Days Of Our Lives
Eileen Davidson Returning To Days Of Our Lives As Kristen DiMera!
Courtesy/NBC
More fantastic news out of Days of our Lives today! None other than fan favorite, and the actress who gave one of the knockout performances of 2013, Eileen Davidson, is headed back to the NBC soap opera to reprise her role of the evil and vindictive Kristen DiMera.
The announcement of the return of Davidson comes on the heels of an exciting two year pickup for DAYS announced less than a week ago by NBC. The actress is slated to begin taping sometime in March and will begin airing this summer.
Over the past year, the character of Kristen DiMera has been the driving force behind some of the most engaging and provocative storylines leaving fans and critics alike wanting more and eager for the return of their favorite villainess.
Returning for a powerful story arc that’s bound to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, DAYS Co-Executive producer Greg Meng commented, “As an important member of the Days family it is exciting to have Eileen return. The writers have some great things cooking for Kristen and we can’t wait for the fans to see what this will mean for Salem. Must-watch TV at its best! Stay tuned!”
So what do you think about the news of Eileen returning to DAYS? What do you think will be the next arc in Kristen’s story and how will it impact the canvas? Let us know!
Days Of Our Lives
Sheri Anderson, 3-Time Emmy Winner and Former Co-Head Writer of ‘Days of Our Lives’ to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
Sheri Anderson, the three-time Emmy-winning soap opera writer is set to be the special guest on Thursday, June 11 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm ET for a livestream chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
The veteran soap opera writer has previously been the co-head writer at Days of Our Lives along with an impressive list of writing credits and tenures at: General Hospital, Santa Barbara, Guiding Light, Another World and primetime’s Falcon Crest.
Throughout her decades long career, Sheri has been involved in every aspect of the writing process including long-term storyline, daily episode breakdowns, dialogue writing and editing and more. She is widely recognized as one of the creative forces behind the high romance era of soap opera super couples in the 1980s.
Photo: JPI
ARE SOAP MORE RELEVANT IN 2026?
With the daytime soaps being mentioned in the mainstream of late, including a recent New York Times essay, Ryan Gosling’s high praise of Days of Our Lives icon Deidre Hall (Marlena), Late night host, John Oliver asking to be cast on a soap after doing a bit on his show, it seems daytime drama may be culturally relevant again, or is it really?
During the chat not only will we get Sheri’s takes on all the series she wrote for, but also ask, “Why soaps? Why now?” Why are audiences rediscovering/missing emotionally-connected storytelling? What did our genre provide viewers emotionally? And what has current programming gained technically but lost emotionally?
Join us with your comments and questions for Sheri in the live chat, as we talk the pros and cons of today’s daytime soap opera and daytime television landscape and delve into Sheri’s soap writing history and the characters she created or had a penchant for and learn about her new endeavors and outside projects.
Photos: JPI
If you are unable to make it to the live chat, but have a question or comment for Sheri that you would like us to ask on the broadcast, please drop it in the comment section below and we just might pose it on-air.
For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams and special event coverage, make sure to subscribe to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, did you enjoy Sheri’s writing for Days of Our Lives and the other soaps she’s credited for? What do you think of the current state of the soap opera? Healthier than its been in awhile? Costing along? Relevant or not socially relevant in mainstream culture in 2026? Weigh-in and share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Elia Cantu, who has played Jada Hunter, the daughter of Marcus Hunter, played by the late Richard Biggs from 1987-1992, has confirmed that she wrapped run her run on Peacock’s Days of Our Lives.
Cantu first arrived back in Salem in 2022 and a few months back was moved to recurring status with the long-running soap opera along with Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez).
Now, Cantu took to her Instagram on Wednesday, June 10 to share the news of her departure and some heartfelt goodbyes. As DAYS fans know, because the series tapes ten months ahead of dropping new episodes, Cantu will be seen well into 2027.
Photo: JPI
A BITTERSWEET GOODBYE
Along with the following heartfelt words, Elia also taped a “final bow” to punctuate her time on the beloved soap opera. She wrote, “As I say goodbye to Days of Our Lives, I’m excited and looking forward to the next chapter. Leaving DAYS is bittersweet, but I step away full of gratitude and joy for what’s ahead.”
Speaking on playing the daughter of legacy character, such as Marcus Hunter, Cantu added, “Its been an honor. She is bold, layered, and I’ll forever cherish bringing her to life. She remains a staple in Salem and I’ll carry everything she taught me as I go. Jada, you will always be my girl.”
As she concluded her message, Elia gave a major shoutout to everyone at Days of Our Lives and most importantly the fans. “To the cast and crew — Thank you for your hard work and long hours,” Cantu shared. “What a journey it has been. To the DAYS fans — Thank you. You are incredibly supportive, caring, and dedicated. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. There’s more to come, and I hope you’ll come along with me for what’s next.”
