Meghan McCain is taking a firm stand against online trolls who have posted unkind remarks about her physical appearance. 

The former television personality forcefully dismissed the negative feedback by making it clear that she embraces natural aging instead of using cosmetic procedures or weight-loss medication.

McCain has never been silent in the face of critics who comment about her appearance. She similarly pushed back against such comments a few months ago when she opposed the idea of using Ozempic. 

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During the recent broadcast of her “Citizen McCain” show, the mother of three confronted the harsh remarks circulating online following a widely circulated video snippet. In a clip shared on YouTube, she confessed that the flood of negative remarks caught her attention as the segment came to a close. 

“I am normally an Armadillo-skinned person, but there’s been a lot of commentary about how ‘old and ugly’ I am now,” she said. 

Addressing her listeners directly, McCain pointed out that she is 41 and naturally gaining years. “I’m going to get older. I am fatter because I’ve had three kids,” she added.

The media figure stressed that her appearance reflects her daily priorities as a busy parent who recently welcomed her baby boy, Ransom. She noted that she does not rely on a glam team every morning because caring for her household, feeding her infant, and spending quality moments with her offspring take precedence over personal styling. 

Pointing out that fans are seeing her without studio styling, she explained that she looks different simply because she prioritizes family duties over glam routines.

Joining the conversation, co-host Miranda Wilkins noted that neither of them uses Botox or Ozempic, to which McCain quipped, “It’s tempting, but I’m not [on Ozempic].”

Reinforcing her position, the show host shut down rumors regarding surgical enhancements, cosmetic fillers, or weight-loss drugs. 

She reiterated that she is going to keep aging, and while it’s tempting, Ozempic isn’t in the cards for her. 

Meghan McCain Previously Spoke Against Using Weight-Loss Injections

McCain’s recent refusal to rely on popular weight-loss medications or cosmetic enhancements aligns with statements she made earlier in the spring. 

Back in March, just two months after welcoming her third child, PEOPLE Magazine reported that the podcast host directly addressed critics who posted negative remarks about her post-pregnancy body.

She wrote on X, “Keep the fat comments coming because I’m sorry to disappoint so many of you, I will not be going on any of the ozempic shots despite just having my third child.”

The media personality emphasized that while she harbors no ill will toward people who utilize medical weight-loss treatments, she remains skeptical of quick fixes and simply doesn’t want her face to change. 

Meghan McCain Addressed Comments About Her Body While She Was Pregnant 

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The podcaster’s refusal to succumb to body-shaming comments follows years of public critique over her physical appearance.

Back in December, while heavily pregnant with her third child, the media figure took to X to address harsh statements made during an episode of “The Tucker Carlson Show,” as reported by The Blast. 

During the broadcast, host Tucker Carlson and guest Milo Yiannopoulos targeted her weight and her father’s political legacy, with Yiannopoulos launching offensive insults directed at her character and body.

In response to the public mockery, the author noted that she was completely content with her life despite being heavy and pregnant. She criticized the broadcast personalities, arguing that public harassment contradicts the religious values they claim to have. She also added that name-calling has been a constant since her early twenties, describing the insults as “tired” and unoriginal.

Meghan McCain Recently Dismissed Rumors Of Family Political Feuds

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Besides body-shaming, the former television host has also been forced to publicly shut down ongoing online speculation regarding her family dynamics. 

About a week ago, she issued a public statement on X to address persistent negative rumors concerning her relationship with her mother and siblings. Making her stance clear, she revealed that there’s love and support between her mother, her siblings, and herself, despite their different political views. 

According to The Blast, she further emphasized that she remains a staunch conservative Republican even if her relatives hold contrasting political views.

Meghan McCain Condemned The False Abuse Allegations Involving Pete Buttigieg

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Despite standing on opposite sides of the political aisle, the media personality recently put partisan differences aside to defend politician Pete Buttigieg following a distressing personal incident. 

After he disclosed that a fake, anonymous complaint sparked a child welfare probe into his family, the podcaster fiercely condemned the maneuver as “dirty, cruel politics,” per The Blast.

Reacting to his revelation on social media, she expressed her anger over the ordeal, writing, “Absolutely horrified at what happened to @PeteButtegieg and his family.” 

Josh Duhamel’s wife, Audra Mari, had a difficult experience delivering their second baby together.

“[Childbirth was] not good. I mean, it was great ultimately, but it was really hard on Audra, to be honest,” Duhamel, 53, said on the Thursday, July 23, episode of Live With Kelly and Mark. “She had this thing called placenta previa, which means the placenta was sitting between the baby and the cervix. That’s how women used to bleed out back in the day.”

