'Days of Our Lives' will take a break as NBC mulls its future; cast will be released

Cydney Henderson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Entire 'Days of Our Lives' cast released from contracts NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives" will go on an indefinite hiatus after releasing the entire cast from their contracts.

The entire cast of "Days of our Lives" reportedly has been released from their contracts as the daytime soap awaits a renewal for a 56th season. The news was first reported by TVLine.

The long-running NBC soap opera, which premiered in November 1965, will go on an "indefinite hiatus" at the end of this month, when it will have completed taping for the current TV season. New episodes will air at least until September 2020.

But that doesn't mean the series is canceled.

Chandler Massey, who portrays Will Horton on "Days," took to Twitter following the news to assure fans that the daytime soap opera isn't going anywhere.

"We’re not being cancelled," he tweeted Tuesday. "We are pausing production because we are so far ahead of schedule (and it saves us $). Days will still air during the entire hiatus, so you won’t miss anything!"

We’re not being cancelled. We are pausing production because we are so far ahead of schedule (and it saves us $). Days will still air during the entire hiatus, so you won’t miss anything! — Chandler Massey (@ChandlerMassey) November 12, 2019

"Days of our Lives" reportedly shoots eight months in advance, while Corday Productions and NBC decide whether the series will be renewed for Season 56. If the series is renewed, the cast will negotiate new contracts and resume taping next spring.

USA TODAY reached out to NBC for comment. Sony Pictures Television, which distributes the soap, declined to comment.

"DOOL" has won several Daytime Emmy Awards during its long run, including the outstanding drama series title in 1978, 2013, 2015 and 2018.

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