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DAYS Susan Seaforth Hayes Talks Days 60, The ‘Thelma & Louise’ Storyline She Would Love to Tell, Lamon Archey’s Touching Gift in Remembrance of Bill Hayes (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

This month, Days of our Lives is celebrating their 60th anniversary having premiered back on November 8, 1965. Its current longest-running cast member is Susan Seaforth Hayes, who was the fourth recast to play the role of Julie Olson back in 1968, but the one that sticked! Now, she will be coming up on her 57th year in the role come December.

Susan visited the Michael Fairman Channel where she reflected on a myriad of subjects tied to the 60th celebration, plus her own real-life/TV-life love story with the late Bill Hayes as soap opera’s first super couple, Doug and Julie Williams.

It’s been a tough couple of years for Seaforth Hayes. First, losing her beloved Bill back in January 2024 at 98-years old, and earlier this year, losing her dear friend and former DAYS co-star, Denise Alexander at 84 (ex-Susan Martin, DAYS, ex-Lesley, GH). She reflects on those unforgettable relationships during our discussion.

Photo: NBC

For the 60th anniversary week of episodes, that recently streamed on DAYS home on Peacock, it centered on the dedication of the Tom Horton (MacDonald Carey) Free Clinic, which brought back together Hortons, past and present for the gala, which included the returns of her on-screen grandson, Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and TV brother, Stephen Schnetzer (Steve) and more.

TV GRANDSON

In a very touching moment during our chat, the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, explained how highly she regards, Archey, including a gift he presented her with following the death of Bill Hayes. Susan explained, “Lamon is so beautiful. So, that’s the physical side. I got to know him, and always enjoyed doing our scenes together, because we had a couple of good storylines together to play. Then, Billy passed. Lamon gave me a wind chime that says, ‘Every time this plays, remember me,’ for Billy and it hangs in my garden. And whenever I go by it, I thank him again. I’m always happy to see him back on the show with Sal Stowers (Lani), who is also just walking and talking goddess of beauty charm and talent. I love that couple. I love that they’re on the show.”

Photo: JPI

With countless storylines over nearly six decades, Susan recalls several to us including Julie’s facial burns and disfigurement written by her mother, Elizabeth Harrower, who at one-time was the head writer of Days of our Lives, and the classic Addie/Doug/Julie triangle where Doug wound up marrying Julie’s mother, played by Patricia Barry, and having a child with her, none other than Hope Williams (Kristian Alfonso). Yet, there is still something else Susan says she would love to play.

THELMA & LOUISE SOAP STYLE

“I enjoy working with Deidre Hall (Marlena). We’ve become very close friends,” shares Seaforth Hayes. “I would like to see these two ladies of a certain age and of a wide range of experience to go off and have an adventure, where something goes wrong. I loved the film, Thelma & Louise (which starred Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon). I loved that story of people who are driven by outside events, who are aspiring to something more, aspiring to something else. Even at this time in our lives.”

Photo: JPI

Susan continued, “I think that’s the secret of any character. Yes, they’re in a plot. Yes, they’re in a set, and yes, they have a family, but do they have dreams? Do they have aspirations? Do they have hopes of something you can’t quite see that they’re driven to go after? So, I would love to see Julie and Marlena go off and have an adventure, and if Steven Schnetzer turned up and it was all his fault, that would be perfect!”

Now below, check out our full conversation with the Days of our Lives legend, Susan Seaforth Hayes, who tells us fascinating behind the scenes stories plus working with another TV icon, Dick Van Dyke (ex-Timothy Robicheaux) and more.

Would you like to see a Thelma & Louise style adventure story for Julie and Marlena? Were you touched by Susan’s sentiments in the interview on Lamon Archey, Bill Hayes and Denise Alexander? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Michael, this interview was marvelous! Seaforth Hayes is introspective, witty, and charming. It’s evident how much of her personality is infused into the character of Julie. As a former long-term viewer of GH and fan of Denise Alexander, it was gratifying to hear her (and your) impressions of her. The tenure of Seaforth Hayes is unparalleled. She is a living time capsule of the genre. And she is so respectful of, and enthusiastic over, her colleagues. What a generous spirit and colleague!

Beautifully said and I couldn’t agree more. Susan is the epitome of elegance and class.

James…exactly, Brother!!!!! To me, Susan Seaforth Hayes has always been A CLASS ACT!!!!! Oh…and Denise Alexander was always a class act as well.

