Is Sony executive Steve Kent's ouster related to Arianne Zucker and Albert Alarr's firings from Days of Our Lives?

Is Steve Kent's ouster related to Arianne Zucker's lawsuit?

Soap Hub and other news outlets are reporting that Steve Kent allegedly has been let go from Sony and there is speculation this is related to Arianne Zucker's lawsuit. Zucker portrayed Nicole Dimera on Days of Our Lives.

The complaint, filed Wednesday ( In February) in California Superior Court, alleges Alarr repeatedly subjected Zucker and other “Days” employees to “ severe and pervasive harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment, based upon their female gender.” She also accused defendants Corday Productions, which oversees the series, and its owner Ken Corday of retaliation.

Soap Opera Digest first reported the news but no one has said why the exec was fired. Arianne led the charge with misconduct allegations last summer against former Days of Our Lives co-executive director Albert Alarr, who was later fired. She has now filed a lawsuit against Alarr and Days, saying she was wrongly terminated in retaliation for speaking out.

Zucker claims her contract was not renewed because she detailed the abuse she and other women suffered at the hands of Alarr. Lisa Rinna (ex Billie Reed) said the environment at Days was toxic under Alarr. There have been rumors that Camilla Banus ( Gaby Dimera) left the Peacock soap because of Alarr's behavior but the actress has not addressed the issue.

Why was Kent let go?

Days of Our Lives does not have an HR department, so her complaints went to Sony, where Steve Kent was the Senior Executive Vice President of Programming for DOOL and The Young and the Restless.

As recently as Thursday, April 11, Kent was on the DAYS set, helping the cast and crew celebrate having shot episode number 15,000 with an on-set party. He gave a speech on set (see the above image). The next day, Friday, April 12, was his last day.

When will Arienne Zucke's last scenes air

Days of Our Lives films six months in advance, and Arianne left the show in January. This suggests that viewers will see Nicole on screen until this summer, most likely in late June or early July. Zucker has not said anything since announcing her lawsuit. Some viewers are hoping things can be worked out and she will return as Nicole.

DOOL sued Melissa Reeves over a breach of contract, which was settled out of court. Since then, she has returned as Jennifer Horton Devereaux several times and is expected to be on screen again in November. The likelihood of Zucker coming back is highly unlikely under the circumstances, but anything is possible.

Will Nicole be recast?

Alarr's attorney, Robert M Barta, accused Zucker of attempting a "shakedown" and added the following.

“Having failed in those attempts, she is now — again — trying to exploit vile stereotypes to denigrate and demean a Black man who was in a position of power,”

Days of Our Lives has not said anything about Nicole being written out or replaced. The episodes they are filming this month will air around October, but no information is available on what will happen. The character is in the middle of a storyline where her baby was stolen and fans hope they are reunited before Zucker's last episodes.

Once the truth comes out that Sloane Petersen (Jessica Serfatey) and Melinda Trask (Laura Kai) stole Nicole's baby and Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) knew about it there will be trouble in Salem. Be on the lookout for updates related to Steve Kent and Arianne Zucker, as they become available. Continue watching for updates from DOOL related to the character of Nicole and her son Jude.