Chad DiMera
Chad DiMera is a fictional character from the original NBC Daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives, played since 2014 by Billy Flynn. The role was originated by Casey Deidrick from 2009 to 2013, when Flynn replaced him.
Introduced by head writer Dena Higley and co-head writer Christopher Whitesell in 2009 as Chad Peterson, Chad is the troubled ex-boyfriend of Mia McCormick and father to their daughter, Grace Brady. Chad factors into a romantic triangle between himself, Mia and her new boyfriend, Will Horton. After the baby storyline, then executive producer Gary Tomlin fought to keep the actor and the character on canvas. In 2010, the series introduced Chad's parents, including his mother, Madeline Peterson Woods and Chad is revealed to be the illegitimate son of crime boss Stefano DiMera. Chad struggles to accept his new family but eventually forms strong bonds with his father, sister Lexie Carver and brother, EJ. Chad is also known for his relationships with Abigail Deveraux and Melanie Jonas and his friendship with gay supercouple, Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis. In 2012, Chad takes a dark turn when he feuds with Gabi Hernandez, blaming her for his failed engagement to Melanie. Chad later reconnects with Abigail and the romance develops into a triangle with Cameron Davis. The relationship ends when Chad lies about being terminally ill and the character is written out of the series in October 2013. Chad returned in 2014, and immediately mixes it up in the business world, partnering with Kate Roberts and works secretly alongside his father. He is the youngest surviving member in his generation of the DiMera family. He is also one half of the supercouple Chad and Abigail, also known as Chabby to fans as well as the media.Creation
Casting
The casting and character was announced in late May 2009. Casey Deidrick had joined the cast as Chad. Deidrick revealed in an interview that he originally auditioned for the role of Tad. Despite very positive feedback, Brendan Coughlin was cast in the role of Tad. Deidrick's audition caught the attention of casting director, Marnie Saitta and he was soon called back to audition for the newly created role of Chad. Deidrick tested opposite Taylor Spreitler, whom he had previously met through a mutual friend. Deidrick learned a few weeks later that he had won the role and signed the standard four-year contract. In the spring of 2013, the series released a casting call for an actor matching Deidrick's description which led to speculation that the role of Chad was to be recast. At the time, Deidrick's screen time had declined dramatically and he had also booked several guest appearances in prime time. On June 20, 2013, Deidrick confirmed his departure from the series through Twitter and posted a picture of his final script. Deidrick's last air date was October 30, 2013. Michael Fairman revealed that Deidrick made the decision to leave the series earlier that year and also hinted at the possibility of the role being recast. Deidrick told Soap Opera Digest that he wouldn't be opposed to a decision to recast, if it happened. However, the actor also said he was open to return to the series for future guest stints. Of his departure, Deidrick said, "I basically wanted to pursue other opportunities." However, Deidrick was grateful for all he learned. In June 2014, a picture of a script autographed by the Days of our Lives cast members was auctioned off at a charity event, and Billy Flynn was one of the signatures. On August 12, 2014, the producers officially announced Flynn's casting to Soap Opera Digest; he made his first appearance on September 12, 2014. In May 2018, Flynn announced he would remain on the soap for the foreseeable future. However, Flynn departed on February 21, 2019. That May, it was announced that Flynn would reprise the role of Chad. Flynn returned on November 11, 2019.
