Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Emily O’Brien Breaks Silence as Theresa Recast: “I Hope That You Can Keep an Open Mind, Have Fun With My Interpretation, and Enjoy the Ride”
Days of our Lives‘ Emily O’Brien has addressed the recent casting switcheroo which saw her depart her role of Gwen Rizczech, only to return in the same scene as a recast Theresa Donovan.
Taking to her Instagram account, O’Brien shared her “goodbyes” to her portrayal of Gwen – a role she played for the last four years, and “hello” to the role of Theresa, previously played by Jen Lilley on and off since 2013.
Emily, who is also remembered for her work as The Young and the Restless’ Jana Hawkes (2006-2011), has always made an impact on whatever role she takes on. Wanting to address her transition from Gwen to Theresa for the first time, O’Brien expressed that she hopes fans will give her a chance to put her own footprint on the part.

Photo: JPI
O’Brien began her IG post saying,”Don’t worry, I am sure Gwen is still smirking somewhere… I want to take a small respite from the current events of the world to show my utmost gratitude for the opportunity to have portrayed such a beautifully layered character for the past 4 years. She has taken me through such a delicious discovery of who she is, and what she ultimately always yearned for— despite all her pain, vengeance and deceit. To be loved. Perhaps someday, somewhere away from Salem, she can finally find it.”
Then, she discussed becoming the latest actress to take on the role of Theresa Donovan. Emily shared, “Now as for me, a new page turns from a different story… One that I am excited to explore. So, as I step into the shoes (and wig) of a very different role, I hope that you can keep an open mind, have fun with my interpretation, and enjoy the ride. After all, it’s just a bit of dress up and make believe, really.”

Photo: JPI
Longtime friend and scene partner, Greg Rikaart (Leo, DAYS and Kevin, Y&R) commented on Emily’s post giving her high praise: “You are the GOAT, @emroya. I’ve thought that since our first day together at YR. You show up, you SLAY whatever is given to you you keep your focus on what’s important. You are a class act and we could all learn a thing or two from you.”
So, what do you think of Emily’s portrayal of Theresa thus far? Intrigued to see where she takes the part? What do you think about the sentiments she shared on her Instagram post? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Dark Shadows fans had no problem with actors playing multiple roles during all timelines of the shows… don’t make a big deal out of it.
I think it was a stupid move. Am gonna stop watching it because it gets more and more stupid all the time.
Emily O’Brien is amazing! I hope she is able to stick around in any role on the show.
I like Emily and I know she’s doing her best, but the recast is not working for me. I think it’s because they also aged Tate. Jen Lilley is a hard act to follow. Hopefully things will improve. I just don’t know why Days did this.
I agree! It’s the blond wig fake look and the actress is still giving Gwen vibes. Some people can pull off two characters like Cristen and Susan and Ben/Alex. But this isn’t working. Poor choice Days. And the aging of Tate and Holly just weird. Hopefully this will eventually work out.
Can’t be any worse than Roger H on GH. Played so many roles I’ve lost track.
She’s fabulous and i love days so much
NOPE! The worst part… She literally exited through a doorway to a plane with red hair, changed into a blonde wig behind a partition and immediately came through the other side of the same door as Theresa. What an insult to viewers. It wasn’t cute or laugh out loud funny. it was ignorant.
Gwen & Xander worked well together, Sarah & Xander a real bad fit, bad chemistry… Xander with Sarah, no fit here !
I think she is a great actress but she is still Gwen to me. Her acting is fine but all i see are Gwen’s eyes when she acts as Theresa. I wish they would have made her lighten her eyebrows and wear colored contact lenses. Hopefully with time i will get used to seeing her as Theresa just like i see Alex now instead of Ben Weston.
Emily O’Brien is an excellent actress! DOOL is lucky to have her, no matter the character or storyline.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums and ‘Veronica & Julian’ Stars Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

Two Days of Our Lives favorites, Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe Lane) and Kyler Pettis (ex-Theo Carver) are starring in the new indie feature Veronica & Julian and now on Monday, August 31 beginning at 3pm ET/12pm PT, they will visit You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat to discuss their film roles and time in Salem and much more.
Kyler Pettis appeared on Days of Our Lives as the grown-up autistic son of Abe (James Reynolds) and Lexie Carver (Renee Jones and more recently Nikki Crawford) from 2015-2018. He won a Daytime Emmy for his work on DAYS in 2019 in the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Nadia Bjorlin is best known for her role as Chloe Lane. Bjorlin appeared in multiple runs on the show from 1999-2023. In addition, she has been featured in Crystal Chappell’s Venice the Series since 2009 in the role of Lara.

