Freddie Smith

When Ted Corday and Betty Corday watched “Days of our Lives’” NBC debut on November 8, 1965, they couldn’t have known that the soap opera they created would garner so much success. Now, 48 years later, the show not only is coming off of an Outstanding Drama Series win from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, it’s comprised of a talented and close-knit cast who all have very special memories regarding their time with the popular show. Soap Opera Network spoke with a few said castmembers, and in celebration of the show’s 48th anniversary, they were all too happy to share some of their favorite moments from the early days and beyond!

As we previously reported, “Days of our Lives’” Freddie Smith (Sonny Kiriakis) revealed to Soap Opera Network that Guy Wilson will replace Chandler Massey onscreen in the role of Will Horton beginning in January 2014. And now, we have the details of the transition, including Smith’s thoughts on the controversial super-quick recast and how Wilson is fitting into the role.

In the coming weeks a storyline involving the characters of Nick Fallon and Gabi Hernandez gets physically violent and rumors are now swirling about the possibility that as a result of the storyline, Nick’s portrayer, Blake Berris, may be leaving the “Days of our Lives” canvas.

During today’s “A Day of Days” fan event at Universal CityWalk Hollywood, actor Freddie Smith shared with Soap Opera Network that Guy Wilson will replace Chandler Massey in the role of Will Horton beginning in January 2014. The actor noted that viewers will see Chandler one day and the next day they’ll see Guy (ie. Will is not leaving town only to return played by a new actor).

Recasting pivotal roles always comes with a rollercoaster of equal parts praise and equal parts critique, but “Days of our Lives’” decision to recast the role of Will in what seemed like mere moments after the announcement that Chandler Massey was departing the role has seen rumblings closer to an earthquake than a mere thrill ride. Viewers have questioned whether the show’s decision to bring Guy Wilson in was a way to stick it to Massey for leaving the role he’d made popular over the last three years, and some even questioned why Massey was leaving the show in the first place. The Backlot, an online publication that calls itself the corner of Hollywood and gay, managed to snag an interview with “DAYS” co-executive producer, Greg Meng, to get the inside scoop!

Deep down in the basement of NBC’s The Burbank Studios in Los Angeles, beneath the busy and hectic world of “Days of our Lives’” Salem, lies a cozy dressing room that offers a warm and comfortable respite from cameras, producers, directors, publicists, wardrobe and all of the other distractions of a daytime television set. The lighting is low, candles flicker, and there’s a plush, body hugging beanbag that just begs any visitor to sit back, sink in and possibly take one of the best naps of all time. We at Soap Opera Network could have fallen into the beckoning trap, but the dressing room’s owner, Shawn Christian (Daniel Jonas), was way too excited to discuss his current storyline and his new television project, “Addicts Anonymous,” to allow any snoozing to happen. And as soon as the passionate actor launched into conversation, there was no desire for napping on our part, either! Read on for the exciting details Christian shared. But be warned: You’ll be on the edge of your seats (or, if you’re lucky, your beanbags).

On Thursday, October 17, several LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) organizations and individuals celebrated Spirit Day, which asks people to take a stand against bullying and show support for LGBT youth by wearing the color purple. NBC’s “Days of our Lives” took a stand and showed its support as cast members donned purple shirts, jackets and even ties.

Shortly after winning his second consecutive Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series last month, “Days of our Lives” star, Chandler Massey, announced plans to depart the NBC Daytime drama series after portraying the role of Will Horton for the past four years. The actor stated he wants to go back to school and he wouldn’t be able to do that while under contract with the soap.

In a posting last week on its Facebook page, shortly after word that the Supreme Court of the United States had found the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, the NOH8 campaign displayed a photo compilation of “Days of our Lives” cast members posing in support of the charitable organization whose mission is “to promote marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest.” The photo included actors Blake Berris, Eileen Davidson, Greg Vaughan, Kristian Alfonso, Bill Hayes, Lauren Koslow, Deidre Hall, Suzanne Rogers, Freddie Smith, Joseph Mascolo, Nathan Owens, Kate Mansi and Galen Gering, among others.

It’s not every day that you’ll see daytime stars going rebel and giving the bird, but that’s all about to change. In support of The Friend Movement, a grassroots anti-bullying organization, several sudser stars have posed for provocative photos in which they give the camera — and bullying — the bird.