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DAYS Deidre Hall Weighs-In on If Marlena Will Ever Find Love Again After Mourning the Death of John Black

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

This year, Days of our Lives delivered some of the most heartbreaking episodes in the series history when over the summer it streamed the episodes where its iconic hero John Black (the late Drake Hogestyn) passed away, and the subsequent memorial service in his honor.

Where there was John Black, there was his soulmate, the love of his life, and soap supercouple John and Marlena as played by the late Drake Hogestyn and long-running series star Deidre Hall (Marlena).

Over the last several months, Days fans have watched as Marlena tries to navigate her grief over losing the man she loved and it has not been easy for as John would call her, “Doc.”  In a new conversation with Woman’s World, Deidre Hall opened up about life for Marlena post-show and what she thinks that might look like for her soap opera alter-ego.

Photo: JPI

Most importantly, does she think that Marlena will fall in love again. Hall answered, “I think Marlena will love again.” But as for who, and who could be up for the task as the next man up in Marlena’s life after her storied romance with John, would have to be a tall order for the show and for the audience.

As to who would be right for Marlena? Deidre shared, “That’s up to casting, and our writers. They’re so good at this. They’re also smart enough to know that’s a big ask, to find somebody for Marlena. John and Marlena are iconic. Legendary! So there has to be magic. There has to be undeniable chemistry.”

Losing her on-screen partner, has been difficult for Hall, and she seldom speaks to much about it in press interviews, for the sadness it holds. Hogestyn died back on September 28, 2024 from his battle with pancreatic cancer, to which there is no cure.

Hall recounted. ” We knew we were losing Drake early on and that it was going to be difficult. So the writers had some time to think about how to manage that and we got to say goodbye to him on camera, which was so special. Since then, I’ve been busy doing a lot of scenes with Martha Madison, who plays Belle, and staying busy with my work and the hospital . . . and just missing John.”

Photo: JPI

Deidre’s dear friend, Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) also lost her on-screen and her real-life husband, Bill Hayes (Doug Williams) back in January of 2024, so now both their characters have been mourning the loss of their spouses.“In our country, there are so many women who have lost spouses, because, as we know, we outlive men,” shared Hall. “It’s a real social issue. I’m very grateful the show is saying, ‘We’re still here, we still matter and we still care about life and love.’”

So, would you be open to having Marlena find love again with a new man in her life? If so, what kind of man would be right for, and who would you like to see play him? Or do you think that because Marlena’s one true love is John Black, she will never find anyone else who would even come close? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. And in case you missed it, check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s recent interview with Susan Seaforth Hayes where she talks about how Marlena and Julie have both lost their husbands and are there for each other in story.

 

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It is possible, but it will be a tall order to find someone to fill that space in her heart. The characters were each other’s best friend and they were soul mates.

TPTB gave Maggie new romances after Mickey, and they need to include her with Julie and Marlena in the Widows Club. Maggie softened some of the edges off Victor (and what actor wouldn’t want to work with John Aniston?), and the romance with the con man who’s name I don’t recall was likely a mis-step. So it is possible to create new love stories for them. But there could never be anyone else for Alice after Tom, and I presume it will be the same for Julie, Marlena, and Maggie.

Deidre is so beautiful inside and out I just love her

When it’s time, I’d like Marlena to be paired with Julie’s brother, Steve Olson. I would love Stephen Schnetzer to lead story. Starlena could never be as big as Jarlena, but they can have fun.

I think it would be natural for Marlena’s good friend, Julie, to set up a date between Marlena and Steve.

And eventually, Marlena can receive an ornament for placement on the Horton Christmas tree!

It doesn’t have to be a great love affair. It could be a quiet companionship between two people with similar interests. Lots of relationships between mature adults are like that now in real life. They recognize the new person is not their great love but is their best bestie to be friends with. Of the three widows I can’t see Julie ever having another romantic relationship. She will treasure Doug forever. Like Iman and David Bowie. I can see Maggie considering having a bestie relationship with a new man. I can see Marlena having a full scale love affair with someone new. She is forever Marlena. Steve Olsen is an inspired choice. It would be great to see how the beats play out.

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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

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Kyle Pryor

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!

Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.

He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Dominix

Photo: Peacock

Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2.  In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.

So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

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Conner Floyd

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?

Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

EJ and Chad

Photo: JPI

DIMERA RIVALRY

After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”

As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Belle and Chad

Photo: JPI

BELLE OF MY HEART

With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”

Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.

“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart.  I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”

But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”

MAKING CHAD HIS OWN

Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Susan Seaforth Hayes

Photo: JPI

ICONIC

When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.

“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know?  We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.

“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”

Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.

Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.

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