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DAYS Rob Scott Wilson and Kate Mansi Deliver Star Turns As Abigail Confronts A Psychotic Ben!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/NBC

Courtesy/NBC

In impressive performances on Tuesday’s Days of our Lives, Rob Scott Wilson (Ben) and Kate Mansi (Abigail) continued their deeply-affecting and riveting story arc, which now has reached one very climatic ending.  But, is it really over?

Nectkie serial killer Ben, who has been arrested and brought into the Salem PD, has now had a break from reality and is in the interrogation room reliving his childhood memories of being beaten with a belt by his father, while longing for his mother.  Ben at this point is so far gone, but Abby needs to reach out to him to get him to spill the beans to where he took baby Colin!

Abby is frantic, while trying to maintain her composure while she faces the man that held her captive, attempted to set fire to her and Chad (Billy Flynn), and killed four innocent people, because of his jealousy of Abby’s relationship with Chad!  Abby goes into the interrogation room and in a riveting face-off gets Ben to admit he left their baby in a motel.

Courtesy/NBC

At the end of the episode, viewers find Ben locked up in a prison cell for his crimes and seeingly delusional.  This is juxtaposed with Abby being reunited with her baby boy, thanks to Chad and her brother JJ (Casey Moss), who she meets up with at the hospital.

In scene after scene on Tuesday’s episode, Rob Scott Wilson owned every second of Ben’s troubled inner life and turmoil, while Kate Mansi conveyed a woman who has been through such harrowing experiences, and now carries with her guilt that she was a major cause of the serial murders, and of a mother desperate to be reunited with her newborn child.

What did you think of the performances of Rob Scott Wilson and Kate Mansi?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Ben looks like Tony Perkins in Psycho when they showed him in that jail scene just staring creepily out at the audience just like the last scene with Norman Bates…both actors who played Ben and Abigail began as so-so actors but have improved greatly these last few months-so good they both deserve emmy nods next year!

When Andre and Belle were standing in front of that shop the name Hourglass and the symble of a hourglass appears on the door…i wonder now if Andre will torment Belle over the years the way Staphano had done with Marlena?

Yes, totally. Especially Rob Scott Wilson. He is TRULY a soap gem! Who knew. I wasn’t a fan of his when he took over the role of Ben Weston, but with brilliant material, Rob has totally shined & owned this role. He is so fascinating and compelling to watch. We WILL see him further his acting career post-Days.
I expect to see his name in the nominations for either Best Supporting or Younger Actor, come spring.

I felt the same too about him…what an emmy worthy performance!

You got that right, Jimmy! I was expecting a fly to land on Ben’s hand…”They’ll see, they’ll know and they’ll say…Why, she wouldn’t even harm a fly.” LOL!

Most of the acting has been top notch with the whole cast!

I also loved the location scenes with Hope and the Dr! It wasn’t your typical lush location shoot, but it fit the story. I read many more location shoots are on their way!

That i liked too…i didnt expect a location scene..thats 100% improvement over that fake park that looks like a leftover set from the Brady Bunch …tv series, not Salems Brady clan…lol

I can agree with what was said—these actors really took me to a new level and I was so taken with the whole story. It has been a while since I was blown away like that.

This goes to show you writing is everything on soaps. If you give actors meaty material they will deliver. Under the old regime the writing was so dull and I think most of the actors were really bored. With the writing change everyone seems to be energized. RSW has been great but, its always easier to play a villian IMO. What Kate’s done with her character having to walk the line of being in fear, worrying about your child, having to keep everything inside about how she really feels about Ben has been incredible. As far as I’m concerned RSW, BF, KM are the best 20 something actors on all four soaps.

ITA, DAYS has undergone a transformation with the new writing. Bringing back past beloved characters helps, but they need to have a compelling storyline or it falls flat. These writers have leaned a little too heavily on violence (did Hope have to get strangled AGAIN this week, so soon after Aiden?!) but they also have MUCH more romance than the other writers did. Chad and Abby are getting back to the old Supercouple formula. Having Patch & Kayla back and having them flirt with each other is just magic. Showing the younger generation how it’s done.

Amen! “Writing is everything!”

