Days Of Our Lives
Susan Seaforth Hayes Recalls ‘Days of our Lives’ First Decade from 1965-1975: The Fashion, The Hair, and Bill Hayes Debut
Days of our Lives is marking their 60th anniversary with a walk down memory of six decades of the iconic soap opera that first premiered on NBC back on November 8, 1965, before transitioning to streamer Peacock in the fall of 2022.
To kick things off, who better than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) to recall the times of the 60s into the 70s via the official DAYS Instagram account. Susan began her legendary journey in Salem back in 1968 being the fourth actress to play the role and the one that stuck! In fact, Susan is the only current cast member to have appeared on DAYS in all six decades.
The Days of our Lives post featuring Susan shared, “It all began in 1965. Starting today, for the next six weeks, we’re honoring six decades of Days of our Lives. Go back in time with us from 1965 to the present day as we count down to the 60th Anniversary on November 8. Today, Susan Seaforth Hayes remembers the first decade that started it all. ⏳”
Photo: NBC
Speaking in the video, Seaforth Hayes discussed the wardrobe of the characters back in the 60s and how the arrival of Bill Hayes in 1970, was different than the other male characters at that time on the soap.
Photo: NBC
Susan began, “I think of these shows (soaps) as representing the culture of the time. The sixties were turbulent, and our people were phasing out, suits and ties. When my husband, Bill Hayes (ex-Doug Williams) came on the show, he was a new character who was not a good guy. Of course, he became a good guy over the other decades. But in that decade, he decided, ‘Alright, all the men on this show are in suits and ties.’ He came in with a mod wardrobe. In those days, you sometimes supplied much of your own wardrobe, and he did. He looked different. He was different. The times were different. Bill kind of represented that new look. What else he represented? I hesitate to tell you because it’s too good.”
As for the women of DAYS and their wardrobe, hair and make-up, Susan recalled, “In those days, we all were wearing false eyelashes. Many of us were wearing a lot of false hair. I was trying to replace a girl who had dark hair. So I darkened my hair; had a lot of false hair.”
Photo: Time/NBC
Reflecting on how she was as a young actress on DAYS, Susan expressed, “Personally, I was insecure. At the end of every day’s work, I would hang in the doorway of my dressing room waiting for the producers or the directors to go by and say, ‘Is it okay?” It was hard in the seventies, our show was on the cover of Time Magazine. It was a big deal, and our cover turned out to be of all the 16 soap operas on the airing competition with each other. Our had the hottest storyline, and Billy, my husband and myself, represented the hottest storyline on our show. We got to be on the cover, but the title of this of the article, Sex and Suffering in the Afternoon, you don’t think of these shows as representing the culture of the time, but they do.”
Watch Susan Seaforth Hayes speak on the first decade-plus of Days of our Lives below. If you are a longtime fan of DAYS, what do you recall of the soap at that time and how it reflected the time we lived in? Share your thoughts below and if you are excited for DAYS upcoming 60th anniversary celebration via the comment section.
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The golden era of DAYS. I believe Bill Bell was the head writer then.
I started watching Days in earnest circa 1975. Before that my mother was a fan and I caught glimpses of episodes . I remember she loved the Julie/David/Susan triangle and the swing death of baby Dickie. I remember asking her to recount that storyline for me. I started watching steadily the summer of 1975. I remember Julie hating David’s girlfriend Brooke Hamilton. I believe Julie was married to Bob Anderson back then. I was hooked and read the recaps in SOD when I was in school.
1975-1985 was a great period also.
I began watching Days while in the 6th grade back in May 1967, At that time, the storyline featured the amazing Denise Alexander and the death of Dickie storyline.
When Susan Seaforth arrived, it was enjoyable to watch Julie and Susan feud like during the Banning custody case. I remember my mom telling my aunt she wanted to kick in the television after the verdict was called.
And let’s not forget, Susan initially introduced Doug to Julie.
I’m retired now. And before the passing of both Denise Alexander and Bill Hayes, I often would wonder what would happen if these three iconic stars and their characters would reunite in Salem some 50 years later.
