per Soap Opera Digest and Soap Hub.
  • Xander Kiriakis is Victor Kiriakis’ son – per Wikipedia.
  • Joy is pregnant – per Yahoo spoilers.

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for each firing (not publicly detailed).
  • How Marlena will exit (death, departure, or recast).
  • Whether more cast changes will occur in 2026.

Summary

For the devoted Days of Our Lives viewer, the coming months will test patience. The four fired actors won’t disappear from screens until late 2026, while Marlena’s fate remains a cliffhanger. The takeaway: enjoy the storylines playing out now — they’ll matter more once you understand who’s really leaving. For Carson Boatman and Raven Bowens, the wait for their on-screen goodbyes is part of the soap experience.

Additional sources

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Frequently asked questions

How can I watch Days of Our Lives?

New episodes stream on Peacock (weekdays). Previously aired episodes are also available on the platform.

When does the new episode air?

Episodes drop weekdays at 6:00 a.m. ET on Peacock. NBC no longer broadcasts the show.

Who plays Marlena Evans?

Deidre Hall has portrayed Marlena Evans since 1976 (with some breaks). She remains in the role as of 2025.

Is Days of Our Lives ending?

No. The show was renewed through 2026 and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025.

What is the next big spoiler?

Expect Joy’s pregnancy to unfold, Xander’s family reveal to deepen, and the fired characters’ exits to begin airing in late 2026.

Are there any returns planned?

Yes. The 60th anniversary episodes included cameos from Jennifer and Jack Horton, Mike and Marie Horton, and others. More returns are possible.

What network airs Days of Our Lives?

It originally aired on NBC. Since 2022, new episodes are exclusively on Peacock.

How many episodes has Days of Our Lives had?

Over 14,000 episodes have aired since its premiere on November 8, 1965.