Thanksgiving may never be the same in Salem after last year’s heartbreak. After giving thanks among family and friends, Doug passed away in his sleep. Days of our Lives fans can’t believe it’s already been a year since the on-screen death, but he’s not the only character they’re missing this year.

Key Takeaways

• Bill Hayes passed away in January 2024, leading to his character Doug’s death in November 2024.
• Doug’s passing led to the arrival of his grandson, Doug III.
• DAYS fans miss Doug III and his portrayer Peyton Meyer in Salem and wonder what could have been.

A Legacy Lives On

Doug’s (Hayes) passing rocked Salem like never before. This legendary character was one half of supercouple Doug and Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes, who joined fellow DAYS OGs to spill some Salem tea), Hope’s (Kristian Alfonso) father, and a patriarch across a town full of Hortons, Bradys, and DiMeras.

Julie saying goodbye to her husband was hard to watch, but a glimmer of hope appeared when she encountered a young man who seemed familiar. He introduced himself as Doug III (Peyton Meyer), the grandson of Doug and a new member of the family for Julie to hold on to as she mourned her husband.

While Doug III’s story was cut short when he left Salem after admitting to stealing Julie’s necklace — and not before starting the quickest love triangle in history between himself, Holly (Ashley Puzemis), and Tate (Leo Howard) — he was well-liked by viewers, who are reminiscing about the character this Thanksgiving.

After a DAYS fan wished Meyer a happy birthday on November 24, many chimed in with their desire for Doug III to return to Salem.

“I miss him and #Days should keep Holly with Doug. They’re so good more, than Tate and Holly,” one fan admitted, while another agreed, “They should’ve used him better and with Holly.”

One fan noted the waste of story potential when Doug III left Salem, saying, “He should’ve stayed and given more to do.”

Although we haven’t seen him since he left Salem over the summer, Doug III was thought of during the Tom Horton Free Clinic gala when Julie asked if Mike (Roark Critchlow) had heard from him, to which Mike told her Doug III had recently reached out to Robin (Derya Ruggles). And when Steven (Stephen Schnetzer) noted that Doug III will reach out to her when he’s ready, Julie revealed she hoped he would.

Do you wish Doug III would return to Salem? Drop your thoughts in the comments section.