There are more changes in the wind at Peacock’s Days of our Lives. Over the last nine months, the show has changed head writers, seen some of its other key writing and directing team members depart for other shows in particular, General Hospital and Beyond the Gates, as well-noted star, Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera) hopping over to The Young and the Restless in an undefined role.
Now, longtime senior producer Noel Maxam has been promoted to co-executive producer of the soap opera with the impending retirement of Janet Drucker, who has been in the role since the Albert Alarr scandal back in 2023.
At that time, Drucker, who held the role of senior coordinating producer was promoted to Co-EP after Alarr had been accused of improper on-set conduct; which included a lawsuit by former DAYS star, Arianne Zucker.
Drucker announced her retirement with her last day working on the show scheduled for May 2, 2025 after four decades as a longtime fixture.
Starting her career as a production associate, Drucker’s contributions have resulted in 15 Daytime Emmy nominations and three wins for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series. She is only the fourth woman to hold the title of Co-Executive Producer in the show’s history.
Photo: JPI
Maxam is known as Daytime Emmy-winning director, who began his daytime career as a writer on As The World Turns, then went to The Young and the Restless to serve as a producer and writer.
In 2008, he first joined the Days of our Lives production team, and previously served as the show’s co-executive producer from 2011-12.
In a statement, Days of our Lives executive producer, Ken Corday shared, “Janet began her career with us as a production associate and steadily rose through the ranks, becoming an integral part of our leadership team.
She has been a guiding presence behind the scenes, and her positive influence has left a lasting legacy. We thank her deeply for her dedication, talent, and heart.”
Photo: JPI
On her exit from the long-running soap opera which will turn 60 this fall, Drucker expressed, “It has been an honor and the pleasure of a lifetime to make my mark in Salem over the past 41 years. I will forever consider this show and everyone involved my second home, but it is time for me to focus on my family.”
Corday said of the promotion of Maxam to Co-EP, “Noel brings with him an exceptional blend of creative vision, technical expertise, and leadership experience. His deep understanding of the genre and steady hand behind the scenes make him the ideal choice to help lead us forward.”
What are your thoughts on the Janet Drucker’s exit and Noel Maxam now the co-executive producer of Days of our Lives? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
