The “Days of Our Lives”‘ may be numbered.
All cast members of NBC’s long-running daytime soap opera have been released from their contracts and the show will go on hiatus from production at the end of the month, TVLine reported on Tuesday.
Three “Days of Our Lives” actors confirmed to TheWrap Tuesday that they have been released from their contracts. One actor, who declined to be identified, said that that if the show does resume production in March, it would start from scratch in regards to contract renegotiations — meaning if actors are asked to return, it could be at a sizable pay cut.
It’s not time to sound the alarm just yet — TV Line’s report also said that “Days of Our Lives,” which has been running since 1965, hasn’t been canceled yet.
Representatives for NBC and Sony, the studio behind “Days of Our Lives,” declined to comment. The two entities are currently deciding on series renewals.
However, a rep for Sony told TVLine that the studio is not involved in contract negotiations. That falls to Corday Productions, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Days of Our Lives” shoots eight months in advance and routinely takes a 2-3 month hiatus twice a year. Should NBC renew it, production would resume in March of 2020.
TV Line also reports that by the time the hiatus kicks in at the end of November, the soap will already have enough episodes in the can to air through summer 2020.
Despite contract negotiations, “Days of Our Lives” will continue to air as scheduled. The series, which is NBC’s last remaining daytime soap, celebrated it’s 54th anniversary over the weekend. The other daytime soaps still on the air are ABC’s “General Hospital,” and CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
It’s also worth noting that in February of this year, Corday Productions filed a lawsuit against Sony, the longtime distributor of “Days of Our Lives,” accusing the studio of “starving it to death” by refusing to distribute the show internationally, so that the only Sony soap available for international distribution is its wholly-owned “The Young and the Restless.”
In August, The Hollywood Reporter reported that a judicial referee handling the matter had canceled several of Corday Productions’ claims, including breach of fiduciary duty, certain breaches of contract, and its claim to unfair competition. The claims Corday still has on the table are fraud and concealment; that Sony breached its obligation to market the series and share the marketing cost; and the claim for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
No matter what happens, one sentiment still rings true: “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”