Days after NBC’s “Days of our Lives” celebrated its 54th year on television comes word that Corday Productions, which produces the show, has released the entire cast from their contracts. The news also comes just two days after the cast celebrated the annual “Day of DAYS” fan event at Universal Studios City Walk in Hollywood.
According to TVLine, which first reported the news, the cast has been released in light of the show’s indefinite hiatus that is set to begin at the end of the month. The rationale is said to be tied to the show currently filming eight months ahead of airdate, the longest length between film-to-air for a daytime drama.
Currently renewed through September 2020, “DAYS” producers and NBC are also set to begin negotiations on whether the show will continue or the hourglass will have been set for the final time since debuting on November 8, 1965. An insider at Sony Pictures Television, which negotiates NBC’s contract for the show, says the decision to release the actors was Corday’s. “The actor deals are through Corday Productions,” the insider told the publication.
Reportedly the show will have enough episodes to air through Summer 2020. If renewed, production will resume in March. However, by releasing the actors from their contracts there is no guarantee any cast member will return. If a deal isn’t set, the show will have concluded just weeks shy of its 55th birthday.
“It’s actually a shrewd — if cynical — business move,” another insider told TVLine. “If Days gets picked up, [Corday] can offer the actors new contacts at a reduced rate and with a ‘take-it-or-leave’ it attitude. Worst case scenario, they lose half their cast. Best case scenario [for Corday], everyone agrees to return at a lower salary.”
NBC is said to be inclined to renew the show, particularly as the show begins its one-year reset.
Stay tuned as this story continues to develop.