In one of the most jaw-dropping behind-the-scenes betrayals in Days of Our Lives history, Emmy-winning actor Greg Vaughan has made a move that’s sent shockwaves through the soap world. The man who brought to life the beloved Eric Brady for over a decade has reportedly walked away from NBC’s legendary drama, choosing instead to join CBS’s ambitious new daytime juggernaut, Beyond the Gates. But this bold leap into new territory comes with devastating consequences — as furious Days producers allegedly plan to punish the actor in the most brutal way possible: by killing off his iconic character for good.

A Stunning Defection That Rocked Salem

For years, Greg Vaughan has been one of the heart and soul performers of Days of Our Lives. His portrayal of Eric Brady — son of Salem supercouple Roman Brady and Marlena Evans — earned him both critical acclaim and a devoted fan following. His journey from conflicted priest to passionate father and husband made him one of the most complex and relatable figures in daytime TV.

But all that loyalty and history now appears meaningless. According to industry insiders, Vaughan shocked Days executives by secretly signing on to CBS’s breakout hit Beyond the Gates — a move being called “a betrayal of the DOOL family.” The actor reportedly gave no warning about his departure, leaving castmates and producers blindsided.

The result? Absolute fury behind the scenes. NBC insiders claim showrunner Ken Corday and the creative team are preparing the ultimate revenge plot — one that would forever remove Eric Brady from the Salem canvas in an unforgettable death storyline.

CBS’s New Rival: Beyond the Gates

To understand why Vaughan’s defection hit so hard, one has to look at what Beyond the Gates represents. Created by Bold and the Beautiful’s former head writer Michelle Val Jean, the CBS drama has become a daytime disruptor since its February 2025 premiere. It’s the first major network soap opera in over 25 years and the first predominantly Black daytime drama since Generations in 1991.

Set in an affluent gated community outside Washington, D.C., the series follows the powerful Dupri family — a dynasty of Black excellence, love, and secrets. Critics have hailed it as a fresh, groundbreaking take on classic soap storytelling, while CBS executives are celebrating record-breaking viewership. The network’s data shows Beyond the Gates boosted ratings in its time slot by 48%, even outperforming General Hospital among women 25-54 — the key daytime demographic.

With that kind of success, Beyond the Gates isn’t just another soap — it’s a threat. And when one of Days of Our Lives’ biggest stars jumps ship to the very show that’s stealing their viewers, you can imagine how NBC executives reacted.

Producers’ Revenge: The Death of Eric Brady

According to multiple insider reports, Days of Our Lives is planning to permanently kill off Eric Brady. This isn’t a temporary exit or a “maybe he’ll come back someday” storyline — this is reportedly the end. Sources close to the production reveal that Corday and the writing team want Eric’s death to be so final and emotionally devastating that fans — and Greg Vaughan himself — will know there’s no coming back.

Writers are allegedly crafting a multi-episode arc set to air later this year. It’s expected to feature Eric’s emotional return to Salem, tearful goodbyes with Marlena, Roman, and his siblings Sami and Brady, and one last heartbreaking encounter with estranged wife Nicole Walker. Whether Eric dies a hero, falls victim to tragedy, or is murdered remains under wraps — but producers are said to be aiming for a “show-stopping” sequence that will leave viewers shattered.

This scorched-earth decision marks a massive shift for Days. Traditionally, the soap leaves the door open for beloved characters to return — through miraculous survivals, secret comas, or long-term absences in Europe. But this time, producers are closing that door forever. One insider put it bluntly: “They want to make an example of Greg. You don’t betray Salem and come back from it.”

Warning Signs in the Storylines

In hindsight, the cracks were already showing. Throughout late 2024 and 2025, fans noticed Eric and Nicole’s marriage unraveling. The two were seen avoiding each other during Holly’s graduation, and Nicole made excuses to leave Salem early, hinting at growing distance between them. Eric even admitted on-screen that things weren’t going well — dialogue that now seems like a setup for his tragic sendoff.

Even EJ DiMera made cryptic remarks about “trouble in paradise,” fueling speculation that something darker was brewing for the once-golden couple. With these tensions laid out, Eric’s death will feel tragic yet narratively inevitable — and will conveniently free Nicole to remain a core player in Salem without the emotional baggage of a living husband off-screen.

History Repeats Itself — With a Cruel Twist

Longtime fans recall that Days already bid farewell to another beloved character earlier this year: John Black, following actor Drake Hogestyn’s real-life passing. That emotional farewell was treated with dignity and care. But this time, the motivation is punishment, not tribute.

Vaughan, very much alive and thriving, has made what insiders call a “career gamble.” But to the Days team, it feels more like betrayal — a direct threat to their survival in a cutthroat market. Killing off Eric Brady sends a powerful message to any actor thinking of jumping ship: there are no second chances.

The Role That Started the Firestorm

Meanwhile, CBS is treating Vaughan’s casting as a major coup. His arrival on Beyond the Gates is being kept top secret — no character name, no backstory, no airdate. Producers have confirmed only that he’ll debut in the show’s second season, sometime before the end of 2025. Fans are already speculating whether he’ll play a ruthless tycoon, a charming love interest, or a mysterious outsider tied to the Dupri family’s hidden scandals.

Adding fuel to the drama is the fact that Vaughan and Beyond the Gates creator Michelle Val Jean already have a working relationship. She wrote for General Hospital during Vaughan’s tenure as Lucky Spencer, so she knows his strengths — and may have personally recruited him for this pivotal role.

A Cautionary Tale of Loyalty and Consequence

What we’re witnessing isn’t just a casting shake-up — it’s a soap opera war. Greg Vaughan’s move to Beyond the Gates has become the ultimate cautionary tale in the entertainment industry. It’s about loyalty, legacy, and the steep price of defection.

For years, Days of Our Lives gave Vaughan fame, stability, and an Emmy Award. But by abandoning that legacy for CBS’s rising star, he’s invited the wrath of a network determined to make an example out of him. Once Eric Brady is laid to rest in Salem Cemetery, there will be no resurrection — no dream sequences, no miracle returns.

As one Days insider dramatically put it: “Greg didn’t just leave Salem. He burned it to the ground on his way out.”

Whether his leap to Beyond the Gates turns out to be a brilliant career move or a devastating mistake remains to be seen. The new show may be dominating the ratings now, but history has shown that soap audiences can be fickle. If CBS’s experiment falters, Greg Vaughan may find himself on the outside of both worlds — a fallen star with no home to return to.

For now, though, one thing is certain: the gates to Salem are locked forever. And as Days of Our Lives prepares to bury Eric Brady once and for all, fans are left with a chilling reminder — in the ruthless world of daytime drama, betrayal always comes at a price.