The Ultimate Guide To The Days Of Our Lives Cast: Major Returns, New Villains, And Who's Leaving In 2025

The iconic soap opera Days of Our Lives (DOOL) continues to dominate the daytime—and now streaming—landscape, keeping fans on the edge of their seats with dramatic cast changes and jaw-dropping character returns. As of December 2025, the fictional town of Salem is experiencing one of its most explosive periods in recent memory, marked by the long-awaited comeback of legendary supercouples and the introduction of new faces set to stir up chaos. These updates are essential for any dedicated viewer to keep track of the ever-evolving DiMera family sagas and the romantic entanglements that define the show.

This comprehensive guide details the most significant cast movements and character developments for late 2024 and throughout 2025, focusing on the veteran stars who anchor the series and the new talent driving its freshest storylines. From major comebacks like Bo and Hope to the latest DiMera drama involving EJ, the current state of the DOOL cast is a thrilling mix of nostalgia and high-stakes drama.

The Pillars of Salem: Key Days of Our Lives Cast Biographies and Character Histories

The longevity of Days of Our Lives is built on the foundation of its core actors, many of whom have been with the show for decades. The current roster blends these veterans with newer stars who have quickly become fan favorites. Here is a look at some of the most prominent actors defining the show’s narrative in 2025, including their vital statistics and career milestones.

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• Alison Sweeney (Samantha "Sami" Brady)
  • Born: September 19, 1976 (Age 49 in 2025)
  • Role History: Sweeney first debuted as Sami Brady in 1993 and has become one of the most recognizable figures in daytime television. Her character, Sami, is known for her fiery temper, dramatic love life, and being the daughter of Marlena Evans and Roman Brady.
  • Career Highlights: Beyond her four Soap Opera Digest Awards for her work on DOOL, Sweeney is also a successful reality show host (The Biggest Loser), director, producer, and author. Her return to Salem is always a major event, promising immediate chaos and high ratings.
• James Reynolds (Abe Carver)
  • Born: August 10, 1946 (Age 79 in 2025)
  • Role History: Reynolds has portrayed the beloved Abe Carver since 1981, making him one of the longest-running African-American actors in a soap opera. Abe Carver is a respected police commissioner and former Mayor of Salem.
  • Career Highlights: Reynolds has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award and is celebrated for his historic run on the show, often reflecting on his role in mentoring the next generation of actors. His character has recently been at the center of emotional amnesia and kidnapping storylines.
• AnnaLynne McCord (Abigail Deveraux DiMera)
  • Born: July 16, 1987 (Age 38 in 2025)
  • Role History: McCord joined the cast in 2024, taking on the complex role of a woman who is pretending to be the presumed dead Abigail Deveraux DiMera. This "Abigail twist" has been a major storyline driver.
  • Career Highlights: Known for playing "vixen-type roles," McCord gained prominence on the primetime show 90210. Her move to daytime has been critically acclaimed, with her receiving an Emmy nomination for the challenging role, which she credits with helping her "reset" her career.
• Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera)
  • Born: 1981 in Sydney, Australia (Age 44 in 2025)
  • Role History: Feuerriegel assumed the role of the cunning and ruthless EJ DiMera, son of the infamous Stefano DiMera, in June 2021.
  • Career Highlights: The Australian actor is known to international audiences for his role as Agron in the Starz series Spartacus. His portrayal of EJ has kept the DiMera family drama front and center, with the character constantly straddling the line between villain and anti-hero.

The Shocking Returns of 2025: Bo, Hope, and the Supercouple Saga

The biggest news dominating the Days of Our Lives landscape in 2025 is the highly anticipated return of two of the show's most iconic figures: Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) and Hope Williams Brady (Kristian Alfonso). This supercouple, affectionately known as "Bo and Hope," is synonymous with the golden age of the soap opera, and their reappearance is expected to launch a major, emotional storyline arc.

Kristian Alfonso, who originally left the show in 2020 after a 37-year run, has pledged that the beloved couple will be "better than ever" upon their return to the small screen on Peacock. Spoilers for late 2025 suggest that the storyline will be deeply emotional, possibly centering around Bo's final days and his reunion with Hope and their daughter, Ciara Brady. This comeback not only satisfies long-time fans but also injects a massive dose of topical authority and viewership into the current season.

Another major return is Alison Sweeney as Sami Brady. While Sami frequently pops in and out of Salem, her extended presence in 2025 is tied to the escalating drama within the DiMera family, especially involving her ex-husband EJ DiMera and the current turmoil surrounding the DiMera Enterprises.

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New Faces and Major Cast Shake-Ups in Salem (2024-2025)

The constant cycle of comings and goings is the lifeblood of any soap opera, and Days of Our Lives is no exception. The 2024-2025 season has introduced several new characters and seen key roles recast, ensuring the drama never stops.

Recent Additions and Recasts

• Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez): Jimenez took over the role of Gabi Hernandez in 2024, a character known for her intense rivalry with Stefan DiMera and her connection to the Hernandez family.
• AnnaLynne McCord (Abigail Deveraux DiMera): As noted, McCord's debut as a woman claiming to be Abigail Deveraux has been a central mystery, captivating viewers with her performance as the character navigates a complex identity crisis.
• Marissa Reyes (Arianna Horton): Reyes joined the cast in 2025 as Arianna Horton, signaling the growth and continued relevance of the next generation of Salem residents.
• Tina Huang (Melinda Trask): Huang’s return to the show in early 2025 as the formidable District Attorney Melinda Trask has put several characters, including members of the DiMera family, on high alert.
• Colton Little (Andrew Donovan): Little returned as Andrew Donovan in early 2025, a character connected to the show’s legacy families, often involved in investigative storylines.

Notable Exits and Departures

While the returns grab headlines, several actors have recently departed or been recast, leading to new dramatic possibilities:

• Rachel Blake (Roslyn Gentle): The character of Rachel Blake, portrayed by Roslyn Gentle, is set for an upcoming exit in 2025, which is expected to have repercussions for the current storylines.
• Sophia Choi Recast: The role of Sophia Choi, originally played by Madelyn Kientz, was recast with Rachel Boyd in February 2025. Recasts often lead to a shift in a character's dynamic and new story directions.
• Previous Exits: The show continues to see a revolving door of characters, following 2023 exits of popular figures like Chloe Lane (Nadia Bjorlin), Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier), and Shawn-Douglas Brady.

The DiMera Dynasty and Other Major Storylines in Late 2025

The current storylines are heavily focused on the fallout from the DiMera family's ongoing power struggle and the return of several long-lost characters. As of late 2025, the DiMera members continue to be targeted in a series of eerie and creepy incidents, with EJ DiMera being the only one seemingly free of the threat.

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Other major plot points driving the narrative include:

• Chanel Dupree-DiMera’s Secret: Chanel Dupree-DiMera (Raven Bowens) is hiding a "scary secret" in late 2025, which is expected to have major implications for her relationship with Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), who was recently exonerated.
• Alex’s Health Threat: Spoilers tease an explosive aftermath involving Alex Kiriakis and a serious health threat tied to fan mail, suggesting a crisis in Salem.
• Stephanie Johnson’s Past: Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) will see her past come back to haunt her, often a sign of a major new character or long-forgotten plot thread resurfacing.

The current cast of Days of Our Lives is a vibrant tapestry of veteran talent and fresh energy, promising that the drama and intrigue in Salem will continue well into the future. With the return of supercouples like Bo and Hope and the escalating DiMera saga, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most memorable years for the long-running serial.