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Eileen Davidson Talks The Reasons Behind Her Exit From DAYS!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/NBC

Courtesy/NBC

Fans loved Kristen’s return to Days of our Lives and so did the actress who played it, Eileen Davidson!  After the stunning news earlier this week that Davidson has already wrapped up her stint with the NBC soap, which literally had Kristen as a catalyst to great story, and additional ratings for the daytime drama, the popular star spoke in her first interview since the news broke with TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan.

Eileen shares that DAYS had come to her this past March to renegotiate a deal, but the actress expressed to TVG,  “I told them I really felt the need to leave.”

In relating, if she might return to DAYS , or return to her former Sony home at Y&R, Davidson said, “‘I’m not leaving Days to go to another show, nor am I retiring. When I told Eric Martsolf (Brady) I was leaving, the first thing out of his mouth was, “Oh, you’re going back to Y&R.” No, I’m not. First of all, they haven’t approached me and I’m sure they’ve known since March that I was leaving DAYS  since both shows are Sony productions. I will definitely work again. Who knows? Maybe two weeks or a month from now I’ll be ready. But there’s another big reason I feel it’s time to leave Days. The characters I play there have a very short shelf life. How can you have Kristen keep doing her shenanigans year after year without it getting old? How many times can she reunite with Brady before he starts to look like a complete dunce? Days has asked me to come back for shorter story arcs down the line, and that could happen. They wanted a commitment as to when, but I couldn’t give them that right now. ”

So, what do you think about Eileen’s decision to leave Days of our Lives?  Do you share her point of view, that a troublemaker like Kristen has a short shelf life, without seemingly becoming to redundant?  What would you like to see Eileen do next, since she is not retiring?  Do you hope she will return for short stints on DAYS?  Share your thoughts!

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I think Eileen is a smart, smart woman. And she saw some some fans (not myself, though) felt about her storyline on the show. So she’s giving it a break. But it sounds as if she WANTS to stay at DAYS should they change up the Kristen motive. So I hope she does come back down the line, whether it is a short-time wait or a long-term wait. DAYS has been incredible to her. I haven’t seen fire in Eileen’s eyes this much since her she was on B&B as Ashley.

I won’t miss Kristen in the least, but Eileen Davidson is one of the best actresses to grace the screen of Daytime. It sounds – to me at least – that she realized Kristen has been written into a corner & the writers are too inept to write her out of it. Good call on her part to exit the Titanic that Days has become.

Kristen is not written in a corner..please in the history of daytime lot’s of others characters did far worse and they still worked..please.

I am really happy that she feels she is in a place to take a break. I would hate to see her burn out to the point she never returns.

I found this really interesting:
“I’m not exactly sure how they’re going to tie it all up because they’ve cast someone who kind of looks like me — and I don’t know what that means or how she’ll be used.”

Wonder if they will be bringing back Susan with someone else filling the role?

Dorothy Lyman is around a decade older than Eileen but if possible id like to see her play Susan.

Getting married Brady

There is a way to write for less than saintly characters that embraces both their negative sides as well as their humanity. Kristen could have been a very complex, engaging character. I do agree the writers were making Kristen, a female Stefano 2.0, with all these outlandish plots for revenge against her enemies, which was a mistake. Perhaps she felt the character was becoming more and more one dimensional and the challenge was no longer there. But honestly, there seems to be a piece of the puzzle missing to this whole story that we don’t know, but I guess if there is ED doesn’t wish to disclose it, so we have no choice but to graciously accept her decision and trust the writers to use exit to keep the drama going on the show without her.

Yep all her reasons are not the real ones..mark my words but it is her choice and her right although she has to change her mind ! lol

graciously is too saintly some times….

fret and angst…. more like it.

for the state that days is in… and i’m not complaining…

i just have to thank Eileen Davidson… Greg Vaughan… Chandler Massey/Freddie Smith…

for elevating what DAYS is celebrating…. ie: emmy win…. and “great” story. for many…

one year back? I don’t get it… only ED… and whatever the production team at DAYS is doing? oye! too puzzling to merit acceptance right now. ED was on 5-6 years the last time… and just 1 this time around.