He continued, “Thankfully, we have modern medicine and everything, so we knew it was there and we knew that we had to do a scheduled C-section.”

Duhamel and Mari, 32, initially scheduled a cesarean for May 19. However, their plans changed just four days prior.

Related: Fergie Reacts After Ex-Husband Josh Duhamel Welcomes His 3rd Baby

Fergie sent her best wishes to her ex-husband, Josh Duhamel, after he welcomed his second baby with wife Audra Mari. “Rocca de Leon Duhamel,” Duhamel, 53, and Mari, 32, wrote in a joint Instagram post on Saturday, May 17, sharing snaps of their newborn daughter. “Our baby girl is here 🤍🕊️.” Fergie, 51, was one […]

“Well, on the 15th, she has this dream where she wakes up to me tapping her on the nose like, ‘Wake up, wake up, wake up.’ And then she wakes up and I’m just laying there sleeping,” the Ransom Canyon star recalled on Thursday. “I won’t get into the gory details, but she said, ‘We got to go.’ So, we rushed into the car, raced through about five red lights, and then had the baby … two hours later.”

Despite the hurried labor, Duhamel felt confident knowing that his wife was in expert hands by trained medical professionals.

“Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota, is unbelievable. It is one of the most state-of-the-art hospitals in the country,” he gushed to married cohosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. “So, we felt very confident and, you know, and now we have a beautiful baby girl.”

Duhamel and Mari announced on May 16 that they welcomed daughter Rocca de Leon. (The couple also share son Shepherd, 2, while the actor is also father of son Axl, 12, from his marriage to ex-wife Fergie.)

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“He likes her, kind of, but he also accidentally kicks her in the head,” Duhamel quipped on Thursday of Shepherd’s reaction to his 2-month-old sister. “He pretends he doesn’t mean to, but he does. … But yeah, [Rocca] is a little sweetheart. She just smiled yesterday for the first time.”

Duhamel further revealed that he named his daughter after the Rococo and Baroque styles of art.

“My minor was art history in college, and for whatever reason [when I was on a recent flight], I was thinking about [the] Rococo and Baroque … periods of art history,” he said. “I had always liked those two words, so I texted Audra and she liked it. Then, we sat on it for a few days and that’s how the name came to be. There’s no other significance other than that.”

Out of all the mediums in the world, video games are the most popular, delivering immersive gaming experiences where players can explore worlds and live as fantastical characters. Prominent examples include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Red Dead Redemption 2. However, one that has stood out in recent years is the soulslike genre, which is known for its challenging gameplay.

Defined by dodging mechanics, recharging stamina, dark worlds, unforgiving combat, and plenty of other aspects, soulslike games are all the rage nowadays, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest soulslike video games of all time. Based on aspects such as authenticity to the genre, design, polish, gameplay, narrative, visuals, originality, critical acclaim, fan opinion, and overall quality, these are the ten must-play soulslikes.

10

‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ (2025)

Image via Neople

Set within the Dungeon & Fighter universe, an online multiplayer side-scrolling beat ’em up, The First Berserker: Khazan has players controlling the titular general from the Pell Los Empire. When falsely accused of treason, Khazan is exiled, but he overcomes death and makes it his life mission to find out who framed him.

As the newest game on this list, The First Berserker: Khazan made quick time of establishing itself as a modern classic. It is rather underrated when compared to the rest of the games on this list, but its ultra-aggressive style of combat is extremely fluid and satisfying. The unrelenting gameplay is perfect for the soulslike genre and players looking for a fast-paced experience.

9

‘Hollow Knight’ (2017)

Image via Team Cherry

Since soulslike games are so popular, it is mostly only AAA studios making them, but Hollow Knight is an indie that fits under that category. Playing as a nail-wielding bug, gamers descend into the land of Hallownest, which has been destroyed by a mysterious ancient plague. Now, the audience must fight throughout the world to stop the plague and learn about the protagonist’s origins.

Hollow Knight isn’t the most soulslike game, but it features enough elements to classify itself as one and earn a spot on this list. The melancholic world design, dark tone, environmental storytelling, and death penalty are often tied to soulslike games. Hollow Knight is an indie masterpiece that delivers a masterful metroidvania and soulslike hybrid experience.

8

‘Dark Souls’ (2011)

Image via Namco Bandai Games

Many games have inspired the soulslike genre, but this list wouldn’t be complete without the one that influenced it the most: Dark Souls. Set in a grim and dark world, players are the Chosen Undead and must travel through the world to ring the Bells of Awakening, thus determining the fate of humanity.

