The 10 Biggest Days Of Our Lives Cast Member Updates & Returns You Can't Miss In December 2025

The iconic cast of Days of Our Lives (DOOL) continues to evolve with dramatic comings and goings, ensuring the drama in Salem never stops. As of December 2025, the Peacock soap opera is buzzing with news of major character returns, a surprising recast, and key players driving the show's most explosive storylines. This deep dive provides the most current, up-to-date information on the actors who bring the beloved residents of Salem to life, focusing on the latest developments that are shaping the show's future.

The transition to the streaming platform has only amplified the show's ability to pull off major surprises, and this month is no exception. Fans are eagerly anticipating the return of several long-missing actors and fan-favorite characters, while the current ensemble, including veterans like Deidre Hall and newer stars like Carson Boatman, navigate high-stakes plots involving exonerations, retirements, and unexpected bonds. Here is your essential guide to the current Days of Our Lives cast and the latest updates that are dominating the headlines.

Spotlight on Key Days of Our Lives Cast Members: Biographies and Roles

The heart of Days of Our Lives lies in its mix of legendary veterans and dynamic new talent. To appreciate the current storylines, it’s crucial to know the actors who anchor the show. Here are detailed profiles of three central figures currently driving the narrative in December 2025.

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Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans)

• Full Name: Deidre Ann Hall
• Date of Birth: October 31, 1947
• Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
• Role on DOOL: Dr. Marlena Evans (1976–1987, 1991–2009, 2011–present)
• Career Highlights: Hall is one of the most recognizable faces in daytime television, best known for her nearly five-decade-long portrayal of the psychiatrist Marlena Evans. Before her iconic soap role, she was the first young woman to host her own radio show and played the superheroine Electra Woman in the 1976 series Electra Woman and Dynagirl. Her character's possession storyline in the 1990s is one of the most famous and controversial in soap opera history. In December 2025, her character, Marlena, is reportedly sharing plans for retirement with Belle Black, hinting at a potential new chapter for the veteran character.

Alison Sweeney (Samantha "Sami" Brady)

• Full Name: Alison Ann Sweeney
• Date of Birth: September 19, 1976
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Role on DOOL: Samantha "Sami" Brady (1993–2015, recurring since 2017)
• Career Highlights: Sweeney began her career as a child actress and became a household name as the often-scheming, yet beloved, Sami Brady. Outside of Salem, she is a successful television host, having hosted The Biggest Loser for eight years. She is also a director, producer, and author, starring in and producing several popular Hallmark mystery franchises, including the Murder, She Baked and Chronicle Mysteries series. Her character's anticipated return is one of the biggest cast updates of late 2025.

Carson Boatman (Johnny DiMera)

• Full Name: Carson Boatman
• Role on DOOL: Johnny DiMera (2021–present)
• Career Highlights: Hailing from Iowa, Boatman is a talented actor, singer, and producer who took on the role of Johnny DiMera, the son of Sami Brady and EJ DiMera, in 2021. He quickly won over fans with his portrayal of the young man known for his swagger and serious edge. His recent storyline has been central to the show's drama, with Johnny DiMera being recently exonerated, setting the stage for his next major plot arc in Salem. Boatman's musical background adds another layer to his artistic career.

Major Comings, Goings, and Recasts Driving the December 2025 Drama

The end of 2025 is proving to be a whirlwind of cast changes, with several key characters making their way back to Salem, promising to shake up established relationships and storylines. These movements are essential for any dedicated Days of Our Lives viewer to track.

The Shocking Recast of Peter Blake

One of the most talked-about cast updates is the return of the villainous Peter Blake. The character is making his long-awaited comeback to the Peacock soap, but with a new face. Dan Gauthier has been recast in the role of Peter Blake, a significant development that suggests a major, possibly disruptive, storyline is on the horizon.

Anticipated Returns of Fan Favorites

The show is capitalizing on nostalgia and popular demand with the confirmed or anticipated returns of several beloved actors and their characters. These comebacks are designed to inject new life into the show’s legacy families and ongoing feuds.

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• Bo Brady and Hope Williams Brady: The iconic supercouple, Bo and Hope, are among the fan favorites expected to make a return, a move that will undoubtedly send shockwaves through Salem and impact characters like Steve Johnson and Kayla Brady.
• Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney): As mentioned, Alison Sweeney’s return as Sami Brady is highly anticipated. Her brief storyline return in late 2025 before a potential exit is set to be a must-watch event, likely involving her son Johnny and her ex-husband EJ DiMera.
• Rex Brady: The return of Rex Brady is also on the horizon, adding another layer to the complex Brady family dynamics.
• Other Returns: Reports also indicate that a pair of long-missing actors are headed back to Days of Our Lives, further fueling speculation about which familiar faces will reappear next.

Current Storyline Focus: Who is Driving the Action Now?

Beyond the major returns, the core cast members are currently immersed in high-stakes plots that are moving the show forward in December 2025. These characters and their struggles are central to the daily drama on Peacock.

The DiMera and Kiriakis Entanglements

The DiMera and Kiriakis families remain at the center of the action. Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) has finally been exonerated, a development that frees him up for new romantic and professional entanglements within the DiMera empire. His newfound freedom is sure to create tension with other key players.

Xander Cook's Emotional Turmoil and New Bonds

Xander Cook is currently experiencing significant emotional turmoil, described as distraught in recent spoilers. Meanwhile, another storyline is focusing on the unexpected bond forming between Jeremy and Liam, with the suggestion that this new connection could lead to trouble. These character-driven plots highlight the ongoing relationship drama and mystery elements that keep viewers hooked.

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Stephanie Johnson's Past and Marlena's Future

Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) is facing a difficult period as her past resurfaces to haunt her, promising a compelling storyline for the character. On the veteran front, Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) is contemplating a major life change. Her plans to retire, which she shared with Belle Black, suggest a shift in her professional life, though fans know that in Salem, retirement rarely means a quiet life. This mix of new character drama and veteran contemplation provides a rich tapestry of soap opera storytelling.

The current cast of Days of Our Lives is a vibrant blend of seasoned professionals and fresh, exciting talent. With major returns on the horizon—including the highly anticipated comebacks of Sami Brady and Bo & Hope—and key characters like Johnny DiMera and Stephanie Johnson navigating intense personal crises, the show is set for a dramatic and unforgettable run into the new year. The December 2025 updates confirm that the move to Peacock has given the writers the freedom to deliver the high-octane, legacy-rich drama that fans have loved for decades. Keep watching to see how these cast changes and explosive storylines unfold.