Bold claim: a beloved soap icon steps away from a 12-year chapter, and fans feel like they’ve just watched their own curtain call. Here’s a fresh, fuller take on the story, with clear context and helpful details for newcomers.
After twelve years in Salem, Billy Flynn has officially bid farewell to the role of Chad DiMera. The 40-year-old actor’s final Days of Our Lives episode aired on Tuesday, marking the end of a long-running chapter for both him and the show.
In an interview with TV Insider, Flynn opened up about what the role and the moment have meant to him. He described his time on DAYS as life-changing, thanking the character and the experience for shaping his personal and professional journey.
“I love Days, and I loved the character of Chad so much,” Flynn told TV Insider in a piece published on Tuesday. “Having a job changed my life, and everything in my life changed so much. I have two children, I got sober on the show, and it gave me a life beyond my wildest dreams, so it’s hard to have anything other than gratitude for all of it.”
Flynn first announced his exit in March 2025. Since DAYS films well in advance—often ten months ahead—the timing gave him ample space to process the transition before his final episodes aired. He later acknowledged that he felt ready to move on, saying, “I’m just ready for that chapter to be closed,” and noting that it’s difficult to start a new chapter while lingering in the old one.
In the finale on screen, Chad DiMera leaves Salem with his children, Thomas and Charlotte. Flynn compared the emotional resonance of Chad’s farewell to his own set-life experiences, describing it as a poignant, genuine goodbye. He called the parting moments some of the most meaningful on-screen farewells he’s ever witnessed, describing them as a chance to feel loved and appreciated by those around him.
As one chapter ends, another begins: Conner Floyd is stepping into the Chad DiMera role on Days of Our Lives, while Flynn returns to familiar territory. Flynn has previously portrayed Phillip “Chance” Chancellor IV on The Young and the Restless and returned to that CBS soap’s set last June. Viewers will have to wait a bit longer to see the new Chad—his first episodes are slated to air in April 2026.
For fans following the every-weekday schedule, Days of Our Lives streams new episodes on Peacock. The Young and the Restless airs on CBS on weekdays and is available for streaming on Paramount+.
If you’re new to the story, the takeaway is this: a long-tenured actor closes one life-changing chapter and passes the baton to a successor, all while reminding fans of the enduring power of a soap’s shared history.
What do you think about actors passing complex, beloved roles to new generations? Do you believe a fresh face can honor the past while pushing a show forward, or does it dampen the nostalgia for long-time viewers? Share your thoughts in the comments.
