Today’s Very Sad News! The actor from Days of Our Lives has had their contract canceled!

Several cast members of Days of Our Lives were reportedly let go shortly after returning from the show’s holiday break, a move that surprised both the actors involved and others on set.

According to a report from the Daily Mail published on Tuesday, January 13, Carson Boatman, Raven Bowens, Ashley Puzemis, and Leo Howard were all released within a day of returning to work following the Christmas hiatus.

“It was a New Year bloodbath at Days of Our Lives this month as the cast returned from a Christmas hiatus,” a source told the outlet. “Four cast members were immediately let go.”

The source added that the decision came without warning.

“They were totally blindsided, especially Carson who was in the middle of renegotiating a new contract,” the source said.

Boatman, 31, joined the show in 2020 as Johnny DiMera, and was part of the popular pairing Johnny and Chanel, known to fans by their couple’s nickname, Janel.

In November, Boatman told E! at the show’s 60th anniversary celebration, “I’ll take 25 or 50 years if we can get it,” when asked about his future on the series.

Bowens, 35, who has played Chanel DiMera since 2021, also spoke to E! at the same event, saying, “There’s a lot coming up.”

She added of her character’s storyline, “We both have jobs and so it’s like balancing our careers and our new baby… Then we’re going to be thrown a major surprise.”

Puzemis, 24, joined the soap in 2023 as Holly Tate, while Howard, 28, took over the role of Tate Black in April 2024. Their characters were recently involved in a major storyline.

Boatman told the Daily Mail in their report there are no hard feelings.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the past five years,” he said. “I have nothing but love and respect for everyone over there from top to bottom.”

A spokesperson for the show said casting changes are part of long term storytelling decisions and noted that, due to the show’s extended tape to air schedule, the impact will not be seen on screen for some time.