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Days of Our Lives has officially named Ryan Quan as co-head writer alongside Jeanne Marie Ford, marking a significant shift in the soap opera’s creative leadership. Quan, who spent nearly 20 years at the long-running NBC series before departing in 2025 to write for General Hospital, is returning to Salem in July 2026, replacing Paula Cwikly, who is transitioning to a consultant role.
Quick Facts
- Ryan Quan returns to Days of Our Lives as co-head writer in July 2026
- Paula Cwikly transitions to a consultant role after serving as co-head writer since 2024
- Quan previously held the position of co-head writer from 2016–2017 and served as story consultant
- His new material will not air until spring 2027 due to the show’s 10-month advance taping schedule
A Veteran Returns to Salem
Quan’s appointment marks a homecoming for one of the soap’s most respected writers. He joined Days of Our Lives in 2007 as a writers’ assistant after working on Passions and climbed through every position on the writing team—dialogue writer, breakdown writer, and associate head writer. In 2016, he was promoted to co-head writer alongside Dena Higley. When Ron Carlivati took over as head writer in 2017, Quan became his trusted story consultant, leveraging his encyclopedic knowledge of the show’s decades-long history and character legacies.
Quan earned seven Daytime Emmy nominations during his previous tenure at Days and won the writing award twice—in 2012 and 2018. He left the show in March 2025 to join the writing staff at General Hospital as a breakdown writer. Executive Producer Ken Corday expressed enthusiasm about the move, stating: “We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history.”
Soap Opera Digest: Days of Our Lives names Ryan Quan as new co-head writer
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Cwikly Moves to Consulting
Paula Cwikly, who served as co-head writer alongside Jeanne Marie Ford since July 2024, is not departing the show entirely. Instead, she will transition to a consultant role, continuing to contribute to the creative direction of Salem’s storylines. Cwikly brings her own extensive soap opera pedigree: she previously worked as an associate head writer and co-head writer on Days from 2000–2003, and her daytime credits also include Sunset Beach, As the World Turns, and The Young and the Restless. She won Daytime Emmy Awards for writing in 2005 (for ATWT) and 2011 (for Y&R).
What’s Ahead for Salem
While the writing change is official now, fans won’t see Quan’s impact on screen for some time. Days of Our Lives tapes approximately 10 months in advance, so Quan’s material as co-head writer is not expected to air until spring 2027. The show, which moved to Peacock in September 2022, continues to be a cornerstone of NBCUniversal’s streaming strategy and is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The partnership between Quan and Ford is expected to bring fresh creative energy to the soap while honoring the legacy that has kept Salem alive for over six decades.
Sources
- Soap Opera Digest — Official confirmation of Ryan Quan’s appointment and details on his Emmy history
- Michael Fairman TV — Confirmation of Quan’s return and Ken Corday’s statement
- TV Insider — Official announcement and timeline details
- Soap Opera Network — Background on Quan’s previous tenure and career history