With the genre being named after Dark Souls, this game is the most influential on it, establishing the general formula that has been popularized in future titles. While later games improved upon its blueprint, the legacy and importance of Dark Souls can’t be understated. It is the most quintessential soulslike game that embodies everything the genre is about, mainly because it kickstarted the genre.

7

‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’ (2023)

Image via Respawn Entertainment

Star Wars houses some of the best video games of all time, and one of their recent ones is among their best, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Years after the first game, Cal Kestis (Cameron Monaghan) fights a futile battle against the Empire. But after discovering a remote planet, he hopes to make it a safe haven for Force users and those affected by the tyrannical grip of the Empire.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is different than most soulslikes, but that makes it a perfect starting point for players wanting to dip their toes into the genre. Besides being a good soulslike starter, this game is packed with references and easter eggs that build on the Star Wars lore. With varied combat, parkour sections, tough bosses, a cinematic journey, and a massive open-world to explore, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a crowd-pleasing masterpiece and one of the best Star Wars video games.

6

‘Bloodborne’ (2015)

Image via Sony Computer Entertainment

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FromSoftware already has one game on this list, and it has plenty more, such as the fan-favorite Bloodborne. Yharnam is a decrepit city full of beasts and monsters, but it is also home to a miraculous cure. The players travel to the city looking for it, but get trapped in a cycle involving cosmic horrors, Lovecraftian gods, and a virus that turns humans into nightmarish creatures.

Fans are still waiting for a sequel or PC port, but as they endlessly wait for that, they can at least find solace in the fact that Bloodborne is a cult classic soulslike experience. It redefined the usual soulslike combat from highly defensive to aggressive, with the mechanics encouraging players to take risks to gain health. Bloodborne is a fresh take on an established genre that sets itself apart from the rest.

5

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment

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Half of this list consists of FromSoftware games, which makes sense since they invented the genre, including their magnum opus, Elden Ring. After the titular object is shattered, the children of Queen Marika claim these shards for themselves. Playing as the Tarnished, gamers travel throughout the Lands Between to defeat the demi-gods, take the pieces, and restore the ring to become the Elden Lord.

Elden Ring is arguably the best game on this list, but it is more of a 3D open-world fantasy adventure than a soulslike. Still, it combines the two genres to create something new, which just means it will be lower on this specific list. It encourages exploration and curiosity, which often leads to intriguing lore or challenging boss fights. Either way, the narrative design, combat, worldbuilding, and remarkable experience of Elden Ring build what many consider to be the best video game of all time.

4

‘Nioh 2’ (2020)

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Nioh 3 just came out in 2026 and is already a fantastic game of the year candidate, but Nioh 2 is still the peak of the franchise. This prequel has players controlling a half-human, half-yokai mercenary in ancient Japan. As they spend time hunting demons and monsters, players eventually get intertwined with the unifiers of the country.

The beauty of Nioh 2 lies in its gameplay and combat depth, which offers three combat stances, a Ki system, and a special attack ability. These combine to give the player vast control over the gameplay, with so many potential combos and attacks. The loot system isn’t typical of a soulslike, but everything else makes it a must-play game of the genre that dares to be fresh and bold.

3

‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ (2019)

The next, but not last, FromSoftware game on this list is one of their best in terms of pure action, and that is arguably Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Set in a fictionalized version of the Sengoku-era, players are a disgraced samurai who hunts down the clan members who kidnapped his lord.

Elden Ring is the better game, but in terms of being true to the soulslike genre, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice easily has it beat. RPG leveling mechanics only get in the way of pure unfiltered gameplay, or at least that is what Sekiro thought, and the game was better for it. The posture and parry system is demanding, and winning is earned through mastering techniques. The rhythmic gameplay is incredibly tight, and with the choreography of the enemies, it is no wonder that this is one of FromSoftware’s best games.

2

‘Lies of P’ (2023)

Image via Round8 Studio

FromSoftware has dominated the top ten soulslike games, but a nice change of pace comes in the form of one of the most underrated modern games, Lies of P. This dark retelling of Pinocchio has players waking up in a ruined city, needing to find their creator in a sea of rogue puppets, but be wary, because every lie alters his humanity.

The best part about Lies of P is that it bridges the best parts of multiple soulslike games into one, including the deflections of Sekiro and the dodging of Bloodborne. This coalescing of mechanics creates a remarkably fluid gameplay style that is all about customization. Lies of P isn’t the first soulslike fans think about, but it is evidently one of the greatest of all time.

