'Days of Our Lives' Canceled? Soap Getting Major Overhaul In Last Ditch Attempt To Save It? [PHOTO]
Some major changes are going to be put into effect over the next few months on NBC's sole remaining soap opera, Days of Our Lives.
The show, which has been struggling for years to stay afloat, is officially getting a major overhaul on both the production and performance ends, with several exits and reintroductions scheduled to happen over the next few months to try and freshen things up and get the show back on track with character and stories that fans related better to.
In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, executive producer Ken Cordray talked about how he realized the show was in trouble and needed a swift change in direction before it was too late.
"The show I was looking at was no longer recognizable as Days of Our Lives to me," he said. "We had to jettison stories that were not going over well with the audience and we had to give characters on the show who were recognizable and powerful more story. But most importantly, we had to, for the 50th anniversary, months after and before, give viewers what they wanted to see."
Eric Martsolf , who portrays Brady Black on the show, also talked about some of the changes coming up--but revealed that he thinks it is all going to lead the show in a more positive direction, starting specifically with the 50th anniversary later this year.
"We can't wait to show the fans what is going to be happening for the 50th anniversary, but it doesn't just stop after the 50th anniversary," he said. "This work ethic has continued, and the stories are just getting better and better as time goes on. We're just starting to shoot 2016. It's pretty amazing what we already have in the can, but I think fans are going to be extremely excited once all of this unfolds."
"It's a change of attitude; we've had a lot of changes in our hallways with administration and actors, and there are going to be exits as well as entrances," he added. "All you can guarantee in this genre is change, but with that comes new opportunities and new relationships, and that's always interesting when those things come around in story. So get ready for things to be shaken up!"
Among the cast members making their exits in the coming weeks and months are True O'Brien (Paige Larsen), Melissa Archer (Serena Mason), Paul Telfer (Xander Cook), Freddie Smith (Sonny Kiriakis)m Terrell Ransom Jr. (Theo Carver), Lauren Boles (Ciara Brady), Riley Bodenstab (Cole Hines), Alisha Boe (Daphne), and Daniel Cosgrove (Aiden Jennings). Rumored to also be on the way out is James Read (Clyde Weston). There have also been rumors that Shawn Christian (Daniel Jonas) is also seeking to exit the soap.
Days of Our Lives airs Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. on NBC.