Recently in story, DAYS had been building the on-again off-again romance between Jada and Shawn Brady (played by Brandon Beemer). No word yet how the series plans to write-off Jada, which we will not see revealed until next year.
You can check out Elia’s touching post below as she wraps her run at Days of Our Lives.
Now let us know, will you miss seeing Jada Hunter on you screens? Did you enjoy the performances of Elia Cantu? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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Beyond the Gates
2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration
The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.
This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.
In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.
Photo: JPI
WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?
The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.
Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.
Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:
Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series
Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones
The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III
Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz
General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen
The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann
So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.
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I hope she is staying for an extended period of time and not just a pop-up return.
i know… right?
kinda reminds me of… why didn’t they share… how long KM, robin of GH… return was for…. it was so short lived… why bother?
I hope ED has a long term contract
can’t help but want perfection… and as a fan… be spoiled by how good everything is… soapbox…. DAYS is the BEST serial of the remaining 4
I don’t know if I could take her long-term, LOL!
I LOVE Eileen, but there is “too much of a good thing” and Kristin can easily be that. I thought they totally wrote her into a corner she’d never get out of with the “Rape” storyline. That pretty much destroyed the character for me.
So, unless she’s coming back to confess & repent for her sins, I don’t know that I want her back.
THIS IS THE BEST NEWS! BYE SAMI! I’LL MISS YOU, BUT LONG LIVE KRISTEN DIMERA! NOW….if we can only get Lexi out of the ground and we can have a real sibling rivalry between blood and water.
I wish Lexie was alive as well…. she was the perfect catalyst…. go between…. for the good people of Salem… vs : The “clandestine” DiMera’s
lord knows.. it’d be good to see Abe… involved…. it was rumored to be with Kayla… that never panned out…..
my wish… back from the dead… would be Faye… Nicole’s mother… Nicole truly needs a good support system… a family of her own…. Faye would have been perfect for either Abe or Roman
I agree I miss lexie too !!! I think Kristen and brady could be next super couple!!! I kind of like seeing brady as a “bad boy”! If brady defrock a nun kristen and he would be equal! Just kidding :0) seriously I do think brady and Kristen deserve another chance hopefully she will repent for what she did to handsome father eric and change her ways like her bro ej oh yeah he did just sleep with innocent abby who could turn “bad@ if she doesn’t get her ej fix!!!!! Who knows next year the dimaras could be the saints and the Horton/Brady’s could be the demons!!!!!!!
Alot of “back and forth” going on here. What’s the real story??
Contractual negotiations, that’s the real story. Don’t believe any B.S. press people throw at you. Actors seem to be REALLY going through a revolving door over at Days.
The real story is: She loves both shows. Y&R is her first love. DAYS is her true love! She is better utilized as Kristen on DAYS. She knows Ashley is a YawneR. Most people would rather play in the sand than Yawn and Retire!
DAYS is hot and will only get hotter! I’m looking forward to seeing ED in the role(s) of her lifetime…Kristen DiMera and Susan Banks!!!
Trust me, there’s much more to the story than “she loves both shows” – obviously there are contract offers and rejections, that’s the reality of producing an expensive afternoon Daytime show.
Yee haw I agree!!!!!!!!
It does sound strange– I agree there must be more to the story. But actors have private lives, so maybe she left for some personal reason that has been resolved and now she is free to come back– of course they don’t say how long she will be back, so we could be talking a very short stint on this show—then back to Y&R for a cameo or two—that’s cool I like both of her characters and enjoy it whenever she in on canvas for either show.
She basically said she wanted to take a break – totally understandable given that her shooting schedule seemed to be quite intense before she left… not saying she didn’t explore going back to Y&R, but anyone who had as much airtime and carried the storylines to the extent she did very likely did want a bit of family time and r and r.
All I can say it is this..YIPPIE SKIPPIE YESSSSS!
I only been a fan of DOOL for 2 years, but Eileen has become one of my favorite actors in daytime of all time!!! She SO deserves recognition at the upcoming Emmy Awards! The thought of Eileen and Kassie possibly sharing scenes together has me salivating, LOL.
“OMG”
I honestly, OK
a part of me knew…. as an actor… she’d fare better at DAYS
but… i thought… she’s going to go back to Y&R
LOL…. hip hip hooray.. through the roof…. for DOOL – NBC – SONY bravo
Thank you Eileen Davidson… I’m so glad you were able to take time off…. for your personal life!
as a fan… WE LOVE YOU!
