Photo credit: www.tvinsider.com

Peyton Meyer Set to Make His Mark on Days of Our Lives

Peyton Meyer will debut on Days of Our Lives on December 3, stepping into the role of Doug Williams III, the grandson of the iconic character Doug Williams, originally portrayed by Bill Hayes.

The young actor, who began his journey in acting during childhood, recounts how he transitioned from living in Los Angeles to Nashville during the pandemic. “It’s a bit of a crazy story,” he shares. “After spending a decade in L.A., I moved to Nashville around the start of COVID and took a break from acting for a while. Then, I decided it was time to jump back in. Shortly after moving into a new house with friends, I landed a role in Days of Our Lives, which felt like perfect timing.”

Doug Williams, who first appeared on the show in 1970, was known as a charmer with a penchant for trouble, and his grandson reflects that lineage. “From the onset, Doug comes across as a playful character,” Meyer previews. “He’s often caught in dilemmas, but it’s not that he intends to cause trouble—it’s just that his upbringing leads to chaotic outcomes around him. Despite his gentle and peaceful nature, he struggles to make the right decisions at key moments.”

Meyer expressed his excitement upon discovering that his first episode would mark a significant milestone for the long-running soap opera, as episode 15,000. “It was surreal to realize that I was stepping into such an important moment for the show and its legacy,” he says. “Walking on set was electrifying, and I was eager to meet everyone involved.”

However, the atmosphere on set was unexpectedly somber. While Meyer looked forward to his debut, he encountered a cast that was grappling with the loss of Bill Hayes, who passed away in January after an impressive 54 years with the show. “When I arrived, the energy was palpable, but low. I was completely unaware of the emotional weight of the day. A crew member later explained to me how significant it was, and I appreciated the opportunity to contribute positively amidst the sadness.”

His initial scene was with Susan Seaforth Hayes, portraying Julie Williams. Meyer recalls, “She was experiencing her own grief, both for her on-screen husband Doug and her real-life partner. I showed up early, as I always do, but was delayed in the makeup department, which didn’t leave me much time to prepare before filming. Meeting Susan was intimidating; she’s incredibly professional. She reminded me to be punctual and prepared, which I greatly respected.”

Reflecting on his early career, Meyer’s passion for acting began at age 10 while living in Las Vegas. He started modeling and soon found himself traveling between Las Vegas and L.A. to pursue acting. “It was amusing to see my Target ads at school, but I knew I wanted more,” he recalls. “My agent called me for a general casting for Disney, and the next day I had an audition for Girl Meets World. Things progressed quickly from there.”

The opportunity at Disney was transformative for Meyer. “It felt surreal,” he shares. “As a pre-teen, being part of something as recognized as Disney was like living in a dream.”

Reconnecting with former co-star Sabrina Carpenter at her recent concert in Los Angeles was a highlight for Meyer. “It was incredible to see her perform in such a huge venue after all those years. We grew up together; witnessing her journey from small local shows to sold-out arenas was profoundly nostalgic and gratifying.”

After his time at Disney, Meyer took on a role in ABC’s American Housewife, which he fondly remembers as one of his favorite experiences. “Working on that set was fantastic; the dynamic was great, and the relaxed atmosphere made it enjoyable,” he says.

Looking ahead, Meyer is thrilled to embark on his journey with Days of Our Lives. “This experience has been one of the most rewarding so far,” he enthuses. “Balancing my commitments, including traveling between Nashville and L.A. while raising my son, has challenged me in ways I didn’t anticipate. I feel as though this opportunity has been like an intense acting boot camp that elevated my skills tremendously.”

Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on Peacock.

Source
www.tvinsider.com