'Days Of Our Lives' Cast Freed From Contract, Show's Fate Falters

HOLLYWOOD, CA — The sands of time may be running out for the long-running soap opera Days Of Our Lives. The entire cast was reportedly freed from their contracts this week, allowing the actors to pursue other gigs. The move signals a dramatic shakeup for the soap that has been a daytime constant since 1965.

It also triggered rampant speculation that Days of Our Lives may not return next year after halting production at the end of this month. TVLine confirmed that producers released the actors from their deals amid plans to halt production. After wrapping up filming for the 55th season, the soap will go on indefinite hiatus. There are just enough shows filmed to last through the summer of 2020, TMZ reported.

According to Deadline, negotiations are underway to renew the show next season. But in releasing the actors from their deals, the producers are limiting liability should the show fail to get renewed.

It’s been a rough decade for the nation’s long-running soaps. A wave of cancellations left just four long-running daytime soap operas running on the major networks, including NBC’s Days of Our Lives and General Hospital, and the CBS staples The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful.

An inside source told TVLine, “It’s actually a shrewd — if cynical — business move...If Days gets picked up, [the producers] can offer the actors new contacts at a reduced rate and with a ‘take-it-or-leave’ it attitude. Worst case scenario, they lose half their cast. Best case scenario, everyone agrees to return at a lower salary.”

The behind-the-scenes shakeup comes this week as the show’s writers tried an unusual shakeup of their own — skipping a year into the future. However, the real drama now lies in the show’s fate one year from now. Will Days Of Our Lives make it another year?