The evolving talent of Robert Scott Wilson is beyond mesmerizing. When he started on Days he was plastic. He was Mr Gorgeous with ZERO talent or acting ability. In fact he was beyond terrible. Then after a few months in the role he started to show some small grains of ability. He took the over the top writing and managed to contain it with slow, casual nuances that led to the slow boil of talent that came into play towards the end. The first time I was blown away was when Ben confessed to his father, Clyde, what he had done. It was so subtle that it drained the life out of me watching him tell what he had done and then watching his father’s horror receiving this news. Clyde was an evil man but he loved that boy and to see that his evil had been passed on almost killed Clyde on the spot. Then we watched as Ben melted away. He became possessive and jealous. He became angry and irrational and then he just became downright psychotic. His full blossom moment was when he beat the crap out of Chad (Billy Flynn). That moment was Robert Scott Wilson at his finest. He was completely believable doing what he was doing. He had everyone on the edge of their seats when he killed Will Horton but the fight scene with Chad was beyond gripping. And then when he completely lost grip with reality by kidnapping Abbi was the payoff for months of solid work. The scene in the interrogation room with Abbi (Kate Mansi) was stunning. It was not over the top. It was not overacted and Ben portrayed the crux of what pushed him over the edge. His jail room scene reminded just about everyone of Tony Perkins as Norman Bates from Psycho. The blanket and the eyes were the tools that utilized the shout out to Psycho. I truly believe that Robert Scott Wilson is Emmy worthy for this portrayal. He hit every mark. He was beyond great. Spectacular in fact. The writing was sub par but he was able to overcome that handicap and make it believable. Now that DAYS has wrapped up this story they will be hard pressed to find another story as engaging. Hope going all Rambo is pathetic defined. The Kayla Patch Ava story is just stupid and if I see Chase and Ciara in one more seen I will market it as a sleep aid. Let’s see then we have Caroline and her visions. Can someone lock her away in an institution already. Get back to the kitchen quickly. Marlena and John chasing his family history when they should be chasing the trail of the missing Social Security checks. This show is going to tank very soon. There is nothing worth caring about now.

LoL you’re so funny but I agree – the Ben and Abby storyline has been really interesting to watch….unfortunately it is being drawn to a conclusion.
I too can’t stand Ciara and Chase and to be honest, Caroline and her geriatric delusions are about as interesting as a cup of ovaltine.
I also think that Kayla and Patch are (to me) just not that compelling to watch, albeit they are competent actors.
Watching Marlena and John do a scene is the emotional equivalent to watching
paint dry.
With the gay characters off the canvas (which is what drew my attention to begin with about two years ago) and Abigail’s peril being over, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be tuning in for – I hope that they develop some new storylines that build to something substantial now…..and I really don’t mean Theresa and Brady, I mean, that’s kind of played out.

I watched today’s episode and the ONLY thought I had was, maybe it’s time to give up DAYS. They had nothing I cared about. The Sami/Belle/Andre terror story is ridiculous because I don’t give a crap about it. Abbi is now home and the name she gave the child was so beyond pathetic. I get family history and all but enough is enough. Next thing you know they are going to bring back Tom Horton in a Natalie Cole/Nat King Cole style video. I get it, the characters have history but part of history is making new history.

I also thought the actors in the Ben/Abs story did a great job. Given that Kate was wearing a lumpy pillow one day for a baby bump, she did make her pregnancy believable. However, I’d rather she carry around a load of bread than they continue to show this 20 lb baby that is supposed to be severely premature.

I like your comments as I also think Days is headed back into boring territory. Plus they still have character overload; they’ve got to make some cuts. Hopefully starting with the kids. I think Ciara has aired every day since she first reappeared. I need a break from her and her voice.

Ciara is going to bang Chase and then get pregnant. YAWN. She is so boring now, do I really have to deal with her whiny yawn inducing character while she is knocked up. For nine months no less. And regarding the watermelon sized baby that Abbi had. You’re so right. Next time we see that kid he will be 18 hanging out with Ciara, Chase and Theo. I am seriously questioning my loyalty to DAYS

I agree with all your comments, Paul, Tim and Mateo. I was surprised at how engaging this story line actually became. Ben, Chad and Abby were all great but the cabin story line did go on a bit long. Especially since they kept talking about taking the premie to the hospital when that baby was huge! Talk about suspension of disbelief.
Ciara and Chase are beyond boring, Patch and Kayla could drive interesting story line but I haven’t seen it yet. Except for their top notch acting during the Bo death scenes. They broke my heart.
John and Marlena are a snooze fest, Brady just looks like an idiot for being with Theresa after everything she has done, Andre looks and acts like a cartoon villain and is not scary at all. Belle cheated again….whoopee.

