“One Life to Live” alum Dan Gauthier (ex-Kevin Buchanan) has joined “Days of our Lives” as a recast of Peter Blake, TV Guide Magazine reports in its latest triple issue (December 1-21, 2025), on newsstands now.
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Set to make his debut in Salem beginning with the Friday, December 19 episode of the Peacock exclusive series, Gauthier replaces Jason Brooks (“Baywatch”), who last appeared in the role in 1998.
Though he’s new to Salem, Gauthier will find himself surrounded by familiar faces, particularly his former “One Life to Live” co-star John-Paul Lavoisier, who previously played Rex Balsom on the ABC soap and now appears as Philip Kiriakis.
“I knew John-Paul Lavoisier and Stacy Haiduk [Kristen DiMera], so it was really fun to reconnect,” Gauthier says of his first days on set. “Everybody was so kind and accepting and welcoming. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
While it’s been more than 27 years since the character last appeared on the long-running soap opera, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, the timing offers a new opportunity for story for the actor. “I went in with ‘Whatever the dialogue and the storyline are, it’s just my own take on this,’” explained Gauthier to the outlet of his interpretation of the character in 2025. “I didn’t watch anything or do any research as far as what had happened in the past. I just took what was in front of me and went that way.”
Though details on what Peter has been up to over the decades remain to be seen, look for Peter to reunite with his family, the DiMeras, including Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera), Thaao Penghlis (Tony DiMera), Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and Haiduk’s Kristen DiMera. “I don’t want to give up too much because that’s the fun,” he teases. “The surprise to viewers is him being there or how he is there.”
Look for Gauthier to also share scenes with newcomer Tyler Joseph Andrews, who plays Theo Carver, Peter’s nephew through the character’s late sister, Lexie Carver. Meanwhile, Gauthier’s time is reportedly limited, though he’d welcome a return to soaps on a more consistent basis, saying, “I had a great time, and it was nothing but positive for me.”
In 2007, Gauthier received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Kevin Buchanan on “One Life to Live.” He portrayed the role from 2003-2007, and returned for a second and final run from 2009-2010.
Outside of daytime, Gauthier’s credits include roles in such shows as “Lost,” “Make It or Break It,” “No Ordinary Family,” “Hot in Cleveland,” “Faking It,” “The Mentalist,” “Criminal Minds” and “NCIS: Los Angeles,” among others. He also starred in several TV movies, including this year’s “The Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cown Story,” “Help for the Holidays,” “The 404” and “Game Shakers,” among others.
