The Ultimate DOOL Update: 7 Shocking Twists, Cast Returns, And Renewal Status Through 2028

The iconic soap opera Days of Our Lives (DOOL) continues its legendary run, proving that the sun never truly sets on Salem, USA. As of this comprehensive update in December 2025, the show is delivering a powerful mix of high-stakes drama, unexpected character returns, and deep-rooted family turmoil that has captivated its dedicated audience for decades. From the shocking disappearance of a key family member to the emotional fallout of a brutal custody battle, the current storylines are some of the most intense the show has seen since its move to the Peacock streaming service. The series' future is also secured, ensuring that the saga of the Horton, Brady, and DiMera families will continue to unfold for years to come.

This deep dive into the world of Salem provides the most current information available, focusing on the latest plot developments, major casting announcements for 2025, and the long-term status of the show. We’ll break down the biggest mysteries currently gripping the town, the emotional struggles of fan-favorite characters, and the exciting news that guarantees Days of Our Lives will remain a staple of daytime (or rather, streaming) television well into the next decade.

The DiMera Mystery and December 2025 Plot Spoilers

The DiMera family—a cornerstone of Salem's drama—is once again at the heart of a major, deepening mystery in the final weeks of 2025. Several members of the powerful and often nefarious family have seemingly gone missing, leaving behind a trail of confusion and suspicion that only a true soap opera could deliver.

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The tension is palpable as EJ DiMera, already reeling from the chaos, experiences a memory trigger that could hold the key to the disappearances, though he struggles to grasp the fragmented vision. This storyline is interwoven with a brutal custody hearing that has begun without Chad DiMera, adding layers of distress to an already tragic situation.

Here are the seven most shocking plot points dominating Salem this December:

• The Custody Conundrum: The custody hearing for Chad's child begins under a cloud of anxiety, with Chad himself notably absent. The outcome will have lasting repercussions for the DiMera legacy.
• Brady's Impossible Choice: Brady Black faces a devastating, impossible decision as his daughter, Rachel, sees her condition worsen. He realizes he must leave her to get the desperate help she needs, a choice no parent should ever have to make.
• Xander's Distress: Fan-favorite Xander Cook is distraught, suggesting a major personal crisis or setback. His emotional state hints at a dark turn in his own storyline, possibly involving his complicated relationship history or a professional failure.
• The Return of a Villain: The infamous Peter Blake is set to make a dramatic return to Salem, bringing with him a fresh wave of danger and manipulation. His reappearance is guaranteed to disrupt the lives of several key characters, particularly those in the Brady and Horton circles.
• EJ and Cat’s Compromising Position: In a classic Salem twist, Susan catches EJ and a character named Cat in a compromising position. This encounter is sure to ignite drama within the DiMera mansion and potentially jeopardize EJ’s standing.
• Gwen and Leo’s Rift: Gwen rejects a suggestion from Leo, indicating a potential split or disagreement between the two, which could leave one or both of them vulnerable to new schemes or alliances.
• Jada's Interrupted Date: Jada’s romantic date night with Theo is abruptly interrupted, suggesting that even simple moments of peace are impossible in Salem, and that a new crisis or emergency has arisen.

These developments ensure that the soap opera remains true to its roots: a whirlwind of romance, betrayal, and high-stakes family conflict. The writers are clearly leveraging the show's rich history, bringing back classic villains and putting legacy families like the Bradys and DiMeras through the emotional wringer.

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Casting Shakes and Major Character Returns in 2025

A key part of maintaining topical authority and high viewership for a long-running serial drama is the strategic rotation of its ensemble cast. Throughout 2025, Days of Our Lives has seen a flurry of casting changes, including welcome returns, surprising recasts, and the introduction of new faces to the fictional Midwestern town of Salem.

The Fall 2025 preview, in particular, teased several significant cast returns that promise to shake up the existing dynamics. These strategic moves inject fresh energy into the long-running narratives and ensure that the show can pull from its deep pool of history and beloved characters.

Key Cast Additions and Returns of 2025

The following actors and characters have been central to the show’s ongoing success and future storylines:

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• Alison Sweeney: The return of a major veteran like Sweeney, who plays the iconic Sami Brady DiMera, is always a massive event for fans, hinting at dramatic shifts for the DiMera and Brady families.
• Billy Flynn: Continuing his role as Chad DiMera, Flynn remains central to the DiMera family's current plight and the custody battle storyline.
• AnnaLynne McCord: A new or returning key player, McCord's involvement suggests a fresh, high-profile addition to the core cast, likely impacting the romantic or corporate drama.
• Tina Huang as Melinda Trask: Huang joined the cast in March 2025, bringing back the formidable District Attorney Melinda Trask, a character whose presence guarantees legal and political drama in Salem.
• Colton Little as Andrew Donovan: Little's addition as Andrew Donovan in March 2025 links the current storylines back to the show's rich history of ISA and espionage plots, as Andrew is the son of Shane Donovan and Kimberly Brady.
• Shi Ne Nielson: Nielson was another key addition in March 2025, signaling new blood and new relationships for the younger Salem residents.
• Abigail Klein and Alice Halsey: Their presence in the Fall 2025 preview suggests their characters, likely Stephanie Johnson and a younger character, will be involved in the major end-of-year storylines.

These cast members, alongside mainstays like Marlena Evans, John Black, Steve Johnson, and Hope Williams Brady (even if not currently on screen, their influence remains), form the backbone of the Salem community and its complex web of relationships.

The Long-Term Future of Days of Our Lives: Renewed Through 2028

In a massive vote of confidence for the trailblazing soap opera, Days of Our Lives has been officially renewed for two additional seasons by Peacock, securing its future through Season 63. This renewal, announced in 2025, extends the series' run through the year 2028, a monumental achievement for a show that began airing in 1965.

The move from broadcast television (NBC) to the Peacock streaming platform in 2022 was a historic shift that many feared would signal the end. Instead, the transition has breathed new life into the show. The streaming environment allows for more creative freedom, slightly longer episodes, and a deeper exploration of mature themes, all while maintaining the core elements that fans have loved for generations. The show celebrated its 15,000th episode in late 2024, a testament to its enduring popularity and cultural significance.

The security of the 2028 renewal means that the writers can continue to develop long-term, complex storylines for all of Salem’s major families—the Hortons, the Bradys, the DiMeras, and the Kiriakis clan. This stability is crucial for a serial drama, allowing for slow-burn mysteries, epic romances, and the inevitable resurrection of characters thought long dead.

For fans of the series, the renewal is a guarantee that the dramatic lives in Salem will continue to unfold. Whether it’s the corporate battles at DiMera Enterprises, the romantic entanglements of the Brady Pub, or the medical crises at Salem University Hospital, the show remains a vibrant and essential part of the American television landscape, proving that its unique blend of romance, intrigue, and high-stakes drama is timeless.

The current storylines involving the missing DiMeras, the custody hearing, and the return of a classic villain are just the beginning of what promises to be a dramatic run leading into 2026 and beyond. With the show’s future secured through 2028, viewers can settle in for three more years of guaranteed, top-tier soap opera storytelling on Peacock.