Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Poll: What Did You Think Of Stacy Haiduk’s Debut As Kristen And Susan?
Last week on Days of our Lives brought with it the return of Susan Banks and Kristen DiMera, this time played by former The Young and the Restless favorite, Stacy Haiduk (Ex-Patty Williams).
As DAYS viewers know, the roles were made soap-famous by two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Eileen Davidson. With Eileen busy on Y&R in her role of Ashley, Stacy stepped into the wacky and evil roles delivering her take on the characters; while maintaining the inflections, mannerisms, and motivations of these two very different women.
Earlier this week, Davidson posted her congrats to Stacy on Twitter, stating: “Big congratulations to @StaceHaiduk debuting as Kristen/Susan on @nbcdays this week!!! Stacey is a fantastic actress and I’m sure she will SLAY!”
Stacy returned the compliments to Eileen tweeting: “Thank you, Eileen, you’re amazing! This means SO much coming from You!! I am super excited and very grateful for this opportunity to be a part of @nbcdays. LOVE & LIGHT to You and All!! XOXO”
Any actor will tell you; taking over a part from someone who is so identifiable with the character is not an easy thing to do, but Haiduk has been more than up to the task, as viewers went a long for the ride as Kristen revealed herself and her ultimate plan at John and Marlena’s wedding on Friday’s episode, and there is more yet to come!
So, what were your first impressions of Stacy as Susan and Kristen? Take our latest DAYS poll, vote, and let us know below. Then share in the comment section if you enjoyed Stacy’s work as much as we did!
I knew Stacy could play crazy cause she was brilliant as Patty Williams. Introducing her as Susan(although I knew she was Kristian) was perfect because it made it easier to accept her as Kristian when she lost the prop teeth. Great writing and casting, Days!
Yes, Karen, agreed. I knew it had to be Kristin, as well…..Susan is locked up.
As I said on the other site, I suspected neither Kristin nor Susan….I believed it had been Hattie to have sent the doll.
But, when you mentioned Kristin, I saw the light….of course!! LOL.
Yet, I was sure it was not Susan but Kristin when we actually saw her.
So, you were right about Kristin…..makes sense since her body was never found.
I liked her better when she was playing Kristen as Kristen! She was completely convincing as Kristen… but not so much as Susan to me!
Oh Stacy was awesome as Susan and Kristen! The show needs these characters and Stacy is doing her thang! I’m so glad she’s on Days, a much needed shot in the arm for the show.
Loved her as Kristen! Didn’t love her as Susan… but was she Susan? I think she did Kristen justice!
When Stacy Haiduk was still part of Y&R, I never responded positively to her work. In theory, Patty is a character I would like, but Stacy never really convinced me with her acting that I should invest emotionally in her character. I always felt like I needed more nuance, humanity, and subtext from her work to engage with it in a meaningful way.
Characters like Kristen and Susan require an actor who can bridge dark and light, hard and soft, and eccentric and conventional; these characters need an actor who can manipulate and challenge the viewers’ expectations, draw the audience in without revealing too quickly character’s true intentions or making the character too easy to understand. In other words? These characters need Eileen Davidson — desperately. They need her acting talents, her rich history with Days, and her uncanny ability to generate chemistry with her fellow actors. Stacy’s attempts to portray these characters only made me surer than ever that Eileen is the only person who can and should bring these characters to life. I hope there is a plot twist coming where we learn Stacy is playing a different character who is impersonating Susan/Kristen. This show needs more villains anyway; Stacy as someone who has little concern about trifling with Kristen could be interesting.
“I hope there is a plot twist coming where we learn Stacy is playing a different character who is impersonating Susan/Kristen.” That’s what I’m hoping, too. As far as I’m concerned, if they couldn’t get Eileen, they should have not done the storyline. Some characters are iconic & no other actor should play them – Kristen/Susan are on that list, along with Marlena & Sami.
Well since Eileen Davidson is leaving Y&R maybe she would be willing to come back to Days as Kristen.As for Stacy Haiduk, Days could keep her around as Susan because Eileen Davidson may not want to play a dual role again since it might be too tiring for her.
I agree. Stacy just comes off as a crazy Kristen, whereas when Eileen plays her, there is a vulnerability and you feel bad for Kristen, which makes her a more well rounded character. As far as her Susan, she was just annoying. I LOVED LOVED LOVED Eileen as Susan, with Stacy I want to FF.
I found myself reading my email during her scenes today. She’s especially irritating as Susan, who I always really enjoyed. I’d be more than willing to chip in on one-way tickets out of Salem for both of them. LOL
Yes, yes!! You said it, Adam. If truth be told, I ‘ve always loved Susan more than Kristin…..Eileen’s version, though.
I really like Stacy, but it’s not the same…..I can’t feel Susan….Not once did I hear, ” you’re mean, mean, mean”…. oh, how I miss the ‘real’ Susan!!
