Irna Phillips was a story editor for “Days of Our Lives” and many of the show’s earliest storylines were written by William J. Bell. In February 2016, the soap received a one-year renewal through 2017, with the option of an additional year by NBC.
Due to the series’ success, it was expanded from 30 minutes to 60 minutes on April 21, 1975. The series focuses on its core families, the Hortons, and the Bradys.
Several other families have been added to the cast, and many of them still appear on the show. Frances Reid, the matriarch of the series’ Horton family remained with the show from its inception to her death on February 3, 2010.
Suzanne Rogers celebrated 40 years on “Days of Our Lives” last year, appearing on the show more or less since her first appearance in 1973.
Susan Seaforth Hayes is the only cast member to appear on “Days of Our Lives” in all five decades it has been on the air.
The daytime soap opera aired its 10,000th episode on February 21, 2005 and its 12,000th episode aired on January 11, 2013. The soap was given the title of most daring drama in the 70s due to covering topics other soaps would not dare to do.
The show’s executive producer is Ken Corday, and co-executive producers are Greg Meng and Albert Alarr. “Days of Our Lives” is the most widely distributed soap opera in the United States.