For long-time Days of Our Lives fans, the name Doug “Third” Williams still sparks an immediate emotional reaction. Introduced as a mysterious newcomer with hidden motives and a complicated past, Doug 3 quickly became one of Salem’s most intriguing characters. Portrayed by the charismatic Peyton Meyer, he arrived like a storm — charming, reckless, vulnerable, and impossible to ignore. His presence injected a much-needed jolt of energy into the canvas, and within weeks, viewers were already invested in his secrets, his mistakes, and his search for redemption.

Doug 3 wasn’t just another pretty face drifting through Salem. He was introduced as the long-lost grandson of Doug and Julie Williams, one of the show’s most beloved legacy couples. That connection alone carried enormous emotional weight, and Meyer leaned fully into the complexity of playing a young man caught between deception and longing for family. When Doug 3 first appeared, he wasn’t honest about who he was or what he wanted. He was a thief, stealing a valuable necklace and hiding behind half-truths that created immediate tension with Julie, Susan Banks, and other residents who sensed something was off.

What made the storyline so compelling was that Doug 3 wasn’t written as a simple villain. Yes, he lied. Yes, he manipulated situations for his own survival. But beneath the schemes was a deeply wounded young man desperate for connection. As the truth about his identity slowly unraveled, viewers watched him wrestle with guilt, shame, and the fear that he didn’t deserve the family he’d found. His scenes with Julie were particularly powerful — filled with cautious hope, heartbreak, and the painful realization that blood ties don’t automatically heal emotional scars.

Over time, Doug 3 began to change. He admitted his mistakes. He tried to return what he’d stolen. He made sincere efforts to rebuild trust. Salem, a town known for second chances, seemed ready to embrace him. That’s what made his departure in July 2025 feel so abrupt and emotionally unsatisfying. Just as Doug 3 was beginning to grow into himself — and into the Williams family — he was gone. Fans were left stunned, flooding social media with messages of disbelief, gratitude, and heartbreak. Many felt his story had only just begun.

To this day, a return to Days of Our Lives isn’t officially on the horizon. But Peyton Meyer’s career hasn’t slowed down for a second. In fact, he’s galloping into an entirely new world — one filled with romance, tradition, and cinematic spectacle.

Meyer has landed a prominent role in Hallmark’s upcoming original movie, Kentucky Roses, marking his first major project since leaving Salem. It’s a striking shift in tone from the emotional intensity of daytime drama to the warm, nostalgic world of Hallmark romance — and it might be the perfect fit for his evolving screen presence.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Roses is more than just a love story. It’s a sweeping tale of dreams, legacy, and the powerful pull of family history. Filmed on location at the legendary Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the film captures the pageantry and grandeur of one of America’s most iconic sporting events. Premiering on May 2, 2026 — the same day as the real Kentucky Derby — the movie promises visual splendor and emotional depth in equal measure.

At the heart of the story is Sadie Moore, played by Olesya Rulin, a hardworking employee in the Churchill Downs greenhouse. Surrounded daily by vibrant flowers and the electric buzz of Derby season, Sadie secretly dreams of becoming a master florist. Her ultimate goal? To design the legendary garland of roses — more than 400 crimson blooms draped over the winning horse in the victor’s circle.

For Sadie, this dream isn’t just professional. It’s deeply personal. Her great-grandmother Gloria, portrayed by veteran actress Ellie Leaverford, once crafted those roses decades earlier during the Derby’s golden era. Sadie feels a spiritual connection to that legacy, believing the roses represent not just beauty, but resilience, heritage, and the courage to chase impossible dreams.

Enter Ash Taylor, portrayed by Hallmark favorite Andrew Walker. Ash is the son of Churchill Downs CEO Greg Henry, a man whose life revolves around preserving the racetrack’s legacy. When a violent storm damages one of the iconic Twin Spires — the unmistakable symbol of Churchill Downs — Ash is sent to oversee the emergency restoration. It’s during this crisis that he crosses paths with Sadie, and sparks immediately fly.

Their romance unfolds in soft, intimate moments — whispered conversations among blooming roses, stolen glances beneath the grandstands, and quiet scenes where the chaos of Derby season fades into something more personal. But their relationship isn’t simple. Both families share a complicated history, one rooted in secrets dating back to the 1930s. The film weaves between timelines, revealing how past rivalries, betrayals, and unfulfilled love continue to shape the present.

This dual narrative adds unexpected emotional weight to the romance. Viewers aren’t just watching two people fall in love — they’re witnessing generations of unresolved pain and longing finally coming to the surface. The question becomes whether Sadie and Ash can break free from the past, or whether they’ll be doomed to repeat it.

This is where Peyton Meyer enters the story as Lefty, a mysterious supporting character whose true purpose remains tightly guarded. Whether Lefty is a friend, a rival, or someone secretly tied to the historical storyline, one thing is certain — Meyer’s presence brings added intrigue and emotional tension. Known for his ability to balance charm with vulnerability, Meyer is perfectly suited for a character who may hold crucial information about the families’ shared past.

For fans who loved him as Doug 3, Lefty feels like a natural evolution — still layered, still complex, but now placed in a world where hope and healing are possible outcomes.

The supporting cast, including Brenda Strong and Greg Henry, adds gravitas to the family dynamics, while director Clare Niederpruem and writer Jamie Pachino craft a story that honors tradition without losing modern emotional relevance.

For Peyton Meyer, Kentucky Roses represents a new chapter — a shift from the dark twists of daytime drama to a genre built on warmth, sincerity, and romantic possibility. After years of playing characters haunted by secrets, this role offers him a chance to explore love without betrayal, ambition without cruelty, and legacy without tragedy.

And yet, for Days of Our Lives fans, one truth remains: no matter where Peyton Meyer goes, part of his story will always belong to Salem. Doug 3 may be gone for now, but in a world where no one ever truly stays away forever, hope for a return still lingers — just like the echoes of unfinished love and second chances that define the heart of daytime drama.