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BREAKING NEWS: Tamara Braun IN, Natalia Livingston OUT as DAYS Taylor!

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

A huge casting shockeroo this morning out of Days of our Lives! Soap Opera Digest has learned that Natalia Livingston who just premiered as Nicole’s sister, Taylor and set to be the new romantic interest for EJ Dimera played by James Scott has been let-go by the NBC soap!   But, the even more stunning and yet exciting news is that talented Livingston is being replaced by the fantastic Tamara Braun, who in fact won a Daytime Emmy in 2009,  for portraying nut-job Ava in 2008 on the same soap, DAYS!   According to SOD, it was a change in character direction that prompted that very swift move.

DAYS co-executive producer, Gary Tomlin confirmed that scenario to SOD when he stated, “It was decided to take the character of Taylor in a new direction. Natalia Livingston is an amazing actress and a consummate professional. She is a class act and everyone at the studio adores her.”

Braun starts taping today and will begin airing in late April, while Livingston had just been airing for three weeks when this decision was handed down. 

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Natalia (Taylor) was a refreshing addition to Days. Reminded me of years past( long past) when Days hired actors based on their talent, not their looks.

Natalia(Taylor) and EJ had chemistry too. I was looking forward to them finding out who each other really is.

Stupid move Days.

Let’s hope another show snaps Natalia up and fast.

I actually quit watching Days a few years ago after being a 20+ year viewer (started watching when I was 8). Then I saw yesterday’s scene with Natalia Livingston and James Scott and I was intrigued enough to start watching again. I guess I won’t continue knowing that Ms. Livingston will be gone soonl Too bad!

This will be confusing unless Ava is involved.. Hopefully The Young and the Restless or The Bold and the Beautiful or even All My Children () hires Natalia, I wonder which old character needs to return?

I also forgot to mention One Life to Live..

I think both of the actresses are good. If I am being totally honest there is something about Natalia’s voice that is like nails on a chalk board though. I think I got used to it on GH but not yet on Days. I love Tamara though and I think she will be really good as Taylor. The only thing I see here is another “Arianna Hernandez”. They hired one actress and then used a bigger name. The character still didn’t click because the writers messed up. I think they are messing up with this character as well because she is not developed enough. She doesn’t have a career and is baby sitting for Abe and Lexi.

I feel sorry for the actress. She hardly started at the show. TPTB must not have liked what they saw that is already shot and not seen yet since they record 2 months ahead.

I like Tamara though. So strange. I wonder what is going on behind the scenes at days.

What is wrong with Days??? I really, really like Natalia (Taylor) she was so cute and sweet… I would of like this one with EJ.. I really thought she’d be so cute to watch with EJ… Days you make me angry Ava as everyone remember’s was with scene’s with Hope… she played a bad girl… never liked her..

I hate the new Taylor. She’s so ugly and doesn’t look good with Ej at all!!!

Terrible idea….unless she’s going to be the same character she was only a few years ago…that would make some kind of sense.

I am so upset right now….i can’t believe it!!! this has ruined my WHOLE day, i couldn’t even eat lunch dinner or breakfast. i cannot believe days got rid of taylor!! her and ej hav e so much chemistry. they are nothing like ejami. no rape. no violence. no abuse. they were like sunshine, rainbows, and just sweetness…i know ill never be as pretty as taylor, but a girl can dream….i will lose weight like her one day. tptb is ruining days. they ruined ejami now them….so sad…*cries*

The character of Taylor is not leaving. She will be played by another actress. So it seems like EJ and Taylor will still be together.

Tamara won her Emmy in 2008!

I am an EJAMI fan 100% but I really like Natalia- she is great and so pretty. She would have been great with Brady. Im so upset but I wish her all the very best for the future.

You’re right! She would’ve made a superb couple with Brady, too. I will never believe E.J. is head-over-heels for Tamara Braun. This is like the HUGE Belle Brady casting debacle in years past. I think Days casting is making horrible decisions as of late.

