NBC’s primetime landscape has shifted dramatically, and one of the biggest casualties appears to be the medical drama Brilliant Minds. Once positioned as a thoughtful,

character-driven series with strong star power, the show has now been quietly removed from NBC’s broadcast schedule—raising serious questions

about its future and reigniting speculation among Days of Our Lives fans about Al Calderon’s next move.

Going into Wednesday, Brilliant Minds was already considered “on the bubble.” Despite starring Emmy winner Zachary Quinto in the lead role and introducing compelling new characters in its second season—including Al Calderon’s Nurse Nico Silva—the series had yet to secure a renewal. Now, with NBC officially pulling it from its primetime slot, the uncertainty surrounding the show has only intensified.

A Sudden Scheduling Shake-Up

NBC has confirmed that Brilliant Minds will not return to its regular Monday night 9–11 p.m. ET/PT timeslot once the network resumes normal programming following its extensive coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Instead, NBC has opted to fill that coveted primetime window with The Voice: Battle of Champions, beginning February 23 and continuing on Mondays thereafter.

While hiatuses during Olympic coverage are not unusual, the decision to replace Brilliant Minds entirely—rather than slot it back in afterward—has raised eyebrows across the industry. The move effectively sidelines the series, leaving its remaining six episodes without a confirmed broadcast date.

According to sources cited by Variety, NBC’s current plan is to air the remaining episodes “at some point later in the season or over the summer.” However, no specific timeline has been announced, and history suggests that shows pushed to summer burn-offs rarely survive beyond that point.

Ratings Decline and Competitive Pressure

Behind the scenes, the numbers tell a sobering story. Nielsen data indicates that Brilliant Minds has experienced a steady ratings decline throughout its second season. While the show has maintained a passionate core audience, its viewership has struggled to compete in an increasingly crowded and high-stakes primetime environment.

Compounding the problem is NBC’s aggressive development slate. Reports indicate that at least five new drama pilots are currently in contention for the 2026–2027 television season. Among them is a high-profile revival of The Rockford Files, the iconic detective series originally starring James Garner from 1974 to 1980.

The reboot’s logline promises a sleek, contemporary update: James Rockford, newly paroled after serving time for a crime he didn’t commit, returns to Los Angeles to rebuild his life as a private investigator. Armed with charm, wit, and hard-earned street smarts, Rockford quickly finds himself entangled with both law enforcement and organized crime. The project has already generated significant buzz, and its potential pickup only increases the pressure on struggling series like Brilliant Minds.

With limited slots available and fierce competition ahead, the odds are stacked against the medical drama.

Where This Leaves Al Calderon

For Days of Our Lives viewers, the fate of Brilliant Minds carries an additional layer of intrigue. Al Calderon, who joined the primetime series this season as Nurse Nico Silva, previously portrayed Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives. His departure from the soap earlier this year sparked immediate fan concern, especially after Javi was abruptly written out and recast—a move that left many viewers frustrated and confused.

However, both Calderon and Days of Our Lives producers were quick to clarify that his exit was not as final as it appeared. Due to the soap’s unique production schedule—taping episodes approximately ten months ahead of their release on Peacock—Calderon remains on-screen as Javi through May. His presence continues to ripple through storylines long after his real-world departure.

That long production lead time now plays a crucial role in determining what could happen next.

Could Javi Hernandez Return?

With Brilliant Minds in limbo and no final cancellation or renewal decision expected until NBC’s Upfront presentations in May, speculation has exploded over whether Calderon could return to Days of Our Lives—and possibly reclaim the role of Javi Hernandez.

Theoretically, the door is not closed. If Brilliant Minds is officially canceled and scheduling conflicts can be resolved, conversations could take place. But even in the most optimistic scenario, fans should temper expectations. Because Days of Our Lives films so far in advance, Calderon would not appear back in Salem until well into 2027.

Still, in the soap world, patience is practically a requirement—and the possibility alone is enough to keep hope alive.

Industry Silence, Fan Anxiety

NBC has remained tight-lipped about the ultimate fate of Brilliant Minds, fueling anxiety among fans of both the show and Calderon himself. The lack of clarity surrounding the final six episodes only adds to the frustration, particularly for viewers invested in unresolved character arcs and emotional storylines.

For Calderon, the situation is especially precarious. Primetime roles offer visibility and career momentum, but they also come with risk—particularly when a series fails to find stable footing. Soap operas, by contrast, offer longevity and deep character development, but returning after a recast presents its own challenges.

A Crossroads Moment

As things stand, Brilliant Minds exists in a kind of television purgatory: not canceled, not renewed, and no longer on the schedule. Its fate—and by extension, Calderon’s immediate future—will likely be decided behind closed doors at the NBC Upfronts in May.

Until then, fans are left watching, waiting, and wondering.

Will Brilliant Minds get one last chance to prove itself?
Will Al Calderon find his way back to Salem as Javi Hernandez?
Or is this the beginning of an entirely new chapter?

For now, the answers remain frustratingly out of reach—but in the unpredictable worlds of daytime and primetime television alike, nothing is ever truly off the table.