Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Casting A Return For Mid-1970's Character, Valerie Grant!
Courtesy/NBC
Here’s a very intriguing casting call coming from the NBC soap opera, Days of our Lives! Under the new head writing regime of Ryan Quan and Dena Higley, the scribes are digging back into Salem’s past with the return of none other than Valerie Grant.
The histor of Valerie Grant to daytime is important and a key point in DAYS history. The character, originally played by Tina Andrews, was involved in the first interacial love story on the soaps opposite Richard Guthrie, who played Julie’s (Susan Seaforth Hayes) son, David Banning.
Back in 1977, the duo called off their engagement after a one year courtship, due to the fact that the storyline was unpopular with the viewers. Even having the on-screen couple share a kiss was a fight in itself to get on the air. At the time, Valerie was sent off the canvas to attend medical school. The character was last seen in 1982 as played by actress Diane Sommerfield.
According to Soap Opera Digest, in 2016, the mature version of Valerie that DAYS is seeking is described as: “A gorgeous African-American woman in her mid-50s. Courage and perseverance are two character traits that people admire her for the most. And while her experiences might have hardened other people and made them cynical, Valerie has grown into a wise and compassionate person – who still occasionally gets tripped up by her own mistakes.”
DAYS reveals in the casting notice that the role is recurring and will begin taping mid-May. The show is looking to cast an experieced actor only for the role.
What do you think of Valerie Grant returning to Salem? Who would you like to see play the role? Will she be romantically involved with someone this time? Do you remember, as we do, the love story of Valerie and David in the mid to late 70’s? Comment below!
Let me guess, this character is a love interest for Abe. Maxine has disappeared into the woodworks and Lani is gone. Days is a mess right now and a 10th reboot can’t fix it.
Amen. I’m so close to just dropping the show. I barely watch it now without ffing huge portions.
I agree, I’m glad the show got renewed for the sake of the cast and crew but Ken Corday is a cancer on this show.
Blake…y-e-s. And, further proof that Ken Corday himself obviously thinks that all of us soap fans are idiots…which we are N-O-T!!!!!!!!!! Bottom Line Here: I wish that SOMEONE would show that Ken Corday dude ‘the exit door’…N-O-W!!!!!!!!!!
long before my time but have heard of that storyline . The only actress who can play her in my opinion is Debbi Morgan . If that is the case i hope the character becomes a regular on the show and not a recurring one . And why not create the Valerie Grant and Abe Carver love story !
i had wriiten Days that suggestion some time ago so it might happen-i even had written that idea some time ago on this message board also suggesting she be Maxine’s cousin but it looks like Maxine is gone???
I would LOVE… for Debbie Morgan to return to serial
especially as a doctor… it’d be great to see Debbie Morgan… in a romance… with … Abe
plus to see her working side by side with Kayla and Finn
DAYS sure missed the boat… by NOT bringing back Vincent Irizarry as a doctor…
imagine Mary Beth Evans, Vincent Irizarry, and Debbie Morgan in Salem Hospital
Well I certainly agree with that – if they can snap up Debbi Morgan they should grab her while they can –
She was last seen on the re-boot of ALL MY CHILDREN on-line – too bad it all didn’t work out, that was so sad.
Days of our Lives needs all the help it can possibly get, Heaven knows – and casting Debbi Morgan would be a step in the right direction.
So, she will be onscreen in 2017?
LOL!!!
It’s ridiculous to keep bringing on all these new characters that noone cares about. Getting rid of Eve was a huge mistake. Fix it
it’s absurd isn’t it? FIRING Kassie DePiava…Eve’ return; would lighten up and bring back intelligence
I miss her… and , for all the posts that comment on how “DARK” Days; IS
??? I can’t over that pall … that has been cast on DAYS… it’s like a dark cloud that’s hovering…. (every since the Ciera and Chase RAPE)
I posted… bring back Kassie DePaiva and Chandler Massey to get this show out of the darkness
What would be great if Kassie DePaiva won the Emmy. Mostly because she greatly deserves it and it’s LONG overdue. And it would be a slap in the face to Ken and Sony for firing her.
Days needs to hire Kassie back.
