The new year promises fresh faces, dramatic shake-ups, and exciting transitions for the residents of Salem as Days of Our Lives gears up for a wave of casting changes.

Among the most anticipated is the high-profile debut of Conner Floyd, best known to soap fans for his work on The Young and the Restless, who steps into one of

Salem’s most volatile roles: Chad DiMera. But Floyd’s arrival is just the tip of the iceberg, as a trio of recasts and unexpected exits are set to redefine the city’s landscape, s

ignaling that 2026 is shaping up to be a year of reinvention for both actors and characters alike.

Howard Wise

Conner Floyd Takes the DiMera Helm

The announcement of Floyd’s casting dates back to June 2025, but the excitement has only grown in recent months. The Days of Our Lives creative team selected Floyd to succeed Billy Flynn as Chad DiMera after Flynn made the bold move to The Young and the Restless, where he took on the role of Cane Ashby. Flynn, gracious in his departure, publicly endorsed his successor, sharing on Instagram: “Chad is in great hands. You’re gonna crush it, man.”

Despite Flynn’s move to Genoa City, audiences continued to see him as Chad on DAYS due to the soap’s unique production schedule, which tapes episodes months in advance. Floyd himself wrapped up his tenure on Y&R as Chance on July 28, 2025, when the character was written off. However, fans knew that due to taping delays, Floyd would not appear as Chad on screen immediately.

In a recent interview with TV Insider, head writers Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford confirmed that Conner Floyd will officially step into the role in April 2026, marking a pivotal moment in Salem’s ongoing saga. For longtime viewers, this will be a rare chance to witness two soap veterans—Floyd and Flynn—trading legacies across networks, with Floyd poised to make the iconic DiMera character his own while honoring the foundation Flynn established.

Saying Goodbye to Alice Halsey

While one star arrives, another takes her leave. Alice Halsey, who brought depth and nuance to the role of Rachel Black, the daughter of Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk), is preparing to exit Salem. Halsey joined the soap in April 2025, quickly establishing herself as a fan favorite through her portrayal of a young woman navigating trauma, family tension, and personal growth.

Halsey’s departure is a career-defining move: she has been cast as the lead, Laura Ingalls, in Netflix’s upcoming reboot of Little House on the Prairie. Her exit underscores the dual pressures of ambition and opportunity in daytime television. “This is my biggest role yet, and I’m thrilled for the adventure ahead,” Halsey shared in a recent interview.

Although DAYS has not yet announced who will inherit the role of Rachel, the show’s writers confirmed that the new actress will debut in March 2026, offering viewers continuity while paving the way for fresh interpretations of Rachel’s journey. The recast is expected to maintain Rachel’s emotional depth while introducing a new energy that could shift the dynamics of the Black-DiMera family storylines.

Arianna Horton to See a New Face

April 2026 will also bring change for another young adult character. Marissa Reyes, who assumed the role of Arianna Horton on May 20, 2025, is set to depart, with a new actress taking over. Ari, the daughter of Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Will Horton (Chandler Massey), has grown on screen since her birth in 2013, and Reyes’ portrayal marked the character’s transition into a complex young adult navigating love, loyalty, and personal ambition.

Like Looking in a Mirror: DAYS’s soon-to-be-Chad, Conner Floyd (l.), and outgoing Chad, Bill Flynn, intersected on Y&R last year as Chance and Cane.

Head writers Cwikly and Ford teased that Ari’s recast will arrive alongside Conner Floyd’s debut as Chad, creating a significant reshuffling in Salem’s younger generation storylines. Ari’s recast promises to inject fresh energy and perspective into the character, potentially redefining her interactions with family, friends, and romantic interests while leaving viewers eager to see how the new performer will make the role her own.

Uncertainty Surrounds Javi Hernandez

Meanwhile, uncertainty looms for Javi Hernandez, played by Al Calderon since October 2024. Calderon confirmed his departure from the show in August 2025 after securing a series regular role as Nico Silva on NBC’s Dangerous Minds. On Instagram, Calderon expressed gratitude for his time on DAYS, stating: “My time on Days of Our Lives has been truly life-changing. I’m endlessly grateful to the cast, crew, and creatives who made me feel seen, valued, and part of a legacy of family. I’ll carry the love, lessons, and memories with me on every journey I go on.”

Although Calderon’s role as Javi is still appearing on screen due to taping schedules, DAYS has not disclosed whether the character will be recast or written off. This leaves fans speculating about the fate of Salem’s newlywed, whose storylines with Ari, Gabi, and other family members remain central to the show’s evolving plot.

The Ripple Effect on Salem’s Storylines

These casting changes do more than alter faces; they carry significant narrative weight. Chad DiMera has been a linchpin of the DiMera legacy, and Floyd’s takeover opens the door to fresh interpretations, new romantic entanglements, and potentially explosive conflicts with longstanding rivals. His arrival may also intersect with key storylines involving the DiMera corporate empire, family loyalty, and unresolved romantic tension, ensuring that viewers will have plenty to anticipate.

Similarly, Rachel Black’s recast could shift the trajectory of the Black family dynamics, with new energy potentially intensifying her connections to Brady, Kristen, and other pivotal Salem residents. Arianna Horton’s recast, meanwhile, promises to inject complexity into her relationships, particularly with Gabi, Will, and other young adult characters navigating romance, ambition, and personal growth.

Javi Hernandez’s uncertain future adds yet another layer of suspense. Whether the character is recast or written off, his absence—or transformation—will reverberate through Salem, affecting storylines tied to love, loyalty, and family alliances.

Looking Ahead: A Year of Transformation

The early months of 2026 are shaping up as a period of dramatic evolution for Days of Our Lives. With Conner Floyd stepping in as Chad DiMera, March welcoming a new Rachel Black, and April introducing a new Arianna Horton, Salem is entering a new chapter defined by reinvention, opportunity, and tension. Each recast carries both creative and narrative implications, promising to reshape relationships, rivalries, and story arcs across the city.

Going Places? Marissa Reyes’s Ari will be recast, while what the future holds for Al Calderon’s Javi is unclear.

For longtime fans, the transitions offer the excitement of new interpretations while honoring the characters’ established histories. For the actors themselves, the roles represent both challenge and opportunity—a chance to leave a mark on one of daytime television’s most iconic canvases.

Conclusion: Salem’s Ever-Evolving Legacy

Days of Our Lives has always thrived on change. From shocking exits and surprise arrivals to recasts that redefine familiar faces, Salem remains a city in perpetual motion. Conner Floyd’s debut as Chad DiMera is perhaps the most high-profile of the upcoming changes, but the simultaneous reshuffling of Rachel Black, Arianna Horton, and the uncertain fate of Javi Hernandez signals that the entire landscape of Salem may shift in 2026.

As fans prepare for these transitions, the underlying storylines promise continuity, intrigue, and emotional depth. New actors bring fresh energy, but the essence of the characters—the drama, the heartbreak, the loyalty, and the ambition—remains intact. For viewers, it’s a chance to witness the evolution of Salem firsthand, as familiar faces take on new dimensions and the city’s ever-compelling drama continues to unfold.

In short, 2026 is poised to be a year of transformation, reinvention, and high-stakes drama for Days of Our Lives. From Conner Floyd’s much-anticipated debut to the reshaping of key family and romantic dynamics, Salem is ready to prove once again why it remains one of daytime television’s most captivating and enduring worlds.