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Emily O’ Brien Back to Days of our Lives as Gwen Rizczech

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

UPDATED: This weekend’s annual Day of DAYS fanfest held some major surprises and reveals for those in attendance. One of them came during the cast Q&A which followed the autograph signings that were held with the cast throughout the morning and afternoon proceedings.

Out to the stage came Emily O’Brien donning the blonde wig she wears when she plays Theresa Donovan.  Q&A and Day of Days viral host, Tony Moore walked over to O’Brien once she was seated with the main cast when he asked her if she is Theresa? Emily surprised the fans by taking off the wig, revealing her as brunette, and saying “actually, Gwen’s back in town!”

In a post on her Instagram, Emily shared, “The cat (and wig) is out of the bag! Thanks for the warm welcome back to Salem! Now buckle your seatbelts. Oh and Thanks Paul Telfer for the hairbrush 🙂

Photo: Peacock

Since this original posting, Soap Opera Digest has now confirmed that O’Brien will actually be back on-screen in both roles as Theresa and Gwen in 2025. Theresa will be back on the canvas in March, then she will be followed by Gwen come July of next year.

The last time viewers saw Gwen on the canvas was back in October of 2023. At the time, O’Brien was exiting the role she played since 2020. However, on that very same day, she left brunette and walked back in (at the airport terminal no less) in a blonde wig as a recast Theresa Donavan, formerly played by Jen Lilley. Next, on August 8th of 2024, Theresa was taken to prison and sent away to Statesville.

Photo: JPI

So with Theresa behind bars, and Gwen back in town, watch out for whatever manipulations Ms. Rizchech may have for the good people of Salem.  In the annual DAYS super-sized promo for the action in the weeks to come, Emily appears at the end of the episode but in the blonde wig! Stay tuned.

Let us know if you are excited to see that Emily is coming back to your screens on Days of our Lives in the near future. via the comment section.

 

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A post shared by Emily O’Brien (@emroya)

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Can’t wait to see what she’ll be up to next. I love scenes with Grewney and Leo!

I cant wait I’m one of her biggest fans as Theresa AND Gwen..She is a Beautiful actress and I wanna say Thank You Emily from the bottom of my heart for coming back.I hope you never leave for good.

Let me get my fast forward finger ready.

Me too!

Glad Emily is coming back to the show. I’ve loved watching her since she was on Y&R.

Can’t stand her as Theresa! Bring back Jen Lilly or another actress. Couldn’t wait for her to be home as Theresa. Gwen yes, Theresa NO!

I agree

Hopefully, by bringing Gwen back the Johnson – Devereaux families will get more play and she will be involved in finding Abby just to worm her way back into Daddy Jack’s good graces.

Kamala is losing

How’s the weather in Vladivostok, comrade?

So excited. I think people forget how much characters like Kendall from AMC, Sami from DAYS, Carly from GH (and Carly from ATWT, for that matter), and other beloved, legendary soap troublemakers were hated in their first years on the show.

I remember sitting in the breakroom, listening to my coworkers go on through the years about how much they hated Kendall, Sami, and Carly (and what they were doing to their faves, Erica, Marlena/Carrie, and Bobbie) and just wished they could fast-forward all their scenes or get written off the show already. I literally remember someone saying “I know we’re supposed to love to hate her, but I just hate her. She’s ruining the show!” I’m sure people felt that way about Erica Kane in the first few years when her sole mission scheming and breaking up the popular supercouple, too.

But there’s something that happens when these characters are played by great actresses who can also convey the pain and brokenness that led to why they are the way they are…somewhere along the line (especially if they can go away and come back a couple of times, like AMC/OLTL/GH’s Skye). Somewhere along the line things shift, a few viewers at a time, and they become beloved. This is why I love Gwen (but agreed with resting her for a little bit). She has all the ingredients — and a great actress to boot — to do the same.

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Lexie Emerges and Shocks Abe as the DiMera Family Gathers for The Reading of Stefano’s Will

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Next week on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives, finally it looks like Lexie Carver is fully resurrected when the character now played by Nikki Crawford stumbles into a DiMera family gathering, which is supposed to be for the reading of Stefano DiMera’s will.

In the Peacock video teaser, as EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) and company toast the Phoenix, the secret tunnel door swings open, and out stumbles out Lexie! Meanwhile, Dr, Rolf (Richard Wharton) realizes Lexie is gone and no longer in her bed. When Abe (James Reynolds) sees his beloved Lexie, he is absolutely stunned. But the question is, when Lexie speaks, is she the Lexie of old, or will her memory and brain be all scrambled eggs?

As longtime DAYS viewers know, the part of Lexie was portrayed for years by Renee Jones, who retired from acting after her run which lasted from 1993-2012. At the time of her departure, Lexie was killed-off with an inoperable brain tumor.

Courtesy/Peacock

Elsewhere, Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) is up to no good and now makes a play for Xander (Paul Telfer). but then tells him, “What I want now, is for you to kill him!” Who does she want killed? EJ? Johnny (Carson Boatman)? Or someone else?

Take a look at the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of May 11-15 below.

Monday, May 11

Lexie crashes the reading of Stefano’s will.

Tony makes Gabi an unexpected offer.

Kristen sees Sophia.

EJ questions Cat.

Chad defends Leo.

Tuesday, May 12

Belle asks Marlena for advice.

Holly lashes out at Tate.

Brady and Sarah comfort each other.

Philip comes through for Gabi.

Ari opens up to Liam.

Wednesday, May 13

Steve pays Alex a visit.

EJ pulls a fast one on Gwen.

Marlena offers Paulina support.

Thursday, May 14

Johnny and Chanel lean on each other.

