Days Of Our Lives
Eileen Davidson On Her Shocking Exit from Y&R & Her Return to DAYS as Kristen!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Circle next Thursday, October 11th on your daytime calendar! That is the date that Eileen Davidson returns to Days of our Lives after nearly 14 years away in the role of Kristen Blake, the adopted daughter of none other than Stefano DiMera! Davidson’s Kristen wreaked havoc on the relationship of Marlena and John last time out, and that’s putting it mildly! Will she be up to her old tricks when she returns?
Davidson spoke to TV Guide not only about her return, but whether any of the other four roles she played at one time along with Kristen, under Jim Reilly’s head scribe days in Salem, may be back in the fold too. Fans are hoping that Susan Banks (EJ’s birth mom) may eventually return, and so to those unbelievable teeth! Eileen also talks about her shocking dismissal from Y&R and her role as Ashley Abbott, and what went on behind the scenes with Sony that eventually landed her back on the long running NBC soap! Here are a few excerpts below!
Eileen on what went down with Y&R, DAYS, and SONY, which had her leaving Genoa City and ending up back in Salem: “What happened to me at Y&R was shocking — I’ve been in this business a very long time and have never seen anything like it — but it’s not like I haven’t been fired before. And with everything going on in daytime right now, it was not completely surprising because everybody seems to be scrambling. Apparently, there was a lot of infighting going on behind the scenes at Y&R. We obviously know that now, considering what ultimately happened to Maria Arena Bell. At the time it felt like I was being ripped from my mother’s arms but, in the bigger picture, I’m really happy to be at Days. It was always a place of great creativity for me. I should also say that a couple of months before I was let go at Y&R, Sony, which owns both soaps, did put out feelers as to whether or not I’d be interested in doing both shows and I said yes. That, of course, didn’t happen, but it wasn’t like I was completely blindsided. At least they did ask how I’d feel about going back to Days. But it was so strange being fired twice from the same show. I was, like, ‘Seriously? Really, people? Again?'”
Eileen on if any of the other characters she played on DAYS will return, namely Susan Banks: “At this point, the only one even mentioned in the dialogue so far is Susan. I guess it would be fun to revisit some of that. Yeah! (Laughs) What can I say? I’m kind of a masochist. And I still have Susan’s teeth. I took them with me when I left the show. I pull them out every once in a while to keep my husband in line.”
Eileen on how Kristen will treat Marlena this time out: “I gotta tell you, some things never change! I just love it when Kristen tortures Marlena! Driving that woman crazy is the most fun ever!”
Are you excited about Eileen’s return to DAYS next week? Would you like to see Susan Banks return too? Or, what about Thomas or Sister Mary Moira? Let us know!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
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I hope she and Stefano will bring the ratings back up! I also would like to see Stefano and Kate get back together. Glad to see John and Marlena TOGETHER and onscreen again!
Absolutely! I’m also hoping that once Kristen’s evilness returns we can do away with that whining twit Nicole.
I like Nicole, but she need to get her strength back by leaving Daniel!
She needs to be Ashley Abbott to me and with Abby going to die in the fire I have no clue why wouldn’t Ashley come back for her daughters Funeral! So sick! We NEED Ashley back
I don’t understand the articles–other 4 roles? On Days or Y and
r?
To Cathy, Eileen played five roles on Days, as ridiculous as it sounds. She played Kristen. Then along came Susan. Susan had three siblings…Penelope, Sister Mary Moira, and their brother Thomas. Eileen played them all. It was outrageous and stupid, but it was Jim Reilly writing it so it was bound to be that way though. But eileen played all the roles like the trouper and professional that she is!
cathy, you need to read the entire article from TV Guide (Michael posted the link above). It explains the other characters. Here is something from the article that will explain it:
“TV Guide Magazine: You made suds history during your previous Days run when you juggled five roles at once — Kristen, her goofball lookalike Susan, and Susan’s three sibs, one of them a man! Will you resurrect any of that? Or would it be a mistake to try to recapture all that Jimmy Reilly insanity now that he’s no longer with us? ”
“Davidson: At this point, the only one even mentioned in the dialogue so far is Susan. I guess it would be fun to revisit some of that. Yeah! [Laughs] What can I say? I’m kind of a masochist. And I still have Susan’s teeth. I took them with me when I left the show. I pull them out every once in a while to keep my husband in line.”
