Key Takeaways:

• Al Calderon is departing the role of Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives after accepting a series regular role on Brilliant Minds.
• Despite his exit, Calderon is rumored to air on the show until well into 2026 due to the soap’s advance filming schedule.
• A spokesperson for the show stated that the character of Javi is “alive and well in Salem,” indicating that the role will likely be recast.
• Potential actors for the recast include Alex Alegria, Jason Canela, Bryan Craig, Chance Perez, and Diego Tinoco.

The residents of Port Charles have been warning General Hospital’s Willow for over a year that her relationship with Drew was going to cost her everything, and it finally has.

Drillow’s Beginning

In the summer of 2024, Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) was happily married to Michael (then played by Chad Duell), raising their children together as part of the Quartermaine family legacy. But everything changed when Willow and Drew (Cameron Mathison) began a secret flirtation, sharing a kiss on the Fourth of July. That initial spark quickly turned into another kiss, then a full-blown affair that shattered Willow’s marriage—all while Drew was also involved with Willow’s mother, Nina (Cynthia Watros).

Michael In The Middle

Over the past year, Drew’s scheming and deceit have only escalated, all under the guise of “love.” Their affair became public, and soon after, Michael was seriously injured in a bombing meant for Sonny (Maurice Benard). While Michael recovered in Germany, Willow and Drew’s relationship grew stronger.

When Rory Gibson took over the role of Michael, fans praised it as one of the best soap recasts in recent years. Meanwhile, Willow lost custody of her children, Wiley (Viron Weaver) and Amelia (Sequoia and Serenity Mork Macko). Desperate to reunite her family, Willow agreed to marry Drew, believing it would create a stable environment for the kids and secure joint custody with Michael.

But Drew’s manipulations continued—most shockingly when Wiley overheard Drew telling Ric (Rick Hearst) that Michael didn’t want the children anymore because he was expecting a new baby with Sasha (Sofia Mattsson).

The End For Willow?

Despite warnings, Willow went through with the wedding, hoping to salvage a family for her children. But the ceremony imploded when Nina finally revealed the truth about her own affair with Drew—only to find that Curtis (Donnell Turner) had beaten her to it. Willow lashed out, declaring Nina dead to her. She began the vows but quickly confronted Drew, who couldn’t justify his betrayals.

Willow fled the church, heartbroken and furious. She later showed up at Carly’s (Laura Wright) door, begging to see her kids, only to be denied by both Carly and Michael. Though harsh, their decision was understandable—Willow’s emotional turmoil was raw and convincing, with MacMullen’s performance earning praise from viewers.

Now that Willow has seen Drew’s true colors, the big question remains: should she be kept away from the kids, or should Michael grant her visitation—even if shared custody is off the table? Sound off in the comments below!