Jada moves Shawn into her place and opens the door for renewed romance.

Gabi presses Ari about her relationship with Liam.

Amy confronts Holly.

Friday, May 15

EJ wants to explore his past with Cat.

Kristen and Chad discuss life and death.

Javi opens up to Rafe.

Gwen plays hardball with Xander.

Check out the latest DAYS promo entitled, “Heartbreak Hotel” below.

Then, let us know, does this Lexie come back from the dead intrigue you, even though Nikki Crawford is taking on the role and not Renee Jones? Do you think she will be anywhere near the same personality she had before she “died’? Who does Kristen want killed now? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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DAYS Lauren Koslow Temporarily Fills-In for Jess Walton as ‘The Young and the Restless’ Jill Abbott

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In a ironic twist, Lauren Koslow, who currently plays Kate Roberts on Days of Our Lives is returning to The Young and the Restless to play Jill Abbott while temporarily filling in for Jess Walton. Koslow will appear for five episodes beginning on Thursday, June 25.

Koslow first appeared on The Young and the Restless back in 1984 in what was her first soap opera role when she was cast as Lindsey Wells. Now, she returns decades later subbing for Walton, who due to a scheduling conflict, was was unable to travel to Los Angeles when the storyline called for Jill. The Emmy-winning Walton has played the Jill since 1987 and went on recurring status with the show in 2012. Jess also left Los Angeles to reside in Oregon in 2011.

Making this all the richer was the original Jill played by Brenda Dickson, often shared scenes with Koslow’s Y&R character. Lauren played Lindsey Wells until 1986, before moving over to The Bold and the Beautiful as Margo Lynley. Koslow was B&B’s Margo from 1987–1992, and again in 2002. Then, in 1996, she was cast on Days of Our Lives as Kate Roberts, replacing Deborah Adair, and she has been in Salem ever since. But there’s still another another twist to this casting history. Y&R viewers recall Deborah Adair also played Jill, after Brenda Dickson left in 1980, and following a brief stint by Bond Gideon, before heading to DAYS to originate the role of Kate.

Photo: CBS

THE DAYS AND Y&R CONNECTION

As soap fans know, Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless are both part of Sony. Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television, while DAYS is owned by Corday Productions and distributed by Sony.

So, having Koslow visit The Young and the Restless to fill in for Jess Walton has nothing to do with her continued role of Kate on DAYS. In fact, a rep for the show shared that her upcoming appearance on Y&R, “does not affect her status with the show in any way.” Recently, Stacy Haiduk reprised her role of Patty Williams on Y&R, even though she is still being seen as Kristen DiMera on DAYS.

In a joint statement offered up to TV Insider, executive producer, Sally McDonald and head writer, Josh Griffith expressed, “We’re extremely grateful to Lauren Koslow for returning to her Y&R roots and temporarily stepping into the role of Jill. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Ken Corday (executive producer) and Noel Maxam (co-executive producer) at Days of Our Lives and Peacock. Their support embodies the collaborative spirit of the daytime television community.”

McDonald and Griffith clarified that Jess Walton is forever their Jill and shared, “Jess Walton is an enduring cornerstone of Y&R. We look forward to welcoming her back to Genoa City as her schedule permits and celebrating her extraordinary 40th anniversary as the iconic Jill Abbott.”

So, what do you think of Days of Our Lives Lauren Koslow stepping in for Jess Walton as Jill Abbott? Excited to see what she does in the role while filling in for the Jess? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Shares Parting Thoughts on ‘Brilliant Minds’ Following its Cancellation

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Last week, NBC pulled the plug on the medical drama, Brilliant Minds, as the last 6 episodes of its second and final season will begin to air later this month. The series which saw its ratings plummet was taken off the schedule in February, with reports of it being on the bubble until finally the decision was handed down.

Al Calderon, who departed Days of our Lives in the role of Javi Hernandez in 2025 to join the primetime series as Nurse Nico Silva, was a part of the stellar cast that also featured One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) and series star, Zachary Quinto.

On Brilliant Minds, Quinto plays neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

Photo: NBC

In a real-life twist, Days of our Lives announced Calderon’s successor, Jacob Martinez as the new Javi debuting this June on April 30. Come May 1, NBC canceled Brilliant Minds. Now, on Wednesday, May 6, Al Calderon took a moment to reflect on his experience at Bronx General Hospital, the backdrop of Brilliant Minds, via a post on his Instagram.

“Thank you Brilliant Minds” Calderon began. “What a life changing experience. Met forever friends. Learned from the absolute best. Was reminded that my voice mattered. Learned that it’s okay to believe in yourself. Felt like I was part of something. While our beautiful show has gone onto glory we’ve got 6 more incredible episodes to share with you starting May 27th.”

Al also added, “NBC and Warner Brothers TV, thank you for allowing me to be silly and quippy, Demane Davis, Michael Grassi, David Rapaport, Zachary Quinto, thank you for all of your encouragement and support.”

As his heartfelt post came to a close, Calderon explained why the experience on Brilliant Minds was life-changing: “I’ve been at this a long time and this show gave me hope for the future of my career. I owe it to these incredible individuals. Our crew. Our writers. Our editors. The whole shebang. I love you all endlessly.”

Taking to the comment threads were several of Al’s Brilliant Minds and DAYS former co-stars, and even his successor, Jacob Martinez jumped in and shared, “YOU are brilliant 💕”

What did you think of Al’s heartfelt message about his time on Brilliant Minds? Will you miss seeing him on DAYS and on the primetime series? Looking forward to seeing what he will do next? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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A post shared by A L C A L D E R O N (@alcalderon)

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