I so hope she comes back.

Sainthood for Kristen is never going to happen on days if she or they think they can get her there by casting a look alike and changing her a bit I think they are going to be proven wrong. Even is she hadn’t done her dirty to the priest, Kristen just already has to much bad history in Salem to make her redeemable.At least for me and I think for many who watched through the 90’s too! I wish ED well in her career she is fabulous, just please go be fabulous back in Genoa City!

With good writing characters can be redeemable, and in the case of Kristen she can, she did not do worse than MANY other devious soap characters. She is just a great ‘bad girl’ in soap standards with layers, she is VERY viable and redeemable and NEEDED on Days. She has NOTHING to do as Ashley Abbott on Y&R.

I agree with ED, it’s tiresome for any villain to continually get away with whatever they do. Especially her comment about “Brady”… he looks like he needs a nanny or chaperone to take care of him… he’s so stupid. 🙂

I think she’s terrific and hope to see her again soon… somewhere.

When ED said she is worried about Brady looking like a complete dunce…too late!
Brady and Daniel have to be two of the dumbest men I have ever seen on a TV show, soap or otherwise. And Jennifer has to be the most naive women I’ve ever seen a television series.

I totally agree about them all, and I guess because I am female, Jennifer bugs me the most. 🙂

These days when J.J. comes up in her conversations, or appears on screen, I just hit FF. Now she’s even letting that little twit in her office walk all over her. Geez…

Soap characters look weak (or dumb, stupid, moronic or whatever we call them) when they don’t have any other storylines going besides their love lives. I think the problem with Brady is more of that kind. Not Kristen makes Brady look weak but the lack of multiple layers to the character. So I don’t see how Eileen’s departure could make Brady as a character look any brighter, only the writers can do it and it doesn’t depend directly on who is he interacting with – Kristen or any other character. IMO Eileen Davidson and Eric Martsolf play well of each other and this usually results in entertaining and organic scenes.

I support Eileen’s decision because I respect her as an actress and as a person. The recent Kristen storyline did not leave room for the character to grow and evolve. Maybe this break will give the writers time to think more about the character of Kristen, and have time to develop a long range plan for her.

I do hope Eileen will return to Days at some point. I am sure the execs at Days will do whatever is necessary to make that happen.

I am sure Eileen will be missed by cast and crew as well as the fans.

Not true, this time Days did well with Kristen Dimera : they gave her a POV (sometimes even at the expense of some others like John..), a real friend in Jennifer, real sibling relationship with EJ and at a lesser degree Chad, a love with Brady, some self-aware reflexion in some scenes..all of that with of course her brand of crazy and vengeful scheme and bitter resentment towards Marlena..

I hope she comes back with child…..

brady’s or Erics’.

what better way to return.

Eileen is such a fabulous actress; any show would be lucky to have her! I’m hoping that she goes back to Y&R; I can’t think of a time when that show needed a strong leading lady then right now, particularly with the huge voids left by the passing of Jeanne Cooper and Michelle Stafford pursuing other interests. Jill and Josh, are you listening?

I’m so sorry to see her go, but am glad DAYS were very willing to bend in order to get her to stay. I’m glad they didn’t want to let her go so easily. I just hope she doesn’t run over to YR at first holler given how bad the show is right now and what a terrible record they have with Ashley in recent years, and consider that if she is going to return to any show to go back to the one that offered her a richer storyline, more airtime and higher critical acclaim than she’s experienced in almost a decade.

Right in the money !
Let’s hope she change her mind pretty soon and come back on Salem as Diva extraordinaire Kristen Blake Dimera !
Ashley Abbott speaking a tea time with Tracy about Jack’s problem once a month is not worthy of Eileen Davidson, end of story.

It’s time to bury that red lipstick in the sand for once and for all!!!