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‘Dark Souls 3’ (2016)

Image via Namco Bandai Games

As mentioned, FromSoftware has absolutely taken over this list, which makes sense since they founded the soulslike genre. However, the last and best on this list is Dark Souls 3. The First Flame is fading in the kingdom of Lothric, and its only savior is the Unkindled Champion, who must hunt down the Lords of Cinder and return them to their thrones.

It may not be the most influential video game like the first in its franchise, but Dark Souls 3 is the best out of a great bunch, mainly because of its story, which revitalized soulslike game design and updated gameplay, delivering an overall smoother experience. Known for its challenging yet rewarding combat, Dark Souls 3 is the must-play game in a staple dark fantasy franchise that mastered the soulslike formula.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

As the summer nears its end, the return of a new TV season approaches. Network procedurals and sitcoms alike will be premiering their new seasons this fall, and a number of returning streaming shows will also be kicking off their new seasons in the coming months. Whether it be new or returning shows, there will plenty of new seasons of TV for fans to enjoy soon.

Ranging from shows that will be returning next month, to shows that have not yet announced the release dates for their upcoming seasons, there are so many upcoming new TV seasons to look forward to. For comedy fans in particular, the best comedy shows on TV are all getting ready to deliver new episodes – and with them, more laughs. These are our 8 most anticipated upcoming comedy shows, ranked.

8

‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4

Premiere Date: August 5

When Ted Lasso released its Season 3 finale, fans were made to believe that that was the series finale as well. Now, a little over three years later, Ted Lasso will be returning for a fourth season. Based on what has been released about the new season so far, it is set to be a major shake-up from the first three seasons. Now, when Ted returns to Richmond after leaving in the Season 3 finale, he will be coaching a second division women’s football team.

Ted Lasso Season 4 promises some aspects of the original show, but the first look seems more like a spin-off than a continuation of what the first three seasons were. Still, it will mean the return of a number of beloved main characters, and hopefully some cameos from characters who did not appear in the teaser trailer. It will also be interesting to learn what brought Ted back from Kansas, and what new obstacles he’ll have to deal with after his time away.

7

‘The Paper’ Season 2

Premiere Date: September 9

Image via Peacock

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The Office‘s spin-off, The Paper, was one of the best new sitcoms of 2025. The series follows the staff of a small, dying newspaper called The Toledo Truth Teller, which is owned by the paper products company that ultimately bought Dunder Mifflin. The same documentary crew from The Office goes to Toledo to follow the paper’s enthusiastic new editor-in-chief, Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson).

Season 1 of The Paper ended with a major victory for The Toledo Truth Teller, some messy personal moments for the staff members there, and some panicked behavior from the paper’s higher-ups. Season 2 of The Paper is sure to bring more office chaos, relationship drama, and silly humor. While the first season was about Ned trying to prove that the paper could be great, Season 2 will likely show him trying to maintain the little bit of success that The Toledo Truth Teller achieved in the Season 1 finale.

6

‘St. Denis Medical’ Season 3

Premiere Date: November 2

Image via NBC

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St. Denis Medical has always been a delight, but the show topped itself and cemented its greatness with its flawless second season. The series follows the staff of the emergency department of St. Denis Medical Center in Oregon, and it highlights all the strangeness and chaos of working in a hospital. Season 2 of the medical sitcom ended with the opening of Joyce’s (Wendi McLendon-Covey) birthing center. In the season finale, everyone came together to support a reluctant Ron (David Alan Grier) during his heart surgery.

Season 2 of St. Denis Medical ended on a sweet note, with everyone showing up for each other in ways that once again proved that they’ve all become family to each other. Additionally, Matt (Mekki Leeper) and Serena (Kahyun Kim) finally got together, and Ron made it out of his surgery alright. After Season 2, there’s no doubt that St. Denis Medical‘s third season will continue to heighten its outrageously funny comedy, and we can’t wait for its return in November.

5

‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 6

Premiering This Fall

Image via Hulu

For Only Murders in the Building Season 6, the central trio – Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) – will be investigating the murder of true crime podcaster Cinda Canning (Tina Fey). Considering that Cinda’s podcast is what initially brought the three of them together, this is likely going to be another tough and emotional case for the three of them.

The biggest shakeup for Season 6 of Only Murders in the Building will be that Cinda’s investigation is taking the trio to London. They will likely return to the Arconia for at least some of the season, like they did after spending time in Los Angeles in Season 4. Still, it will be interesting to see how the trio reacts to their new setting, especially after coming so close to losing the Arconia in the Season 5 finale.