Photo: VeronicaandJulian
VERONICA & JULIAN CONFRONTS MODERN ROMANCE
Now in 2026, the two are featured in the romantic drama of Veronica & Julian. In story, a confident and successful marketing executive (Bjorlin) winds up falling for a younger aspiring architect (Pettis).
From there, a journey of desire and self-discovery is set against the backdrop of present-day New York City. with obstacles along the way. Does it work? Does love conquer all, or do they go their separate ways? Veronica & Julian examines what happens when an unexpected romance forces the characters to confront the realities of age, timing, and love.
The cast also includes: Blake Jenner (ex-Glee), Erin Cummings, Chrystee Pharris (ex-Simone Russell, Passions and Queens of Drama), Robert Lee Leng, Mark Famiglietti and Jennafer Newberry. Look for Veronica & Julian to be released later in the fall.
The films director Otoja Abit shared this statement: “Veronica & Julian is about the right people who have a chance meeting at the wrong time. It’s a look at two people who don’t grow apart—they just grow up. This film is an authentic exploration of an imminent ending and how two people deeply in love got there. It aims to be quiet while telling a relatable story about modern-day relationships.”
QUESTIONS FOR THE DAYS ALUMS
If you have a question for Nadia and Kyler, make sure to join us in the live chat and we might just ask it during the live broadcast. If you can’t be with us live and can catch the repla, but have something you would like posed to our guests, you can drop it in the comment section here.
Now, check out the official Veronica & Julian trailer below.
So, intrigued by the story of Veronica & Julian? Do you miss seeing Nadia and Kyler on Days of Our Lives? Let us know in the comment section too.
Days Of Our Lives
Suzanne Rogers Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in All-New Episodes

Daytime Emmy winner and Gold Circle Honors Inductee, Suzanne Rogers will be on your screens this week on Days of Our Lives, when Maggie Kiriakis is back in action beginning with the Monday, August 31 episode. Previously, Maggie was written-off the canvas in April of this year when she left Salem to visit her daughter, Melissa.
Back in October of 2025, it was revealed that Rogers was battling stage II colorectal cancer. Then in November 2025, Suzanne told PEOPLE that she was now in remission.
Suzanne shared, “I’m feeling so much better. I mean, my summer was rough. I had cancer removed, radiation, that was tough. But I didn’t lose my hair. I guess I got it early. I was stage two, and it was a certain kind of chemo that they gave me, it was pills and the radiation, and it didn’t affect it so that was good.”

Photo: JPI
SUZANNE ROGERS JOURNEY BACK TO DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Now, official Days of Our Lives spoilers indicate that Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) will reach out to Maggie on the Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Due to Days of Our Lives’ advance taping schedule of 10-11 months in advance of streaming new episodes on Peacock, Suzanne’s reintroduction to the story will play out this fall.
In a interview with TV Insider last year, Rogers shared that as of July 31 2025, she had completed cancer treatment and was headed back to work to continue the story of Maggie Horton.
Rogers explained, “I start back to work next week, so we’ll see how that goes. Now, I’m feeling anxious like I do any time I get scripts because I want to do my very best and you don’t want to hold up anybody.”
As Days of Our Lives fans know, Rogers has been with the soap opera as of last week for 53 years having debuted back on August 20, 1973. Then in 1979, Suzanne became the first actress ever to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
In 2024, Rogers was honored with induction into the Emmys’ Gold Circle by The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This award recognizes individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on television for 50 years or more.
Before her recent health scare, Rogers has battled myasthenia gravis starting in 1984, which also has gone in remission.
So, happy to know Suzanne is back as Maggie this week on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives? Have you missed seeing this Salem staple for the past many months? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Brandon Butler, Who Once Played Zack Brady, Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in New Role

Days of Our Lives has revealed another addition to the cast of the Peacock streaming soap opera; only this time his face is familiar to fans of the soap opera. Brandon Butler is taking on the new role of Mason Whitfield, but he previously played Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope’s (Kristian Alfonso) deceased son, Zack Brady for a stint back in 2025!
In a post on Thursday, August 27 on the official DAYS Instagram account, they shared a video of Butler telling 5 interesting things about himself caption with, “Get to know Brandon Butler, who will be playing Mason Whitfield! Here are five fun facts about the newest addition to the Days of our Lives cast before his first episode on September 1.”
That means that viewers will see Butler’s debut as Mason next Tuesday! When Brandon named his fifth fun fact, he shared, “Last but definitely not least for me: Days of Our Lives was my late mother’s favorite show. So this one’s for you, Mom. Love you.”

Photos: Peacock
Previously on DAYS, Butler took over the role of Zack Brady from Scott Shilstone, who last played the adult version of Bo and Hope’s son back in 2022 during the Peacock limited series, Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter Two. Fast-forward to the June 2, 2025 episode on Days of Our Lives.
In story, as Bo Brady finally comes out of his coma after receiving the critical dose of Versavix, thanks to the late John Black (Drake Hogestyn), he is visited by his deceased son, Zack in heaven and he helps push his dad to return to the land of the living.
Brandon’s previous TV credits include roles on: 13 Reasons Why, Hysteria!, Trinkets, and Seal Team, to name but a few. He also appeared on General Hospital back in 2016 for one episode.
It should be noted that also heading to Salem on-screen in September is actress Sydney Malakeh who as previously reported is starting her run in a ‘mystery role.’ Malakeh’s first airdate is September 9. Does this mean that Butler’s Mason will cross paths with Malakeh’s Salem alter-ego? Stay tuned.
So, intrigued to see Brandon Butler back on DAYS in the new role of Mason Whitfield? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
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