I tuned in again because they brought back Bo and got hooked on Ben/Abby/Chad story line. But now that Bo is dead and Hope gets her revenge so that Bo will no longer appear as her conscience; and this story line is wrapping up, I can’t imagine what will keep me tuned in….

I agree. What amazing acting. Definitely Oscars worthy. I agree too that this show lost its appeal years ago and some have earned their place as actors. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is all leading to the shows cancellation within 2 years. Abby naming her baby boy after the patriarch of the Horton family and the patriarch of Abby immediate family could be the beginning of the finale. A tribute in the midst of the chaos and loss.

Rob has improved greatly in his acting. I guess all it took was a story.

This has been a good story line for DAYS. Violent, I know, but the actors have been compelling to watch. And the actions of this character have been catalysts for others, now and in the future. I like DAYS best of the four on broadcast TV now. And I hope the level of writing and acting and productions continues into 2016.

I was completely mesmerized and blown away by the acting in these scenes!! Supported by great writing, these two actors were allowed to soar and shine! Kate Mansi has truly come into her own and joined the ranks of legacy Horton heroines like Hope and Jen. She deserves an Emmy next year! You could almost smell her fear throughout the kidnapping ordeal, but she always kept some semblance of strength, and kept some of her wits about her and never quite seemed defeated. When she saw her baby again, it was as if all was right with the world. And Rob was phenomenal! I knew he had charisma and potential when he joined the AMC reboot, and did a fine job with the material he was handed there, even though it was not that challenging. When he reverted to young Ben, he was clueless and confused, and even though he killed 4 people, I felt sympathy for him. He is just playing the hell out of every beat as more of Ben’s madness and motivation are revealed. Bravo to these two young actors!! Soaps have a hard time these days investing in a younger set with future potential, but these two (with Billy Flynn) definitely have IT!!

So true!

Spectacular performances by both. Robert held the floor….the air charged with suspense. He was the best psychopath I have seen on screen in a very, very long time. The subdued, shy, almost introverted young man, that was Ben, emerged into a demon, fire in his eyes with a commanding presence. What an up and coming, hold-my-breath performance. If this guy does not win an Emmy, then, something’s rotten in Salem.
I have already sung my praises of Kate. I am speechless, for once. This girl started as an obscure, little character, as she timidly walked on the Days’ stage, yet, blossomed into a butterfly with colorfully spread wings galore. More power to you, guys. And, Ben…GOOD LUCK.

PS. It is now time for Abbi to find out Chad is the father. It should not be that difficult to write it into the plot. The baby is a premie; he develops somekind of ailment. He has a rare blood-type….enter, Chad. Lo and behold and oh, so coincidentally, Chad carries the same type. Voila.

Yes, Chad has to be the father!

I mean Robert, good luck. Lol, sorry!

Very astute analysis, CeeCee! You are right on the mark! It was great acting all around, portraying characters that were originally far from my favorites. Rob Scott Wilson does deserve an Emmy!

Emmy for Robert Scott! Very talented young man and I wish him a bright future!! Of course I hope he can make a return visit to Days too; sorry that his character has to go bye bye. Props to Kate Mansi also for a job well done. Abigail usually grates on my nerves but Kate has stepped up to the plate with this story. Well done!

Robert Scott Wilson has become a scene stealer. Billy Flynn and Rob can completely interrupt my day when they are in a scene together. Kate Mansi has finally become more than a prop for others around her. Yes, Rob has been on television, some movie roles, but was known as a model until his last six months on DAYS. This should launch his Hollywood career . He also has a chiseled face which the camera lens loves.

Seriously if Rob isn’t nominated for an Emmy, I’m going to be so mad. I can’t think of another supporting male who deserve it more. Not one.

I so agree. Amazing !!! One of my favorites.

