The new year has barely begun, yet Days of Our Lives has already delivered one of its most jarring off-screen twists in recent memory. In a move that stunned cast, crew,

and fans alike, the long-running Peacock soap has reportedly laid off four young actors immediately after returning from its Christmas hiatus—sparking fear, confusion,

and a deep sense of instability behind the scenes. Veteran insiders describe the moment as nothing short of a “New Year bloodbath,” as Carson Boatman, Raven Bowens, Ashley Puzemis,

and Leo Howard were abruptly let go, despite all four being deeply embedded in ongoing storylines. For a show that has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to attracting younger viewers and nurturing the next generation of legacy characters, the decision has left many questioning the direction—and the cost—of its creative strategy.

A Shocking Start to 2025

According to sources close to production, the news came without warning. Cast members returned from the holiday break expecting business as usual, only to be met with immediate layoffs that sent shockwaves through the studio. The timing, insiders say, made the blow especially painful.

“There were no warning signs,” one source revealed. “Everyone came back excited to get to work, and within a day, four actors were gone. It rattled everyone.”

What makes the move particularly perplexing is that all four actors represented the show’s younger demographic push—an initiative Days of Our Lives has publicly championed as essential to its future survival in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.

The Collapse of a Beloved Young Power Couple

Perhaps the most devastating loss for fans is Carson Boatman and Raven Bowens, whose on-screen pairing as Johnny and Chanel DiMera—affectionately dubbed “Janel”—had become one of the soap’s most emotionally invested modern romances.

Boatman joined the series in 2020 as Johnny DiMera, a legacy character with deep ties to the show’s storied past. Bowens stepped into the role of Chanel DiMera in 2021, quickly winning audiences over with her warmth, complexity, and chemistry with Boatman.

Their love story was anything but smooth. From a Christmas wedding undone by Johnny’s demonic possession, to heartbreak, reconciliation, miscarriage, and ultimately adoption, Johnny and Chanel’s journey mirrored the heightened emotional stakes that define Days. Just months ago, their Valentine’s Day remarriage and adoption of baby Trey signaled a hopeful future—and the potential cementing of a new legacy couple.

Both actors had recently spoken publicly about long-term plans on the show. Boatman even joked about staying for “25 or 50 years,” while Bowens teased upcoming storylines involving miracles and tragedy. The sudden layoffs render those promises haunting in hindsight.

Carson Boatman (pictured), Raven Bowens, Ashley Puzemis and Leo Howard were axed in a shock lay-off on returning to Days of Our Lives after the Christmas hiatus, the Daily Mail can reveal

Bowens, 35, who plays Boatman’s onscreen wife Chanel DiMera, only recently talked about her future on the show, telling E! that ‘there’s a lot coming up’

Rising Stars Cut at Their Peak

Ashley Puzemis and Leo Howard were also deeply enmeshed in front-burner plots. Puzemis, who joined the series in 2023 as Holly Tate—the daughter of Nicole Walker and Daniel Jonas—was quickly recognized as a breakout talent. Her recent win for Best Emerging Talent underscored her growing impact on the canvas.

Howard, who took over the role of Tate Black in 2024, brought renewed energy to the character, anchoring a youthful love triangle that had become central to the show’s next-generation storytelling. His chemistry with Puzemis helped drive emotionally charged arcs involving pregnancy, adoption, and heartbreak.

To many, their exits feel less like narrative necessity and more like creative whiplash.

A Climate of Fear and Uncertainty

The fallout has reportedly been severe. Cast morale has taken a hit, with insiders describing an atmosphere of anxiety now hanging over the set.

“If it can happen to them, it can happen to anyone,” one source said. “That’s the fear.”

Puzemis, 24, joined the show in 2023 as Holly Tate, the love interest of Tate Black, played by 28-year-old Howard (Puzemis and Howard pictured together in 2024)

News of the lay-offs ‘came as a shock to all of them,’ according to our insider who said ‘there were no warning signs whatsoever’ – with other cast members now said to be living in ‘fear’ (Bowens pictured with her costar Lucas Adams)

With no clarity yet on whether the characters will be written out or recast, uncertainty reigns. Days of Our Lives has a long history of recasting, and recent months have already seen several major role changes. Still, the sudden loss of four actors with active storylines has left viewers bracing for disruption—both on-screen and off.

Change After Change for a Soap in Transition

These layoffs come amid a period of profound transformation for the series. New co-head writers took over in mid-2024, ushering in a creative shift that won’t fully appear on screen until later this year due to the show’s lengthy production schedule.

At the same time, Days of Our Lives continues to navigate the emotional toll of losing beloved legends. The past few years have seen the deaths of iconic cast members whose characters shaped decades of storytelling. Illness, lawsuits, and high-profile departures have further reshaped the show’s identity.

Against that backdrop, the decision to cut younger talent feels especially risky to fans who hoped these characters would help bridge the show’s past with its future.

‘It was a big blow not only to the four actors, but also to the rest of the cast,’ our source said. ‘If it can happen to four of the young cast who had major storylines, the general thought is it can happen to anyone’ (Puzemis pictured with Howard)

For Boatman, 31, there are no hard feelings, with the actor telling the Daily Mail that he is ‘incredibly grateful for the past five years’ (Boatman pictured on set)

Grace Amid Goodbye

Despite the shock, Carson Boatman has responded with grace, expressing gratitude for his five-year run and emphasizing his respect for the cast and crew. With episodes filmed far in advance, viewers will continue to see Johnny DiMera on screen for months to come—making the loss feel even more bittersweet.

Days of Our Lives has also seen elderly cast members dying off or retiring in recent years

Suzanne Rogers, who joined the cast in 1973 and plays Maggie Horton, announced she was being treated for stage 2 colon cancer last year. But after undergoing treatment, she returned in November

Drake Hogestyn who played John Black died, aged 70, in 2024

For now, Days of Our Lives insists the changes are part of long-term storytelling plans. But for a fanbase deeply invested in these characters—and a cast now grappling with uncertainty—the new year has begun with heartbreak rather than hope.

As Salem moves forward, one thing is clear: the emotional aftershocks of this decision will linger long after the episodes air.