‘Days of Our Lives’ Fall 2025 Preview: Big Cast Returns, Marlena’s Health Crisis, DiMeras in Danger & More
Fall Preview
It’s been nearly six months since the material from Days of our Lives co-head writers, Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford began airing, and there’s already a lot to celebrate. Not only did the show recently score a two-year renewal from Peacock, but the soap will also mark its 60th anniversary on November 8.
As Days heads into the fall, viewers can expect to see more of Cwikly and Ford’s creative vision come into focus. “Because all stories build on characters’ history, we are always working with threads from past regimes,” the duo explains. “That said, the stories airing this fall are primarily new tales.
Because both writers have deep roots with the soap, the renewal news is especially meaningful. “We have both been fans of the show for decades, long before either of us got our first jobs on Days, and are thrilled the show will continue through at least season 63 and hopefully well beyond,” they enthuse. “We could not be happier for the cast, crew, and fans that life goes on in Salem.”
As the season changes, the writers describe the mood of the show as a blend of cozy and chaotic: “Thanksgiving/family feels with a healthy dose of Halloween mayhem thrown in for good measure,” they tease.
All that momentum is building toward the big anniversary in November. The milestone will serve as the key turning point in the season, and its impact will ripple into future storylines. “The 60th anniversary is the event that brings the town together to celebrate. The hospital gala will kick off a new umbrella story that extends into the new year,” add the scribes.
Cwickly and Ford say they’ve been thinking about how to mark the anniversary since stepping into their current roles. “We wanted to honor the first families of Salem with a retrospective that kicked off new stories in its aftermath,” they explain. “There will be a hospital gala in honor of Tom Horton [played by the late Macdonald Carey], which coincides with some mysterious experiments EJ [DiMera, Dan Feuerriegel] is conducting in his private lab.”
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Big Cast Returns
As the show moves toward the 60th anniversary celebration, look for the following beloved characters to return for a handful of episodes over the season: Lamon Archey (Eli Grant), Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Maree Cheatham (Marie Horton), Roark Critchlow (Mike Horton), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton), Colton Little (Andrew Donovan), Chandler Massey (Will Horton), Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Deveraux), Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant), Stephen Schnetzer (Steve Olson), Christopher Sean (Paul Narita), Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) and Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady).
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Exciting Storylines Ahead
- The “Who Shot EJ?” reveal — that young Rachel Black (Alice Halsey) pulled the trigger — will reverberate through the canvas for some time to come. Her mother being in prison is not the only trauma Rachel Black has to deal with, and she lashes out in a way that has life-threatening consequences.
- Our teens move into the dorms at Salem U as they begin college. An adult also embarks on a new career as an adjunct professor.
- Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) desperation grows as Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Tate Black (Leo Howard) get closer to the truth about the baby
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- Xander Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) and Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) will love each other forever and always, but they both have inner demons to deal with before they can live together in peace and harmony.
- Chad DiMera’s (Billy Flynn) growing feelings for Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) ignite a family feud
- Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) gets the upper hand on Xander and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). A mystery puts the DiMeras in danger.
- Marlena Evans’ (Deidre Hall) health crisis worsens.
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- Stephanie Johnson’s (Abigail Klein) past comes back to haunt her.
- Now that Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) has been exonerated, he and Chanel Dupree DiMera (Raven Bowens) get serious about starting a family but face unexpected roadblocks.
- Secrets and desires come to light when Salem goes dark.
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Conversation27 Comments
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O
I've watched since I was a freshman in high school (1967). I would come home for lunch and catch it. I love it like an old friend. But sometimes old friends need a wake up call. Someone get a hairdresser on there that can do something. I swear, every lady looks like they just rolled outta bed. And the wardrobe...don't even get me started. But, I'll NEVER leave all of my dear(weird) Salem friends.🥰
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C
Been there done that and agree wholeheartedly!!
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O
Same! I was 7 when I started watching it (1978) with my mom, aunt and grabdmother. It’s a family tradition now!!! I love it and the story lines never get old to me lol
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R
Ej's haircut is awful. It looks like he is wearing a hairpiece and a bad one at that
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O
MichaelTWeiss is Mike.. sorry but the recast didnt work. More Hortons please! Get Maggie on more and move back to her roots, the farm and a new story . Enough with corporate greed and takeover… that story has been played on all the soaps repeatedly.
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B
Agree Young and the Restless is doing a Corporate takeover storyline right now
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G
There have been 12 other actors that played Mike Horton after Wesley.
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O
Bo and Hope appeared in all #Days anniversaries celebrating 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years. This year, the 60th marks a town wide hospital gala honoring Tom Horton. #Bope deserved to be included in this event, a perfect opportunity to #BringBackBope . Truly disappointing.
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O
Why not leave Chanel and Johnny alone let them be Salem new couple
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C
I AM EXCITED ABOUT DAYS 60 TH ANNIVERSARY I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING DAYS FAN EVENTS FOR 40 MYEARS AND HAVE MADE FRIENDS WITH MOST OF THE CAST
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O
Do you know the date for 2025?
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C
I hope Johnny and Chanel can start their family.
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O
I have been watching Days since it first aired, my mother and I would watch everyday, after all these years still can't get enough
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O
I’ve been watching since the first episode ❣️. Still can’t get enough of this show…thank you everyone for an amazing show
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R
Eli should share a scene with Stephanie I definitely ship that pairing.
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Matt (Jack) is back!! Thank you🥰
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O
I've been watching since the first summer DOOL ran. I was 12, the show was 30 minutes long in black and white. It ran consecutively amongst "Another World" and "The Doctors" while mom did the daily ironing. After I got married, a neighbor and I used to speculate over coffee on the weekends to solve any show-related puzzles. I didn't see it on school days or work days, but I caught up on holidays and sick days. Now I'm retired, and I don't miss an episode, if I'm gone I can watch the saved copy. It's been one of few constants in my life, and I absolutely love this show. I especially love to see original cast members. But could somebody point "Susan Banks" towards a dentist?
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P
You must've had a B/W TV, Days of our Lives debuted in color.
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G
I’ve watched since Julie hated Susan for killing David Martin, after he let their child die. Julie was the wild one then.
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O
Where is Maggie?!
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C
I've been watching Days since 1972. I've seen some many wonderful characters over the years. There's been some great stories and some not so great. Some stories just wouldn't go away fast enough while others could have gone on and on. I've seen enough of Tate and baby momma Sophia. Both characters are so selfish. Tate like he's dad Brady grind on my nerves. I love Leo and hope he found his true love with Javi.
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O
I Think, they need to bring back the OG Mike Horton, Wesley Eure
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P
I think this is REALLY getting old same stuff Johnny and Chanelle can't get a baby ... Devil is coming back ... People Possessed ... get a real story line !!!! If I hear more about Johnny and Chanelle getting screwed around again I am out of here
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O
Totally agree.. they r Days history Also what about a storyline to bring back the best loyal fan base that had rating thru the roof.. the one & only James Scott & Alison Sweeny who had chemistry through the roof they r part of the 60 years of pure magic passion love entertainment & they lit the screes up..it isi missed
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R
I don't like when Soaps waste storyline on revolving characters. I like Sammy and Eric et al but please use time in better story for the characters who are regulars. And please bring Lucas back as a regular character.
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J
How do Brady get to go through a closed adoption sometimes y'all do unrealistic situations try and stay as close to reality as possible please
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G
There was no adoption. Melinda faked all of the paperwork.
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