Days of Our Lives Casting Shakeups September 2025: Major Departures, Exciting Returns, and a Stormy New Chapter in Salem

September 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic months in Days of Our Lives history, both on-screen and behind the scenes. With heartbreaking departures, highly anticipated returns, and even a mysterious book sparking unexpected emotional connections, Salem is bracing for change on every front.

Tamara Braun’s Exit Shakes Salem

The biggest shockwave comes from the confirmed departure of Tamara Braun, whose portrayal of Ava Vitali has been a cornerstone of Salem’s criminal underworld since her debut in 2008. After years of fiery schemes, dangerous romances, and unforgettable feuds, Braun’s final episodes will air in April 2025.

Sources reveal that Braun’s decision was carefully timed, as she prepares to debut on The Young and the Restless later in the year as Sienna Beall, a mysterious new character tied deeply to Genoa City. While exciting for Y&R fans, her exit leaves a massive hole in Days—especially in Ava’s complex ties to Brady Black and the DiMera family drama.

Her storyline ends amid speculation about EJ DiMera’s shooting, leaving fans wondering whether Ava enacted her final revenge before leaving Salem for good. Meanwhile, her fractured relationship with Brady, fueled by Rachel Black’s manipulations, seals her decision to walk away from the town she once tried to control.

Rising Star: Rachel Black’s New Spotlight

While Braun’s departure dominates headlines, young actress Dallas Housley (Rachel Black) is stepping into the forefront. After the bombshell reveal that Rachel was EJ’s shooter, her character has been catapulted into the center of Salem’s chaos.

Housley’s performance as a troubled, manipulative child caught in the crossfire of her parents’ war has earned rave reviews from critics and longtime viewers alike. Upcoming episodes promise powerful scenes with soap legends Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) and Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), as well as new dynamics with Leo Howard (Tate) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah).

Rachel’s growing influence ensures she’ll be a major player in the show’s next generation of storylines.

Supporting Cast Exits Clear the Way

In the wake of Johnny DiMera’s trial, several recurring players will be bowing out, including Timothy Horn (Adam Cole), Foreman Judge Dab, and David Jack (the bailiff). While smaller roles, their exits reflect the show’s strategic push to streamline storylines ahead of massive character comebacks planned for late 2025.

Kristen DiMera Stays Put

Fans can breathe a sigh of relief—Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera) is not going anywhere. After Kristen’s shocking confession to shooting EJ, rumors ran wild that Haiduk might be leaving. But producers confirmed that Kristen will remain integral to Salem’s future.

Her incarceration arc is set to explore new depths of her psychological complexity, intersecting with major returns and keeping the volatile DiMera family at the center of the action.

A Bold Casting Swap: Days and Y&R

Beyond Salem, an unprecedented talent exchange is unfolding in daytime. Braun’s move to Y&R coincides with Connor Floyd transitioning from The Young and the Restless to Days of Our Lives, where he will debut in 2026 as Chad DiMera. This casting swap, which also allows Billy Flynn to pursue opportunities on Y&R, marks a groundbreaking collaboration between rival soaps.

Industry insiders call it “revolutionary,” signaling a new era where talent moves more fluidly across networks, keeping storylines fresh while honoring fan favorites.

The Return of Beloved Salem Legends

Perhaps the most exciting news for fans is the slate of legendary characters set to return before the end of 2025. Executive Producer Ken Corday has confirmed the comeback of Christie Clark (Carrie Brady Reed), Chandler Massey (Will Horton), and Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Horton Deveraux)—all in addition to the previously announced returns of Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) and Peter Reckell (Bo Brady).

This represents one of the largest reunions in Days history, with insiders teasing that these returns will unite under massive “umbrella” storylines tied to milestone celebrations. Expect nostalgia, family reunions, and long-buried secrets to explode into Salem’s present.

“One Stormy Night” Stirs Unexpected Emotions

Amid casting headlines, a quieter but equally intriguing storyline is unfolding on-screen. A mysterious book, One Stormy Night, has begun weaving through Salem, capturing the attention of multiple characters.

• Paulina Price was the first to stumble upon the novel in the town plaza. Known for her humor and energy, Paulina surprised even herself by being so absorbed in the story. The book seemed to reflect her own stormy past, and while Abe Carver interrupted her reading, the moment hinted at something stirring deep inside her.

• Abe Carver, ever the steady anchor, later surprised Paulina by gifting her the very same book. The gesture was tender, a quiet sign that despite the storms they’ve weathered, their love story is still being written.

• Theo Carver, still reeling from heartbreak after his breakup with Claire, called Abe in tears. The pain in his voice reminded Abe of the storms of youth, underscoring the novel’s themes of love and loss.

• Jada Hunter later encountered the book in a bar, where she noticed Ari Horton deeply engrossed in its pages. Ari’s fascination with the story was a refreshing reminder that Salem’s younger generation is just as hungry for meaning and connection as its elders.

The novel’s sudden presence in so many lives feels far from coincidence. In Salem, nothing is ever “just a book.” Fans are already speculating that One Stormy Night could foreshadow new twists, connect characters in unexpected ways, or even serve as the symbolic heart of a major upcoming storyline.

A Salem in Transition

As Days of Our Lives moves into September 2025, the show is entering a transformative era. The loss of Ava Vitali marks the end of one chapter, while the rise of Rachel Black, the endurance of Kristen DiMera, and the promise of returning legends signal new beginnings.

With its renewal secured through 2028, the soap has the stability to take bold risks—shaking up casting, experimenting with cross-network exchanges, and weaving in storylines like One Stormy Night that balance everyday humanity with classic soap intrigue.

For longtime fans, this moment feels like both a farewell and a rebirth. Salem is honoring its past, embracing its present, and preparing for an unpredictable, emotionally charged future.