Chad DiMera is a fictional character from the original NBC Daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives. The role was originated by Casey Deidrick on June 19, 2009. Deidrick vacated the role in 2013. Billy Flynn was the latest person to portray the role, making his first appearance on September 12, 2014. Introduced by head writer Dena Higley and co-head writer Christopher Whitesell in 2009 as Chad Peterson, Chad is the troubled ex-boyfriend of Mia McCormick and father to their daughter, Grace Brady. Chad factors into a romantic triangle between himself, Mia and her new boyfriend, Will Horton. After the baby storyline, then executive producer Gary Tomlin fought to keep the actor and the character on canvas. In 2010, the series introduced Chad's parents, including his mother, Madeline Peterson Woods and Chad is revealed to be the illegitimate son of crime boss Stefano DiMera. Chad struggles to accept his new family but eventually forms strong bonds with his father, sister Lexie Carver and brother, EJ. Chad is also known for his relationships with Abigail Deveraux and Melanie Jonas and his friendship with gay supercouple, Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis. In 2012, Chad takes a dark turn when he feuds with Gabi Hernandez, blaming her for his failed engagement to Melanie. Chad later reconnects with Abigail and the romance develops into a triangle with Cameron Davis. The relationship ends when Chad lies about being terminally ill and the character is written out of the series in October 2013. Chad returned in 2014, and immediately mixes it up in the business world, partnering with Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) and works secretly alongside his father. He is the youngest surviving member in his generation of the DiMera family. He is also one half of the supercouple Chad and Abigail, also known as Chabby.