Al Calderon is leaving Days of Our Lives and fans are reeling. But this casting shake-up comes on the heels of another devastating goodbye—John Black’s emotional send-off. Is Salem ready for this much loss?

Another casting bombshell has rocked Days of Our Lives—and fans barely had time to catch their breath after John Black’s heart-wrenching exit.

Al Calderon, the rising star who stepped into the role of Javi Hernandez in early 2024, is officially departing the NBC daytime soap. And while the show insists Javi remains “alive and well in Salem,” the reality is Calderon is moving on—to primetime. He’s taking on a major new role in NBC’s critically acclaimed drama Brilliant Minds, where he’ll portray Nurse Scotty Silva in the show’s second season.

For many, the news is bittersweet. Calderon’s portrayal of Javi brought fresh energy and emotional complexity to Salem. But his abrupt exit—and the news that his character will be recast—leaves viewers wondering what lies ahead. Will Javi’s recast match Calderon’s chemistry with the rest of the cast? Or is this the beginning of a deeper rewrite?

What stings even more is the timing.

Just weeks ago, Days aired the deeply emotional farewell of one of its most iconic characters—John Black. After decades and nearly 4,300 episodes, the beloved hero, played by Drake Hogestyn, was laid to rest on-screen in a tragic but touching tribute. The actor had passed away from pancreatic cancer in September 2024, and the show waited nearly eight months to give fans a send-off worthy of the legacy he built.

In a powerful episode, John was shown bandaged and unconscious following a lab explosion. Surrounded by his family and longtime love Marlena, he passed peacefully, as Marlena whispered through tears: “You’ve given us all the love we will ever, ever need… You can rest now.”

It wasn’t just a goodbye. It was a closing chapter to a character who defined Days for a generation. And for many viewers, it was the most emotionally resonant moment the show has aired in years.

Deidre Hall, who plays Marlena, called the experience “the hardest day ever” on Instagram after the episode aired. Behind the scenes, her grief was mirrored by co-stars like Peter Reckell (Bo), who admitted in an interview that there was “no acting required” during the memorial scenes. “You’re saying things as the character that parallel your feelings in your personal relationship,” he said.

Executive producer Ken Corday revealed that Hogestyn had agreed to the arc and signed off on his character’s final moments shortly before his passing. It was a goodbye crafted with respect, reverence—and heartbreak.

Now, just as fans are still processing that loss, they’re asked to brace for another change. Calderon’s exit may not be as final, but it still shakes the canvas.

And make no mistake—casting changes like this are never random. Industry insiders suggest that with Days undergoing continual restructuring, we may be looking at a wider shift in character dynamics. Recasting Javi, especially so soon after the death of John, hints at deeper moves behind the scenes.

With Calderon moving into prime-time prestige drama and Hogestyn’s legacy now fully cemented, the question is no longer just who’s leaving Salem—but what version of Salem will remain?

Could the departures of Javi and John mark the end of an era—and the beginning of a totally reshaped Salem?