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
Sydney Malekeh Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’ in Mystery Role: Who Do You Think She’s Playing?
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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Days Of Our Lives
Peacock Hikes Subscription Rates for Fourth Time in Four Years; ‘Days of Our Lives’ Fans Sound Off
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.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)
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.
Photo:
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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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 .