Catch ya’ later, Brother.

Susan Seaforth Hayes got me hooked on Days of Our Lives when I was only 11 in 1973. I’ve been watching for 52 years.
Doug and Julie on the Time magazine cover was so exciting! What a power couple!
This interview was stellar Michael. Thank you.

She is still as beautiful, witty and full of life, after everything she has endured. Happy early anniversary!

That would be AWESOME!!!

Just love her. She brightens up my TV every time she’s on.

Love the character. Always have. No Thelma and Louise story though. I’d rather see her do mystery or comedy storyline like the First Wives Club or the old Snoop sister mystery movies with her Maggie and Paulina. I love Steve Olsen being back. He is such a bad boy. He would be a perfect biological father for Sophia to come back. You know Julie. She accept her in the tribe immediately and a Horton is never wrong.

Steve Olsen isn’t going to be Sophia’s father. Though he could very well be her baby’s grandfather. You have noticed the resemblance between Steven and Aaron Greene & his brother Mark, right?

Their father supposedly died, but we are talking Salem here, where death is rarely permanent. And iot doesn’t seem likely that they would drop in this whole family of siblings (Mark, Aaron, and their sisters Cat & Felicity) and NOT tie them to at least one of the “core” families. And Hell only knows, the Horton family tree was long overdue for a new branch.

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Lexie Emerges and Shocks Abe as the DiMera Family Gathers for The Reading of Stefano’s Will

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Next week on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives, finally it looks like Lexie Carver is fully resurrected when the character now played by Nikki Crawford stumbles into a DiMera family gathering, which is supposed to be for the reading of Stefano DiMera’s will.

In the Peacock video teaser, as EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) and company toast the Phoenix, the secret tunnel door swings open, and out stumbles out Lexie! Meanwhile, Dr, Rolf (Richard Wharton) realizes Lexie is gone and no longer in her bed. When Abe (James Reynolds) sees his beloved Lexie, he is absolutely stunned. But the question is, when Lexie speaks, is she the Lexie of old, or will her memory and brain be all scrambled eggs?

As longtime DAYS viewers know, the part of Lexie was portrayed for years by Renee Jones, who retired from acting after her run which lasted from 1993-2012. At the time of her departure, Lexie was killed-off with an inoperable brain tumor.

Courtesy/Peacock

Elsewhere, Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) is up to no good and now makes a play for Xander (Paul Telfer). but then tells him, “What I want now, is for you to kill him!” Who does she want killed? EJ? Johnny (Carson Boatman)? Or someone else?

Take a look at the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of May 11-15 below.

Monday, May 11

Lexie crashes the reading of Stefano’s will.

Tony makes Gabi an unexpected offer.

Kristen sees Sophia.

EJ questions Cat.

Chad defends Leo.

Tuesday, May 12

Belle asks Marlena for advice.

Holly lashes out at Tate.

Brady and Sarah comfort each other.

Philip comes through for Gabi.

Ari opens up to Liam.

Wednesday, May 13

Steve pays Alex a visit.

EJ pulls a fast one on Gwen.

Marlena offers Paulina support.

Thursday, May 14

Johnny and Chanel lean on each other.

Jada moves Shawn into her place and opens the door for renewed romance.

Gabi presses Ari about her relationship with Liam.

Amy confronts Holly.

Friday, May 15

EJ wants to explore his past with Cat.

Kristen and Chad discuss life and death.

Javi opens up to Rafe.

Gwen plays hardball with Xander.

Check out the latest DAYS promo entitled, “Heartbreak Hotel” below.

Then, let us know, does this Lexie come back from the dead intrigue you, even though Nikki Crawford is taking on the role and not Renee Jones? Do you think she will be anywhere near the same personality she had before she “died’? Who does Kristen want killed now? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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DAYS Lauren Koslow Temporarily Fills-In for Jess Walton as ‘The Young and the Restless’ Jill Abbott

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In a ironic twist, Lauren Koslow, who currently plays Kate Roberts on Days of Our Lives is returning to The Young and the Restless to play Jill Abbott while temporarily filling in for Jess Walton. Koslow will appear for five episodes beginning on Thursday, June 25.

