Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives’ Emily O’Brien Says ‘Goodbye’ to Gwen Rizczech and ‘Hello’ to Theresa Donovan
On the Friday, October 6th episode of Days of our Lives, the much-talked about ‘soap opera role switch’ came to fruition, when Emily O’Brien exited the scene as the character of Gwen Rizczech and then re-entered the same scene as the recast for the character of Theresa Donovan.
Fans who have been following this unusual casting stunt know that Jen Lilley came back to the show to reprise the role of Theresa for Victor Kiriakis’ (the late John Aniston) memorial service, and as Lilley has told the story to press outlets, she informed DAYS she had about 4 weeks of availability to tape. However, the show wrote about 12 weeks of episodes for the character and suddenly the soap recast the role with Emily O’Brien. That choice, was interesting in itself as O’Brien was already playing Gwen.
Fast-forward to today, where in story, Gwen decided to leave Salem after she found out her best friend Leo (Greg Rikaart) and her husband, Dimitri (Peter Porte) were having an affair. Gwen got an assist from Kristen when Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) made a suggestion for her future, and Gwen realized she could come out of this O.K and with some dollars!

Photo: JPI
Kristen shared that since Dimitri’s going off to Statesville prison, “someone” is going to get their hands on his fortune. Therefore, Gwen should go pay her new in-laws a visit and persuade the Von Leuschners that she needs to be one to handle his financial affairs while he is incarcerated. Realizing her time in Salem has been a disaster, Gwen decides to uproot her life.
Later, at the airport, and as she is ready to board her plane, Gwen says her goodbyes: “Well, Salem, it hasn’t always been fun, has it? It’s certainly been interesting. Now, there are things about you that I have loved. There’s also a lot of things I have hated. I suppose you could say the same thing about me, though. But I promise you, it might be goodbye for now, but you haven’t seen the last of this girl!”

Photo: JPI
After Gwen exits for the plane, out comes Brady (Eric Martsolf) entering the terminal calling for Theresa who is trailing behind him. Next, Theresa shows up in the form of O’Brien sporting a blonde wig.
The entire ‘blonde wig’ situation has been a whole story on to itself. Lilley shared she had volunteered to dye her hair before returning to the soap, but was told that wasn’t necessary. However, when O’Brien showed up as Theresa she was wearing a blonde wig. Go figure!
So, after seeing the end of today’s episode, are you intrigued to see O’Brien’s take on Theresa Donovan? Happy or sad to see Gwen exit the canvas? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
I loved it Emily is a fabulous actress and doesn’t act like shes a daytime born again nut/Meryl Streep. Right on Emily!!!!
I loved it
Surprises are always great, I’m just hoping she’ll be back as Gwen
Not a fan of the first 5 min of O’Brian cast as Teresa. I like the other one much better, but this is who we have now. Gwen was kind of running out of story li es so I’m sure she will be back someday. Just like Vivian
On the other horn, it looked as though Gwen & Vivian got on the same plane… which would make sense, as the Alamains & Von Leuschners came from the same fictional place in Europe. But if those two have to sit together on the plane, it will probably crash over the Atlantic… and then I’ll be stuck with both of them in Hell at the same time!
I hate the recast. I have watch since the soap started and this is the worst casing. After 60 years days has finally screwed up royalty.
No one could replace Lilley. She will always be the true Theresa in my books.
No a fan of O’Brians acting
I agree with Cindy and Lorraine this was a stupid move she won’t be able to do this Gwen is gwen and Teresa is Teresa and Jen lilly is the onlyTheresa that can play that part
Agree. Another stupid move by producers. Time to quit watching.
Me either this is disapointing at the least. I thought we were rid of her overacting as Gwen.
I am on board with the recast! Loved the whiplash changeover!
I think that O’Brien is a great, appealing actress. I have thoroughly
enjoyed her as Gwen and hope for the character’s eventual return.
Theresa is a fun character. Let’s see what O’Brien does with her…
Uughh let’s see
Good riddance Gwen!. I never liked the Theresa character so im not looking forward to this switcheroo.
I don’t like this. We will see
I wished that Jen Lilley would of stayed on days as Teresa
Me too. She was the original. Also I heard a hint of O’Brien’s accent when she became Theresa. If this continues then it will be absolutely awful.
That is her real voice. O’Brien is British (in terms of nationality) but speaks with an American-Southern California accent in real life, and has since about 10 years old. You can find clips from interviews at the Emmys on YouTube. She simply reverts to the British accent she had as a child in England to play Jana and Gwen, but like Portia DiRossi (who lost her Aussie accent after several years in the USA) and Mel Gibson (who picked up an Aussie accent at 10 when he moved there and reverted back to his childhood American accent as an adult after moving back to the US permanently) her second accent is her day to day one.
I’m gonna miss Gwen I loved her character ! Gwen an Leo were always entertaining
I’ve always liked the original Thereesa
I hope she’s able to take on the role
Will miss Gwen don’t think she can pull off a Teresa
She won’t fit and tired of her acting
I’m not enjoying the recast. I’m also not enjoying the aged Tate. There’s too much arguing. I don’t like it.
I think its so silly. That blonde wig looks ridiculous.
The way that they did the recast in the episode was one part clever and one part absurd. A credit to Emily, I already don’t see her as Gwen in the role, though like most recasts, it will take a bit before I see her as Teresa.
I love days but do not understand all the recasting of existing actors and actress in different rolls in the show its way to confusing its hard enough to get used to new actors but to try to dissociate the old player and put them in a new roll like Ben to Alex and Gwinn to Theresa
Sad the writers have got to stop this !hasn’t been this bad since the devil was on the show that was the worst !
Hey, at least when I was on the show, I didn’t disappear suddenly and then reappear as an angel 30 seconds later!
Hate the change. Sometimes the accent showed up. I was so excited with Jen Lilley showed up. Really missed her even watched hallmark movies to see her. This change is terrible
She is terrible at being teresa
Hate Hate Hate the whole role switch never cared for Gwen as an actress! They did Jenn Lilly wrong.
I think it is stupid that Emily switched from Gwen to Teresa. I have been a days fan for 50 years and some of the things they do never surprises me.
Don’t care for it at all is stupid.
I think it is ” STUPID” that Emily switched from Gwen to Teresa. I have been a days fan for years and some of the things they do never surprises me. SMH as if there is no others actress????
JUST PLAIN DUMB!!!!
Probably not the best move. Gwen should have gone in search of Dr Rolf and Dimitri’s mother…returned with Dr Rolf and Rolf’s secrets to create a competitive company for Titan and DiMera… Tait should have come in on his own and just left Theresa back where she came from
Worst move to date for Days. Ben to Alex was bad enough but this is a terrible idea.
I think it’s bizarre to cast the same actress as a different character in the same show. But even more bizarre that it was immediately! Very strange…
I think it is a terrible idea a terrible look
Days Of Our Lives
Netflix Canada to Stream Past Episodes of ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’

