Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives Brings Telenovela Superstar Ximena Duque To Salem For New Role!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
intriguing soap casting news on Wednesday has that Days of our Lives has made quite an acquistion to the canvas with one of the biggest superstars in telenovela’s!
According to Yahoo TV, actress Ximena Duque is joining NBC’s long-running daytime drama. Duque, known to telenovela fans for her roles on such hit shows as Corazón Valiente and Santa Diabla, will arrive in Salem in May of this year.
The character Ximena Duque will play is named “Bianca”. No further information is available on the character and what brings her to Salem. But a DAYS rep relates: Ximena’s story arc in the beginning in May 2016 will be alongside popular Days of our Lives actors, Galen Gering, Camila Banus, and Alma Delfina. Safe to safe, Biancas must have some relation, or past with the Hernandez clan.
Share your thoughts on the casting news of Ximena Duque to Days of our Lives in the comment section below, but first after the jump, watch some scenes from Duque’s performances in scenes from her telenovela storylines!
Share your thoughts on the casting news of Ximena Duque to Days of our Lives in the comment section below!
Days Of Our Lives
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
Who says you can’t go home again? In the case of Another World favorite, Stephen Schnetzer (ex-Cass Winthrop), he has proven that it is true, and you can go back to your soap roots and where it all started for you.
Last week on April 11th, Schnetzer, along with several other key returns were on set at Days of our Lives taping all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera, centering on the funeral of Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes), and as part of the iconic soap opera’s 15,000th episode.
Stephen is reprising his first daytime role as Steve Olson, the brother of Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes). The last time Schnetzer appeared on a DAYS set was during his one and only run on the show from 1978 to 1980. Clearly, viewers will be in for some very emotional scenes when Steve returns to Salem to be there for his sister, Julie in her time of need. In real-life, Susan has been going through her own grief, having just lost Bill back on January 12th at the age of 98.
Photo: NBC
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Stephen during the 15K episode celebration ceremony, and during a break from taping the gut-wrenching funeral scenes, to get his thoughts on being part of these highly-anticipated moments that will air later this year in December. Here’s what he shared with us below.
What has this been like for you to work with Susan Seaforth Hayes after all of these years?
STEPHEN: She’s a dream and she’s so bright. We ran lines yesterday and we ended up just visiting for about 45 minutes and just catching up and telling tales about each other’s career. She even dropped off the autobiography that she and Bill did. And being back here at DAYS, every time I turn a corner, there’s another familiar face. When I was on the show 40 more years ago, a bunch of the guys, played softball on a team together. This is really a trip down memory lane as I knew it would be.
Photo: JPI
Taping Doug’s funeral must be a hard day for Susan. Are you checking in with her to help hold her up through this?
STEPHEN: I am and I’m checking in with Amy Shaughnessy (Susan’s assistant), and she’s holding her up more than anybody. We’re there for each other.
There will obviously be some major hankie-inducing moments when Steve comes back to Salem to console his sister.
STEPHEN: Oh, wait till you see it in December. It’s going to be great.
Were you surprised you got this call to come back to the show decades later?
STEPHEN: It was out of the blue! I was completely surprised. They should have called me decades ago! That’s what surprised me. When Another World went down, I thought I’d land somewhere else and it never happened. That was more of a surprise.
Photo: JPI
Cass is such an identifiable character for you. As well, you and Linda Dano (ex-Felicia Gallant) are so synonymous together as best friends Cass and Felicia from Another World. When fans heard you were reprising your role as Steve Olson on DAYS, they are now hoping there will be more of you on the show to come.
STEPHEN: Steven Olson is a real “Cassian “character. I cut my teeth on Steve Olson and that’s how Cass was introduced. He was kind of a roguish charmer. And then when the character stuck for Another World, they rehabilitated me, and turned me into one of the shows heroes. And that’s what would’ve happened if I stayed as Steve Olson probably. So, Steve is the ‘pre-Cass’, Cass.
Photo: JPI
As the story goes, you originally decided to leave Days of our Lives?
STEPHEN: I was never on contract. I was doing a day and a half a week and I got a Broadway play directed by Franco Zeffirelli starring Joan Plowright and Frank Finlay. I was able to it as I didn’t have to break a contract or anything. I cut loose and went back to New York for that.
How well did you get to know Bill Hayes during your first time around on DAYS?
STEPHEN: My first episode was with Bill and Susan, as her long lost brother coming into Salem. They were so good to me. They were so kind. I had been doing eight years of classical repertory theater, never been in front of a camera. I tell everybody, it took me longer than any other actor I’ve ever seen to get comfortable in front of a camera. And they were very supportive at that time in my career. Coming back to honor Bill now in 2024, and to be see Susan, I am just so happy to be here.