In March 2025, Flynn announced he would leave the role; due to the serial's advanced taping schedule, Chad will be seen until April 2026. In an interview with Variety, Flynn cited his desire to try something new for why he left the role. That June, it was announced Conner Floyd had been cast in the role; he will make his debut as Chad on April 21, 2026. In an interview with TV Insider, Floyd called his chance meeting with the serial's casting director Marnie Saitta, revealing: "She was like, 'What do you do at CBS?' I said, 'I'm on Young and the Restless.' After 12 hours of talking, she said, 'I'm gonna call you.' And that's kind of how this came into play."Characterization
Deidrick had to come up with a lot of Chad's back story on his own because Chad was a brand new character. Deidrick initially described Chad as "confident, edgy" and "mysterious." He is very troubled, but because he means well, it is hard to decide if one hates him or loves him. He is also very persuasive and he is not easy to break. It is obvious that he has been through a lot. Deidrick hinted that Chad may suffer from abandonment issues. Deidrick who is in a metal rock band viewed the character of Chad as a rock star and notes the similarities between the character and the genre of music. Chad has a different way of thinking which sets him apart from the average person, similar to rock stars Deidrick revealed in an interview. Chad is a "bad boy" with a "care free" spirit. Chad puts on a hard exterior and acts as if he does not care what others think of him. However, Chad has another layer to him; he is "very sensitive" and all about romance which makes him all the more intriguing. Despite coming across as a bad guy, there is much more complexity to him.Development
Introduction
The character of Chad's introduction would cause trouble for the romantic pairing of Will Horton and Mia McCormick. According to the actor, Chad is extremely sincere about getting custody of the baby from Nicole which is why he turns down her sexual advances. He refuses to let Mia "who has been lying to him this whole time get in his way." However, Deidrick commented that when Chad turns down Nicole, he is not "acting age." Though he suspects Mia and Nicole are hiding something, Deidrick explained that Chad is completely blindsided when he finds the specifics. Of Chad's reaction to the baby reveal Deidrick said, "There's nothing that can really prepare you for something like that." However, what hurts the most is that Chad has spent so much time trying to win Mia back, and his love for her is actually "sincere." According to Deidrick, it is a "slap in the face," to learn that Mia has been lying about such a huge part of their lives. For Chad, the revelation allows him to see Mia's true colors. Deidrick stated that "here's always going to be tension" between Chad and Mia but Deidrick maintained that despite her lies, Chad feels sorry what Mia has gone through and tries to stay by her side. "It's a very hard situation." Of his character during the storyline, Deidrick described Chad as a "kid who doesn't know what to do and he's a fighting all these feelings." Deidrick previewed that the reveal about the baby switch would put everything "into place." The actor admitted that the baby storyline kept him very isolated due to the significant age differences between himself and the rest of his teenage costars. When asked about a future love interest, Deidrick mentioned Gabriela Rodriguez who had recently been introduced to the canvas as Gabi Hernandez but didn't believe a romantic pairing would work due to the age difference.Chad's past and paternity reveal (2010)
In July 2009, Chad was scripted as the son of Bill and Marsha Peterson. In June 2009 it was announced that David Leisure had been cast in the recurring role of D.A. Woods. In October 2009, the character's name was revised to Chad Peterson Woods when D.A. Woods was revealed to be his father. In February 2010 Soap Opera Digest reported that veteran soap actress, Jessica Tuck, known for her role as One Life to Live's Megan Gordon was cast in the role of Chad's mother. Deidrick explained that Chad goes to Kate for answers because she has been a "mother figure." Both the actor and executive producer Gary Tomlin enjoyed Chad's scenes with Koslow's Kate. Chad immediately confronts Madeline and he is "completely devastated" when she admits to being a former prostitute. Chad is fed up with his mother's lies and just wants everything out on the table. The revelation really impacts him in an "inexplicable" way. Deidrick described Chad's reaction as "flabbergasted" and wants to get away from her. When Chad witnesses Madeline's fall, he freezes for a moment because he is unable to "process" the situation. Such tragedy could have the potential to screw him up. Because Deidrick did not know the pain of losing a parent, let alone his own mother, the actor does his best to portray Chad during the scenes; Deidrick's first reaction as Chad is going into denial. Chad clings on to the little bit of courage he has left hoping to work things out with Charles in the future. According to Deidrick, the aftermath of his mother's death and his confrontation with Charles makes Chad a little "cuckoo crazy." Knowing Chad is all alone in the world Kate schemes to expose that Chad is Madeline's son with Kate's husband, Stefano DiMera born on March 3, 1990, making him a whole year older than was initially said to be. The storyline showcased two very distinct sides to Chad's personality. According to Deidrick, during scenes with Kate, he intentionally emphasized Chad's vulnerabilities due to his mother's recent death; he is in desperate need of a mother figure at the moment, and Kate fills that void. Chad does not show that side of his personality too often for fear of getting hurt. On the other hand, Chad's relationship with his new found father Stefano appears to be a bit more volatile. The nature of the relationship is first displayed in November 2010 when Chad confronts Stefano with a knife and demands blood for a DNA test. Chad has no idea how to react to the DNA results. According to Deidrick, " struggles to find the courage to be able to love who had a relationship with his mother and never knew he existed." Deidrick explained that Chad rejects Stefano based on instinct. It is all he knows thanks to D.A. Woods who always pushes him away when things get difficult. However, Stefano is not easily turned away. Deidrick expected the role to be short lived thinking the character was only to wrap up the baby switch storyline. However, he accredited Gary Tomlin with fighting for the character and believing in him as an actor. Deidrick said that it was Tomlin's idea to attach him to a main family, "So they made a DiMera."