These new characters are irritating at best, and the ones with any substance are being let go…

I may be in the minority, but I actually liked Natalia as Taylor. And I think that she and James Scott definitely had chemistry. It is a shame that Days decided to make such a hasty change to the character.

I really hate when TPTB question my intelligence as an audience member. So dopey but we’re just viewers so we’ll just forget she played another character only a few years ago. Really? And no offense to Tamara but she neither is or looks younger than Ari Zuker who is now her “older” sister. Why not just bring Ava back? I can already predict the storyline. Good Taylor will turn bad when she becomes obsessed with EJ, because you know every woman on Days only exist for some male character. Geez, Days needs some behind the scenes changes.

They did not give Natalie a chance but I am not disappointed because I always loved Tamara acting 🙂

I want EJ and Nicole to stay together,
sami and Lucas together[bring back BRD/Lucas

TB is a fine actress but she is too old to play Nicole’s younger sister or EJ’s love interest. (Remember Kate?) Enough with the bad girls already. A very poor casting choice indeed.

Meh, NL was bringing so much cheese to those “love at first sight” and “fantasy” scenes that I look forward to her being replaced. Ejami is endgame but hopefully EJ can find some true love in the meantime. At least Nicole has taken care of the 2 year old blue balls poor old EJ has been sportin’. James Scott better win an EMMY!

Natalie is absolutely drop dead gorgeous with beautiful teeth. Period. There was no range in emotions with her acting though, no hint of malice which is so characteristic of the Days actors. Looking forward to a change. Whoever hired her should have done a better job of screen testing. Maybe they should be replaced as well.

I totally agree with you. Her acting was so flatline.

I love this news! Tamara Braun is a great actress and I have enjoyed her on the all of the soaps she has been on. Natalia’s acting in the “love at first site” storyline just hasn’t been convincing and she always has the same look on her face like she’s in pain. Very happy to hear Tamara is going back to Days, I do wish Miss Livingston the best of luck.

She totally does always look like she’s in pain! I’m seriously happy she’s leaving!

DIDO

Natalia Livingston is a lightweight. It was very noticeable in her scenes with James Scott. I feel badly for her since it probably ended her career in daytime. But, she’s simply a terrible actress with so little range. She has no confidence and it shows in her performances. Other actors have to carry her.

I’m sure even if they don’t say it they’re happy all the umms are gone too. Have you noticed since Tamara took over, no ummms at all out of Taylor, so you see 150 umms per episode wasn’t in the script LOL. Natalia is like a deer caught in the headlights.

Thank you TPTB at DOOL, this is one decision you got right!

It never ceases to amaze how some NL fans say the dumbest things like “natalia livingston was much more believable ,in this role.she had the looks to make any man leave his wife.”

It’s never supposed to be about a beauty contest not that Tamara would lose, she’s lovely and graceful and actually talented but that some of you can’t get that guys leave their hot wives for not so hot women speaks volumes about the intelligence of some posters and no surprise that it’s some NL fans. Kudos for bashing Tamara on her looks.

I will never believe E.J. is head-over-heels for Tamara Braun. This is like the HUGE Belle Brady casting debacle in years past. I think Days casting is making horrible decisions as of late.

These new characters are irritating at best, and the ones with any substance are being let go… (Mark Hapka)

Days, are you even remotely interested in what your fans have to say??? Before all of this nonsense, I was scared you would be cancelled soon, but I wouldn’t be surprised anymore…

I liked Natalia’s version of Taylor so I think this is something I’d have to wait and see before I make any kind of assessment. I don’t like these switches she wasn’t in the role a hot minute. Taylor is being portrayed “nice” thus far the script hasn’t shown her to be malicious I don’t know what range is but she was fine as far as I’m concerned.

Thank God for the replacement! NL was boring me to death! I started fast forwarding through all her scenes and EJ used to be my fav character but now I can’t stand to watch how annoying he’s become! TB will hopefully bring new life to the role! EJ does need a love interest but not someone so sickening as NL. She is a horrible actress she’s almost monotone!

natalia livingston was much more believable ,in this role.she had the looks to make any man leave his wife.

