I think a lot of the actors have been dropped to recurring. The show has a big story planned, and the actor wants time off just when they are ready to roll. However, on Days, all the actors get "rest periods" where you do not see them at all. (the past 2-3 weeks, Roman, Lucas, Kate, Kayla, Steve, Maggie have all been absent. Paulina, Sarah, Xander, Gwen, Brady only seen a couple of times, same goes for Gabi, Stefan, Li......, even Tripp. Most featured seems to have been Chanel, Johnny, Allie, Wendy, of late, John & Marlena. Kristen/Susan. Contracts will specify a definitely # of appearances per week, which can be one, three.......whatever. So some months, the guarantee might be all in one week! Plus, how they film scenes from different episodes all on same day, then edited in later.