MAJOR DAYS OF OUR LIVES CASTING SHAKEUP ROCKS SALEM

Chad DiMera Gets a New Face as Soap Stars Switch Shows

Hold onto your hats, Salem fans—we’ve got a casting bombshell that’s about to shake the DiMera mansion to its foundation! After more than a decade of bringing Chad DiMera to life, Billy Flynn is saying goodbye to Days of Our Lives, and The Young and the Restless star Conner Floyd is stepping into those designer shoes.

But wait, it gets juicier. This isn’t just any recast—it’s a full-on soap opera switcheroo that has both shows trading leading men!

The Biggest Casting Swap in Daytime

Let’s break this down, because the details are fascinating. Billy Flynn, who’s been our beloved Chad since 2014 and scored three Daytime Emmy nominations along the way, announced he’s heading to Genoa City. Meanwhile, Conner Floyd—who Y&R fans know as Chance Chancellor—is packing his bags for Salem.

The timing? Floyd already started taping on June 23, but here’s the kicker: we won’t see him as Chad until April 21, 2026. That’s right, folks. We’re looking at a wait that’s longer than some Salem pregnancies!

Flynn didn’t mince words about his departure. “I think with this character, I’ve done everything I can with it,” he told Variety. After a decade of murder mysteries, family drama, and enough romantic entanglements to fill a phone book, he’s ready to tell a new story. And that story involves playing the mysterious Cane Ashby on Y&R—a character who’s been off-screen since 2019.

What This Means for Chad’s Future

Here’s where things get interesting. Chad DiMera isn’t just any character—he’s Salem royalty. Son of Stefano DiMera. Widower of Abigail Deveraux. Father to Thomas and Charlotte. This isn’t a role you can just slip into like a new suit.

So what can we expect when Floyd takes over? Will they write Chad off-screen for over a year? (A business trip to Europe, perhaps?) Or will we see Flynn‘s Chad right up until the transition? The show’s been tight-lipped, but knowing Days, they’ll find a way to make this work that’ll have us talking for months.

The good news? Flynn himself gave Floyd his blessing, posting on Instagram Stories: “Chad is in great hands. You’re gonna crush it man.” If the outgoing Chad has faith, maybe we should too?

A Tale of Two Actors, Two Shows

What makes this even more delicious is that both actors are staying in daytime! Flynn debuted on Y&R as the mysterious Aristotle Dumas on June 19, before his true identity as Cane Ashby was revealed. Talk about coming full circle—Cane was a major player in Genoa City for over a decade before Daniel Goddard left the role in 2019.

Meanwhile, Floyd‘s departure from Y&R means saying goodbye to Chance Chancellor, a role he’s made his own since 2021. Salem’s gain is definitely Genoa City’s loss.

The million-dollar question remains: Can Floyd capture the essence of Chad DiMera while making the role his own? He’s got the acting chops—Y&R fans can attest to that. But stepping into a role that’s been defined by one actor for ten years? That’s a challenge worthy of a DiMera.

One thing’s for sure—April 2026 can’t come fast enough. Will Chad return with a new face and a new attitude? Will his family notice the difference? And most importantly, will Salem—and its fans—embrace this new chapter?

Buckle up, Days fans. This casting carousel is just getting started, and if soap opera history has taught us anything, it’s that recasts can either make or break a character’s legacy. Here’s hoping Conner Floyd is ready to carry the DiMera torch. The countdown to April 2026 begins now!

Catch all the must-know Days of Our Lives spoilers and updates here.