Days of Our Lives invited non-stop chatter and buzz when they announced two exciting new arrivals back in April. One of them was Cherie Jimenez, who took over the role of Gabi Hernandez from Camila Banus. We can all see Cherie nailing her part in the new episodes streaming on Peacock. However, the second arrival caught eyeballs as it was none other than actor/singer Al Calderon. So, who exactly would he be playing?

Decoding the Mystery of Al’s Role

Days of Our Lives has kept hushing about Al’s debut for months, but the wait is finally over! He is set to arrive in Salem on October 28, and speculations about his family heritage are running wild. The word on the street indicates that he’ll be playing a new Hernandez family member named Javi. This one puts other rumors to rest.

Earlier, Days of Our Lives fans thought he might be a recast of Dario Hernandez, who Jordi Vilasuso previously portrayed. However, Calderon is too young for that, right? In addition, others guessed he could be the new Sonny Kiriakis, but Zach Tinker has been doing a decent job. So, Javi, it is—if the rumors ring true!

Meanwhile, Al Calderon became a heartthrob of millions in 2013 when he took part in The X Factor. The actor earned a solid third-place finish during the show’s third season. Since then, Al hasn’t been only going up with supersonic speed. You catch him in the upcoming FX series Grotesquerie alongside GH alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! His other credits include The Haves and the Have Nots, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and Law & Order: SVU. Let’s just say this guy is no stranger to the spotlight. A while back, Calderon shared a cheeky post on Instagram and wrote, “A soap opera star in the wild.” It sparked a frenzy in the DOOL fandom!

Additionally, the Peacock soap usually films months ahead, making his debut highly anticipated. Many fans wonder if Al’s Javi pulls at Leo’s (Greg Rikaart) heartstrings, citing the much talked about DOOL thumbnail. The poor man has been flying solo since Peter Porte exited the show as Dimitri earlier this year. So, he’s due for a little romance, don’t you think?

It may not be a whirlwind romance from the get-go. However, the chemistry between Javi and Leo is bound to keep fans glued to their screens. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more exciting updates on Days of Our Lives! Are you jazzed about Al’s debut?