Chad DiMera has been a central figure on "Days of Our Lives" for many years, with viewers witnessing his dramatic history in Salem. Originally introduced in 2009, the role was first portrayed by Casey Deidrick, who left in 2013. When Chad returned to DAYS in 2014, Billy Flynn took over the role. He remained until March 2025.
Sonny Kiriakis is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives. The role was originally portrayed by Freddie Smith. Developed under head writer Dena Higley, Sonny was introduced in 2011 by executive producers Ken Corday and Gary Tomlin as Justin and Adrienne's openly gay son - the show's first regular character to be openly gay.
Chad and Sonny
Chad's Tumultuous Beginnings
Chad arrived in Salem in 2009 to reconnect with ex-girlfriend Mia McCormick and clashed with her new boyfriend, Will Horton. He was stunned to learn that Mia had given birth to their daughter but gave her up for adoption to Nicole Walker and EJ DiMera. But even worse was the later reveal that Nicole had switched babies with Sami Brady and Chad and Mia’s daughter, Grace, had died.
Chad tried dating Gabi Hernandez, but Mia managed to split them up. After learning that his mother had been a prostitute, Chad was further crushed when she died. And following Madeline Woods’ death, Chad learned that his real father was supervillain Stefano DiMera!
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Struggling to fit in with his new family, Chad found a friend in new sister Lexie Carver and even stood up as EJ’s best man when he married Nicole. He briefly moved into the mansion but moved out after getting shot.
Chad started a romance with Abigail Deveraux, but later fell for her best friend, Melanie Jonas. Gabi set her sights on Chad and tried to split them up, but after a roller-coaster relationship, Melanie called off their engagement and left town. He then reunited with Abigail and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. However, after being shot during Sami and EJ’s engagement party, Chad had to confess to the doctors that he had lied about the tumor, and Abigail was furious.
Sonny's Arrival and Initial Friendships
Sonny returns to Salem in the summer of 2011 and immediately decides to live as openly gay in Salem. Sonny comes out to his extended family, including his great uncle Victor (John Aniston). While Victor is supportive of his nephew, he is worried about how others will react. Sonny settles into his life getting a job an internship as a legal aid for the district attorney, reconnects with his family and develops fast friendships with Will Horton (Chandler Massey), Chad DiMera (Casey Deidrick) and Gabi Hernandez (Camila Banus), who accept him despite their friend T's (Brendan Coughlin) homophobic disapproval.
The criminals kidnap Gabi, Chad, Melanie Jonas (Molly Burnett) and Sonny's cousin Abigail Deveraux (Kate Mansi) forcing Sonny, Will and Austin Reed (Patrick Muldoon) to come to their rescue.
Chad and Sonny: A Budding Friendship
Sonny and Chad embark on another business venture when they open Common Grounds coffee shop together. Sonny wants the shop to be a place where people from all walks of life can feel accepted. When Will chooses not to be involved, Sonny suspects he is keeping his distance because he is questioning his sexuality. Trying to be supportive, Sonny often invites Will to hang out with him and his friends.
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Despite fan speculation about a romance, Chad and Will develop a great friendship. Deidrick revealed that "Chill" (Chad and Will) actually started off as a joke between himself and Massey. Deidrick admitted he would be open to the potential pairing if the writers were to go in that direction. However, the characters remain friends even after Will comes out about his sexuality.
Chad also develops a friendship with openly gay character, Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith). Their relationship is so unique, not only because of Deidrick and Smith's real-life friendship, but also because Daytime rarely showcased a "best friend" type relationship between gay and straight characters.
Will and Sonny
In January 2013, as Gabi is set to marry Will's cousin Nick Fallon, Chad interrupts the wedding by announcing Nick is not the father of her baby, forcing Will-the best man-to reveal himself as the father. A devastated Sonny demands answers from Chad, who reveals that Gabi was behind the scheme to kidnap his then girlfriend Melanie-but he did not know Will was her baby's father.
Challenges and Changes
In September of 2014, Chad returned to Salem and punched EJ for sleeping with Abigail after reading about their affair in Will’s article. He wasn’t happy that Ben Weston was dating Abigail, so he began seeing his sister, Jordan Ridgeway. But they split when she left town for a new job.
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As 2021 began, Kate urged Chad to confess to Abigail, but Gwen got to her first. Worse, Rolf revealed that Gwen had been the one who drugged Abigail! Chad and Abigail reconciled, and he convinced her to stop trying to get revenge on Gwen and let it go. Unfortunately, Gwen then turned out to be pregnant, and Abigail decided to leave him if she kept the baby.
To help Sonny, Chad agreed to try and seduce Leo Stark, but the plan backfired. He and Sonny then interrupted Leo’s wedding to Craig with Jackie Cox, who Leo was still married to.
In June 2022, Chad was shattered when he found Abigail murdered, and there were plenty of suspects. As he grieved the loss of his wife, he tried to find her killer. Although evidence pointed to Leo, he insisted he’d been framed, and Chad realized the murderer was Clyde Weston.
As 2024 began, Chad accepted Julie’s invitation to move back into the Horton home as he and Everett worked together at the paper as they tried to expose the drug epidemic in Salem. However, he compromised the police investigation by confronting Clyde in prison, and later, a masked person set fire to the Horton house!
The Enduring Bond
Throughout the years, Chad and Sonny have remained steadfast friends, supporting each other through thick and thin. Their bond exemplifies the diverse and evolving relationships that "Days of Our Lives" portrays, showcasing how individuals from different backgrounds can form lasting connections.
Chad (Billy Flynn) will listen as Sonny opens up about his devastating loss. Sonny may wonder what would’ve happened if Will’s life hadn’t been cut short. Days of Our Lives spoilers say Chad will get how hard this must be.
We then see Chad embracing Will and Sonny, who had become two of his closest friends in their time on the long-running soap.
Will, Chad and Sonny
Here's a summary of Chad DiMera's significant relationships:
| Relationship | Description |
|---|---|
| Mia McCormick | Ex-girlfriend, mother of his daughter Grace. |
| Abigail Deveraux | Significant love interest, wife. |
| Melanie Jonas | Brief romance, complicated by Gabi's interference. |
| Gabi Hernandez | Brief romance, complicated by Gabi's interference. |
| Stephanie Johnson | Romantic interest after Abigail's death. |
Days of Our Lives | Abigail Runs Away, Again (Marci Miller, Billy Flynn)
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