Looking forward to seeing the scenes between Stephen and Susan Seaforth Hayes come December and Doug’s funeral and surrounding episodes? Do you hope that DAYS might bring the character of Steve Olson back for a longer stay? Comment below.
Breaking News
51st Daytime Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Nominations
On Thursday, the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards revealed nominations in several key categories via four entertainment news programs: Access Hollywood, E! News, Extra and Access Hollywood.
Three of the four announcements were major categories in the field of Daytime Dramas.
The nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series category are: The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, Neighbours and The Young and the Restless.
Photo: JPI
General Hospital won this category last year, and has the most all-time wins for a series in this category. For the first time, the beloved Australian-based soap opera, Neighbours is now eligible for competition due to its reboot which streams on Amazon Freevee.
Photo: AmazonFreevee
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out in ceremonies in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th.
Previous categories announced tonight via the entertainment news outlet included: Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
So, what do you think about this year’s nominee for the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series? Who do you think should win? Comment below.
Breaking News
51st Daytime Emmys: Tamara Braun, Finola Hughes, Katherine Kelly Lang, Annika Noelle, Michelle Stafford, Cynthia Watros Score Lead Actress Nominations
The nominations were revealed for the 51st annual Daytime Emmys. in the prestigious Lead Actress in a Drama Series category by Entertainment Tonight.
This comes ahead of tomorrow’s full list that is set to be unveiled at 12noon/9am PST on Friday.
In the running for this year’s Outstanding Lead Actress are Tamara Braun (Ava, Days of our Lives), Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, The Bold and the Beautiful), Annika Noelle (Hope, The Bold and the Beautiful), Finola Hughes (Anna, General Hospital), Cynthia Watros (Nina, General Hospital) and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: Getty
Previous winners in this category include GH’s Finola Hughes, Cynthia Watros and Y&R’s Michelle Stafford. Days of our Lives nominee had won in the Supporting Actress category twice in her career.
Earlier, the Lead Actor nominees were revealed and you can find them here.
Make sure to be with us Friday night, April 19th for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special beginning at 5 pm PT where we chat live with some of this year’s nominees.
So, what do you think about this year’s Lead Actress nominees? Comment below.
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
51st Daytime Emmys: Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Receive Talk Show Host Nominations
51st Daytime Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Nominations
51st Daytime Emmys: Tamara Braun, Finola Hughes, Katherine Kelly Lang, Annika Noelle, Michelle Stafford, Cynthia Watros Score Lead Actress Nominations
51st Daytime Emmys: Eric Braeden, Scott Clifton, Thorsten Kaye, John McCook and Eric Martsolf Score Lead Actor Nominations
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DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves Talk Return to DAYS for Doug’s Funeral, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and Their Enduring Friendship
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NewsApril 12, 2024Y&R’s Hayley Erin Previews Her Role in Horror-Thriller ‘New Life’
I won’t get too excited about this, look at what the casting department brought us with the teen set. Nightmare.
Seems like Days has near a whole new cast…
I see someone coming or going, often..
She is either an ex girlfriend of Rafe or maybe the daughter of Deimos..maybe both…i love the diversity here but i would like to see more Paul…and what happened to Maxine?-i liked her too.
Hi, Jummy,
If ‘Bianca’ is Deimos’s daughter, then her mother must be Hispanic because she does not look Greek, at all. But, as I always say, anything is possible…..look at Luca over at Y&R. He does not have the look of a Spaniard.
I suppose she must have familial, or friendship ties to someone in Salem. Isn’t that the way it works? She is so pretty….she will be placed smack in the middle of some kind of cat-fight-envy.
I was also thinking that her appearance may have nothing to do with family? Perhaps, she is in Salem to represent some couturier’s name; or as a designer model come to work for Theresa, Nicole and Kate (BASIC BLACK). Later, my friend.
She does look like a model…so you could be right.
Another one of Eddie’ daughters? Wives? How about Rafe’s ex? Anything or anyone to put a wedge between Rafe and Hope works for me.
Hey, CeeCee…I hear ya’!!!!! More and more, watching Rafe and Hope even interacting with each other is more effective than A-N-Y sleeping pill…LOL!!!!! For me, it’s like YAWN-VILLE all the way…MORE LOL!!!!! Truly lame.
Later, my friend. P-e-a-c-e.