Koslow first appeared on The Young and the Restless back in 1984 in what was her first soap opera role when she was cast as Lindsey Wells. Now, she returns decades later subbing for Walton, who due to a scheduling conflict, was was unable to travel to Los Angeles when the storyline called for Jill. The Emmy-winning Walton has played the Jill since 1987 and went on recurring status with the show in 2012. Jess also left Los Angeles to reside in Oregon in 2011.

Making this all the richer was the original Jill played by Brenda Dickson, often shared scenes with Koslow’s Y&R character. Lauren played Lindsey Wells until 1986, before moving over to The Bold and the Beautiful as Margo Lynley. Koslow was B&B’s Margo from 1987–1992, and again in 2002. Then, in 1996, she was cast on Days of Our Lives as Kate Roberts, replacing Deborah Adair, and she has been in Salem ever since. But there’s still another another twist to this casting history. Y&R viewers recall Deborah Adair also played Jill, after Brenda Dickson left in 1980, and following a brief stint by Bond Gideon, before heading to DAYS to originate the role of Kate.

Photo: CBS

THE DAYS AND Y&R CONNECTION

As soap fans know, Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless are both part of Sony. Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television, while DAYS is owned by Corday Productions and distributed by Sony.

So, having Koslow visit The Young and the Restless to fill in for Jess Walton has nothing to do with her continued role of Kate on DAYS. In fact, a rep for the show shared that her upcoming appearance on Y&R, “does not affect her status with the show in any way.” Recently, Stacy Haiduk reprised her role of Patty Williams on Y&R, even though she is still being seen as Kristen DiMera on DAYS.

In a joint statement offered up to TV Insider, executive producer, Sally McDonald and head writer, Josh Griffith expressed, “We’re extremely grateful to Lauren Koslow for returning to her Y&R roots and temporarily stepping into the role of Jill. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Ken Corday (executive producer) and Noel Maxam (co-executive producer) at Days of Our Lives and Peacock. Their support embodies the collaborative spirit of the daytime television community.”

McDonald and Griffith clarified that Jess Walton is forever their Jill and shared, “Jess Walton is an enduring cornerstone of Y&R. We look forward to welcoming her back to Genoa City as her schedule permits and celebrating her extraordinary 40th anniversary as the iconic Jill Abbott.”

So, what do you think of Days of Our Lives Lauren Koslow stepping in for Jess Walton as Jill Abbott? Excited to see what she does in the role while filling in for the Jess? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Shares Parting Thoughts on ‘Brilliant Minds’ Following its Cancellation

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Last week, NBC pulled the plug on the medical drama, Brilliant Minds, as the last 6 episodes of its second and final season will begin to air later this month. The series which saw its ratings plummet was taken off the schedule in February, with reports of it being on the bubble until finally the decision was handed down.

Al Calderon, who departed Days of our Lives in the role of Javi Hernandez in 2025 to join the primetime series as Nurse Nico Silva, was a part of the stellar cast that also featured One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) and series star, Zachary Quinto.

On Brilliant Minds, Quinto plays neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

Photo: NBC

In a real-life twist, Days of our Lives announced Calderon’s successor, Jacob Martinez as the new Javi debuting this June on April 30. Come May 1, NBC canceled Brilliant Minds. Now, on Wednesday, May 6, Al Calderon took a moment to reflect on his experience at Bronx General Hospital, the backdrop of Brilliant Minds, via a post on his Instagram.

“Thank you Brilliant Minds” Calderon began. “What a life changing experience. Met forever friends. Learned from the absolute best. Was reminded that my voice mattered. Learned that it’s okay to believe in yourself. Felt like I was part of something. While our beautiful show has gone onto glory we’ve got 6 more incredible episodes to share with you starting May 27th.”

Al also added, “NBC and Warner Brothers TV, thank you for allowing me to be silly and quippy, Demane Davis, Michael Grassi, David Rapaport, Zachary Quinto, thank you for all of your encouragement and support.”

As his heartfelt post came to a close, Calderon explained why the experience on Brilliant Minds was life-changing: “I’ve been at this a long time and this show gave me hope for the future of my career. I owe it to these incredible individuals. Our crew. Our writers. Our editors. The whole shebang. I love you all endlessly.”

Taking to the comment threads were several of Al’s Brilliant Minds and DAYS former co-stars, and even his successor, Jacob Martinez jumped in and shared, “YOU are brilliant 💕”

What did you think of Al’s heartfelt message about his time on Brilliant Minds? Will you miss seeing him on DAYS and on the primetime series? Looking forward to seeing what he will do next? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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