Canadian soap opera fans, this October looks to be bringing you classic American television show favorites via Netflix. The streamer has reportedly licensed a large slate of iconic favorites including Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
Beginning the week of October 26 via Netflix Canada (hopefully, soon in other regions too), the streamer will post previously aired catalogue episodes of both iconic series. No word yet from where they may be starting from, although many of the other series in the retro line-up are from the 80s and 90s.
Meanwhile, all-new episodes of Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless will continue to be available and shown via Corus Entertainment Canada.
This week also marks the beginning of Y&R’s season 54 which officially begins on Thursday, October 8! And come November 11, new material from the head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor make their debut. The series debuted on March 26, 1973.
Peacock’s Days of our Lives is entering into their 62 season. The soap was officially renewed back in July of 2025 through its sixty-third season, which runs during the 2027–2028 television and streaming season. DAYS tapes ten months in advance of dropping new daily episodes of the drama in Salem. The series debuted back on November 8, 1965,
Before DAYS and Y&R drop on Netflix Canada, none other than ABC’s Dynasty comes your way with all nine seasons beginning on October 12 along with full seasons of Bewitched, Charlie’s Angels, The Facts of Life, The Love Boat, and The Twilight Zone.
Previously, Netflix Canada added Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman featuring One Life to Live favorite, Joe Lando (ex-Jake Harrison) and Diagnosis Murder, which featured Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla, The Young and the Restless).
So, looking forward to finding out what years Canadian fans will get of Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless when its served up later this month on Netflix Canada? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Breaking News
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62

Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.
According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route. Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.
Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.

Photo: NBC
Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.
As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.
Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.

Photo: ABC
Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.
Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.

Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.
Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”
The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”
Besides his role in the soaps, Kelker-Kelly appeared on primetime on Touched by an Angel and Rescue 77 , and played Bo in the Days of our Lives specials Night Sins and Winter Heat in the early 90s.
Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.
Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?

Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.

Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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