I have an idea. Why don’t we get rid of all the existing cast members and bring back all the actors who played them if they are not deceased. We can eliminate any current storyline and go back to the days when all we did is talk about drama. Just what DAYS needs is to bring back another character no one was thrilled with and hurl them at us. Maybe Valerie can hook up with John and they can find out who they are together. I understand that back in the day, Valerie had an affair with Victor Kiriakis and that they had a child together. It turns out though that Victor had the baby removed from Valerie’s womb and transferred it into Maggie’s tired uterus whereby she gave birth to octuplets that no one knew of, including Maggie. Maggie spent all these years thinking she just had a very large tumor. Deimos found out about it and sold the babies to Kate. Kate raised them until they were 16 and then sold them to a child slave factory where they worked them to death to produce her latest fashion line. Nicole stumbles on to the story and finds out that Daniel is indeed alive but is being brainwashed by Paul Norita who is tired of being John’s puppet. Marlena goes on a quest to find Maggie’s missing children and instead stumbles on to her own secret children that she conceived while possessed by Satan. Instead of an immaculate conception she had a dirty conception and now has to explain to Sami, Eric and Belle how she gave birth to 25 children who now all live in Salem. Hope finds all this out and shoots all the residents of Salem thinking that they are ultimately responsible for Bo’s death and Ciara’s rape. When the story finally ends ( in about 25 years) we find out that it was all a dream of Stefano Dimeara who is actually John’s brother and they were all fathered by Abe. Write this down. Oh yeah and it turns out that while Valerie was off the scene she opened a brothel in Vegas where she is keeping Ciara, Clair and Summer who is pregnant with Brady’s child because everyone knows Brady can’t keep his hands or his….to himself….
I can and will accept any actress hired to play Valerie IF TINA ANDREWS IS OFFERED THE ROLE FIRST!
If I find out Tina wasn’t asked back, GOODBYE DAYS!!!!!
Loved Tina but she stopped acting in the late 1980s,,,plus Richard Gutherie passed away 20 years ago and they had fine chemistry together-Debbie Morgan and Tracey Ross would make fine replacements unless Tina is willing to come out of retirement but i doubt it.
An Affair Cut Short : 1977
It was a groundbreaking story when “Days of Our Lives” paired David Banning (Richard Guthrie) with Valerie Grant (Tina Andrews), but it proved too much for some viewers.
Though other soaps had danced around interracial romances, “Days” took it to a new level by pairing a white man (David Banning) and a black woman (Valerie Grant). Their relationship was rated G throughout its run and wasn’t necessarily an OMG moment until the reason behind the couple’s split made the papers: “The studio has been getting a lot of hate mail from people threatening to stop watching the show,” Richard Guthrie (who played Banning) told the Los Angeles Times. The show denied that was the reason behind the split, however.
———
I immediately thought of you JimH… when I saw this headline
anyway… I hope it’s to bring Abe and Theo back to life… and that this actress is in the hospital…
PS: more info on the character
Days of our Lives Wiki
Portrayed by
Tina Andrews (1975-77)
Diane Sommerfield (1981-82)
Current status
Former; Regular
Duration
1975-77, 1981-82
First appearance
October 1975
Last appearance
July 1982
Cause/reason
Left Town
Valerie Grant is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives portrayed by Tina Andrews from 1975-77, and Diane Sommerfield from 1981-82.
Days of Our Lives started to break new ground in the 1976-1977 storyline involving David Banning and Valerie Grant (played by Richard Guthrie and Tina Andrews). However, the producers unfortunately backed away from the story after receiving negative feedback. Some reports even said that Andrews received death threats from racist viewers.
David Banning was the son of longtime DOOL character, Julie Olsen Williams. Dr. Tom Horton convinced her to put David up for adoption after the death of his biological father, David Martin. David and Valerie fell in love and got engaged after her family took care of him following a car accident. They later broke off their engagement after David had an affair with Trish Clayton.
Debbie Morgan…i wrote to them some time ago about bring backing the character as a potential love interest for Abe-also as Maxine’s cousin who also liked Abe and to stir the pot bring back David…too bad they couldnt get Kin Shriner to play David since he hasnt got much to do at GH-loved David(Richard Guthrie) and Valerie Grant(Tina Andrews)-Tina shouldve couldve been a daytime superstar-loved her work on Days-too bad people werent ready for this story back then but i had no problems with it-wish soapnet had aired repeats of Days since they have all their episodes!!!
Or Tracey Ross-ex Passions!!!
I would start watching Days of Gloom if Debbi showed up. She -to me- is one of the best actresses I have ever seen and a lovely woman and why she is not on-air on soaps today or on prime-time- love her much.
Debbi Morgan and Tracey Ross are great suggestions. I hope this opens the door for David Banning to come back. It would give Julie and Doug more interaction. Also, telling the love story of Valerie and David in 2016 would be completely different than it was 30 years ago.