4

‘Overcompensating’ Season 2

Premiere Date TBA

Image via Prime Video

Overcompensating has not yet announced a release date for Season 2, but the wait shouldn’t be much longer, and it could still be released by the end of 2026. Season 1 ended on a complicated note, with Benny (Benito Skinner) and Carmen (Wally Baram) getting into a massive fight, where she accidentally outed him to his sister, Grace (Mary Beth Barone), and crush, Miles (Rish Shah). Now, Season 2 is likely to be full of massive adjustments for Benny, and there’s no telling whether his friendship with Carmen will survive this.

In a recent interview with Deadline, Skinner revealed that he will be playing two roles this season, although nothing has been revealed yet about his new character. Season 2 of Overcompensating will also bring several other big changes. Most notably, Holmes has been promoted to a series regular ahead of the new season, so there will be more of fan-favorite Hailee. There is still a lot that is unknown about the new season, but after the explosive Season 1 finale, Benny’s college life is probably going to look pretty different moving forward.

3

‘Abbott Elementary’ Season 6

Premiering This Fall

Abbott Elementary will be returning for its sixth season as part of ABC’s fall lineup, but the official premiere date for the upcoming season has not yet been announced. Each theme of Abbott Elementary is framed around a major obstacle for the school, and last season, the faculty and staff of Abbott Elementary had to adjust to a major change and setting after damage to their school building. While waiting on repairs, they had to teach out of a local shopping mall.

It will be a lot of fun to see what Abbott Elementary has in store for Season 6, especially after that game-changing Season 5 finale. Abbott might have been spared from the district’s massive shutdown, but the school will now have to welcome in more new students than they’ve ever had before. These changes are sure to make for an absolutely hilarious new season, and we are looking forward to the sitcom’s return this fall.

2

‘Adults’ Season 2

Release Date: August 27

Image via FX

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Season 1 of Adults was a fantastic introduction to the show that set the bar very high for Season 2. The delightfully bizarre sitcom has already established the extremely close and slightly codependent dynamic of the main friend group, and now, Season 2 is likely to bring conflict to these relationships after that messy Season 1 finale. The show’s first season ended with Anton (Owen Thiele) marrying Paul Baker (Jack Innanen) so that he could stay with them all in New York, only for the rest of the friends to realize that there are feelings there.

Ahead of Season 2, Adults will be returning on July 31 with a prequel episode about how Issa (Amita Rao), Anton, Samir (Malik Elassal), and Billie (Lucy Freyer) all met Paul Baker. This, combined with the events that concluded Season 1, will definitely bring some interesting context to Season 2. After the wildly funny and outlandish scenarios that the group got up to in the first season, it will be fun to see how Adults will find ways to go even more over-the top with its comedy when it returns.

1

‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Season 18

Premiere Date: August 17

Image via FXX

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With seventeen seasons under its belt and another premiering next month, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is still giving fans countless reasons to excitedly and impatiently await new episodes after all this time. Season 17 broke the long-running sitcom’s formula by making Frank (Danny DeVito) the Golden Bachelor for the last few episodes. In the season finale, Frank even got engaged to Sam (Carol Kane), a woman he met on the show.

With a wedding on the way and a major change afoot for the gang, Season 18 is sure to be a whole heap of fun and chaos. With Charlie’s (Charlie Day) pained reaction last season to the idea of Frank essentially replacing him, as well as the rest of the gang’s natural wariness of outsiders, it will be interesting to see what schemes they all concoct ahead of Frank’s wedding. Season 18 will also, notably, be the first ten-episode season that It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has had in seven years.

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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

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Release Date

August 4, 2005

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Directors

Matt Shakman, Fred Savage, Todd Biermann, Daniel Attias, Richie Keen, Randall Einhorn, Heath Cullens, Pete Chatmon, Jerry Levine, Kat Coiro, Megan Ganz, Jamie Babbit, John Fortenberry, Maurice Marable, Kimberly McCullough, Imani Hakim, LP, Tim Roche

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Days of Our Lives saw Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) snatched by a mysterious masked figure last week and the initial assumption was that EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) must have been who had her taken. But now he is denying it.

And honestly, he did this in a conversation with Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney), somebody he has no reason to lie to. And no matter how much she prodded, EJ stuck to his story of innocence. So, if he’s not behind it, who took Gwen? And I believe the culprit is somebody that is going to blindside you.