Eileen played five roles on DAYS; Kristen, Susan, Sister Mary, their brother, and Penelope….she was amazing look it up on youtube
She played five people on DAYS: Kristen, Susan, Penelope, Thomas and Sister Mary. =)
It was on Days, she played Kristen, Susan, a nun and a guy. I forgotten their names but I’m sure others posting here will tell you them. I think there might have actually been 5 roles all together. She is one talented actress and y&r loss will definitely be Days gain. I’m looking forward to seeing her.
The following question/answer from the TV Guide interview is very telling to me. If Y&R can right itself, I believe Ashley Abbott will be back in the near future (maybe a year from now). I could see her doing a year on DAYS and then coming back to Y&R or doing both. If Josh Griffith is upset she is gone and CAN write good story for her, she will be back. 🙂
“TV Guide Magazine: Well, for what it’s worth. I interviewed Josh Griffith a couple of weeks ago, now that he’s back as head writer at Y&R, and he hates it that you’re not on the show anymore. He wants you back. Bad! He told me he was the one who brought you from The Bold and the Beautiful back to Y&R during the writers strike.”
“Davidson: I talked to Peter Bergman [Jack] the other day and he told me the same thing. That’s very interesting, because I’d always been led to believe it was Maria Bell who brought me back.”
I’m so happy that Eileen is returning to DAYS. It would’ve been nice if she could have handled both series, but Sony made the right decision in the long-run. DAYS writes for Eileen’s talents, while Y&R did not. Ashley for the past 4½ years was a weak woman, and not the strong one we had in the beginning. So I’m happy she’s returning as Kristen, it’ll be nice seeing her for once in a juicy role!
Super stoked for her return! I have wanted to see her opposite James Scott forever and half now!
I am glad she was asked back to Days and out of that mess going on at Y&R. She is a talented actress. It is rare that I find an actor/actress that I love in any role she plays.
very excited. can’t wait.
I’ve always liked Davidson but have never really watched Days. Her leaving Y&R is a HUGE loss for that show. Even in the too frequently occurring awful episodes and plots of Y&R over the past few years, I stuck with the show just to see scenes between Jack and Ashley. If everything else had to be stripped from Y&R, these two characters are the most invaluable to it. The interaction between them is always interesting even when the plot is not: Family oriented Jack always making some bad or unethical decision for something he preceives as a gain for the Abbotts. Far more ethical (but, at times, more fragile) Ashley always loving her brother but totally aware of his flaws. To me, these two characters ARE Y&R, especially now with John Abbott gone. I even like how they always reminded the audience of their love for their deceased father and how he is never far from their mind.
Davidson always was THE Ashley for me. Brenda Epperson was okay but Davidson was the only actress who really played well against either Jack (Peter Bergman or Terry Lester).
The “firing” of Davidson really nailed my opinion of Maria Arena Bell —- she had to go. If Bell didn’t realize what Davidson and her Ashley mean to the show, she definitely is not who I would want helming Y&R. The loss of Davidson really reminds me of the way Chris Goutman let Martha Byrne go from ATWT. Goutman simply didn’t renew Byrne’s contract while the actress really was key to the show and shown great loyalty and thought he could merely recast Lily. The replacement was good but no one reallly could replacement Byrne as Lily.
I have HUGE hopes that the new crew at Y&R can make significant changes to keep the show going. If they continue as MAB did, making dumb decisions like letting Davidson go, Y&R rightfully will be off the air in 2 years. Much like I hated the loss of ATWT, I would hate the loss of Y&R. However, the cancelled ATWT was NOT the ATWT that I had loved and followed for decades. The current Y&R is NOT the Y&R that I’ve known and admired for 35 years.
I totally argee. It is difficult to see a show that was so good slowly slip downward solely because of mismanagement. They hired a very talented cast for the most part but then don’t write for them. I hope this team will work better together and write storylines that make sense and entertain. We have watched soaps long enough to know every show has its peaks and valleys. Right now Y&R is in a valley, so it has no where to go but up. Maybe Eileen will come back, but they fired her twice, no one would blame her if she would not want to work for them again.