Okay so now that I’ve seen the switch, I can honestly say I HATE it. Maybe its because I wasn’t watching the show when Tamara was on and I’m sure she is a great actress, but I became to invested in Natalia playing Taylor. Not to mention I think Natalia was absolutely beautiful and had this amazing chemistry going with EJ. I’m not feeling that chemistry with Tamara, but maybe it will form over time. Very sad about this change!

Remove Tamara Braun, no chemistry with EJ, we want Natalia Livingston back, much more class, A lot of fans will stop watching..!

Then Phillip leaves the show, and Melanie needs to grow up,if in the past she was a tough cookie, what happened to her?? When I started watching this show my friends thought it was fantastic, and so did I, but now?? I can’t see the chemistry with Tamara playing Taylor at all?? She’s not as attractive as Natalia at all. Why is Melanie so needy and always whining . I’m very unhappy with the changes..!

I hate it when shows change characters after viewers get used to them playing their role. I think Natalie (Taylor) and EJ had great chemistry and I was looking forward to seeing how this all played out. I do not like the change and I think it was a stupid move! Natalie was great in that role and her and EJ worked very well together. Bring her back!!!

We don’t need this Taylor character at all. Natalia ruined for me from the start UGH

I can’t stand this Taylor – the other one was much better – another huge disappointment with this soap.

I strongly dislike this Taylor (Tamara Braun). All I can think about is Ava when I see her on the show. It’s only been a couple years since she was cast as Ava that crazy broad anyway. Tamara plays a great crazy lady. She doesn’t play a classy lady very well. Tamara is too old for the part in my opinion (in real life she is 40, while James is 32, and Ari is 36). There is no spark between EJ and Taylor, none at all. As Taylor, she is lacking all the qualities one might expect a sincere, sensitive sister and a professional businesswoman with an MBA to possess.

Besides someone needs to feed her. She definitely looks anorexic.

Tamara is a much better actress than Natalia. Natalia tried to play a character with an edge( remeber the whole Reccecca thing on GH) It didn’t work for her.

If Natalia was still playing Taylor Ari would be eating her alive in scenes right now. Tamara has a better range. She can play sexy,sweet,bad.

with the way this story line is going you will see why DAYS made the switch. If Natalia was playing Taylor EJ would have to change and be good because Natalia wouldn’t be beliveable as a good girl that could be with a bad boy but Tamara can because she brings a little bit of a edge to Taylor. Also keep in mind that Taylor and Nikki are sisters so we would have to belive that Taylor has a bad side and Tamara can pay that not Natalia.

GH we don’t like Natalie Livingston she sucks playing Emily quartemaine and Taylor days of our lives.we want amber tambien brought back to play Emily she was the best Emily.

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Days of our Lives Favorite Lamon Archey Welcomes Baby Girl

Congratulations are in order for Lamon Archey (Eli, Days of our Lives) and his wife Krissy Terry.  The couple have welcomed a baby girl into this world named Kennedy.

In a beautiful photo of Kennedy with her mom and dad via Instagram, Lamon shared: “Blessings on blessings on blessings on blessings. #Blessed  @monicamartinphotography”

Terry added,“My princess. Kennedy Archey. You are my everything. I pray I am everything you want me to be in a mama. I never thought I’d love so deeply the way I love you, baby-cakes. I’ll forever be your guide, protector, and nurturer.”

Photo: LArcheyIG

This is Archey’s fourth child. His three other children are: Machiah, 21; Caden, 14; and Gaia, 11

Several of Lamon’s Days of our Lives co-stars shared their well-wishes on his IG post including: Kristian Alfonso (Hope), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe), Stephen Nichols (Steve), Galen Gering (Rafe) and Sal Stowers (Lani).

Lamon and Krissy were married back on March 25th of this year.

Send your well-wishes for Lamon, Krissy and new little bundle of joy, Kennedy via the comment section below.