Days of our Lives: EJ Looks Guilty

So, first of all, we got to talk about EJ. We got to talk about him first because he’s the obvious culprit despite his denials because Gwen and EJ have been on the outs since he told her he wasn’t going to honor the fifty-fifty split with Gwen on the Versix serum money. But EJ screwed over Gwen, I think in part to punish her for bringing back Dimitri von Leuschner (Peter Porte). So Gwen decided to hit back at EJ by buying Salem University Hospital out from under him.

And sure enough, the same day that he heard the state board wanted him out. And Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans) said they approved Gwen’s purchase happened to be when Gwen was kidnapped. But when Rita told EJ that Gwen was missing, EJ seemed genuinely surprised. So, despite all the red flags waving at him as Gwen’s kidnapper, it might not actually be the dimpled DiMera who did the very bad deed.

DOOL: Suspects in Gwen’s Kidnapping

Another DiMera adjacent culprit to consider is henchwoman Rita herself. She follows EJ’s orders and she’s been with the DiMera family since way back in the Stefano days. And there’s honestly nothing that Rita wouldn’t do to protect EJ. So Rita could have taken some initiative. She might have proactively ordered one of the family thugs to go take Gwen.

Not only that, but Rita may also have had Gwen kidnapped to protect EJ from Gwen’s plan to take the hospital from him. And Rita might have asked EJ about Gwen’s kidnapping so that he could have plausible deniability. That way, EJ won’t suspect that Rita did it either, and he can be completely in the clear.

So, if the kidnapper isn’t EJ or his sidekick, Rita, it could be Gwen’s ex-friend Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk). Kristen had one of her personal henchmen snatch up Gwen. Remember, Kristen had those bad guys that helped her dump Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd) in the Salem River.

So, Kristen might have tasked them to do her dirty work again and kidnap Gwen. And it might be about the recent catfight between Kristen and Gwen. And Kristen might have kidnapped Gwen because they both want Xander Cook Kiriakis (Paul Telfer).

Kristen the Culprit on Days?

Now, we saw Kristen really enjoying her time with Xander. Also, Kristen might have been outraged that Gwen showed up to confront her at the mansion. Plus, we know that Kristen plans to thwart EJ’s plan to kidnap her and dump her on the island. She’s planning this big swap with Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford). And Kristen does plan to come back to Salem as soon as she can. And she may want Xander with no competition from Gwen. Or Kristen may have taken Gwen with a plan to frame EJ.

So, speaking of a revenge plot as a motive, Gwen’s cheater of an ex-husband, Dimitri, may have had his ex-wife, Gwen, snatched because Dimitri is convinced that Gwen was behind his kidnapping that kept him away from his then lover, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart). And we all know Dimitri is right. She did it. Gwen and EJ had Dimitri kidnapped and had him stashed in Alamania while they spent his money on the secret lab in the basement of the hospital.

Days of our Lives: Dimitri Has Motive

And then Dimitri was further set up to look like he had helped Peter Blake (Dan Gauthier) kidnap the DiMeras. Long story short, Dimitri wants Gwen to pay for kidnapping him and ruining his shot with Leo. Because if you recall, Gwen forged a Dear John letter from Dimitri to Leo. And in the letter, Gwen was writing as if she were Dimitri. And she broke Leo’s heart by saying he fell in love with some rando felon that he met in prison.

And then Gwen brought Dimitri back to Salem on Leo and Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez)’s wedding day intentionally to disrupt things. So, Leo was heartbroken again. Dimitri was initially a wanted man and then Leo tried to help clear his name. But even when Dimitri was free, Leo decided that he wasn’t going to get back with him because he still wanted Javi. So Dimitri left town angry and he might have been sitting and stewing and plotting how to make Gwen pay and also to find a way to win back Leo once and for all.

The Wild Card Theory on DOOL

And we know that Dimitri returns to Salem this summer because in the big promo, Gwen, Dimitri, Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering), and Leo are all in the DiMera living room playing Let’s Make a Deal. So maybe Dimitri took Gwen and he dumped her somewhere in revenge. But then Dimitri might bring her back to Salem with him. If Leo contacted Dimitri and says, “Look, if you took Gwen, please give me back my best friend.” And if so, I think that Dimitri would bring her home to Leo. I see Dimitri as a very plausible kidnapping suspect.

However, there’s one last one to consider. Some soap fans think that there’s somebody who didn’t even appear to kidnap Gwen, and they’re not even part of the current character canvas. And that person is Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel), who is supposedly dead and gone. But I think most of us never believe that she was dead. I mean, heck, I’m not even sure her son Stefan DiMera (Brandon Barash) is dead. Most people assume that Vivian is still alive and kicking because, let’s be real, she has faked her death many times before.

