Billy Flynn Leaving ‘DAYS’ After 10 Years to Join ‘Y&R’: ‘I’m Excited for This Opportunity’
Exclusive
In a surprise casting move, Billy Flynn, who recently marked 10 years as Chad DiMera on Days of Our Lives, is moving to Genoa City and will make his debut on The Young and the Restless later this spring in a new role.
Flynn, a daytime newcomer when he joined the soap in 2014, quickly became a fan favorite as part of the Chad and Abigail Deveraux (played by Kate Mansi and Marci Miller) romance and was a key player in the DiMera dynasty.
“I am grateful for my years at DAYS; it changed my life in the best ways,” Flynn tells TV Insider exclusively. “I’ve always said these stories we tell are like doing a play, and I’ve spent the last 10-plus years playing this amazing character and telling one of the all-time great love stories. And now I’m excited for this opportunity and to test myself in a new way.”
XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
In September 2024, Flynn recalled how pivotal it was to land the role of Chad, noting, “I lived on a sailboat, and I had no money; I could barely eat. I got this audition and was like, ‘I don’t really want to be on a soap; I want to do movies or whatever.’ But my manager, God bless him, said, ‘Mate, you’re living on a sailboat. You can’t afford to eat dinner.’ The screen test is still a vivid memory because I did it with Kate Mansi [Kristina Corinthos, General Hospital] and Rob Wilson [Alex Kiriakis]. I was super critical of myself. I remember leaving and apologizing to Marnie [Saitta], the casting director, and she was like, ‘You’re crazy.’ And then they offered me the job.”
Flynn flourished at DAYS, earning three Daytime Emmy nominations as Outstanding Lead Actor and starring alongside Mansi in the spinoff miniseries, Chad & Abby in Paris, which streamed on Peacock in 2019. Last month, he appeared as Atticus Waverly in the hit CBS series Matlock.
The actor is leaving DAYS with the full endorsement of the soap, as well as executive producer Ken Corday. “We support Billy as an actor and friend, and wish him nothing but continued success and happiness, personally and professionally,” Corday says. “He will certainly be missed in Salem.” Because of DAYS’ unique shooting schedule, which tapes nine months ahead of when the shows airs, Flynn will remain on the soap well into 2026.
Y&R’s executive producer/head writer Josh Griffith wrote for Flynn from 2015-16 at DAYS, so he’s very familiar with the actor’s skills. “On behalf of the entire company of The Young and the Restless, we look forward to welcoming Billy to the show,” Griffith tells TV Insider. “He will be a wonderful addition to Y&R’s stellar cast.”
Days of Our Lives, Weekdays, Peacock
Conversation27 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
C
I have watched this show for 40 years and your mistakes are your own! Own them!!!!
You have had the talent yet you walk over them!!!!
You lost Nicole. BRING HER BACK.
Your you write off actors before you THINK!!!
You want the views yet you write off the BEST ONES. Someone isn’t thinking the viewers way. Some of these new recasts are a joke and can’t act.
23
-
R
It was Billy's choice to leave but yeah I'm still pissed Nicole & Sami are gone
-
-
G
Im so sad to hear this! All my favorites leave😭
17
-
C
WHAT?!
I keep saying why do I continue with this show?
13
-
C
You have lost so many good actors over the years. You have recasted so many. You ruin your own show.
Stop with all the stupidity. People stop watching because of your own mistakes.
11
-
O
He will be missed.
10
-
O
With days of our lives accelerate film schedule he will be seen until 2026. I wish he would have waited longer to tell his fan base so we would be surprised ( story-wise) when it happens. That being said I wish him well.
8
-
C
Maybe they will recast
2
-
O
Days is in advance but Y&R isn't as much and he will soon be in promos for it. It was going to get out and they had to get ahead of if it, even though it does ruin the surprise for us Days fans, sadly.
1 1
-
R
Yeah guess he had to since he will also be on Y&R soon
-
-
C
He will be missed ..I’ve been watching days since 1965..wish him the very best ..
7
-
C
I can't be excited considering Josh Griffith doesn't write good stories. He doesn't write romance, drama, friendship, family or anything. But best of luck to Billy.
10 4
-
R
He writes very well for Y&R. We are very happy with the story lines he has been writing. There has been lots of drama lately which we are excited about.
2 4
-
-
G
Take Kat with you
7 2
-
B
I think he is going to be the new mysterious person that everyone is trying to find out even Victor or he could be Audra brother or another old flame because she has slept her way to the top. I will miss him on Days! They need to cancel Days it’s getting so dull and boring now that John Black died. Now that the new soap The Gates has started they should all go to that show and Brady should go to the Young and the Restless and be Cane for Lilly or for Brooke on the Bold and Beautiful as Nick Maroni. In fact bring Chloe back for Brady fans are tired of him being hurt between Teresa and Kristen the poor guy is going to end up back in rehab again or going crazy and that little Rachel she needs a good spanking or be so scared about something that she will finally change to be good instead of being so evil.
7 4
-
O
I watch Days of our Lives and I watch Y and R also!
3 1
-
O
We need some leading ladies to come onto the show. Bring back Gina and we need another African American woman on contract besides Lilly
4 2
-
P
Lilly? Do you mean Paulina? as Jada is another character/actor on contract. I agree with you just wondering who you meant
1
-
-
O
This is unfortunate, but as a fan of Y&R as well, I look forward to seeing him there.
2 1
-
G
I know what is going on
-
G
I’m a Y&R lifer. Been watching since 1974. But, only when I could when I was employed. I’m retired now so I watch it, and record what I can’t watch until later. Through out the years the story lines get boring, like this one with Dumas. But, I keep watching because sometimes it does get exciting.
-
P
I totally agree Josh Griffith doesn’t write good stories. He only knows how to write business stories, and people stabbing each other in the back. A lot of people aren’t happy with Y&R right now and I am one of them. The show is boring and the writing is just awful.
-
P
I really agree that little girl is pure evil
-
P
Alex should tell Zander about Phillip and zanders little crazy wife
-
O
If they cancel it there won’t be any left but y and r and thebold the new soap sucks beyond the gates
-
E
I think Billy Flinn would be a great actor on anything he plays in but they just brought a new love Pinterest in and yes she betrayed him by pretending tobe Abby but in the long run she helped him too show what I see on Days of our Lives they give second and maybe three chances and I think the fake Abby/ Cat deserves it plus they have CHEMISTRY on the show if you pay close attention her sister Felicity notice but I would love for Chad and Cat to give it a go take a chance
-
G
I love billy Flynn and the one that played also days💖 mia
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services