Along with his “Days of our Lives” co-stars Raven Bowens (Chanel DiMera), Leo Howard (Tate Black) and Ashley Puzemis (Holly Jonas), Carson Boatman, who has portrayed Johnny DiMera since July 2021, has been let go, it was announced on Tuesday. They were told about the show’s decision after returning from holiday break last week,
In a statement released to the Daily Mail, Boatman said he is “incredibly grateful for the past five years,” while adding, “I have nothing but love and respect for everyone over there from top to bottom.”
“The closing of this chapter is bittersweet for me as I’ve cherished every moment spent walking those halls and on the sound stages,” continued Boatman. “A lot of tears and a lot of laughter have been spilled on all those sets by so many people, including myself. I am genuinely so excited to see what the future holds for me, as well as the show.”
Commenting on the show’s long tape-to-air schedule, Boatman concluded his statement, saying, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has been a fan of Johnny. The show tapes a LONG way in advance, so we’ll still be seeing a lot of him for quite a while.”
Last year, the show’s tape-to-air schedule was reported to be at least 10 months, meaning the cast exits will not be seen on screen until at least late 2026/early 2027, depending on when each cast member concludes their time on the show.
In a statement released to Soap Opera Digest, a show spokesperson responded to news of the four exits, saying, “While we don’t comment on individual contracts or casting decisions, we have tremendous respect and appreciation for the actors who bring these characters to life. What may seem sudden is part of long-range storytelling decisions. Our goal is to balance the show’s rich history with where we’re headed creatively. Due to our long tape-to-air gap, any changes won’t be on screen for some time.”
According to the Daily Mail, the show’s casting decision came as a shock to the affected actors, with an insider claiming, “There were no warning signs whatsoever,” and noting, “If it can happen to four of the young cast who had major storylines, the general thought is it can happen to anyone.”
“There’s a major feeling of dread, chaos and fear now,” the insider continued. “The cast were excited to get back to work but four major lay-offs is what greeted them as soon as they returned.”
Reportedly, Boatman was in the middle of renegotiating a new contract when he learned he was being let go.
In addition to his time on “Days of our Lives,” Boatman’s other credits include the film “Runt” and the TV movie “Stalked by My Doctor,” among others. Musically, he is a member of the Day Players Band, which also includes his “Days of our Lives” cast members Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Wally Kurth (Justin Kiriakis) and former cast member Brandon Barash (ex-Stefan O. DiMera).