Days of our Lives: Vivian Still Alive

So, even though Alamanian authorities and her trusty sidekick Ivan Marais (Ivan G’Vera) said that Madame Vivian has died, I’m not buying it. Plus, Gwen and Vivian plotted together in the past. They were both involved in Dimitri’s kidnapping. And of course, Vivian loathes the DiMera family. And of course, Gwen’s no dummy. She’s fine spending Stefan’s money that she got from Dimitri in their very messy divorce. But the question is, if Vivian is alive, why would she kidnap Gwen on Days of our Lives?

There may be some backstory we don’t know about where she possibly double crossed Vivian. Or maybe Gwen was getting too close to some truth that Vivian has been hiding, like that Stefan’s still alive or Vivian’s still alive. Vivian may want Gwen out of Salem and silenced while her plans unfold. And it could be that Vivian had Ivonne take Gwen hostage to frame their common enemy, EJ, for the crime. So Gwen may be in Alamania right now. So, we’ll find out. She may have been taken as a pawn in a Vivian plot against EJ.

Days of our Lives: EJ in Trouble

And then if he’s arrested for her kidnapping, maybe Vivian will eventually let Gwen go. Whoever took her, we know that Leo is going to be bound and determined to find his bestie. Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez), Leo, and Kayla all think it’s particularly bizarre that Gwen hasn’t answered their texts or their phone calls, and she missed an important meeting with Kayla. Plus, Gwen told Leo that if something happens to her, then EJ did it. And Gwen’s got that dead man’s switch that’ll take EJ down if she goes missing.

So, maybe Leo needs to go tell EJ, “Let Gwen go or you’re really going to regret it.” But I don’t think that EJ did it. And even if he gets threatened with that dead man’s switch, I don’t think he can cough Gwen up. So I am looking forward to seeing Leo talk this all over with Melinda Trask (Tina Huang) by the end of the week. But Gwen’s going to be back soon, I think, in the not too distant future, safe and sound. And I think the culprit who took her is going to be something that drops everybody’s jaws.

The Ultimatum‘s Hayley Hendrich revealed how a significant age gap between her and David Atkinson contributed to them not partnering up during season 4.

“I definitely do think that my experience with David would have been completely different and it wasn’t there,” Hayley exclusively told Us. “There was a date that we had — our last date — and that conversation made it very clear what my decision was.”

Hayley confirmed the scene was “not shown” when the Netflix reality series debuted earlier this month.

“It was David and I. We were having conversations just about what we like, what we don’t like and how living together would look like. But he kept mentioning my age,” she recalled. “So I kept asking the question of like, ‘OK, what about my age? Do you think I lack maturity? Do you think I like to go out and party? Do you think our lifestyles are not the same?’”

Related: ‘The Ultimatum’ Season 4 Couples: Who Is Still Together and Who Broke Up?

The Ultimatum is centered around established couples fighting for their relationships — but is everyone still together or have some broken up? Netflix’s hit series follows real-life couples who enter “trial” marriages with a new partner before deciding whether they’re ready to get engaged to their original connection. After finding success, The Ultimatum returned for […]

After forming a bond with David, Hayley was confused about his concerns.

“I was trying to be curious about where he stood with the age. Granted, we are 10 years apart, but I didn’t personally feel like that was a dealbreaker,” she continued. “Because I did not think that our maturity levels were completely different regarding communication. Obviously, my communication looked horrible on the show, and I take full responsibility. But I’m a great communicator.”

She concluded: “We just aligned in everything except the age. That was the only thing. I was like, ‘OK, if that’s something that you really just can’t get past then it is what it is.’ I was not attracted to Killian [Grondin] in any way, shape or form, but I did think that he and I could form some sort of friendship living together, so that’s why I picked him.”

The Ultimatum follows real-life couples who enter “trial” marriages with a new connection before deciding whether they’re ready to get engaged to their original partner. Hayley entered the show with Blake Robertson and paired off with Killian before returning to her ex.

Hayley and Blake got engaged during the season 4 finale — but they have since called it quits.

Related: ‘The Ultimatum’ Season 1 Cast: Where Are They Now?

