Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Alison Sweeney Talks Sami’s Return, Ron Carlivati, & Lumi!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Days of our Lives is bringing the drama under head writer Ron Carlivati. On the heels of the double wedding of Sonny (Freddie Smith) and Paul (Christopher Sean), and Chad (Billy Flynn) and Abigail (Marci Miller) airing Friday and next Monday, look for Alison Sweeney to make her return to Salem as the iconic Sami Brady on the upcoming October 13th episode for a two-month run.
As to what brings Sami back to the fold, well, that would have to do with the imminent return of Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and how that mystery and story reveals itself to the fans of the long-running NBC soap opera.
In an interview with TV Insider, Sweeney related how Sami gets caught up in the mystery of Will, and how she also stands by her outrage that the series killed off the character to begin with adding: “I still stand by my opinion. That was the only complaint about Days I’ve ever made out loud. It’s not my place and it’s not my way to do that sort of thing, but it had to be said.”
But as to her return to the action, Sweeney added: “It’s important that Sami blows back into town for this story—as important to all the Sami haters as it is to the Sami lovers. There’s so much history there that has to be honored. Hey, I know what it means to be a fan who’s insanely invested in a TV show.”
And as to if Sweeney had any input into her upcoming on-air storyline with head writer, Ron Carlivati, she revealed she did take the head scribe on a Sami “fast-track trip down memory lane”, and then gave kudos to Carlivati, stating: “He brings Sami back to the scene at full throttle. Hurricane Sami! You get a little hint of what she’s been up to while she’s been off the show but that’s not what’s important right now. For almost my entire run on Days, Sami’s overarching story was all about Will. She would lie for him, kill for him. Her fights over that kid were huge! She was always Mama Bear so when he died it was horrible. Even the guys on the crew were crying when we shot those scenes! It was a very big deal. I think the audience connected with Will in a much deeper way than they do with most soap kids because he pretty much grew up on camera. He wasn’t just trotted out at holidays and then aged 10 years overnight. There’s a real investment there.”
In a real treat for longtime Lumi fans, Alison says she will be sharing some screen time with Bryan Dattilo (Lucas), who has been tearing it up as drunk Lucas of late: “Ron really hit the nail on the head with the Lucas-Sami material. In fact, my scenes coming up with Bryan Dattilo are some of my most favorite I’ve ever done. The crew people were giving us the thumbs up, like ‘That’s our Lumi!”
“…That was the only complaint about Days I’ve ever made out loud. ”
Hello Ali – I thank you, so much… for giving back to your audience.
you are here, with us, to right a “wrong”
“…Her fights over that kid were huge! She was always Mama Bear so when he died it was horrible. Even the guys on the crew were crying when we shot those scenes! It was a very big deal. ”
there are waves of emotion going in to this. I do care not.. i’m going to be on the front lines… lined up to cheer .. and in the audience beaming
your mother and son relationship carried. that 4 generation mix is going to be in one place.
Marlena – Sami – Will – Arianna Grace. argh!
“Ron really hit the nail on the head with the Lucas-Sami material. ”
when the star align… when the writing and cast gell. magic surfaces. the imaginative and creative mind flies.
Alison Sweeney – Role: January 1993 – October 2014
you are the real deal. you carried DAYS . period. your passion care integrity and bond is with
this is a lifetime of exchange. you and the audience.
Days of OUR Lives
Spot on.
Cherry on the sundae: it’s Hurricane Sammi! Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!!.
Looking forward to seeing Sami back in town and reunited with Lucas and Will. I hope she tears that place apart when looking for him. Can they give her 5 mins alone with Ben? For putting her and us through all this past year and a half? The boy will never survive.
So glad Sami will return, if only for two months. Can’t wait to see Ali and Chandler back and Bryan continuing to serve us great scenes. Yay!
I didnt htink she was coming back full time but i will take any visits with the Days cast no matter how long the stay…like i said right after Will was ‘killed’-he isnt dead…off camera a faint pulse was felt…or a heart beat was detected and he was still breathing…but Will was in a coma…Sami was there and to protect him faked Will’s death to protect him from the killer…faked the funeral…and whisked him away for treatments…now the Sonny and Paul are set to wed its predictable time for Will to show up!!!
I thought maybe Sonnys brother who showed up at the end…unless its sami someone suggested???
I just wish she would stay longer and when is Ncole levin
I admit, I was biting my nails at that thought of Ron Carlivati writing at Days of Our Lives, but I do believe he is really doing great (likely under the guidance of Sheri and Ryan), aside from a few of the returns that’ve been announced. I am very excited to see his take on Sami Brady, and for Allison to make her two-month stint return!
That’s an interesting way of looking at it – I felt badly when Will died, and yet I am only a Five year watcher – I know fans were not thrilled with the recasting of Will, and I thought, gee couldn’t they have just had him leave the country to pursue his writing career and then resurface – I thought the violent end to him was unnecessary and didn’t serve any real purpose.
Very well put, Johnny. I agree. As you say, there was no need to destroy Will in such a macabre way.
You make it sound so simple because it could have been that simple.
Sometimes I question the writers’ sanity.
They literally threw Will away in a garbage bag — as a totally unnecessary insult to the character.
Just to make sure we didn’t overlook the intentional insult, they doubled it with an ending close-up of Will’s photo blowing off of his gravestone, away into oblivion.
As much as a Lumi fan as I am, they defined DAYS in threlate 90s, as long as there is a chance that EJ is alive, and he is, dont even tease long time fans with a Lumi reunion. LOL
I started watching DOOL again after many years when I heard Ron C. would be writing. He has really improved the show. The wedding scenes were great. Bonnie pushing herself into the aisle seat near Victor cracked me up. The best part is Ron is using the vets. The scene with Doug and Julie was so touching. Ron writes with heart and has added much needed humor to the show. Looking forward to Sami and Will’s return. GH used to be my soap to watch. They are in desperate need of new writers. They should never had let Ron go. All we get now is the Sonny show.
Ron grew up watching soaps, that helps and shows in his excellent, exciting writing.
Love Bonnie. We need humor on soaps and Bonnie brings that. From her white dress to yes, squeezing in next to Victor, she’s fab.
I too am loving more Doug and Julie and with Doug’s Place, it looks like they might be around more. I also hope to see more of Chloe.
Days is much better since Ron started writing for the show.
Hi Debra! I am replying to you here because you replied to me in the thread about ratings (and there was no reply button there)…
I am thrilled that you watched GH long ago and that you remember the love story of Peter and Diana Taylor! And, yes, I remember vividly the storyline of Phil Brewer’s murder and the twists and turns involving the five suspects! It was so damn exciting back then! I, too, watched Dark Shadows — such a great show! As well as OLTL!
I’m glad that you are still enjoying GH — they are lucky to have such a dedicated, long-term viewer in you! You make great points about the acting, particularly Maura West. Take care, Friend! 🙂
I’ve loved Sweeney for years and can hardly wait for her return. I could never figure out why she left. She always seemed to love working on a multiple of projects, simultaneously. I wish she was staying longer.
Sami is back! I know it’s not permanent but I’ll take what I can get. And Will, too.
Things are looking UP.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
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