‘Days of Our Lives’ casts out actor Jacob Martinez to play beloved gay character
Jacob Martinez will step in to play Javi Hernandez on DOOL.
Mark
There’s a new gay moving into Salem.
Out actor Jacob Martinez has been cast to take over the role of beloved gay character Javi Hernandez on long-running soap Days of Our Lives.
The role had been previously played by fellow gay actor Al Calderon, who left last year to star alongside Zachary Quinto on the NBC primetime drama Brilliant Minds.
On Thursday, Peacock gave fans a first-look at Martinez in an Instagram video where the 28-year-old disclosed his first episode would air on June 30th.
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The two Javis
But here is where it gets interesting.
Calderon announced his exit from DOOL in August 2025, but is still currently appearing on the show as Javi. For those that may not be aware, the soap tapes nearly 10 months in advance, so Calderon’s final episodes won’t air until sometime in May.
While fans may have been upset when Calderon’s departure was first disclosed, they haven’t had to deal with missing the 32-year-old actor.
Raise a glass for Calderon’s Javi.
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There will be a break before Martinez takes over the role in June, as Javi is reportedly set to temporarily step away from Salem amid his tumultuous marriage to Leo Stark (played by out Daytime Emmy-winning actor Greg Rikaart), per Soap Opera Network.
But by the looks of the comments on Martinez’s welcome video, fans are overwhelmingly excited to see what he will do stepping into Javi’s shoes.
Calderon himself chimed in saying, “LET’S GO BOYYYYY” and included three fire emojis.
Who is Jacob Martinez?
Raised in Norfolk, Nebraska, Martinez got his start in the arts early by performing at the nearby Johnny Carson Theatre.
He went on to graduate from NYC’s The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2018 and recently wrapped starring in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at Manhattan’s The Public Theater.
At the age of 22, he first came out in a January 2020 Instagram post where he disclosed rectifying being queer with his Christian faith.
A few months later, Martinez shared how attending his first Pride event had further helped him release any shame for his authentic self.
“Fear, pain, self hate, confusion. All these emotions I’m far too familiar with,” he captioned a shirtless photo with a rainbow painted hand on his chest.
“This was my first pride since officially coming out, and who would have thought that in doing so, I would draw closer to the God who FREES me from those unwanted thoughts and feelings.”
Since then, he’s continued to be out and proud sharing updates of his travels, move to Los Angeles, attending many more Pride festivals, and, of course, the occasional thirst trap.
Martinez’s other recent credits include the short film Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead.
With DOOL being Martinez’s most high-profile role yet, he shared his gratitude for all his friends, family and colleagues who have supported him throughout his career.
“THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams,” he captioned an image of the Deadline article announcing his casting.
“I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem.”
Martinez’s casting adds to the overdue growing queerness on soaps following the addition of Jonathan Bennett on General Hospital, and gay couple storylines on both The Bold and The Beautiful and Beyond the Gates. We love to see it!
Martinez’s first episode on Days of Our Lives streams on Peacock on June 30th.
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