Trust me on this she is not coming back to Y&R. The two leads over there as far as females are Chelsea & Avery. JFP’s pets because they are involved in story with the Golden Boys. She is over 50 even though she looks great what story line does MTS have or Jess Walton? Y&R is a lost cause and ED knows it.

I wish her the best of luck.

“How can you have Kristen keep doing her shenanigans year after year without it getting old? How many times can she reunite with Brady before he starts to look like a complete dunce?” I agree with this statement but the “suits” have been doing it with Sami for 20 years and then they threw Ej in the mix and she is right it does get very old and not interesting or entertaining any longer. I can’t watch anymore until something is done. I liked Eileen on Y&R so I hope she goes back there. I hope someone at DAYS, Sony, and NBC read this article!

It is just an ‘excuse’ she is doing here. ED is a SOAP veterant, she knows how Daytime soap storytelling works and Kristen is still a pretty viable character, this time they even made an effort to not make her character’s actions OTT or irremediable..Kristen can still works on the canvas for a long long time..ED knows it she just gave this reason among others in order to find some reasons to her exit..actually she just wants to take a break from acting for a little while for PERSONAL reasons..As for Y&R they don’t have any story for Ashley Abbott and that since a LONG TIME ago..

Exactly. It’s the responsibility of the shows writing team to write for a character in a way that it doesn’t get old or boring and if they are willing (and it looks like they are) and capable of doing this, each character can “survive” anything and remain viable for a very long time.

@Judith.

well said… what i would have said…

That ED is a SOAP veteran… and knows the ins and outs of this business.

Kristen will always… along with ED… be a viable and beloved actor.

I HOPE it’s just a break… and that she comes back.

This sounds like a personal reason rather than professional. I wish her well.

Wow- what a major disappointment. I almost wish I hadn’t read her interview. However, now I feel less sad that she is leaving. Hasn’t she ever heard the ole expression ‘not to bite the hand that feeds’? It is clear that Ms. Davidson never viewed the masterful performances of the legendary Beverlee McKinsey. The daytime diva starred in three soaps over twenty two years, playing two characters with the same over the top manipulation. Never once did viewers deem her performances as redundant. I’ll bet anything her true motivation for leaving Salem is that she wasn’t getting paid enough money. Soap stars just don’t make what use to ack during her first reign on Days. Well…. Maybe they will give her abundant air tome to the more deserving, and decidedly more loyal, Deidre Hall. Also- maybe we’ll see more the characteter Theresa.

I agree. Well said. What actress would not want a great role like kristen?
An actress who wants more money.

It doesn’t have to be about the money. Eileen has options. She obviously knows how to exercise them. I’m certainly not going to be upset with her for doing what’s best for her. Loyalty to a show? She’s smarter than that and good for her.

@soapluv

I have to put this on the shelve for awhile… how devoted I am… to DAYS and ED.

loyalty to a show? well… certainly the fans … vent it up…

then i thought…. what if Kelly Sullivan came to DAYS…

I guess it’s not our business to know ED’s motivation.

and yes… ED’ talent to act anything… is tantamount to she can do anything… and most would accept what Kristen does… because it’s lovely to watch Eileen Davidson.

She will be missed! I hope she gets an acting job somewhere… she’s so talented! She is also one of the most engaging actresses on soaps… you just get drawn in to her! Of course I would love to see her doing both shows (Y&R and DOOL). I wish her the best and hope we see her soon!!!

I love Kristen and Eileen I WISH she would stay at days,I love her character.I WAS hoping Kristen and brady would stay together,i didn’t like what she did to eric but I have always loved Kristen/Eileen .back in the day,i absolutely loved Kristen and john together and face it she wouldn’t of went crazy if john didn’t dump her for saint marlena.i was so rooting for her and john back then,and now I really love her and brady,i didn’t at first but they grew on me,i hope she comes back soon or changes her mind.

you saw the same things….

that she could have made it work with Brady….

and I thought that there would be more story development for her and John… at the expense of Marlena… which would have steered away from the Kristen of old….

