Yes, Tate is looking a bit different on today’s Days of Our Lives — and no, it’s not because he’d beeing SORASed (Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndromed) again! Jamie Martin Mann, who debuted as a teenage Tate back in the fall, left the show to attend college full time. Tate’s storyline hasn’t been slowing down, though, and now that he’s finally free, it’s probably going to take off even more.

When Eric Marstolf spoke to Soaps.com a little while back, he noted that he and Mann gelled almost immediately. “I knew where he was coming from,” Martsolf shared, “and he was also extremely open to hearing my opinion about his choices and the genre, and understanding soap opera for what it was.”

Mann, just really wanted to learn all that he could. “It’s not often that you have a kid that young who is so open to questions and being humble about what he’s doing,” his TV dad proudly shared.

That humility and desire to not just work but understand what he’s doing is part of why Mann decided it was time to move. Martsolf told Soap Opera Digest that he and Emily O’Brien (Theresa) were shocked at his decision, but understood it — though they did try talking him into making it work!

“But he wants the college experience, and I completely got that,” the actor shared, and Mann headed back to the University of Michigan to finish his degree in musical theater. In the end, Mann’s TV parents happily respected his decision to focus on education and, Martsolf said, “we did what we do on soaps. We found another actor, and I’m happy to say he’s not only good, he’s terrific.”

That’s when, as we reported, Days of Our Lives hired Leo Howard — an actor who’s done his share of television. Martsolf, who knows a thing or two about taking over a role, was happy to help his new TV son out when asked for advice.

“He actually came to me,” Martsolf explained to Digest, “and said, ‘Look, I’ve done this, and I’ve done this, and I’ve done this, but this is a new medium.’”

Brady’s portrayer was thrilled to help him out. Even seasoned veterans can struggle to adjust to the pace of daytime, especially a show that moves at such breakneck speed as Days of Our Lives. “It can be daunting for someone,” Martsolf acknowledged. “It’s crazy. But this kid, he’s got what it takes.”

If Tate’s future is going to be as crazy as his past — from Kristen stealing him from Theresa’s womb to Holly’s overdose and lies putting him in jail and rehab — then Howard more than has his work cut out for him! And that goes double if, as we suspect, Tate and Holly end up together. We’re not saying Holly can’t grow and become a better person, but from day one, she’s kind of made Tate miserable.

But hey, all’s fair in love and Salem, right?