As Days of Our Lives barrels toward 2026, Salem once again finds itself on the brink of upheaval, with rumors swirling that could change the course of the iconic soap forever

. At the center of the speculation are two names guaranteed to ignite fan frenzy: Clyde Weston and Abigail Deveraux. One a legendary villain whose crimes scarred an entire town,

the other a beloved heroine whose tragic death still haunts viewers. Now, all signs point to the possibility that both stories are far from over.

According to mounting insider chatter, 2026 may become a year defined by resurrection, revelation, and reckoning—classic Days storytelling at its most daring.

Clyde Weston: A Villain Never Truly Gone

Clyde Weston is not just another antagonist in the long history of Days of Our Lives. Since James Read first stepped into the role in 2014, Clyde became a symbol of pure menace—a manipulative drug lord with a chilling charm and a trail of emotional and physical devastation behind him. From his abusive treatment of his children, Ben and Jordan Weston, to his criminal clashes with power players like Victor Kiriakis and EJ DiMera, Clyde left scars that Salem has never fully healed.

James Read’s portrayal elevated Clyde beyond a standard soap villain. With his measured delivery and unnerving calm, Read turned Clyde into a predator who didn’t need to shout to inspire fear. Viewers despised him, feared him—and couldn’t look away.

That is why the events of December 11, 2024, remain burned into the collective memory of the fandom.

The Night Everything Changed

Driven by years of unresolved grief, Chad DiMera cornered Clyde, desperate for answers about the fate of his wife, Abigail Deveraux. Abigail’s brutal murder in 2020—stabbed by Clyde in an act of revenge—shattered Chad’s life and left their children without a mother. Yet Clyde, ever the sadist, hinted that Abigail might not be dead after all.

Those whispers were not without evidence. An exhumed grave revealed an empty coffin. A mysterious blonde woman appeared in grainy footage. And then came the devastating revelation that “Abigail” had been an imposter—Cat Greene—forced into the role through Clyde’s blackmail.

Just as Clyde seemed poised to reveal the ultimate truth, the moment was shattered by gunfire. Catherine Greene, Cat’s mother, shot Clyde in a blaze of fury after enduring months of terror at his hands. Clyde collapsed, his secrets apparently dying with him.

Or so it seemed.

A Coma That Changed Everything

In true Days of Our Lives fashion, Clyde survived—but slipped into a coma. Alive, yet silent. Breathing, but unable to speak.

Narratively, it was a masterstroke. The coma closed one chapter while leaving the door wide open for another. In Salem, comas are rarely endings—they are pauses. And fans know all too well that characters suspended between life and death often return with explosive consequences.

Clyde’s condition transformed him into a ticking time bomb. Every unanswered question—especially the truth about Abigail—remained locked inside his unconscious mind.

James Read Speaks—and Fans Listen

Fueling speculation further are James Read’s own words following his exit. Reflecting on his decade-long run, the veteran actor expressed deep gratitude for the role and hinted that Clyde’s story might not be finished.

“Only the soap gods know if it’s meant to continue,” Read said, leaving fans clinging to every syllable. His comments, paired with Clyde’s unresolved coma, have been interpreted by many as less of a goodbye and more of a “see you later.”

Given Days of Our Lives’ long tradition of resurrecting characters—Stefano DiMera being the most infamous example—few believe Clyde Weston’s story has reached its final chapter.

Abigail Deveraux: Gone… or Hidden?

If Clyde’s possible return is explosive, the implications for Abigail Deveraux are seismic.

Abigail’s death was one of the most devastating moments in recent Days history. Portrayed memorably by both Kate Mansi and Marci Miller, Abigail was a cornerstone of the show—a complex, intelligent woman whose struggles with mental health were depicted with rare honesty.

Her loss left a gaping hole, not just for Chad, but for the entire Deveraux family.

Yet the story never fully settled.

The empty coffin. The fake Abigail. The hints Clyde dropped just before being shot. All of it suggests that Abigail’s fate may be far more complicated than viewers were led to believe. If she is alive, was she hidden away? Brainwashed? Forced into a new identity?

And if Clyde awakens, he may be the only one who knows where she is.

Chad DiMera: A Man Frozen in Grief

Chad’s journey since Abigail’s death has been one of quiet devastation. Billy Flynn’s portrayal has captured the slow burn of grief—the kind that never fully fades. Clyde’s coma denied Chad closure, trapping him between rage and hope.

Scenes of Chad at Clyde’s hospital bedside have been among the most emotionally charged, his whispers alternating between threats and desperate pleas. If Clyde awakens, Chad may finally face the truth he has been chasing for years—but that truth could either save him or destroy what little peace he has left.

Ripples Across Salem

The fallout extends far beyond Chad.

Jack and Jennifer Deveraux remain haunted parents, their journalistic instincts driving them to dig deeper into inconsistencies surrounding Abigail’s death. JJ Deveraux, present during Clyde’s shooting, is emotionally entangled in the case. The DiMera family, always calculating, may see Clyde’s survival as either a weapon or a liability.

Even Cat Greene’s storyline remains unresolved. Her impersonation of Abigail left deep emotional scars, while her mother’s legal fate hangs in the balance. Clyde’s coma silences the one man who could clarify everything—keeping multiple lives in suspense.

Why 2026 Feels Different

With Days of Our Lives renewed well into the future, the canvas is wide open for bold storytelling. Producers have teased “jaw-dropping resurrections” and “life-altering revelations,” language that feels tailor-made for a Clyde-and-Abigail reckoning.

Whether Clyde awakens through experimental treatment, a Dr. Rolf miracle, or sheer soap opera audacity, his return would instantly reshape Salem. And if Abigail is alive, her eventual reappearance would be nothing short of historic.

The Final Word—for Now

As 2026 approaches, the question looms large: will Clyde Weston rise again, and will he bring Abigail Deveraux back with him?

In Salem, death is rarely final, secrets never stay buried, and redemption often comes at a devastating cost. Whether these rumors culminate in reunion, confrontation, or heartbreak, one truth remains undeniable—Days of Our Lives is once again preparing to remind viewers why it has endured for generations.