When “Days of our Lives” resumed production earlier this month following its holiday hiatus, four contract cast members were informed that they were being let go, The Daily Mail reported on Tuesday. The impacted stars are Carson Boatman (Johnny DiMera), Raven Bowens (Chanel DiMera), Leo Howard (Tate Black) and Ashley Puzemis (Holly Jonas).

“‘DAYS’ decided they needed to switch things up. All four actors were let go last week, within a day of getting back from the show’s holiday hiatus,” a source told the outlet. “They were totally blindsided, especially Carson, who was in the middle of renegotiating a new contract.”

Of the four, Bowens and Boatman are the longest tenured, having joined the show’s cast in 2021. Bowens and Boatman played each other’s on-screen love interest. Meanwhile, Puzemis, who joined in 2023, and Howard, who made his debut in 2024, also played on-screen lovers.

In a statement released to Soap Opera Digest, a show spokesperson confirmed all four exits, saying, “While we don’t comment on individual contracts or casting decisions, we have tremendous respect and appreciation for the actors who bring these characters to life. What may seem sudden is part of long-range storytelling decisions. Our goal is to balance the show’s rich history with where we’re headed creatively. Due to our long tape-to-air gap, any changes won’t be on screen for some time.”

Last year, the show’s tape-to-air schedule was reported to be at least 10 months, meaning the cast exits will not be seen on screen until at least late 2026/early 2027, depending on when each star concludes or has concluded their time on the show.

Before joining the daytime soap opera, Howard starred in the Disney XD original series “Kickin’ It” and “Why Women Kill,” created by Marc Cherry (“Desperate Housewives”), among others. Puzemis appeared in the shows “BF for Hire,” “The Sex Lives of College Girls” and “Danger Force,” among others.

Boatman’s credits include the film “Runt” and the TV movie “Stalked by My Doctor,” among others, and he is a member of the Day Players Band, which also includes “Days of our Lives” cast members Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Wally Kurth (Justin Kiriakis) and former cast member Brandon Barash (ex-Stefan O. DiMera).

Bowens appeared in such shows as “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Insecure,” “All Rise,” “Henry Danger,” “Mr. Student Body President” and “Future Man,” among others, while also featured in such TV movies as “The New Edition Story” and “The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar.”

Note: The post ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Fires Four: Carson Boatman, Raven Bowens, Leo Howard & Ashley Puzemis first appeared on Soap Opera Network.

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This makes no sense to me.

I really think this show is in deep trouble. Getting rid of two major couples in their age group is ridiculous. How much more budget cutting can this show do before we're left with The Leo Show?

Storytelling riiight riiight, sure, sure lol F Days.. but hey let’s keep Leo with his annual stints:(

Wow...all four of these are shockers. I can think of a few other characters that make more sense to let go...or use a lot less of (cough, cough Leo)

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by 1974mdp

11 minutes ago, ranger1rg said:

This makes no sense to me.

I really think this show is in deep trouble. Getting rid of two major couples in their age group is ridiculous. How much more budget cutting can this show do before we're left with The Leo Show?

Sadly, it already is..

And, thanks to the ridiculous taping schedule, we will say goodbye to them in 2027. 🤣

Carson Boatman and Raven Bowens could easily shift to General Hospital as Cameron Webber and Trina Robinson/Maya Ward, respectively, and do exceptionally well at that soap.

Leo Howard was miscast as Tate Black. He would have fared better as Will Horton. And following the ever-charismatic Jamie Martin Mann, he just was a complete mess. Perhaps nüFenmore on The Young and the Restless?

Ashley Puzemis was fine as Holly; however, once Arianne Zucker left the serial as Nicole, there was zero reason for her to stick around.

Yikes. They just cut most of the show's younger stars. Losing your job at the start of the year is rough. I hope they can rebound.

I also think DAYS is in trouble, and I made peace with letting it go last year. It will probably be the Leo show for those who are still watching.

I don’t even watch DAYS anymore and even I’m shocked that they would make the same mistake they did years ago getting rid of their younger and (popular couples) Shawn, Belle, Mimi, Philip etc all in one swoop. That really hurt the show back then and I suspect this will too

56 minutes ago, Liberty City said:

And, thanks to the ridiculous taping schedule, we will say goodbye to them in 2027. 🤣

Carson Boatman and Raven Bowens could easily shift to General Hospital as Cameron Webber and Trina Robinson/Maya Ward, respectively, and do exceptionally well at that soap.

Leo Howard was miscast as Tate Black. He would have fared better as Will Horton. And following the ever-charismatic Jamie Martin Mann, he just was a complete mess. Perhaps nüFenmore on The Young and the Restless?

Ashley Puzemis was fine as Holly; however, once Arianne Zucker left the serial as Nicole, there was zero reason for her to stick around.

I agree; Leo was not a good fit for Tate at all. As a matter of fact, the recast pretty much killed the character and he has never really been the same. I would've rested Tate for a bit and eventually bring him back with a new actor who actually looks his age.

Cutting out the younger cast that actually clicked with the audience... This is strange and weird and definitely NOT the choices I would've made when it comes to trimming the fat, especially Carson and Raven as Johnny & Chanel.

I'd be okay with these exits if it meant bringing in fresh characters and families, which DAYS has needed for the better part of three decades. If anything, though, DAYS is just making room for characters who haven't been relevant since the George Bush administration (or worse, more Leo).