I myself was not so impressed when he showed up as the new Ben but as time went by I got use to him,needless to say the scenes with the baby creeped me out I was so afraid he may hurt him .Actually the whole ordeal scared me but that is what it was suppose to do,well he did an excellent job of doing that,now question is who was he actually seeing when he was committing these murders?HIs dad ,mom who. I mean he still thinks his mother is alive. He certainly had the eyes to scare you,I have seen many a horror movie and Days did an great job of writing this story ,I hope that we never see Ben again,and now that his dad is gone maybe the doctor who lied about Ben being the father of Abby’s baby will come out with the real truth that Chad is the father. It will come out one way or another. soon I hope

At the end I was expecting him to say “I’m not even going to squat that fly”, “They’ll all say she wouldn’t hurt a fly” lol

On a waaaay different note: John Paul Lavoisier made his big gorgeous appearance today. The set looked so much brighter….yeeeessss!!!!!!!

I guess with Rob Scott Wilson done they ushered in JPL. I’m going to miss RSW though.

Oh, Blake! I did like Ben, as he was….not as he is now. So, I doubt if I will miss the evil around Ben….I’m sure you won’t either. I know what you mean, though. I always enjoyed seeing the ‘old’ Ben. We will miss the good Ben before TPTB turned him into a fire-breathing dragon. Sad. But, I will gladly trade him for John Paul. Later.

One character I do NOT connect with is this Andre guy. His acting is way over the top, and I find I just don’t care about the characters he is associated with. His villainous ways are to me, very cartoonish and almost campy. I do not see what he adds to the show.
The show now needs something topical, something today, not Caroline seeing these idiotic visions or Stefano uttering his brief, cornball lines about family in that non-convincing atrocious Italian accent. I can’t take anymore scenes of John’s raspy voice telling Marlena the same old boring crud about finding his family.
They should ask the fans to submit some storyline ideas, they need something new and fresh.

Rob Scott Wilson has done incredible work the past six months or so! I thought he was just the regular pretty boy hair model but he has done outstanding work. It’s wild to have seen him grow so far as an actor just in a few months. Very professional, he goes in deep to Ben’s emotions and reasoning for what he had to do. He has blown me away and it sucks that he is leaving the show now. I hope he can return to the show and still be a bad boy.

Rob and Kate Mansi both deserve to win the Emmys for Best Supporting Actor and Actress. There will be an uproar if they are not and it won’t be pretty.

Days Of Our Lives

Sydney Malekeh Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’ in Mystery Role: Who Do You Think She’s Playing?

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There’s a new gal coming to Salem, or is she new and a recast? That’s what inquiring minds from Days of Our Lives fans have been trying to figure out since the Peacock soap opera dropped an Instagram video heralding actress‘ Sydney Malekeh’s arrival in Salem.

The soap did confirm that viewers will first see Malekeh on the September 9 episode. In the video, Malekeh is seen going set to set from her dressing room and in to the halls of Days of Our Lives studios.

What we do know id that Sydney has been acting professionally for 6 years and had appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, Apple TV’s Shrinking and the HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls.

Plenty of Malekeh’s DAYS castmates jumped into the comment thread with positive emojis symbols or written excitement including: Paul Telfer (Xander), Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), Sal Stowers (Lani), Conner Floyd (Chad), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Christie Clark (Carrie) and more now that fans will finally see her on-air. Since Days of Our Lives tapes 10-11 months in advance, Sydney would have started taping the show sometime back in 2025.

DAYS fans think perhaps because the actress’ name is Sydney that she might be playing the grown-up daughter of Sami and EJ. That character hasn’t bee on the canvas since 2021.

So, who do you think Sydney Malekeh might be playing on Days of Our Lives? Drop your casting director thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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Peacock Hikes Subscription Rates for Fourth Time in Four Years; ‘Days of Our Lives’ Fans Sound Off

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While recently the streaming service Peacock reported turning a profit for its first time since its infancy, now comes word that the company is raising their prices for all customers, and in some cases it stared today on August 18.

The news of the subscription rate increases marks the fourth time the NBCUniversal streaming platform has done so in four years.  So, on August 18, Peacock is increasing the prices for new or returning subscribers and customers, while current subscribers will see the rate increase on or after September 17 depending on their billing cycle when they initially signed up.

Here is the new pricing to follow along: Peacock Premium (which includes ads) will be $12.99/month, up two dollars from $10.99; Peacock Premium Plus will be $19.99/month, up three dollars increase from $16.99; and the Peacock Select tier (which includes current and past seasons of NBC and Bravo shows but excludes movies, live sports and Peacock originals) will increase a dollar from $7.99 to $8.99/month.

