ARTICLE: Billy Flynn Talks Exit From ‘Days of our Lives’, Joining ‘The Young and the Restless’

[Errol]

As previously reported, actor Billy Flynn is exiting “Days of our Lives,” where he has played Chad DiMera on the daytime drama series for more than ten years, to join the cast of “The Young and the Restless” where he’ll portray a newly created character.

In a new interview with Variety, Flynn told the outlet, “I love acting, and I love stories, and I never imagined I would just tell one story for the rest of my life,” referring to his long-run in Salem. “The fact that I’ve been here 10 years and it’s gone by in the blink of an eye is amazing to me. I wasn’t a baby when I started here; I was 30. I didn’t start acting until I was 26. So it’s gone by really fast. I think with this character, I’ve done everything I can with it. I’m looking forward to doing something new. I’m about to start a new journey and tell another story. It really is just that simple.”

Flynn, who got married, had two kids, and bought a house during his time on “Days of our Lives,” admits that the change from one soap to another is “bittersweet,” and says, “The outpouring of well wishes and love since this came out has been humbling.” He added, “It’s been incredibly moving to me, and I’m gonna take that with me. I hope [the show’s fans] continue to watch ‘DAYS’ and support ‘DAYS’ and support whoever might come in and play Chad, if there ever is that case. I hope they do that and give somebody the same love they gave me. And I hope that they come with me on this journey that I’m on and support me doing that too.”

For more on what Flynn had to say about his transition from the Burbank-based studio where “Days of our Lives” tapes to Television City studio where “The Young and the Restless” is based, click here.

Flynn made his first appearance on “Days of our Lives” in the September 12, 2014 episode, replacing Casey Deidrick in the role, and quickly became a fan favorite as one half of the popular Chad and Abby (played by Kate Mansi and Marci Miller) pairing, dubbed “Chabby” by their fans. By 2019, the couple was featured in an online companion series, “Days of our Lives: Chad & Abby in Paris,” which helped expand storylines encompassing the adventures of some of the show’s most popular characters.

Last month, Flynn appeared in an episode of “Matlock,” playing Atticus Waverly, an employee at a tech startup that had its trade secrets stolen.

“We support Billy as an actor and friend, and wish him nothing but continued success and happiness, personally and professionally,” said “Days of our Lives” executive producer Ken Corday. “He will certainly be missed in Salem.”

In a statement, “The Young and the Restless” executive producer and head writer Josh Griffith said, “On behalf of the entire company of ‘The Young and the Restless,’ we look forward to welcoming Billy to the show.” He noted, “He will be a wonderful addition to ‘Y&R’s stellar cast.”

Despite joining daytime’s most popular soap opera, fans of “Days of our Lives” can expect to continue seeing Flynn in Salem for a bit longer due to the show’s advanced tape-to-air schedule, currently set at nine months, which means he’ll appear on the show well into 2026.

“In a perfect world, that wouldn’t be the case,” says Flynn of the shooting schedule, adding, “only because you want people to suspend disbelief.” The actor is referring to viewers that might find it jarring to see him on two different shows on the same day, noting, “It makes my job a little harder.”

No word yet on when Flynn starts taping at “The Young and the Restless.”

Note: The post Billy Flynn Talks Exit From ‘Days of our Lives’, Joining ‘The Young and the Restless’ appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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