The Ultimate Guide To The Days Of Our Lives Cast Shakeup: New Stars, Shocking Returns, And 60th Anniversary Secrets

The landscape of Salem is changing dramatically in 2025, marking one of the most significant cast shakeups in recent memory as Days of Our Lives (DOOL) barrels toward its monumental 60th Anniversary. This long-running soap opera, which has been captivating audiences since 1965, continues its tradition of high-stakes drama with a mix of exciting new characters and the highly anticipated return of fan-favorite veterans. The move to Peacock has only intensified the show's narrative pace, promising a year filled with emotional turning points and shocking revelations for the core families of Salem.

As of December 2025, the show is consolidating its focus on the beloved Horton, Brady, Kiriakis, Hernandez, and DiMera families, laying the groundwork for a massive celebration that will redefine the future of the series. The current contract cast list is a dynamic blend of seasoned soap legends and fresh talent, ensuring that the next chapter of DOOL remains as compelling and unpredictable as ever. We break down the most crucial additions and returns shaping the show's direction this year.

Spotlight on Key Cast: New Faces and Legendary Returns of 2025

The 2025 cast roster is highlighted by several major additions and long-awaited returns, many of which are directly tied to the upcoming 60th-anniversary storylines. These actors are set to drive the biggest plots across Salem.

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• Marissa Reyes (Arianna Horton): A talented American actress born on November 10, 2003, Marissa Reyes is known for her roles in Disney’s Raven's Home and the film Spirit Halloween (2022). She joined the Days of Our Lives cast in 2025 as Arianna Horton, the daughter of Will Horton and Arianna Hernandez, instantly connecting her character to the show’s most central families: the Hortons and the Hernandezes.
• Rachel Boyd (Sophia Choi): Rachel Boyd made her debut as Sophia Choi in February 2025, marking her big break in daytime television. She is an American actress who previously appeared in the 2024 film Boot Camp and He's Not Worth Dying For (2022). Her character, Sophia, is expected to be integral to the new wave of storylines being introduced by the writing team.
• Christie Clarke (Carrie Brady Reed): Born on December 13, 1973, Christie Mary Clark is synonymous with the role of Carrie Brady, a part she has played intermittently since 1986. She is the daughter of actor John Clarke, who played Mickey Horton for decades. Her return in 2025 as part of the 60th Anniversary celebration brings back one of the show’s most beloved legacy characters.
• Chandler Massey (Will Horton): Chandler Abit Massey, born September 10, 1990, is an American actor and singer best known for his portrayal of Will Horton, a role for which he is a three-time Daytime Emmy Award winner. His return in 2025 is highly anticipated, especially as he was the first actor to win an Emmy for playing a gay character in a daytime soap. His renewed presence alongside his on-screen family is a major event.

The 60th Anniversary: A Turning Point in Salem's History

The biggest event dominating the 2025 calendar for Days of Our Lives is its 60th Anniversary, scheduled for November. This milestone is not just a celebration but a crucial narrative turning point that will have a ripple effect on future storylines.

Producers have confirmed that the anniversary week will center around a grand Horton family gala, a traditional centerpiece for major DOOL events. This event is designed to bring back numerous legacy characters to Salem, including not only Carrie Brady Reed and Will Horton but also other iconic figures like Anna DiMera (Leann Hunley), Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis), and Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves/Cady McClain).

The focus is clearly on returning to the roots of the show, a creative decision aimed at satisfying long-time fans who appreciate the depth of the Horton and Brady family histories. The new writing team, whose stories began to air in late April, is actively working to shift the focus back to Salem’s core families and their intertwined lives, loves, triumphs, and tragedies.

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Who’s Staying and Who’s Causing Trouble: Current Contract Stars

While the returns grab headlines, the backbone of Days of Our Lives remains its stellar contract cast. These actors are the day-to-day drivers of the drama, ensuring Salem is never short on conflict or romance.

• The Long-Running Legends: Veterans continue to anchor the show. Suzanne Rogers as Maggie Kiriakis, one of the longest-serving cast members, remains a central figure in the Kiriakis empire. James Reynolds continues his iconic run as Abe Carver, a pillar of the community since 1981, whose recent storylines involving his kidnapping by Nurse Whitley King (Kim Coles, who returned for a brief arc) kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
• The Core Troublemakers: Greg Rikaart’s Leo Stark continues to be a fan-favorite antagonist/anti-hero, providing comic relief and high drama across multiple families. The DiMera and Brady families, staples of the show, continue their endless feuds and alliances, which are expected to heat up significantly with the 60th-anniversary returns.
• New and Recurring Entities: Beyond the main contract stars, new recurring characters like Derek Yates (Kerry) and Finley Rose Slater (Rachel) are being introduced to fuel fresh, young-adult storylines and expand the Salem universe.

The Future of DOOL: Streaming and Storyline Intentions

The shift of Days of Our Lives to Peacock streaming in 2022 was a historic move that redefined the soap opera landscape. The show's success on the platform has proven that the audience is dedicated, requiring a Peacock Premium subscription to watch new episodes. This move has allowed the writers to explore deeper, more complex, and sometimes edgier storylines without the constraints of network television.

The overarching intention for 2025 is to honor the show’s six-decade history while setting up the next generation of drama. The writers are focusing on multi-generational conflicts and romances, ensuring that the legacy of families like the Hortons and Bradys is passed down to new characters like Arianna Horton and Sophia Choi. Expect a renewed emphasis on classic soap opera tropes: secret twins, shocking paternity reveals, and long-lost loves returning to disrupt established relationships. The 60th Anniversary is not an ending, but a major springboard for the future of Days of Our Lives on Peacock.

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