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The Ultimate Guide To Days Of Our Lives Cast Members: Who's In, Who's Back, And The Latest Salem Shakers (December 2025 Update)

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The enduring drama of Salem continues to captivate fans worldwide, especially with the latest wave of cast shake-ups, shocking returns, and new faces joining the illustrious Days of Our Lives cast. As of late December 2025, the beloved soap opera, now streaming exclusively on Peacock, is experiencing a major surge in storyline intensity, driven by both its legendary veteran actors and a fresh crop of talent.

This comprehensive guide dives deep into the current contract cast members, highlights the most talked-about returns and recasts of the season, and provides a detailed look at the stars who bring the interconnected lives, loves, triumphs, and tragedies of the Horton, Brady, and DiMera families to life.

Meet the Veterans: Essential Days of Our Lives Cast Member Biographies

The backbone of Days of Our Lives (often abbreviated as DAYS or DOOL) is its core group of veteran actors, some of whom have been portraying their iconic characters for decades. Their history provides the critical context for every new storyline in Salem, U.S.A.

  • Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans)
    • Full Name: Deidre Ann Hall
    • Born: October 31, 1947
    • Role: Dr. Marlena Evans
    • Years on the Show: 1976–1987, 1991–2009, 2011–Present
    • Bio Note: A true icon of daytime television, Hall has portrayed the psychiatrist Dr. Marlena Evans for over 45 years. Her character is central to the Brady and DiMera family sagas, known for her romance with John Black and the infamous "Marlena Possession" storyline.
  • Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Brady)
    • Full Name: Mary Beth Evans
    • Born: March 7, 1961
    • Role: Kayla Brady
    • Years on the Show: 1986–1992, 2006–2009, 2010–Present
    • Bio Note: Evans is best known for her role as the kind-hearted nurse Kayla Brady. She is one half of the supercouple "Patch and Kayla" (or "Stayla") alongside Stephen Nichols' Steve Johnson, a pairing that remains one of the most popular in the show's history.
  • Stephen Nichols (Steve "Patch" Johnson)
    • Full Name: Stephen Nichols
    • Born: February 19, 1951
    • Role: Steve "Patch" Johnson
    • Years on the Show: 1985–1990, 2006–2009, 2015–Present
    • Bio Note: Nichols debuted as the brooding, eyepatch-wearing Steve Johnson in 1985. His chemistry with Mary Beth Evans is legendary, and his character is a core member of the Brady family, constantly involved in the show's most dramatic action and mystery plots.
  • Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera)
    • Full Name: William Flynn
    • Born: May 29, 1985
    • Role: Chad DiMera
    • Years on the Show: 2014–Present
    • Bio Note: Flynn took over the role of Chad DiMera, the youngest son of the iconic villain Stefano DiMera, in 2014. His character is a central figure in the modern DiMera family storylines, particularly known for his long-running love story with the late Abigail Deveraux.
  • Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark)
    • Full Name: Greg Rikaart
    • Born: February 26, 1977
    • Role: Leo Stark
    • Years on the Show: 2018–2020, 2022–Present
    • Bio Note: Rikaart plays the conniving yet often comedic con artist Leo Stark. His character is a fan-favorite scene-stealer, known for his relentless schemes and his current feud with EJ DiMera, a storyline dominating late 2025.

The Latest Cast Changes and Shocking Returns for Late 2025

The end of 2025 has brought a flurry of casting news that has completely reshaped the landscape of Salem. Long-time fans are celebrating the return of beloved characters, while new actors are stepping into pivotal roles.

Major Character Recasts and Returns

The production team has strategically brought back several key players, often through dramatic recasting, to fuel major holiday and New Year storylines:

  • Peter Blake Recast: The villainous Peter Blake has returned to Salem, but this time played by actor Dan Gauthier. This recast of a major character signals a significant new threat, especially for the DiMera and Kiriakis families.
  • Hope and Jennifer’s Comeback: Fan-favorite actress Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams Brady) and Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Horton Deveraux) have both been featured in the current season, adding a layer of nostalgia and powerful emotional weight to the ongoing drama.
  • The Return of Nurse Whitley King: Actress Kim Coles is set to reprise her role as Nurse Whitley King, the soap-loving kidnapper of Abe Carver, for a highly anticipated special episode in early 2026. This limited return is expected to revisit one of the most dramatic storylines of the past year.
  • Thaao Penghlis as Tony DiMera: Thaao Penghlis, who has played the charismatic Tony DiMera on and off since 1981, remains a key figure, particularly as the DiMera family faces new threats in the current December 2025 spoilers.

New Faces and Emerging Talent

In addition to the veterans, several new actors have joined the contract cast, taking on roles that will be crucial to the next generation of Salem stories:

  • Michael Roark as Jeremy Horton: The character of Jeremy Horton has been reintroduced, now played by Michael Roark. As a member of the foundational Horton family, his presence is vital for connecting the show's past with its future.
  • Derek Yates as Kerry Youmans: Rising actor Derek Yates has joined the cast as Kerry Youmans. New characters like Kerry are often introduced to shake up the established relationships and create fresh romantic or dramatic triangles.
  • A New DiMera Actor: The DiMera family, always at the center of Salem's intrigue, is getting a new face with an unconfirmed actor debuting as a familiar DiMera in late 2025. This casting move is guaranteed to ignite speculation among the fan base.

The Peacock Effect: How Streaming Changed the Days of Our Lives Cast

The historic move of Days of Our Lives from NBC to the streaming service Peacock in September 2022 fundamentally changed the show's production and the contracts of its cast members. This shift is a key piece of information for any modern fan.

The transition to Peacock allowed the show to continue its run without the constraints of network television scheduling. This new environment has arguably allowed for more creative freedom, leading to the complex and often darker storylines currently seen in Salem. The entire series now streams exclusively on Peacock, requiring a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus subscription to watch new episodes.

The Core Families and Topical Entities

To truly understand the DAYS cast, one must know the major families whose lives are constantly intertwined. These family names are the essential topical entities that define the show's narrative:

  • The Horton Family: The moral center of Salem, featuring characters like Dr. Sarah Horton Kiriakis and the returning Jennifer Horton Deveraux.
  • The Brady Family: Known for their strong ties and often dramatic lives, including Steve Johnson, Kayla Brady, and the returning Hope Williams Brady.
  • The DiMera Family: The wealthy, powerful, and often villainous family, including Chad DiMera, Tony DiMera, Kristen DiMera, and the recently recast Peter Blake. Their family crypt and mansion are constant sources of drama.
  • The Kiriakis Family: The other powerful family in Salem, known for their business and political dealings.
  • The Hernandez Family: A key modern family, often involved in law enforcement and romantic storylines.

The current cast is a dynamic mix of these legacy characters and new players. With the December 2025 spoilers teasing major DiMera family drama—including Leo Stark scheming to best EJ and the DiMeras fearing for their lives—the actors are set for a high-stakes holiday season. This blend of veteran excellence and fresh, dramatic casting ensures that Days of Our Lives remains one of the most talked-about and enduring daytime dramas on television.

days of lives cast members
days of lives cast members

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