Days Of Our Lives
Sheri Anderson, 3-Time Emmy Winner and Former Co-Head Writer of ‘Days of Our Lives’ to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
Sheri Anderson, the three-time Emmy-winning soap opera writer is set to be the special guest on Thursday, June 11 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm ET for a livestream chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
The veteran soap opera writer has previously been the co-head writer at Days of Our Lives along with an impressive list of writing credits and tenures at: General Hospital, Santa Barbara, Guiding Light, Another World and primetime’s Falcon Crest.
Throughout her decades long career, Sheri has been involved in every aspect of the writing process including long-term storyline, daily episode breakdowns, dialogue writing and editing and more. She is widely recognized as one of the creative forces behind the high romance era of soap opera super couples in the 1980s.
Photo: JPI
ARE SOAP MORE RELEVANT IN 2026?
With the daytime soaps being mentioned in the mainstream of late, including a recent New York Times essay, Ryan Gosling’s high praise of Days of Our Lives icon Deidre Hall (Marlena), Late night host, John Oliver asking to be cast on a soap after doing a bit on his show, it seems daytime drama may be culturally relevant again, or is it really?
During the chat not only will we get Sheri’s takes on all the series she wrote for, but also ask, “Why soaps? Why now?” Why are audiences rediscovering/missing emotionally-connected storytelling? What did our genre provide viewers emotionally? And what has current programming gained technically but lost emotionally?
Join us with your comments and questions for Sheri in the live chat, as we talk the pros and cons of today’s daytime soap opera and daytime television landscape and delve into Sheri’s soap writing history and the characters she created or had a penchant for and learn about her new endeavors and outside projects.
Photos: JPI
If you are unable to make it to the live chat, but have a question or comment for Sheri that you would like us to ask on the broadcast, please drop it in the comment section below and we just might pose it on-air.
For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams and special event coverage, make sure to subscribe to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, did you enjoy Sheri’s writing for Days of Our Lives and the other soaps she’s credited for? What do you think of the current state of the soap opera? Healthier than its been in awhile? Costing along? Relevant or not socially relevant in mainstream culture in 2026? Weigh-in and share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Elia Cantu, who has played Jada Hunter, the daughter of Marcus Hunter, played by the late Richard Biggs from 1987-1992, has confirmed that she wrapped run her run on Peacock’s Days of Our Lives.
Cantu first arrived back in Salem in 2022 and a few months back was moved to recurring status with the long-running soap opera along with Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez).
Now, Cantu took to her Instagram on Wednesday, June 10 to share the news of her departure and some heartfelt goodbyes. As DAYS fans know, because the series tapes ten months ahead of dropping new episodes, Cantu will be seen well into 2027.
Photo: JPI
A BITTERSWEET GOODBYE
Along with the following heartfelt words, Elia also taped a “final bow” to punctuate her time on the beloved soap opera. She wrote, “As I say goodbye to Days of Our Lives, I’m excited and looking forward to the next chapter. Leaving DAYS is bittersweet, but I step away full of gratitude and joy for what’s ahead.”
Speaking on playing the daughter of legacy character, such as Marcus Hunter, Cantu added, “Its been an honor. She is bold, layered, and I’ll forever cherish bringing her to life. She remains a staple in Salem and I’ll carry everything she taught me as I go. Jada, you will always be my girl.”
As she concluded her message, Elia gave a major shoutout to everyone at Days of Our Lives and most importantly the fans. “To the cast and crew — Thank you for your hard work and long hours,” Cantu shared. “What a journey it has been. To the DAYS fans — Thank you. You are incredibly supportive, caring, and dedicated. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. There’s more to come, and I hope you’ll come along with me for what’s next.”
Recently in story, DAYS had been building the on-again off-again romance between Jada and Shawn Brady (played by Brandon Beemer). No word yet how the series plans to write-off Jada, which we will not see revealed until next year.
You can check out Elia’s touching post below as she wraps her run at Days of Our Lives.
Now let us know, will you miss seeing Jada Hunter on you screens? Did you enjoy the performances of Elia Cantu? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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Beyond the Gates
2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration
The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.
This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.
In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.
Photo: JPI
WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?
The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.
Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.
Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:
Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series
Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones
The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III
Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz
General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen
The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann
So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.
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