It will be fun to see Eileen in another role. I only know her from Y&R, although I was aware of her 5 characters on DOOL. I almost starting watching just to see her back then, but I was working and there were only so many shows I could keep up with.
Good luck to her…can’t wait until the 11th!
Who???? DOOL is a Hot Mess!!! All the story lines suck, I tune in on Fridays just to see that nothing has changed. FWPDKHTW!!!!
Lord, please let the new regime at Y&R bring Eileen back home to GC where she belongs. Amen.
I hope your prayers are answered!
Eileen has an incredible talent for campy dark comedy and Y&R did NOT take advantage of this. In my opinion, she is back where she needs to be!!!!
So glad she’s back! Hopefully she can make the show watchable again like she did when she was on before. Because DOOL is so boring lately, there was hope for the new team but so far it’s zzzzzzzzz.
I like Eileen on both shows. She is so beautiful and so talented and so graceful and classy. When I was growing up, she was one of my soap queens, along with Deidre Hall. I hope, now that Josh Griffith is back, that Y&R and DAYS can share this amazing actress, who brings so much to the screen.
Eileen leaving Y&R was Sony’s decision, who felt she was over-all a better asset to “Days of our Lives”. I don’t see her splitting between both of the soaps, at least for the next year. Ashley needs some off-screen time from Y&R to grow some confidence.
Josh wouldn’t let Sony/CBS/Jill recast the role, either. He’d book for Eilleen. The role will be there should she decide to go back, which I doubt she’ll be doing anytime soon!
Geez! what’s to say…. all i know for certain… is welcoming back…. Eileen Davidson… to bring some change to DOOL. to spice it up… intrigueing actress… bring some mayhem back in to Marlena’s life… and even dalliance with John… if he’s up to it…. dag! Just something different… this isn’t even a good post… i’ts tough to muster up advertising… it’s still my favorite soap…. Kristen keeps my attention… and her hob nobbing with the DiMera’s… and interacting with salem’ites…. she’s high brow. Should be camp.
Please… DAYS… writers…. I beg of you…. do the “write” thing… and keep her fresh… new… vital… and she’ll energize Salem…. and the audience. Kudos to Stefano, EJ… and Chad… talented Troupe.
This will be good her going to days will give her a chance to shine as an actor i think they wasted her talent on the young and the restless.
SO looking forward to her return since John & Marlena desperately need a storyline and Kristen will certainly provide that!! I’m positive that Drake & Dee are excited about this as well!
Nice post…. I wholeheartedly agree.
I’m bracing myself… as DOOL… needs a shot in the “arm”… and I believe Eileen Davidson, will generate heat and a much needed spark, and that’s story for John and Marlena.
October 11th…. the return of Kristen!
I’m also bracing myself for the exit of Steve Burton…
I will gladly take five days a week of Kristen/John/Marlena than five days a week of Sami for a change.
Eileen has great screen presence and Drake shines when he he’s having fun with this storyline. I agree, a “shot” is just what the doctor ordered 🙂
Strange to see Steve Burton leaving now when it looks like Sam/Jason wil probably reunite once they find out the baby is his. We shall see!
Thank you DOOL and Sony…. for bringing Eileen Davidson… back…. as Kristen!
I’ve been waiting. Oye! I do agree… less is more… with the Sammi show.. and believe you me… i’d be in the front lines fighting for this show….
it’s been like a hurry up and wait… for something new and different… and Kristen… and Sammi’s twin brother… will deliver! oye…. along, with the Phoenix… OK… he belongs!
What’s sad… and i might be jumping the gun…. is Nicole, once again… losing her baby… she had me in tears….”why can’t i hold you”.
i’m so appreciating… the scenes with Sonnys parents…. Justin and Adrienne… it was a hoot to see Adrienne and Lucas… “sharing” their true colors…. dealing with their sons…
Eileen sparks like fire on Days Of Our lives, she is so beautiful and talented. I must say that i have started to be a big Days fan since her return to the show.Days writter need to spend more time focusing on John Marlena, and Kristin and less time with SAMI and EJ and Reef. They writter also needs to change there writing style to incoporated more suspense and thrills and camedy into the show just like how it used to be with Kristin and Susan back in the 90’s. I love Hope too, the need to give her some great story line. and stop exhaust their time too much on Sami and Nicole .