The actor who was a part of one of the most important moments in “Days of Our Lives” history is returning to the role that made him famous.
Chandler Massey is reprising his role of Will Horton on the soap, despite leaving in 2013 and despite the character’s death in 2015, an individual close with the production has confirmed to TheWrap.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Massey has already returned to work. His first episode will air in September.
“I am so excited to be bringing Will back to Salem!” Massey told EW. “I can’t wait for the fans to see what we have planned. You won’t want to miss it!”
Horton has been a part of the show in some form since 1995, but he was played by Massey from 2010-2014, where a major part of his character arc depicted him discovering his sexuality and entering a relationship with Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith).
However, Horton was killed off right before the show’s 50th anniversary by the Necktie Killer, a serial killer who had been strangling people around town.
Massey won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2012 for his depiction of the character. It was the first time the “Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series” award went to an openly gay character.
Since the kiss, the soap has included a number of other gay milestones, including depicting the first ever gay male wedding on daytime TV. It did include Will and his lover Sonny, but by then Massey had departed the show. That Will was played by Wilson.