Peyton Meyer’s Departure from Days of Our Lives Explained by Doug
Peyton Meyer has wrapped up his time on Days of Our Lives — but how did Doug’s narrative come to a close?
The episode that aired on Friday, July 25, marked the end of Doug III’s saga in Salem. He had previously vowed to leave town if Tate (Leo Howard) assisted him in settling his debt with the loan shark, ensuring Holly (Ashley Puzemis) and Ari (Marissa Reyes) could be freed. True to his word, Doug departed Salem for good after one last heartfelt conversation with Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes).
Meyer’s departure occurred less than a year after he joined the soap. He was introduced in December 2024 as Doug Sr.’s grandson, having met Julie at the cemetery. Despite his brief tenure, the cast of Days of Our Lives has grown accustomed to bidding farewell to characters over the years.
Earlier this season, Days of Our Lives mourned the loss of Drake Hogestyn‘s character, John Black, who passed away after the actor succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 70 in September 2024.
Executive producer Ken Corday discussed the decision to kill off Hogestyn’s character, stating to Soap Opera Digest in November 2024, “I wanted to ensure Drake was on board with this, and he fully supported it. We were taking a significant risk because telling a story involving a character’s death while the actor is still alive can be challenging — especially since [Drake] was battling a very tough disease.”
Corday reflected on receiving Hogestyn’s approval.
“I decided to move forward with the story. He hadn’t appeared on [the show] for nine months, and we needed a reason for John’s absence,” he explained. “He had faith in me. Had Drake, God willing, overcome this battle, he would have returned, and it would have been different. But the story needed to be told, and it was extremely difficult and painful for us to share it.”
Days of Our Lives, which has been renewed for two additional seasons, has also experienced other unexpected departures. In October 2024, Brandon Barash surprised Us by revealing that he was let go from the long-standing soap opera after five years.
“I recognized the situation as soon as I was called to [the boss’] office,” Barash, 45, shared with Soaps.com. “And she explained, ‘Look, this isn’t my decision. I don’t agree with it, and this doesn’t reflect on your abilities. You’re incredibly talented, and we appreciate your work ethic; however, this is simply the direction we want to take the character.’”
Barash, who portrayed twins Stefan and Jake DiMera on Days, stated that he “was in the midst of a contract, and the decision came from the writers.” Days of Our Lives has yet to comment on Barash’s claims or departure.
During that time, Barash expressed uncertainty about whether his character Stefan would ever make a return to Days.
“This is the second occasion that this has occurred for me on Days of Our Lives. It would have to be incredibly right,” Barash elaborated. “The terms, story, and contract would all need to align correctly.”
He added, “I would need to feel confident in them — and I’ve lost that. That trust has been compromised, to be honest.”
