‘Days of Our Lives’ Shakeup: Former Co-Head Writer Returns to NBC Soap
Exclusive
Days of Our Lives has officially installed a new writing team as part of the show’s ongoing long-term story development strategy, TV Insider can exclusively confirm.
Ryan Quan, most recently a breakdown writer at General Hospital, will join Jeanne Marie Ford as co-head writer beginning in July 2026. Current co-head writer Paula Cwikly will transition into a consultant role, continuing her longstanding relationship with the series.
“We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold,” executive producer Ken Corday tells TV Insider. “There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”
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A graduate of UCLA, Quan originally joined Days as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after working on Passions. Over the course of nearly two decades with the show, Quan has held a variety of writing positions, developing an extensive knowledge of its history, characters, and legacy. Quan previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17, working alongside Dena Higley. At the time, he told Soap Opera Digest, “I just want to make the show feel like the show I grew up watching that had a mix of mystery and adventure and romance and fun.”
Beginning in 2017, Quan worked closely with the show’s former head writer Ron Carlivati as a story consultant. Following Carlivati’s departure in 2024, Quan joined General Hospital the following year.
After the Days writing team won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series in 2022, Carlivati and Quan discussed their creative partnership with soap journalist Michael Fairman. Reflecting on Quan’s contributions, Carlivati said, “He will admit that I, once a week, say, ‘Ryan, do you want this job?’ And he always says no, but he could do it, and I could not do mine without him.”
Because of the show’s unique production schedule, episodes written under this new creative team’s vision are expected to air in mid-2027.
The news comes on the heels of NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss announcing that Peacock, the six-year-old streamer where Days airs, is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, underscoring continued corporate investment in the long-running daytime drama.
Days of our Lives, Weekdays, Peacock
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B
THANK YOU! I'm a faithful watcher for 65 years. I understand there are hold and valleys at times, but goodness, Days had been in a slump for a too long of a time: since Bill Hayes' and Drake Hogestyn' passing. I'm looking for better stores and Lexie... Well, that storyline should have not been created.
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M
Ive been watching days for over 60 yrs You broke Abe and Paulinas heart and sorry but I don't care for Lexis return
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F
I have been watching Days for over 60 years. I found today's June 4th episode very boring. Scenes were also out of sequence. Hoping tomorrow will be better. Still live the soap though
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M
I just finished watching the episode and I don’t think there were any out of sequence. It took a minute or two to realize Zander could not be in 2 places at once and that’s because Sara was dreaming about him. I thought there were some really good interactions and it wasn’t all about Sophia or Christine/ EJ for a change.
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P
Peacock is a PAY channel. Tv costs are already high & out of range to add Peacock as well for us seniors living on S.S. & NO SENIOR ACCOUNT.
Over $200 a month for wifi & TV service. Been watching Days 50+ years. But getting too expensive for us seniors.
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G
It’s a choice that you get to make, to have it or not.
There’s no way that you can be spending $200+ on internet access and streaming services. You must be paying for cable too, and that’s your mistake. But again, everyone has to make their own choices
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