What is happening in the town of Salem? Another actor is exiting the building over at Days of Our Lives after four cast members were fired earlier this year and Kate Mansi and Jen Lilley announced their departure.
The NBC show feels like it is having a midlife crisis. After a celebratory year with the 50th anniversary, the series seems lost. After the dust settled with the Necktie Killer storyline, the show went right into negotiations with Sony and NBC for renewal.
More:Days of Our Lives‘plan to replace Kate Mansi is ludicrous
The firing of John-Paul Lavoisier was confirmed by Soap Opera Digest on July 5 and rumors have floated around that he was unceremoniously dumped over the phone by producers. He joined the DOOL cast in 2015, but he never really gelled with viewers the way other actors have who played the role before him.
Since DOOL shoots scripts six months ahead of time, Lavoisier will be seen as Philip Kiriakis through the fall. While fans have no clue where the Kiriakis story line will be by the end of the year, it just might be a way for producers to bring Jay Kenneth Johnson back in for the role.
More:12 soap stars who have music you can stream on Spotify
Johnson first played Philip from 1999-2001 and then returned for a five-year stint from 2007-2011. Now that Lavoisier is out, viewers are calling out on social media for Johnson’s return.
https://<a href="https://oto.diwarta.com/tags/twitter/" id="auto-tag_twitter_1" data-tag="twitter">twitter</a>.com/ChadamBope/status/750443140079767552
not surprised..I'm glad really..he was not a good fit..there's no other Philip but Jay Kenneth Johnson..
— Carol Bedard 👊✌️🏳️🌈🇺🇸 (@CarbedardCarol) July 5, 2016
My beautiful Jay Kenneth Johnson! I would've tuned back in if they got him back. #Dayshttps://t.co/qJeTaNA3mB
— Mel (@MelBenavent) June 9, 2016
More:Soap characters who were played by multiple actors
Even with the fans hoping for Johnson to step back into Salem, the chaos that’s been felt on the set and by viewers has really shaken up the longtime soap. Will this constant state of chaos drive viewers away or will it bring a much-needed breath of fresh air to the NBC soap?
Do you think Days of Our Lives is going through a major show crisis?
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
Leave a Comment