The first season of The Ultimatum made waves when it premiered, but did the bold premise work for any of the couples? The Netflix show followed eight duos on the brink of an engagement. After an Ultimatum is issued by one person in the relationship, they began a trial marriage with one of their costars, […]

“After the engagement, we lived together and I was very unstable once I got back. There were a lot of triggers and so I don’t feel like we really were able to enjoy our engagement,” Hayley told Us. “Regarding the emotional side [of things] — at that point — I felt like I had been asking for it for so long that it didn’t feel genuine to me anymore. I was like, ‘OK, well, now you’re doing it and I’ve asked you for a year to meet my emotional needs.’”

Hayley felt “really bad” at the time, adding, “He tried. It took a year, but he was trying. I feel bad that I wasn’t able to really soak that in. It was resentment at that point. It was just not good. It affected our relationship a lot.”

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After filming wrapped, Hayley and Blake ended their engagement.

“We broke up in September of 2025 and then we lived together still until I would say the end of October while I got off my feet,” she clarified. “At the reunion, I did not get any closure. Him and I have spoken since the reunion. It’s been back and forth. Sometimes no closure is closure and I just have accepted that.”

The Ultimatum is streaming on Netflix.

The nightmare is officially returning.

Earlier this month, Paramount Pictures announced that a brand new A Nightmare on Elm Street film is in development through its new horror label, Paramount Primal. The project is being produced in partnership with the Wes Craven estate and will be based on Craven’s original 1984 screenplay, marking the franchise’s first new theatrical chapter in more than 15 years.

With no director or cast announced, fans have already begun asking the biggest question of all:

Who should become the next Freddy Krueger?

No one will ever replace Robert Englund, whose performance helped make Freddy one of the most recognizable horror icons of all time. Instead, Paramount has an opportunity to introduce a fresh interpretation of the dream demon while honoring the legacy that made the character legendary.

Here are five actors we’d love to see take on the role.

1. Bill Skarsgård

If there’s one actor who has already proven he can reinvent an iconic horror villain, it’s Bill Skarsgård.

His unforgettable performance as Pennywise in IT showcased his ability to transform through subtle facial expressions, unsettling body language, and an eerie sense of unpredictability. Rather than trying to imitate Robert Englund, Skarsgård could create a completely new version of Freddy that feels terrifying for an entirely new generation.

Bill Skarsgård

2. Jack O’Connell

Jack O’Connell may not be the first name fans think of, but that’s exactly why he’d be such an interesting choice.

Whether playing violent criminals or emotionally damaged antiheroes, O’Connell brings an intensity that feels authentic. He could portray Freddy as less of a wisecracking slasher and more of a psychologically disturbing nightmare that haunts victims long before the killing begins.

Jack O’Connell

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3. David Dastmalchian

Few actors have become as respected within the horror community as David Dastmalchian.

His performances in films like Late Night with the Devil have shown that he can balance charm, vulnerability, and unsettling menace all at once. Dastmalchian’s unique voice and naturally eerie screen presence could make for one of the most unsettling interpretations of Freddy Krueger yet.

David Dastmalchian

4. Walton Goggins

Walton Goggins might be the wildcard on this list, but he possesses one quality that’s essential to Freddy Krueger: charisma.

Freddy doesn’t simply kill his victims he enjoys tormenting them. Goggins has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to mix dark humor, intimidation, and unpredictability into every performance. That combination could make for a Freddy who is equal parts entertaining and terrifying.

Walton Goggins

5. Andy Serkis (Motion Capture)

Andy Serkis has built an incredible career bringing unforgettable characters to life through motion capture. From Gollumin The Lord of the Rings to Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy and Supreme Leader Snoke in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Serkis has repeatedly shown that digital performances can be just as emotionally powerful as traditional acting.

Rather than relying solely on practical makeup, Paramount could use motion-capture technology to create a Freddy Krueger whose movements feel unnaturally fluid, distorted, and dreamlike. Serkis’ mastery of performance capture could allow Freddy to move in impossible ways that perfectly fit the surreal nature of nightmares, creating one of the most visually unique versions of the character ever seen on screen.

Andy Serkis

Final Thoughts

Paramount’s newly announced A Nightmare on Elm Street film is still in the early stages of development, meaning fans may be waiting a while before an actor is officially cast as Freddy Krueger.

Whoever lands the role will have enormous shoes or rather, a burned fedora and bladed glove to fill. Robert Englund’s portrayal defined the character for decades, but every horror icon eventually finds a new generation.

Whether it’s Bill Skarsgård’s haunting presence, Jack O’Connell’s intensity, David Dastmalchian’s psychological edge, Walton Goggins’ sinister charisma, or Andy Serkis’ groundbreaking motion capture performance, each actor brings something unique that could help Freddy Krueger haunt audiences once again.