Salem has never been a town for the faint of heart, but if early previews are any indication, Days of Our Lives is preparing to unleash one of its most explosive, emotionally charged years yet. From corporate sabotage and fractured families to shocking resurrections and dangerous obsessions from the past, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining chapter in the show’s legacy.

Here are five major Days of Our Lives storylines set to dominate 2026, each packed with high-stakes drama, moral dilemmas, and the kind of twists only Salem can deliver.

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1. Corporate Warfare at Titan: Kate Roberts and Xander Kiriakis Cross a Dangerous Line

The battle for Titan Industries is about to turn ruthless. In 2026, Kate Roberts Brady and Xander Kiriakis form an alliance that is equal parts strategic brilliance and ethical disaster. Described as “unethical but legal,” their plan targets Johnny DiMera at a moment when his inexperience as CEO leaves him vulnerable.

Kate, a seasoned survivor who has outlasted nearly everyone she’s ever crossed, sees Johnny’s insecurity and hunger for approval as exploitable weaknesses. Xander, meanwhile, is driven by a desperate need to prove himself as Victor Kiriakis’ rightful heir. Together, they embark on a maneuver that could destabilize DiMera Enterprises and reshape Salem’s corporate power structure.

Adding fuel to the fire is Bonnie Lockhart’s mysterious manuscript, rumored to be a thinly veiled exposé that could damage the DiMera name. Whether it’s used to tank stock prices, trigger a hostile takeover, or manipulate public perception, one thing is clear: Kate is playing a long game. And if history tells us anything, Xander may not realize he’s a pawn until it’s far too late.

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2. Johnny, Chanel, and EJ: A Marriage Cracking Under Trauma and Ambition

What should be a joyful chapter for Johnny DiMera and Chanel Dupree is instead becoming a slow-burning emotional crisis. Chanel’s pregnancy brings hope, but it also resurrects deep fears tied to her medical history and Johnny’s traumatic upbringing in the DiMera family.

Johnny’s decision to remain CEO—framed by him as a practical move to secure their family’s future—feels like a betrayal to Chanel, who believed he would finally step away from DiMera power. Their arguments reveal that this conflict is about more than ambition. It’s about trust, vulnerability, and unspoken trauma.

Enter EJ DiMera, attempting an unlikely redemption arc as he tries to support his son while repairing their fractured bond. A looming pregnancy emergency threatens to force EJ into an impossible choice—one that could either solidify his relationship with Johnny or destroy it forever. In Salem, even the best intentions often come at a devastating cost.

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3. Bayview Explodes: Sophia Choi’s Shocking Secret and a New Generation in Peril

The teen and young adult scene in Salem takes a dark turn as Bayview becomes the epicenter of a chilling revelation. Sophia Choi, long believed to be unable to speak, is exposed as having faked her silence all along. The deception is calculated, cruel, and designed to manipulate everyone around her—including Brady Black and Tate.

As Sophia’s true nature emerges, innocent lives are pulled into her escape plan, with Rachel Black finding herself dangerously close to the fallout. Meanwhile, Holly Jonas reaches her breaking point after enduring endless emotional chaos. Her transformation from passive victim to volatile rebel may be empowering, but it threatens to cost her the friendships she values most—particularly with Ariana Horton.

Ariana’s turn toward Gabi Hernandez for guidance marks a full-circle moment, linking generations of fierce Salem women who have learned that survival sometimes means embracing your darker instincts.

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4. Love, Lies, and Obsession: Gwen Returns as Kristen Walks Free

Few returns are as destabilizing as Gwen Rizczech’s—and in 2026, she doesn’t come alone. Gwen reunites with Kristen DiMera just as Kristen prepares to walk free once again, forming an alliance that sends shockwaves through Salem.

The most controversial twist? Gwen ends up in Xander’s bed. With Xander already spiraling due to Sarah Horton’s growing connection to Brady, his impulsive decisions threaten to obliterate what remains of his relationship with Sarah. Whether Gwen is acting out of genuine emotion or as part of a larger scheme with Kristen remains a tantalizing mystery.

Elsewhere, Dmitri Von Leuschner stirs chaos in Leo Stark’s life, reigniting old temptations and threatening Leo’s fragile attempts at personal growth. It’s classic Days drama—messy, emotional, and impossible to look away from.

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5. Death, Resurrection, and the Ultimate Moral Reckoning

The theme of life and death looms larger than ever in 2026. The discovery of remains in the DiMera crypt raises the possibility that Stefano DiMera may finally be laid to rest—potentially paving the way for a state funeral that honors both the character and the late Joseph Mascolo.

But the true shock comes with the resurrection of Lexi Carver. Emerging from a mysterious medical tube guarded by EJ DiMera, Lexi’s return reopens emotional wounds that never truly healed. Abe Carver is forced to confront the impossible: the wife he mourned for over a decade is alive. For Paulina Price, Lexi’s return threatens everything she’s built with Abe, turning this into not just a love triangle, but a battle for identity, loyalty, and the past itself.

Meanwhile, Shawn Brady’s life hangs in the balance after a police shooting leaves him gravely wounded. With Dr. Rolf’s experimental methods possibly being the only way to save him, the Brady family faces a devastating moral dilemma: is survival worth the unknown cost?

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Final Thoughts: A Defining Year for Days of Our Lives

Days of Our Lives in 2026 is not just revisiting old themes—it’s interrogating them. Power, legacy, love, and the consequences of playing god are all placed under a harsh spotlight. With legendary characters returning, new villains rising, and emotional stakes higher than ever, Salem is poised for a year that could redefine its future.

One thing is certain: when these storylines collide, no one will emerge unchanged