For the love of “All My Children,” let it be Debbi so we can see more scenes with her and Vincent.
I actually had written Days a year or two ago suggesting Debbie as Valerie!!!
with DAYS being so…. bleak… dismal… dark… you name it… it’s hanging itself
Debbie Morgan would be … my choice…
she imbues humanity… genuine… and her presence lends so much credibility
her appeal is radiant
Yeah!!!!!
Yeah, that would be a kick. It will be like “Days of All my Children” – well anything would be helpful with the way the show is going these days.
Totally agree with your choices and I want it to be Debbi too.
I say Amelia (her last name escapes me right now) that played Gilly Grant on Guiding Light and was also on Passions play her. She’s great.
Amelia Marshall!
If Valerie is indeed coming back, I hope she brings a few grown 20-something kids with her. My wish would be to see Valerie, David Banning, Mike Horton, Sarah Horton, Carrie Brady and Melissa Anderson come back. Now that would really be a blast from the past. Hopefully, Gregg Marx is available to come back as David.
I would love to see Gregg Marx back as David too and Michael Weiss as Mike! I like your list of come backs! Maggie needs her girls there. I think the writers have forgotten that Julie had a son and that she and Hope have a brother named Steve Olsen.
if days is realy serious about coming back from the ratings gutter in the past few months and really want to make headlines i hope the great victoria rowell is considered! … cast a hot african american lead opposite her and of course abe as a triangle and days will have a juggernaut on their hands!
bring victoria rowell back to daytime!!!
Please bring David back too
Debbi Morgan would be great, as would Tracey Ross. What about Amelia Marshall or Tonya Lee Williams? So many talented actresses with soap connections! 🙂
Amelia Marshall! I just posted that she should play this role, she’s a really good actress!.
I remember the David Valerie storyline and the controversy at the time. It was also around the same time that Julie had a girl friend who had a “crush” on her. It seemed like Dayscwas going in a progressive storyline, but just like Valerie and David, the producers got cold feet amid controversy. They abruptly wrote off the ‘friend’ as a crazy woman with unexplained feelings for Julie. Even as a kid, all those years ago, I remember feeling uncomfortable with how the same sex flirtation was being depicted in such a negative way. Julie was such an important character at the time, and I recall watching her scenes closely to monitor her reactions to the gay character. Thank goodness things have changed a bit forty years later. I hope they get Debbie Morgan in the role. If the original actress is still acting it would be really really cool if Corday would bring her back to pay Valerie’s mother.
Thank you for your comment Michael. I didn’t see Days back then, and it is really interesting to hear about that storyline and character.
On Air On Soaps says :
“Back in 1977, the duo called off their engagement after a one year courtship, due to the fact that the storyline was unpopular with the viewers. Even having the on-screen couple share a kiss was a fight in itself to get on the air. At the time, Valerie was sent off the canvas to attend medical school. ”
So in the 1970s, in response to people who disliked interracial relations, Days ended their black/white character relationship and took the black character off screen – sending her to medical college.
Jump forward almost 40 years to 2015, and Days, in response to conservative christians complaining about homosexual relationships on Days of Our Lives, Days ended the gay relationships on their show by having their kingpin legacy gay character (who had “grown up” on the show over very almost twenty years) brutally murdered in an illogical and unbelievable series of events which took almost every opportunity to give out anti-gay messaging – and then Days threw a HUGE PARTY, and resolutely refused to talk about the character that they had had murdered – to the extent that the cast were obviously nervous when asked about it. Further, NBC and Sony have not responded to the complaints brought to them. It’s six months later, and they still haven’t acknowledged the complaints, let alone apologized. And what’s more, Days of Our Lives has RE-EMPLOYED the writer, Dena Higley, who is said to have insisted on murdering the character.
Days’ actions since October have been shocking, appalling, and socially irresponsible. It’s a curious contrast between the present and the past! Betty Corday’s Days simply took a character off screen when under pressure – whilst Ken Corday’s Days had a character murdered in a display of anti-gay messaging; then partied; and resolutely refused to talk about it. And on top of all this the openly gay and GLAAD award winning head of NBC Entertainment, Robert Greenblatt only comment is to say he is “happy” with the show!
I don’t have time right now to investigate the claims in your above statement- so I will assume they are true– and I am furious-seriously that is just plain damned wrong on so many levels- and let us start with a human one. Good Grief! Your thoughts have made me think- is this why the gays on GH are like-well- not in the story- I am guessing that every time a gay character or storyline comes out- including transgender ones- that the machinery that is well-oiled and funded and meticulously organized to destroy the “enemy” goes into overdrive and shuts it down.