Totally Agree!’ Stacy doesn’t have the talent to pull off playing Kristen Dimera.. she’s not believable!! Hope days brings Eileen back or kills Stacy hadiuk contract soon!
Agreed! Eileen made Kristen beautiful and believable. There’s no way Brady would be attracted to the skeletal mess that is now “Kristen”!
Eileen who?
I’ve seen her on Y&R and a couple of other things – great actress! I thought she did a great job with the character of Susan, but Eileen Davidson should have been there for the Kristen part. If they could have worked that out, that would have been awesome! Ms. Haiduk did what she could with the Kristen character, but Ms. Eileen left some big shoes to fill. The character had major interactions with so many main characters – should have been Ms. Eileen. I was a little let down.
Great to see the actresses Eileen and Stacy giving each other such love on social media!
I have always loved Stacy as Patti Williams, and I liked her debut as Susan/Kristen. I feel she will make these characters her own, as time goes on, especially if all the spoilers are right, in her relentless goal to get whatever she really wants, this time. I also like the fact that Stacy is doing this role, her own way, which is more acceptable than just doing an imitation of Eileen. She’s just gotten her feet wet, so hope everyone will be supportive as she really gets her teeth into this part.
As Susan, I didn’t think the teeth were bad enough and the accent was a little different, but she did okay. I was happy to have Susan back. I think she was better as Kristen.
Stacy Haiduk is a lovely woman and wonderful talent. She’s a keeper. Just don’t go all creepy weird long term. I think Y&R handled writing the Patty Williams character poorly, doing a disservice to mental illness. Miss Haiduk made it work. Good for DAYS to have her!
Well we know from Y&R that Stacey can do crazy. I really liked her as Kristen, apart from her noise you could hardly tell it was a different actress in the role. My Mother didn’t know. But we have yet to see if she can pull of Kristen’s unbridled sex appeal. Eileen had chemistry with John, Brady Daniel and Eric, time will tell if Stacey will have that.
Second sentance should read I really liked her as Susan.
Always an Eileen Davidson fan
Never liked any of the DUAL ROLES OF CARLIVATI!!!!!!! STAND BY THAT. WISH WE HAD STEPHEN INSTEAD OF THIS CRAP. IM CANCELLING THIS PROGRAM ITS NOT DAYS ANY MORE ITS CARLIVATI’S FOLLIES STARING HIS OLD FRIENDS INSTEAD OF LOVED DAYS CHARACTERS. SHERRY ANDERSON BETRAYED US ALL.
To my surprise Stacy is wonderful as Susan and Kristen, I love her. To be honest I never thought anyone could play the part other then Eileen .Boy was I ever wrong. To be honest I actually like Stacy better. She plays her part to perfection. Great job of casting Days.
Too over the top for me. She was better as Susan but I didn’t care for her Kristen. I thought she was overacting the part.
She was hilarious. I loved it when those teeth flew across the room !
so funny!
STACY HAIDUK KILLED!!! She is so fascinating to watch and her performances are absolutely VISCERAL! She is the ONLY reason I decided to tune back in to DAYS after a several decade hiatus. What a casting coup the creators have with her in this role! Brava, Stacy!!!
NO ONE CAN REPLACE EILEEN IN THAT ROLL. STACY APPEARED TO MATURE FOR BRADY LOVE INTEREST…FOR THT MATTER SO DOES EVE…RATHER SEE HIM WITH TERESA.
I don’t like Stacy’s portrayal as Kristin Dimera . Need Eileen back !
I really didnt like the new Susan at first but it didn’t take to long for me to get to like Stacy ,she is doing a great job of Susan and Kristen. Love her.Susan even made me laugh the other day and I certainly could use a good laugh,thanks Stacy
Sorry, but this Kristen/Susan just doesn’t compare to the original one. No offense intended, but I just can’t tolerate this replacement.
That recast was the biggest mistake ever made in daytime history the role of question can only be played by one person and that is Eileen Davidson
Days is getting worse = so tired of the dead coming alive = Susan and Kristen roles
are beyond stupid. get rid of Ted and Zander – I can’t understand them with their
accents = Sarah is a terrible actress – tired of looking at Eric and his
sad faces –
Really, Miriam? The “our” in ‘Days of our Lives’ represents inclusivity. We all have a right to be included. Care to exclude blacks, gay, the poor, disabled and comedians?
I want my soap to be all inclusive, accents and all.
I think Stacy is a wonderful actress.She has jumped into these roles so well& is so believable.
I can not stand her playing Kristen. She is a witch. It’s ridiculous! It’s making Days of Our Lives awful!!!
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.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: After Carter Blurts Out That ‘Implantation and Fertilization’ Has Begun to Daphne; Will Steffy Put the Brakes on His Scheme?
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: After Carter Blurts Out That ‘Implantation and Fertilization’ Has Begun to Daphne; Will Steffy Put the Brakes on His Scheme?
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
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