Salem is losing one of its most beloved stars, and fans are reeling. Al Calderon, who stole hearts with his captivating portrayal of Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, has officially confirmed his departure from the long-running soap opera—and the news is sending shockwaves across the daytime television community. Much like Cain Dingle’s emotional exit from Emmerdale, Calderon’s goodbye is not only unexpected but deeply heartfelt, rooted in personal growth and professional transformation.

Javi Hernandez’s Departure: A Farewell Fans Weren’t Ready For
Since joining the show in February 2024, Javi quickly became a fan favorite. Introduced as the charismatic cousin of Rafe and Gabi, his character brought humor, heart, and complexity to Salem. Javi’s storyline as a passionate professional, a loyal family member, and a man navigating love in all its forms—including a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ relationship with Leo Stark—touched audiences and broke boundaries.

But now, Al Calderon is saying goodbye to Javi and the town of Salem in a move that mirrors a powerful and emotional narrative arc. On August 6, 2025, Calderon took to Instagram to share the news:

“My time on Days of Our Lives has been truly life-changing… I’m endlessly grateful to the cast, crew, and creatives who made me feel seen, valued, and part of a legacy of family. I’ll carry the love, lessons, and memories with me on every journey I go on.”

The heartfelt post, punctuated with his mother’s wisdom—“It’s not goodbye, just see you later”—left fans in tears, stunned by the sudden announcement, and hopeful that Salem may not have seen the last of Javi.

Behind the Curtain: Why Calderon Is Leaving ‘Days’
Unlike Cain Dingle’s decision to leave Emmerdale for the sake of his son’s mental wellbeing, Calderon’s exit is driven by professional growth. Following an exclusive report by Deadline on July 30th, it was revealed that Calderon has landed a coveted series regular role in NBC’s Brilliant Minds, a prime time medical drama inspired by the life of neurologist Oliver Sacks.

In Brilliant Minds, Calderon will step into the scrubs of Nurse Scotty Silva—a witty, vibrant, and emotionally intelligent character described as “the mayor of Bronx General.” It’s a move that showcases Calderon’s versatility and marks a new era in his career. The show is slated to premiere Season 2 on September 22, 2025, with Calderon in a central role alongside Zachary Quinto and Bellamy Young.

While this is an incredible step forward, it’s also bittersweet. Due to Days‘ lengthy production schedule (filming 9.5 months ahead), Calderon will continue appearing as Javi until May 2026. This extended on-screen presence gives fans time to savor his performance while preparing for the inevitable recast.

The Legacy of Javi Hernandez
Al Calderon’s portrayal of Javi wasn’t just about screen presence—it was about impact. As a gay Latino character navigating love and family in Salem, Javi’s journey was groundbreaking. Calderon himself has expressed pride in being able to represent underrepresented voices, telling TV Insider,

“The core of any relationship—straight, gay, or anything in between—is love, respect, care, and kindness.”

Javi’s romance with Leo Stark offered fans one of the most nuanced, emotionally rich relationships on daytime television. From navigating trust to caring for a child together, their relationship had both the fiery drama and heartfelt emotion fans crave. Now, as fans face the uncertainty of a recast, questions swirl—will the magic remain?

The Emotional Toll: A Cast and Crew Farewell
Much like Cain Dingle’s tearful goodbye to Moira, Calderon’s exit is underscored by profound emotional connections behind the scenes. His Instagram post wasn’t just for fans—it was a love letter to the Days cast and crew.

“I really owe it to Days for helping me find my confidence again,” he wrote.

Cast members, industry peers, and fans flooded social media with messages of love and support. Michael Fairman and Soap Opera News praised Calderon’s performance, while fans speculated about his future and potential return to Days in the years ahead.

A Future in Prime Time—and an Open Door in Salem
While Calderon transitions into the high-stakes world of Brilliant Minds, Days isn’t shutting the door on Javi. A spokesperson has confirmed that the character will remain in Salem, albeit with a new face. Fan speculation is already swirling, with former General Hospital star Bryan Craig throwing his name into the ring as a potential recast.

Recasting beloved characters is nothing new in the soap world, but it’s always a delicate process—especially when an actor like Calderon leaves such a personal mark on the role. His chemistry with co-stars, especially in emotionally charged scenes with Greg Rikaart (Leo), will be difficult to replicate. Whether the new Javi can capture the same blend of vulnerability and charm remains to be seen.

A Farewell, But Not the End
In true soap fashion, Calderon’s farewell feels more like a pause than a period. As he steps into his new role on Brilliant Minds, fans are holding out hope that we may one day see Javi—and Calderon—back in Salem. As he so beautifully said:

“While I’m just a small grain of sand, I’m just happy I got to pass through the hourglass.”

Those words capture the essence of why his departure hits so hard. Calderon didn’t just play a role—he became part of the fabric of Days of Our Lives. And while Salem moves forward, the imprint of Javi Hernandez and the man who brought him to life will linger.

So What’s Next for Fans?
As we prepare to say goodbye to Al Calderon in May 2026, viewers will experience a bittersweet journey. The upcoming episodes will no doubt lean into emotional goodbyes, complex resolutions, and maybe even a powerful exit storyline that does justice to the character. Meanwhile, Brilliant Minds is gearing up to offer Calderon a broader canvas to showcase his acting brilliance—one that will surely captivate a whole new audience.

Whether it’s in Salem, on a hospital floor in New York, or beyond, one thing is certain: Al Calderon’s star is only beginning to rise.

And as he leaves Salem behind, we’ll all be watching—grateful for the memories, excited for the future, and holding out hope that maybe, just maybe, it’s not goodbye… just see you later.