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
Now that this year’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Nominations have been announced, several of the acting nominees will share their reactions and more to learning they are going for gold when the ceremony rolls around on October 30.
However, tonight on Tuesday July 14 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT, Michael Fairman once again host his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations special live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Scheduled to appear thus far are: Beyond the Gates stars, Lead Actress nominee: Karla Mosley (Dani), Supporting Actress nominee: Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie), and Supporting Actor nominees: Mike Manning (Smitty) and Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill).
From The Young and the Restless: Lead Actress nominee Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Lead Actor nominee Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Supporting Actress nominee Camryn Grimes (Mariah) and Supporting Actor nominee Sean Dominic (Nate).
In addition look for General Hospital’s Supporting Actress nominee Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), from Days of Our Lives, Outstanding Guest Performer nominee, Christopher Sean (Paul) and from The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Actor nominee Scott Clifton (Liam) and Supporting Actor nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) plus more featured guests.
So, what did you think of this year’s Emmy nominations for Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless?
Be with us in the live chat with your questions and comments on this year’s nominations and for our special guests.
For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams, special event coverage and more, make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, looking forward to tonight’s special show with the nominees? Let us know via the comment section below and if you can’t be with us live, if you have any questions you want posed to our special guests and we just might ask during the broadcast.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 15
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 15, respectively.
General Hospital was next with 13 overall nominations, followed by Days of our Lives with 8 and The Bold and the Beautiful with 7 nods. The full reveal on Tuesday, follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony are set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California. The ceremony is currently planned to stream via watch.theemmys.tv and its associated apps. For the second year in a row, both the main Emmys and the Creative Arts will be presented together in one night.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories. Congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Photo: ABC
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Photo: ABC
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Photo: CBS
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Photo: ABC
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Photo: WBTV
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Photo: CBS
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
Outstanding Costume Design / Styling for a Daytime Program
The Jennifer Hudson Show, Episode 4140
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Young and the Restless Episode 13149
The Young and the Restless Episode 13273
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Live Daytime Program
The Bold and the Beautiful, Episode 9658
The Jennifer Hudson Show Episode 4039
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5007
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13260
Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates Episode 104
General Hospital Episode 15624
The Jennifer Hudson Show Episode 4010
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 6169
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for a Daytime Program
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Live with Kelly and Mark Episode 250414
The View Episode 6280
The Young and the Restless Episode 13145
The Young and the Restless Episode 13244
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Grady Eldridge Makes His ‘General Hospital’ Debut as Music Executive Simon
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Tells Danny: ‘The Place They Were Holding Me Was Bad, Really Bad’
WWE and ReelShort to Partner for Original Live-Action Microdrama Series
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 15
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
-
As The World Turns3 days agoScott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
-
Breaking News5 days agoRandolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
-
Beyond the Gates7 days ago‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
-
General Hospital5 days agoSteve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
-
Beyond the Gates3 days ago‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
-
General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson Ties the Knot with Alicia Ruelas
-
Beyond the Gates1 day ago53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 15
-
General Hospital1 week agoKelly Kruger Set to Debut on ‘General Hospital’: Why Serena Baldwin Comes Back to Port Charles Revealed