Photo: JPI

SUBSCRIBERS CONTINUE TO PAY MORE ACROSS THE STREAMER LANDSCAPE

It was back in June that the streamer reported that aid subscribers were up to 48 million adding a 2 million net gain during Q2 in of 2026. The subscription price hikes are rampant now in the entertainment streaming industry where over the last two years for example, Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+ have all raised their fees to consumers.

Peacock’s tier-levels feature not only Days of Our Lives, but reality hits such as The Traitors and Love Island USA, Bravo series, and a vault of  Saturday Night Live, Law & Order, The Real Housewives franchise, and Below Deck episodes as well. Pecock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers have access to sports and live events, as well.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES SUBSCRIBERS HAD A FEW CHOICE WORDS FOR PEACOCK

As Days of Our Lives fans know, the soap opera moved from NBC to the streamer back in September of 2022 after 57 years on broadcast television. When the news hit X on the price increase, DAYS fans had a lot to say about it. Here are just a few of the comments below:

“I can’t believe Peacock and can’t come to a deal with Cordya to air old episodes of #Days. That alone would bring a ton of subscribers,” to If Peacock actually cared about #Days of Our Lives, gave the show the budget it needs for better sets, cameras, background actors and enough time to tell proper stories, I wouldn’t mind paying more. If the money actually showed on screen, the higher price would be worth it,” to “I  will continue to pay for a Peacock subscription as long as #Days is on it, but did we know there was another price increase coming?” and more.

So, what do you think of the new price hike increase to watch Days of Our Lives and your other favorite shows and events on Peacock? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)

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Nadia Bjorlin, Kyler Pettis

In the upcoming indie feature Veronica & Julian from director Otoja Abit, two former Days of Our Lives stars, Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe Lane) and Kyler Pettis (ex-Theo Carver), headline the drama feature in this story of a May-December romance that faces challenges along the way.

Veronica & Julian centers on a confident and successful marketing executive (Bjorlin) who 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.

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.

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LIVE CHAT WITH NADIA AND KYLER PLANNED

Now, Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively: the key poster art below, and that current plans that call for Veronica & Julian to be released and made available late this holiday season.

In addition, Nadia and Kyler will join us for a very special livestream conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel (Monday, Aug 24 – 3PM ET/Noon PT) to chat about their roles in the film, their time on Days of Our Lives, life post-soap opera, and much more. Fans can join the live chat and pose their questions to the actors as well.

Courtesy/Bright Leicht Content LLC

THE THEMES BEHIND VERONICA & JULIAN

Director Otoja Abit shared this statement on the feature film, “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.”

Abit continued, “As a society, mainstream romantic films are often delivered through fantastical aspirations. I created this film believing that viewers who have experienced a breakup can relate to Veronica and Julian, depending on their perspective. They’re a couple navigating some of the most familiar obstacles in love: miscommunication, timing and pride.”

He concluded, “It’s a story about endings told through the small moments we often don’t recognize until they’re gone.  With the support of the Panavision New Filmmaker Program, I approached the story with a deeper sense of visual control while maintaining the naturalism that defines each character.”

Photo: Bright Leicht Content LLC

NADIA AND KYLER GOT THEIR FIRST BIG BREAK IN SOAPS

As Days of Our Lives fans know, Bjorlin is best known for her long-running role as Chloe Lane. Nadia played the part from 1999-2023 with various runs in Salem. She is also known for her role as Lara in the Venice the Series since 2009. Nadia’s other TV and film credits include: A Murder Between Friends, NCIS, Two Broke Girls and more.

Pettis played Theo Carver on Days of Our Lives from 2015-2018 and earned himself a Daytime Emmy for his work in the now defunct Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series back in 2019. His other TV credits include roles on: The Rookie, All American: Homecoming and Ray Donovan.

Veronica and Julian is written, produced and directed by Abit and produced through his Willful Productions alongside Kory Apton and Ian Phillips. Executive producers include: Nick Leicht, Gregory Sinche, Shelly Sinche, Torsten Sippel, Tim Freydberg, Ryan Schulke and Matthew Conlin.

So, intrigued to see Nadia and Kyler as a romantic couple in the film Veronica & Julian? Miss them on Days of Our Lives? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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