Days of Our Lives explains rotating characters amid rumors about Galen Gerrig and Elia Cantu.

Why do popular Salem residents go MIA?

Days of Our Lives viewers may have noticed that some characters, like Melinda Trask ( Tina Huang), JJ Devereaux (Casey Moss), Shawn Brady (Brandon Beemer), and Phillip Kiriakis (John Paul Lavoisier), disappear from the screen for long periods before showing up again.

Sometimes, cast members are gone so long you almost forget them, then one day there they are again. Lauren Koslow (Kate Brady) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are two longtime who are fan favorites who are longer on screen for extended periods. Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson) is another beloved actor who goes MIA.

A representative from the Peacock soap recently explained the method of rotating characters after fans noticed Elia Cantu (Jada Hunter) and Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gerrig) were missing from the credits. DOOL viewers were concerned the duo had been bumped from contract status or let go because of recent cast changes.

Rafe and Jada had a high-profile storyline and received lots of airtime until their wedding did not take place. Since then, they have been relegated to the back burner.

DOOL fans are distressed because the soap has fired four beloved cast members. Carson Boatman (Johy Dimera), Raven Bowens (Chanel Dimera), Leo HowaJonrd (Tate Black), and Ashley Puzemis (Holly Jonas) have all taped their final scenes.

Meanwhile, Days has hired Sophia Mattsson (Sasha Gilmore on General Hospital) as a new character. GH viewers were hoping Mattsson would reprise her role, or at least return for the memorial for Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers). For now, the actress will be in Salem rather than Port Charles.

DOOL has a revolving system

Fans don't understand why popular characters are written out, and new ones show up. There is an answer about what is currently happening in Salem. The Days of Our Lives spokesperson gave the following statement,

“We never comment on actor contract status but, rest assured, Rafe and Jada are still in Salem.” The show does have a roster of recurring (i.e., not under contract) players who rotate in and out, including its new Rachel, Lorelei Olivia Mote, and the recently resurfaced Brandon Beemer (Shawn) and Casey Moss (JJ), so going off contract does not necessarily mean that either Rafe or Jada will be written out of Salem.

The wording "Does not necessarily mean" is not reassuring when it comes to Jada and Rafe, but the DOOL system is much better than the way The Bold and the Beautiful drops characters who never return.

Soaps handle characters differently

Darrin Brooks (Wyatt Spencer), Jusin Barber ( Aaron D Spears), Shauna Fulton (Denise Richards), and Flo Logan (Katrina Bowden) disappeared without a trace. Matthew Atkinson (Thomas Forrester) and Diamond White (Paris Buckingham) have only been seen once during the past year, and Zende Forrester (Delon de Metz) makes very rare appearances.

The Young and the Restless and General Hospital keep core families like the Newmans, Abbotts, Quartermaines, and Corinthos clan front and center.

The fate of Rafe and Jada

On Days, Jada is the police commissioner, but not involved in any front-burner storylines now that Stephanie Kiriakis (Abigail Klein) is safe and sound. Rafe is working with Cat Greene ( AnnaLynne McCord) to take down EJ Dimera (Dan Feuerriegel). Once Lexi Carver ( Nikki Crawford) returns from the dead, the situation may change.

Will Rafe and Jada continue to pop in from time to time and later return to full-time status? Will they meet the same fate as Johy, Chanel, Tate, and Holly? Be watching for updates, spoilers, and breaking news about life in Salem. Continue watching Days of Our Lives to learn what is coming.