Billy Flynn, who portrayed Chad DiMera on Days of Our Lives for over a decade, recently spoke candidly about Connor Floyd stepping into his shoes as the iconic character. With a blend of humor and sincerity, Flynn shared his thoughts on the transition and what it was like to see his successor take over the role he made his own.
A Smooth Transition, Flynn’s Support for Floyd
When Flynn left Days of Our Lives to join The Young and the Restless, the recasting of Chad was already in the works. Flynn was aware of the recast long before his departure, and he knew the actor stepping into the role would be Connor Floyd.
“I heard congratulations are in order when I met him,” Flynn recalls, describing their first interaction on set. Though the situation felt surreal, Flynn has nothing but positive things to say about Floyd, whom he describes as “a wonderful person” and “almost like a little brother.”
Flynn joked about the uncanny resemblance between himself and Floyd, even calling him “a taller, better-looking version” of his younger self. But beneath the humor, Flynn expressed genuine admiration for the actor. “I think he’ll do amazing,”
Flynn says, underscoring his confidence in Floyd’s ability to embody the essence of Chad DiMera. The transition wasn’t just physical—it was about passing on the heart of the character, and Flynn believes Floyd will carry that torch with ease.
Days of Our Lives: The ‘Meta’ Moment, A Scene Like No Other
One of the most surreal moments in this transition came when Flynn and Floyd filmed a scene together where Flynn’s Chad dies in Floyd’s arms. Flynn refers to the scene as “very meta” and “very romantic.” He couldn’t help but laugh at the oddity of the situation—here he was, saying goodbye to the character, only for Floyd to pick up the role.
“It was very surreal to die in the arms of the person who’s going to take over,” Flynn admits. Despite the strangeness, Flynn says it was a fitting, symbolic moment—a passing of the torch that fans would see on-screen in real-time.
Though the situation might have felt strange for some, Flynn has always taken a relaxed approach to Chad’s recasting. From the moment he learned about Floyd, Flynn never felt threatened or unsettled by the transition.
Instead, he embraced the change, knowing that Floyd would be a natural fit. “It’s a wonderful fit,” Flynn says, adding that he felt confident the recast would be well-received by fans. His approach to the recasting is a testament to his professionalism and his respect for the legacy of Chad DiMera.
A Blessing for the Role: Flynn’s Blessing for Floyd
Billy Flynn’s final words on the recasting show his unshakeable faith in Connor Floyd. “I couldn’t have asked for a better person to take over,” Flynn states. With his blessing, Flynn hopes fans will give Floyd the same love and support that they gave him during his time on the show. For Flynn, passing on the role of Chad wasn’t about letting go—it was about seeing someone new bring their own flavor to a character that had become so beloved by viewers.
As Billy Flynn continues to thrive in his role on The Young and the Restless, he looks back at his Days of Our Lives journey with fondness and so too? Tell us in the comments below. Check out Soap Opera Daily for all the major soap opera updates as they follow.