John would have gotten back together with Kristen… and I’d believe they could have fallen in love.

geez! ED has some of the sexiest love scenes…. Brady – Eric – John… and the writers can’t find any thing else for Kristen?

i’m primal screaming and angst out….

Bummed that Eileen Davidson is leaving “Days”, but at least she’s not returning to “Y & R”.

I’m still staggered by all this….

It often crossed my mind… that… is she happy playing Kristen? ie: and I do blame the production …. and the writing…

is she that … ED… able to walk away… when it would seem that DAYS/Sony/NBC… would lay out the red carpet for her.

does she miss Y&R. ?

she must know she has a huge fan following and respect from her peers… to want to work with her….

I know I love her acting.

The writing has become repetitive where my mom and I have been fast forwarding. Kind of surprised that she did not leave sooner. My mom’s salonist agreed about the writing for the Kristen and Brady storyline.

This is Days/Sony/NBC, what should we expect? Not exactly smart.

Hope not.

She does. Maybe “GH” would take her, because they have the talented legend Maura West where she has revived some storylines where my mom and I have been fast-forwarding less.

I commend Eileen Davidson for managing her career like the true, talented professional she is. She has pride, knows her value, plans strategically – all while looking fabulous! Kudos.

LOL.

what a nice thing to say. you know… I have to hand it to her…

she’s managing her career… I’m still just stumped… that she’s only been back on DAYS, one Year!

what’s up with this Eileen?

currently… for those long term days fans… I don’t see this as a total loss… DAYS has been so good.

I have to hope… that Jenn Lilly… Chrishelle Stause… Judy Evans… continue to play their lovely hearts out….

I’m certain there’s more women… but.. this is the current trend.

what about Hope… Maggie… Marlena…

give us more Kate and Rafe’alicious.

Eileen change your mind you are needed as Kristen Dimera !

I will truly miss Eileen Davidson what a Beautiful Talented Actress she has brought the Ratings up on Days !!!!! Hope she comes back with a great Strong Storyline & Love interest & not for the Writers to get silly w/stupid unreal stories I loved Brady with her they make a Beautiful Hotttt Chemistry Couple ……there so much of Storytelling they can do …. Make her pregnant w Brady s baby But she will think its Eric s this would of been hotttt & it’ll give storylines too so many onvolved Nicole ,Marlena etc bring her back May Sweeps the Ratings will be Up come on Days your losing so many talented characters Will,Chad ,Gabi,Kristen,John ,Bo why can’t there be some hottt Couples like it used to be ……. Concerned by #1 Fan here in Tampa Bay FL……Bring in some Characters pls

yeah, I hope this is her exit….

she realizes she’s pregnant… and doesn’t know who the father is….

and this way… when she does come back… she’ll be more “humane”…. and will revitalize her character…. for those who’re so caught up in realism.

she’s a character.. so be it her shenanigans… evil machinations… she acts her ass/heart off….

simply hope they bring her back on occasion.

Would be more soapy if the baby was Eric’s actually so i hope for this outcome, Brady can always have a baby with Nicole, she is so good at ‘miracle’ pregnancies..lmao.

A beauty–and a canny actress! May she reign somewhere else.

Eileen has hit the nail on the head. Characters such as Kristen do have a shelf life. It’s good to see that she realizes this, even if the producers of shows don’t. Wishing her well.

I go away for 8 days… and this is what I see.

what? why? It can’t be….

I don’t think she’s written in to a corner.

yeah…. with John and Marlena pretty much off the canvas as well…. and it looked like Kristen and Brady were able to get back together…. the plot to bring down Marlena was thwarted by Kristen herself.

now… the Father Eric on paper… seems unfounded…. but… it was delicious acting… and brought us Greg Vaughan…. back.

the demise of the DiMera’s is what i’m not liking.

i have to digest this….

Eileen Davidson… I so enjoy your acting.

I mean… kudos to your welcome back to DAYS. I don’t understand this… and on a personal level… I know you’ll be well.

I certainly hope DAYS – NBC – Sony leave the door open for your return.

Please don’t go!!!

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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