Let’s be real for a second. If you were watching Days of Our Lives back in 2011, you knew you were witnessing something that wasn't just another soap opera fling. When we talk about Will and Sonny on Days of Our Lives, we aren't just talking about a couple. We’re talking about "Wilson." They weren't just the show's first male-male supercouple; they were the heartbeat of Salem for a solid decade.
It started quietly. Sonny Kiriakis rolled into town with that easy smile, and Will Horton—who was basically legacy royalty as the son of Sami Brady and Lucas Horton—was struggling. He was lost. Watching Will come out to Sonny remains one of the most grounded, painful, and beautiful arcs in daytime history. It wasn't flashy. It was just two guys on a park bench, figuring out who they were.
Since then, we've seen everything. Murders. Amnesia. Prison stints. Cheating scandals with baseball players. Even a "death" that wasn't actually a death because, well, it’s Salem. But the staying power of Will and Sonny on Days of Our Lives is about more than the tropes. It’s about how they anchored the show's transition into the modern era.
The Slow Burn That Changed Daytime TV
Most soaps rush the romance. They want the wedding in six months. With Will and Sonny, the writers actually took a breath. Sonny was patient. He was the first out-and-proud Kiriakis, which is saying something considering his uncle is Victor Kiriakis, a man who usually handles problems with a hitman rather than a hug.
Will’s journey was different. It was messy. He had a kid with Gabi Hernandez before he even fully accepted he was gay. That’s the kind of complication that makes a supercouple work. It wasn't a perfect, sanitized version of a gay relationship. It was a Horton-sized disaster. Chandler Massey and Freddie Smith had this chemistry that you just can't fake. When they finally kissed in that cleared-out coffee house? The internet basically broke.
Why the 2014 Wedding Was a Cultural Reset
You have to remember the context. 2014 feels like a lifetime ago. When Will and Sonny on Days of Our Lives finally tied the knot, it was the first time two men had married on a major US daytime serial. Guy Wilson had taken over the role of Will at that point, and while recasts are always a gamble, the show leaned hard into the history.
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The wedding wasn't just a ceremony; it was a validation of the Horton and Kiriakis legacies merging. Marlena Evans was there. Victor was there. It felt earned. People still go back and watch those episodes on Peacock because they represent a peak in soap storytelling where the social relevance actually matched the drama.
The "Death" and the Resurrection of Wilson
Every soap fan knows the name Ben Weston. The "Necktie Killer" era was dark, and for a long time, fans were legitimately furious. Why? Because the show killed off Will Horton. It seemed like the end of Will and Sonny on Days of Our Lives. Sonny left town, heartbroken, and for a couple of years, the spark was just... gone.
But soaps have a funny way of fixing mistakes.
The revelation that Dr. Rolf had used his "resurrection serum" on Will was the kind of nonsensical plot twist we live for. Will coming back with no memory—and thinking he was in love with Paul Narita—created a triangle that actually had stakes. Paul wasn't a villain. He was a good guy. It made the eventual reunion of Will and Sonny feel like a second chance rather than just a repetitive plot point. Honestly, that’s when the writing for the couple was at its most nuanced. They had to deal with the fact that Will was, in many ways, a different person than the one Sonny married.
Breaking Down the Chemistry: Massey vs. Wilson vs. Massey
We have to talk about the "Will" of it all. Recasts are the lifeblood of soaps, but they’re also the bane of a supercouple’s existence. Chandler Massey originated the "adult" Will and won three consecutive Emmys for it. He brought a certain vulnerability—a "puppy dog" energy—that paired perfectly with Freddie Smith’s grounded, confident Sonny.
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When Guy Wilson stepped in, the dynamic shifted. It was a more mature, perhaps more cynical Will. Some fans struggled with it, but the core of Will and Sonny on Days of Our Lives remained the same: they were two people who couldn't quite figure out how to live without each other.
Then, Chandler Massey came back. The "Wilson" fans rejoiced. But then Freddie Smith left, and Zach Tinker took over as Sonny in the Beyond Salem spinoff and eventually the main show. Tinker brought a fresh, high-energy vibe to Sonny that breathed new life into the pairing. It proved that the characters were bigger than the actors. They had become icons.
The Move to Peacock and Beyond Salem
When Days of Our Lives migrated to Peacock, the shackles came off a bit. We saw this specifically in the Beyond Salem chapters and the Christmas movie. Will and Sonny on Days of Our Lives were allowed to be a bit more "real." The dialogue got sharper. The intimacy felt less "network TV" and more human.
In the current landscape of the show, they’ve moved to New Zealand, then back, then to California. They’re the couple the writers call when they need a dose of stability or a reminder of the show’s heart. Even when they aren't on screen for six months, their presence is felt in every mention of Arianna (their daughter) or every phone call to Marlena.
Common Misconceptions About Wilson
- They were the first gay couple on soaps: Nope. All My Children and One Life to Live had major gay storylines years earlier. However, Will and Sonny were the first to be treated with the "Supercouple" marketing machine, including the heavy focus on family legacy.
- The cheating was the end: A lot of people thought Will’s affair with Paul would kill the couple. In reality, it gave them the conflict they needed to move past the "honeymoon phase" and into a more complex partnership.
- They’re gone for good: Never say never in Salem. While both actors have moved on to other projects at various times, the door is perpetually revolving.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re looking to revisit the best of Will and Sonny on Days of Our Lives, don’t just settle for the highlights.
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Watch the 2012 coming-out arc. Start from the moment Sonny arrives in Salem. The pacing is masterclass-level. You can find most of these clips on YouTube or through Peacock’s archives if you dig deep enough.
Check out Beyond Salem. If you want to see the "modern" version of the couple with Zach Tinker and Chandler Massey, the limited series on Peacock is where they really get to shine without the baggage of thirty other subplots.
Follow the actors on social media. Chandler Massey and Freddie Smith (and Zach Tinker!) are incredibly active in the fan community. They often do "Wilson" reunions on podcasts or at fan events, providing behind-the-scenes context that you won't get from just watching the episodes.
Ultimately, Will and Sonny represent a shift in how daytime TV tells stories. They aren't just "the gay couple." They are a Horton and a Kiriakis. They are parents, survivors, and, occasionally, complete messes. That’s exactly why we’re still talking about them over a decade later. They made Salem feel a little more like the real world, and that’s a legacy that isn't going anywhere.
Keep an eye on the casting news for the next "Day of Days" event. Usually, that's where we get the first hint of a return. Given the show's history, a "Wilson" homecoming is always just one Dr. Rolf experiment or family crisis away.
Track the 2024-2025 storylines involving Leo Stark. As the resident chaotic force in Salem, Leo’s history with Will and Sonny often serves as the catalyst for their brief returns to the canvas. Whether they're on screen or just mentioned in a letter to Gabi, their influence on the show's current direction is undeniable.