After a decade of portraying Chad DiMera on Days of Our Lives, Billy Flynn has announced his departure from the beloved soap opera. 

The 39-year-old actor recently confirmed that he will be leaving the long-running series and making the jump to The Young and the Restless, 

where he will take on a new, yet-to-be-revealed role.

In an interview with Variety, Flynn opened up about his decision, his time on DOOL, and what the future holds for him in daytime television.

Flynn described Days of Our Lives as “the little engine that could,” acknowledging the show’s resilience and unique production challenges. 

With the series filming more than nine months in advance, the fast-paced nature of the job helped shape him as an actor.

“We do the best work we can despite the obstacles that we’ve faced as a show,” he shared. “Part of what excites me about this move is that the production pace is slower, allowing for more time to fine-tune performances. But I was trained like a warrior here.”

Reflecting on his tenure as Chad DiMera, Flynn noted that while he has loved his time on the show, he felt the need to explore new opportunities.

“I love acting and storytelling, but I never envisioned myself telling only one story for the rest of my career,” he said. “Being on this show for ten years has been incredible, and it’s gone by so fast. I was already 30 when I joined DOOL, having started acting at 26. Now, I feel I’ve taken this character as far as I possibly can.”

Flynn expressed gratitude for the depth and complexity of Chad’s journey, admitting that playing the character allowed him to tap into personal experiences.

“I’ve put so much of myself into Chad, probably more than I ever will into another role. There were moments when my personal life and Chad’s storyline aligned—like when he lost his wife, and I was dealing with a personal loss. These experiences made the role even more special to me.”

Calling his departure “bittersweet,” Flynn acknowledged the profound impact DOOL has had on his life.

“Since I took this job, I’ve gotten married, had two kids, and bought a house. This role has truly changed my life. The people I work with have become close friends, and they’ve shared in my ups and downs over the years. The outpouring of love and support since announcing my departure has been incredibly humbling.”

As for the show’s future, Flynn remains hopeful that the fans will continue to support Days of Our Lives, whether or not Chad DiMera is recast.

“I hope the fans keep watching and supporting the show, and if someone else steps into Chad’s shoes, I hope they receive the same love and acceptance that I did. I also hope viewers will follow me on this next journey.”

Although he will soon be seen on The Young and the Restless, Flynn will continue appearing as Chad on DOOL through 2026. He acknowledged that ideally, there wouldn’t be an overlap between the two roles.

“In a perfect world, that wouldn’t be the case. You want people to be able to suspend disbelief, and it makes my job a bit more challenging,” he admitted.

Flynn’s departure marks the end of an era for Days of Our Lives fans who have followed his portrayal of Chad DiMera for the past ten years. However, his transition to The Young and the Restless signals an exciting new chapter in his career, and soap opera audiences will undoubtedly be eager to see what he brings to his next role.

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