It's contract time at the NBC soaps. While a boatload of Passions performers recently re-signed their contracts with the show, Days of our Lives hasn't quite reached that point with all of its stars.

However, two of the show's top-billed younger actresses have announced that they will be sticking around Salem for some time to come. One of the show's resident hunks, though, isn't so sure.

Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe Lane) has extended her stay in Salem for at least another year. Bjorlin, who joined DAYS in 1999, had planned to leave the show in October. However, the actress was convinced to stick around through at least May 2003. According to spokesperson for the actress, Bjorlin reconsidered and reupped after learning that the show's new writing team planned to develop a storyline involved her family.

Kirsten Storms (Belle Black) signed a new two-year contract that will extend her stay through July 2004. According to Storms, she'll be able to pursue other projects if they fit into her DAYS taping schedule.

Matt Cedeno (Brandon Walker), meanwhile, had appeared ready to leave Days of our Lives. Cedeno's contract was to expire later this year and the actor reported that he had worked on several pilots for the new fall television season. He has not, however, ruled out the possibility that he could stay put. And in late-January Cedeno did sign a contract extension with the show. The terms of the deal were not released.

Jason Cook (Shawn Brady) fans need not worry about the young actor going anywhere. Cook recently signed his name to a new long-term contract.

In recent weeks, Days of our Lives has seen several other casting changes.

Last month, Austin Peck (Austin Reed) announced that he'd been told he was being released from the show. The actor, who's been with DAYS for almost seven years, was caught off-guard by the news that his character was being written out.
(Click here for more on Peck's release)

Also last month, DAYS' executive producer Ken Corday confirmed that he'd like to have Billie Reed written back into the show's storylines. However, the exec is having a hard time getting either of the two actresses to have previous played the part to agree to return.
(Click here for more on Billie's return)

At the end of last year, Corday hinted that Bryan Dattilo's (Lucas Roberts) planned short-term return to Salem could be extended indefinitely.