And yes – kill the character off or make them mentally ill or both but get them out of here or- and this is exactly what it seems on GH- the old saying “seen and not heard” which I hate. Hate. Good grief -all boils down to hate and money.
I just read an article about “Empire” and how it has been pretty much a resounding flop in other countries that do not accept an all-black cast -etc. And blacks will turn on each other as will gays when the almighty dollar comes into play- I have seen it in my personal and professional life. thanks for your post.
I say Amelia Marshall that played Gilly Grant on Guiding Light and was also on Passions play her. She’s great.
YES! Great actress. And then snap up Rick Hearst to play her love interest. Remember their chemistry on GL? I wish the show would have explored a relationship between Gilly and Alan-Michael!
Oh yeah I do remember them work together and flirt.
Too bad Vince Williams died, Hamp and Gilly were great.
What’s funny is that instead of aging this character, they are having this character age backwards as Valerie would be pushing into her mid-60s if I’m not mistaken. The other thing that is off the wall is that back then, when the show got a lot of hate mail about he interracial romance, the show fixed it immediately since they weren’t 6 months ahead in production. This is a surprise that the character is coming back though. I am with the majority on Debbi Morgan playing her. That would be fun.
DAYS has become my new home soap after the cancellations of recent years. I have seen moments of brilliance in Salem, been excited about developments and then… felt like the rug is pulled out from under me (for example, the firing of Kassie as Eve, the decimation and murder of the Will character)! I like diversity in daytime drama. I like the idea of a revived character. Cast it correctly and move forward with a long-term plan. Seems today’s dramas are shortsighted. Too many comings and goings, lurches in plots and characters, revised histories. That is not direction. I would think there is a bible of sorts to guide writers at every level and entry.
I remember the story very well. I was a huge fan of Richard Guthrie. I understand why
the relationship was terminated. I loved the storyline between David and Trish, and
thought that it was beautiful that the writers portrayed David as an honorable man who
chose to do the right thing by Trish. I remember when David and Trish were in the delivery room. After watching her go through 14 hours of labor without any pain
meds (she was afraid it would harm the baby), he looked down at her from behind, while holding her up as she was going through a contraction, and said “I am so sorry I did this to you.” I was deeply saddened when he died, at the age of 45, after taking a
fatal combination of cardiac medications. He died in his sleep October 29th 1995.He
will always have a special place in my heart.
I remember the storyline. I was a huge fan of Richard Guthrie. I thought it was beautiful the way they portrayed David as an honorable man who chose to do the
right thing by Trish. I remember the scene when He and Trish were in the labor room.
After watching her go through 14 hours of labor and refusing anything for pain (she
thought it might harm the baby), he looked down at her from behind and said: “I am so sorry I did this to you.” I was deeply saddened at his death from a fatal combination of
cardiac meds. He died Oct. 29th, 1995 at the age of 45. He will always have a special place in my heart.
I would love to see Valerie come back, and reunite with David. (Maybe Gregg Marx) David had moved to Los Angeles to be near Scotty who was Chief of Residents at a
large hospital nearby. He had seen an advertisement in the entertainment section
of the newspaper for an opening night gala featuring popular recording artist….
“Trish Clayton”. He went to the show and she invited him back to her dressing room to talk. They both realized that they still had feelings for each other. He invited her to
dinner at his townhouse and they wound up once again in bed. She did not get pregnant, however, but it was a turning point for them and they soon reunited. They were together for 6 months when she was diagnosed with cancer. It was terminal.
She died a 9 mos. later. David could not bare to stay in the townhouse without her. so he sold it and returned to Salem once again……The rest falls into place. Valerie helps him get over the pain of losing her and they slowly begin to rekindle their
relationship.
I remember this story as well, and I loved David and Valerie’s story. I have been hoping and praying that they would bring them and reunite them again. Valerie was David’s first love, she was the one that truly got away. And so its thirty years later and Val, as David use to cal her is back in Salem for some much needed rest. She has just lost the man who helped mend her broken heart after she broke it off with David. She has a son and a daughter that she brings back home. She takes a job at the hospital, where she runs into Julie. Julie is overjoy to see her again. After talking over old times and getting to know Valerie again, Julie puts in a call to her son and gets him back to Salem. And there it begin.
