Fans of “Days on our Lives’” Will Horton have been waiting for months to hear from the character’s new portrayer, Guy Wilson, and the wait is finally over!
On today’s episode of NBC’s “Days of our Lives,” Chandler Massey says goodbye to his multi-Daytime Emmy Award winning role of Will Horton. As previously reported, Massey planned to depart the daytime drama series when his contract was set to expire in December 2013, but show producers opted instead to replace the actor upon his completion of his filming of scenes in August of last year, citing the exit as being storyline dictated. Daytime newcomer Guy Wilson took over the role when he began filming scenes in September. He begins airing on Wednesday, January 8.
The quick switcheroo from Chandler Massey to Guy Wilson in the role of “Days of our Lives’” Will Horton is about to commence: As previously reported, Wilson’s first day as Sami’s (Alison Sweeney) son will take place the first week in January, and an exact day has finally be revealed! Also revealed is when you’ll get your last glimpse at Massey in Salem.
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!
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.