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Jen Lilley Signs Off at Days of our Lives: “Playing Jeanne Theresa Donovan Off and On for the last 10 Years Has Taught Me So Much About Empathy and Grace”

This week on Days of our Lives, Jen Lilley will wrap her short-term run as Theresa Donovan. Lilley came back to reprise her role to a be a part of the on-screen memorial for Victor Kiriakis, and to honor one of her her all-time favorite scene partners, the late John Aniston.

While Lilley explained in interviews with the press, that she gave the series a 3 to 4 week window of time she would be available to reprise the role, she noted the long-running soap opera wrote more episodes and story for the character; thus the part will be turned over to another actress for the next leg of Theresa’s return story.

Meanwhile, through the years, Lilley came under fire over her run on DAYS being a devout Christian, and taking on the role of the troublemaking Theresa.  She fired back in one interview, “Why should I play a role like this,’ you know? That’s been something I’ve been asked over and over again, by Christians, like,‘How can you be a Christian and play this role?’ And the truth of the matter is that from a human perspective, Theresa’s kind of a horrible person, but from a God perspective, she’s exactly who Christ came and died for.”

Photo: JPI

With her final episode streaming on Peacock on Friday, September 22nd, Lilley took to her Instagram to share her sentiments on her Salem journey over the years.

Jen shared: “Last week of me exploring this girl’s shenanigans on screen. Playing Jeanne Theresa Donovan off and on for the last 10 years has taught me so much about empathy and grace. I have enjoyed every moment of her hilarious sass and ferocity, layered with brokenness. To the cast and crew at @dayspeacock, I love you forever. You’re my family. And to the best fans a girl could ask or hope for: remember there is no pit so deep you could ever find yourself in where God’s love cannot find you still. You are never beyond redemption. You are called by grace and marked with love. Thank you for supporting me on this decade long journey. #Days #RIPJohnAniston #ripvictorkiriakis #DOOL”

No word yet if in the future, and with Lilley’s busy filming schedule (once the SAG-AFTRA and writers strikes are resolved) for Great American Family movies and other projects, if she would be available to return to DAYS should the show decide to write for the character.

So, are you sad to see Jen exit the canvas as Theresa? Curious just who and how will take over her role? There have been plenty of online rumors that a certain actress currently on the show is taking over the part. Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Celebrates One-Year on Peacock (Photos)

When Days of our Lives moved from NBC to the streaming service Peacock after 57 years on the air, it rocked many longtime fans of the beloved soap opera. However, NBC/Universal decided to make it a high priority on its companion streamer as one of its flagship shows. This was due, in part, to its dedicated fan base and viewership.

DAYS started its run in its new home on September 12th, 2022, and now one-year later, Peacock helped the show celebrate its first anniversary in its current streaming digs with an ice cream truck outside its studios in Burbank on Monday.

Taking a break from Salem, and to partake in some ice cream were DAYS stars: Billy Flynn (Chad), Ella Cantu, (Jada) Abigail Klein (Stephanie), Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Doug and Julie), Carson Boatman (Johnny), Raven Bowens (Chanel), Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Stephen Nichols (Steve), and Greg Vaughan (Eric).

Check out some of the snaps from the ice cream truck fun below!

Photo: JPI

Mary Beth Evans, who shared on social media she used to serve up ice cream at one time in her life, took a pic inside the ice cream truck with Stephen Nichols. Seems “Stayla” likes ice cream too!

Photo: JPI

Raven Bowens served up an ice cream cone to Carson Boatman!

Photo: JPI

Too cool for school! Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes strike a pose with ice cream treats.

Photo: JPI

Greg Vaughan with his longtime castmate, Mary Beth Evans, celebrating the one-year anniversary of DAYS move to Peacock.

Photo: JPI

Here’s the signage from Peacock upon sending the ice cream truck to DAYS.

Photo: JPI

The Salem gang strikes one final pose before heading inside and back to work to tape all-new episodes.

So, what do you think about Peacock sending the ice cream truck to DAYS to mark the occasion of its move to the streaming service? Are you glad DAYS is still moving forward on the streamer, even though a year later it’s not on or coming back to network TV? Comment below.

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