I didn’t think it’d be this soon…. I’ll take it….. soapbox… DOOL IS ON!
hugs to you and your son (s)
Excellent…so glad ED is coming back!!!!
Oh yeaaaa! I love this news! Way to go DAYS! Kristen touching down in Salem AGAIN to cause hell im excited:)
Ditto
Kristen will return…with a baby…is it Erics or Bradys?(can she have children?) Probably Erics…and she’ll bring the baby to Erics and Nicoles wedding during sweeps…lol
I hope that’s the case… and she does, in fact , arrive “home” in Salem with child
damnation abound…. with in your face…. Sami and Nicole
ED’ Kristen is too powerful a performer…. to let Kristen be tormented…. it’s power time
I hope EEEJJJ is in for this round…. DiMera TIME
Meanwhile, i do see Hope and Aiden as a future couple…and Ciara…maybe a bad seed child because she misses daddy Bo?
I liked Aiden and Hope’ rapport…. it was as natural as it could be…. I was pleasantly surprised….
Lord knows… it’s been angst and scratch my eyes out… that super couple jinx.. think Daniel and Jenn.
i’ve been holding vigil for Hope…. this could be him… Aiden
———
the other thing… that has me stoked…. is how honest Nicole is being with “father” Eric….
LOL… had that nun not come in and gave him a new rosary bead necklace… and him telling father Walton… he feels right at home at the church….
i don’t know…. I teared up for this couple… cause its romance, love, and trepidation…. I’m all for this couple to emerge as the young couple that once were in love… to renew their bliss
I think Sami will soon catch E.J. and Abigail together maybe for Feb. sweeps marking the beggining of the end for Sami and E.J.?
hmmm good idea about the baby..
Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!
I think that Eileen Davidson would be WAY BETTER OFF going back to DOOL. I mean…there is WAY TOO MUCH backstage drama (or whatever) going on right now on the Y&R set because of the Michael Muhney-Hunter King drama. I’m just saying……….
Interesting. I will be tuning in just to see the downright thrilling Kassie DePaiva. Will be nice to see another familiar face (Young and the Restless, Santa Barbara).
Why not give her the Anthony Geary contract? You know, that guy from GH that works 6 months and then goes on “vacation”. Even the Tracey Bergman contract would work. Geez…..
Agreed luke spencer (anthony) is awsome and crazy!! I could see him and brady teaming up for a mystery storyline!!! May he and marlana could “hook up”? Or he and hope?
Love days and looooove eileen!!!!
Would love for Kristen DiMera’s character to be responsible for the exit of Sammie Brady.
LOL
that would be an awesome….. trickery
score one for the DiMera’
I mean why not… lets show all of Salem… that once and for all… Kristen is BACK… and she’s a DiMera… AND a POWER player….
god love her…. her character needs to be brought down a peg…. down to earth…. she isn’t reaching heaven with her virtue intact… and her high moral fiber…. give us a lil’ break and LET Kristen bring one of them down
let the return of Kristen…. speculation begin….
when where how and why?????
I hope she somehow… got a hold of either Eric or Bradys dna… and she got a surrogate…maybe she even had her eggs frozen….
ta-da! she returns to Salem w/child
either way… as a long time soap fan… when “YOUR” show is ON…. you just want perfection
she’ll bring out the best and showcase… John and Marlena
AMEN – Eileen Davidson is absolutely brilliant as Kristen as well as the other characters she created on Days. So happy she will be back with some more great adventures. Next up, we should see Eileen winning the Emmy with her outstanding performance this past year on Days.
Wonderful news!
Great news!!! Love Eileen as Kristen.
Eileen is only coming back for 2 months, then she is leaving again..
How do you know this?
IS DOOL canvas “CAST” set up?
MY wish list is still….. Ted King and/or Michael Lowry as BO!
Michael Muhney… as Peter Black and/or Jack Deveraux
Billy Miller and/or Trevor St. John… as either or Peter Blake and/or Jack Deveraux
tight, complete, the BEST …. set… canvas… to cull from…. and the best cast wish list
This is fantastic news. I am already envisioning a fight with Nicole, Eric, Brady and Marlena.
People come and go on soaps. When one leaves, there’s always someone fun and entertaining to go front and center. I actually like it that way. By the way, welcome back, Eileen. I love Ms. Davidson in both of her roles, and I just love to see her on my screen. A talented lovely indeed!
Stay in Salem and out of Genoa City!
Finaly she will be the lead
OMG! Best. News. Ever.
tally’ing the dates….
if she left last July, 16, 2013 and starts taping this coming March, 2014
she’s had an 8 month break.
plenty of time… to have that “baby”
LOL
I still cannot believe our good fortune!
with two heavy weights back on our screens…..