The June 22 episode of Days of Our Lives reminded us all of why Deidre Hall is iconic in the role of Dr. Marlena Evans. Here we are 50 years later, and Marlena is still the heroine of the long-running soap opera, and Deidre remains one of the most most recognizable names in the history of soaps.
To pay tribute, and to look back at the life and times of Marlena, the story starts with Marlena flipping through a photo album of her with John (the late Drake Hogestyn) over the years. As she misses him dearly, she gets a knock on the door and its none other than John’s son, Paul Narita (Christopher Sean).
With Andrew (Colton Little) in Salem working on a case, he sits down with Marlena, who says she can’t believe its been fifty years since she first arrived in Salem! Cue: Deidre’s first scenes on DAYS when she finds Mickey Horton (the late John Clarke) playing chess against himself inside the mental institution she worked.
Courtesy/Peacock
THE FLASHBACKS OF MARLENA’S LIFE
From there, viewers definitely got the cliff notes version of the history of Marlena and entrenched within them, some of the biggest moments in Deidre’s enduring run.
Paul thinks he is looking at 70s, and early 80s Marlena while going through her scrapbook, but he is actually looking at her twin, Samantha (Andrea Hall). Cue: when Marlena confronted Samantha about impersonating her, and then later getting a call on her radio show from the Salem Strangler (Jack Coleman as Jake Kostichek) who killed Samantha thinking it was Marlena.
In the present, Belle (Martha Madison) has arrived at this time to meet up with Paul, unaware of this trip down memory lane. She wants to go over the findings in the chess board mystery Stefano willed to Marlena and John, in private with him, since Marlena previously said she wanted nothing to do with it.
Back to the history lesson, Marlena speaks highly of Don Craig and even though their marriage didn’t work out, she could find a path forward with the new love her life, Roman Brady. (Wayne Northrop however is never shown, possibly to keep the story focused on John as Roman for confusion sakes?)
Paul sees a photo of a young Carrie (Christie Clark) in the album and Marlena says she was such a godsend after losing her baby. In fact, Marlena says caring for Carrie prepared her for her having and raising her own twins, Eric and Sami. Cue: The twin visiting Marlena in the hospital.
JOHN AND MARLENA’S LOVE CONQUERED ALL
Then, in a way to get through and incorporate the wild storylines only Marlena could have been in, she tells Belle and Paul, she has been through so much in her life, how lucky she was to find John, and some of the most unbelievable experiences no one could imagine. Cue: Marlena possessed by the devil and levitating from the bed. Next, John confronting Marlena being the Salem Stalker, where she admits she killed Alice Horton, pretends she needs help, then pulls a gun on her beloved John!
The comment is made by Paul and Marlena, that she literally has been to hell and back and she could not have survived were it not for her beloved John. Cue the big emotional highpoint clips; The Pier Scene! Marlena steps out of the fog when John sees her from a distance. After believing she was dead for four years, here she was before him in one of the greatest reunions in a soap opera love story in history. What followed were other times of the life of times of Jarlena.
Courtesy/Peacock
MARLENA’S ‘GIFT’ FROM STEFANO HAS A NEW CLUE
When Marlena makes a brief exit to the other room, Belle fills in Paul on the chess set Stefano left her mother and the photo of the Lire. Paul said he will investigate. Marlena comes back into the room and overhears, and says to promise her if things get dangerous he will back off, she does not want anyone hurt by Stefano’s games.
As the episode comes to a conclusion, it’s just Belle and Marlena going through the photo album giggling about 70s hairstyles and all the memories. Belle speaks on the impact Marlena has had in everyone’s lives, and that she is both the heart of their family and the heart of Salem.
An end card comes up acknowledging Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena, and we fade to black.
So, what did you think of Marlena’s walk down memory lane? Were you happy to see the flashback clips utilized throughout? Were you touched by the scenes and the performance of Deidre Hall? Let us know what you thought of Deidre’s 50th anniversary episode via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
Days Of Our Lives
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.
In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.
Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”
Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”
Photo: NBC
Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.
NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.
So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Y&R Preview: Matt Clark Asks Phyllis on a Date, Would You Be Down for the Pairing? Roger Howarth & Michelle Previously in GH’s Franco/Nina Romance
-
General Hospital3 days agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days agoAl Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
-
Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Karla Mosley Weighs-in on Dani Dupree’s Love Life Endgame: Are You Team Bill or Team Andre?
-
General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’ Head Writers Spill Some Summer Tea and Preview What’s Next for Jason, Anna, Cassius and Carly
