Soap Star Billy Flynn Exits 'Days of Our Lives' After 12-Year Run

The actor is ready to move on to a new chapter after an emotional farewell to his character Chad DiMera.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Billy Flynn has bid farewell to his role as Chad DiMera on the long-running soap opera 'Days of Our Lives' after a 12-year stint. The actor initially announced his exit from the Peacock series in March 2025 before taking on a new role as Cane Ashby on 'The Young and the Restless' in June. Flynn's final episode as Chad aired on Tuesday, with the actor reflecting on his time on the show and the emotional goodbyes he received from his castmates.

Why it matters

Flynn's departure marks the end of an era for 'Days of Our Lives' fans who have followed the character of Chad DiMera for over a decade. The actor's exit also signals a changing of the guard, as the show has brought on Conner Floyd to take over the role starting in April 2026. This transition highlights the evolving nature of long-running soap operas and the challenges of maintaining continuity with beloved characters.

The details

In his final episode, Flynn's character Chad left Salem alongside his children, Thomas and Charlotte, in an emotional farewell that the actor said reflected his own reality in exiting the show. Flynn expressed mixed feelings about his departure, saying he's 'just ready for that chapter to be closed' but also feeling 'a lot of gratitude' for his time on the show, which he credits with changing his life in many ways, including helping him get sober.

  • Flynn initially announced his exit from 'Days of Our Lives' in March 2025.
  • Flynn took on the role of Cane Ashby on 'The Young and the Restless' in June 2025.
  • Flynn's final episode as Chad DiMera aired on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Billy Flynn

The actor who played the role of Chad DiMera on 'Days of Our Lives' for 12 years.

Conner Floyd

The actor who will be taking over the role of Chad DiMera on 'Days of Our Lives' starting in April 2026.

Chad DiMera

The character played by Billy Flynn on 'Days of Our Lives' for 12 years.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just ready for that chapter to be closed. It feels like I'm lingering too long, and it's tough to start a new chapter when you're still in the other one. It's just an odd feeling; that's the only way I can express it. It's too much of me. Nobody needs that much of me.”

— Billy Flynn, Actor (TV Insider)

“The stuff that's airing now is what I remember fondly because they are genuine goodbyes. People who you don't talk to all that often have all this nice stuff to say, and you're like, 'Oh, gosh. Why haven't we had these conversations before?'”

— Billy Flynn, Actor (TV Insider)

“I love Days, and I loved the character of Chad so much. It's just a lot of gratitude. Having a job changed my life, and everything in my life changed so much. I have two children, I got sober on the show, and it gave me a life beyond my wildest dreams, so it's hard to have anything other than gratitude for all of it.”

— Billy Flynn, Actor (TV Insider)

What’s next

Conner Floyd will take over the role of Chad DiMera on 'Days of Our Lives' starting in April 2026.

The takeaway

Billy Flynn's departure from 'Days of Our Lives' after 12 years marks the end of an era for the long-running soap opera, as the show navigates the transition to a new actor in the iconic role of Chad DiMera. While it's bittersweet for fans, Flynn's reflections on his time on the show and the gratitude he feels for the opportunity highlight the profound impact that a role can have on an actor's life.