Eileen Davidson… and Kassie DePaiva
I hope these two click and have at it… the fiesty Donovan Women befriend Kristen… and these three… Kristen, Eve, and Theresa…. pool their all that and lay waste in Salem
I say this cause… I was always “weary” for Kristen…. always hated by the whole lot in Salem…
this time around… it’s her cake and eat it too!
Maybe Eve and Brady will become a couple…would love to see Kassie and Eileen in fight scenes together…
This doesn’t surprise me at all. Davidson said she would love to return to DAYS if the opportunity were right… The arc must be good for her! It is probably a short term contract, but hey I will take Kristen in small doses if that is all that I can get of her. She has made no secret that she enjoys both Sony Soaps DAYS and Y&R! So her back and forth is not plagued with a hidden meaning. I am not really into Y&R, haven’t been in some time. That being said, I much prefer her as Kristen. She is noticeable on DAYS and is given amazing material that help her to deliver award winning performances. I have to say DAYS writing is my favorite on daytime. If nothing else they deserve Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Drama this year!
that is so very well said:
“…So her back and forth is not plagued with a hidden meaning.”
at this point… it’s all for one and one for all…..
whatever it takes to keep these 4 Serials – Alive and prospering
she’s so good at all this
FANTASTIC! I just hope it’s not a driveby. Wait till Brady sees her. Wowser! Fireworks.
This is such awesome news! I”m so happy about her returning to a soap….in my heart I wish it was YR but Kristen is at this point a better written role. Congrats to Days for being the best soap on television!
Days is on FIRE right now with Kristen returning to do more damage is what a soaps do best and Days is so balanced in stories right now, with mixture of fun, romance, mystery, backstabbing, current social stories with drugs, alcohol abuse, featuring all vets in the forefront using the church and adding religion along with bratty children Ciara!
Compared to mess at YR right now this was a better choice for Eileen and who could blame her for choosing Days.
I hope Jean’s new material on YR she’s helping finishing up on the mess of JoshShelley’s will be better. I for one enjoyed Jean’s most of the material on ATWT when she was with Hogan and then as HW. I know this isn’t fashionable but hey I did like most stories. I thought she did a wonderful with LukeNoah coming out stories, loved how she wrote BarbaraEmily rival, she tapped in great with CarJack, HoldenLily, MikeJennifer, MikeKatie, she knows how to write couples well. She wrote for the vets, did Lucinda’s cancer, Bob’s health scare & how she kept a story between fathersons wBobChris, keep Nancy around she kept levity in stories with HenryKatie, HenryEmily, she did some entertaining stories. I have hope she can fix YR, give some balance to YR, not so much of the 3 D’s….dread, depression, doom but she has the over the hill JFP so probably not happening.
Fantastic news. It’s going to be fantastic with Eileen and Kassie.
I knew Eileen would return to DAYS. It’s a much stronger role for her to dig her teeth into, and the writers know how to write for her talents as an actress. I hope this isn’t a temporary return, either. I respect her for leaving to spend time with her family, but the canvas is deeply missing Kristen Blake! I need more of her!
I absolutely agree with you, Scott!
I seriously cannot wait to see Eileen Davidson back as my favorite DAYS character, Kristen Dimera! I absolutely love Eileen as Kristin! I was very sad to see her go! The show is not the same. Eileen is just as talented as she is beautiful! I hope she stays on for a long time to come!
They will build her up cause of Ali’s departure and I have a feeling James Scott will be leaving too!
They should have her return as Susan Banks… because Kristen is now an outcast after the Father Eric scandal. It can then be revealed that it is actually Kristen disguised as Susan and that would make for a great story line. Kristen can still be evil behind the scenes but be on the inside as Susan. That would be great TV!
Phenomenal!!!!!! 🙂
I can’t wait. One of my most favorite characters in Days since I began watching in l966. She is fantastic and what an actress!!!! I’ll be counting the Days till she returns.
Great news !!!!!!!!! now hoping for a good story line for my favorite EJ !!!!!!!!
Love that she is coming back! I was bummed when she left…cant wait to see what she has up her sleeve, I love to hate her lol!
so done with kristen…time for marlena to give her her just desserts…hopefully they can do that in 2 months..how about a triangle with roman, john and marlena…so much history…love runs both ways…the perfect set up!
I like Kristen on the show I think she should get back with Brady love them two together and I thinkthat jen and dDaniel should get married to much on and off with them two gets annoying to the point you dont want to watch the show . And I like to see Abigail and EJ toether Sammy needs to get what’s coming to her.
No way should Abigail and EJ be together. Shes a little homewrecker. Sami and EJ should run away together with their kids and live happiely ever after. im Glad Kristen is back but think she should be nice. Show has enough evil between Theresa and Anne.