Hello, there,
This woman is supposedly a grandmother. Her escapades are indicative of a juvenile. And, I do not buy this arduous and intrepid search for revenge. She should have known better than to think that Bo, the love of her life, and vice versa, would not have just up and left, and not come back. Neither do I find feasible that Bo would ask Rafe to look after Hope. I said this before, Rafe and Bo barely knew each other; plus, Hope has plenty of relatives and close friends on both sides, to have assumed such a responsibility. She is a darned adult, for Petey sake….there are plenty of women whose husbands have left or died. I can understand emotional support, but to forge on and act outside the law as an accomplice is stupid fora a cop. Not that Stefano did not deserve it; but Hope needs mental help. Rafe cannot see this? A well-trained detective. Bah!!!! Lol. Bo wasn’t even her husband….so, all contrived. If the soap gods wanted Rafe and Hope together, they could have achieved that goal another way…..one that made more sense. Is it just me that feels this way? If that is the case, someone, please make me understand the error of my ways and set me straight. Lol. Later, Jay.
CeeCee…I feel the same way as you do. Yes. To me, Rafe and Hope have ZERO chemistry together!!!!! For me, it’s like MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP MAKE IT STOP!!!!! TOTAL BLECH ALL THE WAY!!!!!!
Take care, CeeCee. P-e-a-c-e.
She’s beautiful and can act!! No speak English?
She actually speaks good English, has no Colombian accent! She’s been in many Latin soap operas and she’s an amazing actress… Colombia has many beautiful women and she happens to be one of them.
Gracias, Jewels!
I just wonder why her name isn’t Blanca? Bianca is an Italian name. It would be more fitting, si? They did the same at Y&R. Luca Santori? That’s as an Italian name as one can get….not, Spaniard.
If she is bound to stay on board, I just hope her acting is as good as her looks, 4ever.
Her name is Blanca, CeeCee. Yahoo TV made the error which MFS must have trusted to be fact.
It’s a fact that I knew Bianca had to be Italian because of the Tate-LaBianca murders…Horrible way to learn things.
Oh, ok, 4ever. The names do mean the same thing, “White”…. Also, the French translation is “Blanche”….very similar languages. I was actually trying to make the point that if the character is purported to be Hispanic, then, the name should match to avoid confusion. Thanks and later, my friend.
So another new character???? what the what??? who is writing this show..it’s really taken a turn around….you have characters to write for, ex. Abe and his new daughter….Paul…these characters are at least tied to long time family and longtime characters….how bout getting back to “family” oriented stories????? get rid of Phillip and Belle…story not working…..lose Ava….please update Patch’s look….and stop focusing so much on the teens that cannot act and cannot carry a story…..at least nobody died this week…hahaha…
That’s funny, Scott…you made me chuckle.
Why?
I know…they have talented actors who play Justin, Adrienne and Lucas but cant write for them or rarely even show them but gives stories to newbies…they wont make a new soap but find ways to make old ones into new ones.
maybe she’s the daughter in law of Eduardo…
Jordi Vilasuso, (Rafe brother’) ex-wife ?
Sorry too many Hernandez on days for me! No applause!
I. Think its absolutely fabulous,I love het to bits plus she can act her behind off so its all good.ximena all day, errday. Look at God yay.I’m happy
Who is Alma Delfina?
She’s a Hispanic actress, has participated in many Latin soap operas!
so excited to see Ximena on Days.. love her in the telenovelas very good actress. Alma Delfina too? Shes a telenovela star as well has been in so many telenovelas.. i wonder if she is playing Biancas mom or the Hernandez mom
Wow some more flavor!
I just had Neapolitan ice cream last night, Angela. Yummy!!!
DAYS currently has so much going on and many characters who don’t have story, so why do they feel the need to bring on more newbies? In general, I like new characters who have ties to core families, but we already have characters like Lucas, Adrienne, Justin, Abe and Lani who don’t have story.
The new teen set is taking up lots of screen time and most of them cannot act, nor carry the show’s story. It’s so odd watching Ciara, Claire, etc. party and whine about things and then jumping to scenes with long-time characters and actors who can actually act. I mean, on the days of Daniel’s death story, we had the teen scene playing truth or dare for god sake!
Moreover, the show has lost stellar actors like Daniel Cosgrove, Kassie DePaiva, Greg Vaughan (and others who didn’t leave of their own volition) to make room for these newbies. And there are still new characters to be introduced! Real Andrews, Alla Korot and Jordi Vilasuso have yet to make their debuts, Vincent Irizzary was just introduced, and so many characters have been brought back, like Shawn, Belle, Philip, Chloe, etc.
It just seems like there’s way too much going on for DAYS to add more new characters to its seemingly never ending cast.
Too many newbies Days, I know it’s to help budget but it’s going to suck with so many newbies and killing so many off.
Look forward to seeing her on. Glad Days is bringing in a more multi-cultural cast. They should have more black actors as well. Of course, they should bring back gay storylines too!
With me following Ximena frm Telemundo during her casting #fearless heart(corazon valiente)…..it will be a gr8 pleasure to see her in days of our lives!!