Days of our Lives has been known to have casting shockers, but the latest one making the rounds has some viewers picking their jaws off the ground.
What was supposed to be a brief casting change looks like it may be more permanent than anyone thought.
According to reports via Soap Hub, Tyler Christopher is leaving his role as Stefan DiMera on Days of our Lives for good.
He only began airing earlier this year, before it was reported in September that he would be leaving temporarily. Now it looks like the actor may be out completely.
This would not be the first time Christopher has taken a leave of absence and not returned.
He previously played Nikolas Cassadine on General Hospital for several years. He was replaced after it was reported he needed a brief break, but he never returned and the writers had to write the character off. Cassadine is presumed dead, though no body was ever recovered.
Fans have already begun speculating that Tyler Christopher may make his way back to General Hospital after abruptly leaving Days of our Lives. After all, Nikolas Cassadine has been mentioned several times over the last few weeks.
Brandon Barash (formerly Johnny Zacchara on General Hospital) stepped in to fill the role of Stefan DiMera in the absence of Tyler Christopher. It is unknown if he will be tapped to continue as the character moving forward.
Because Days of our Lives films so far ahead, the writers and casting directors have a chance to figure things out before it is a huge problem.
Days of our Lives airs weekdays on NBC.