Days Of Our Lives
Emily O’ Brien Confirmed as Theresa Donovan Replacement on Days of our Lives
At the end of the October 2nd episode of Days of our Lives, and during its closing credits, Emily O’ Brien was listed in the cast playing the role of Theresa Donovan, which confirms the rumors that Emily is taking over the role from Jen Lilley.
So, what does this mean for O’Brien? Does this mean she is exiting her role of Gwen Rizczech, a part she has played since 2020? It would seem so, but this is DAYS after all, so anything is possible.
As the backstage story goes, Jen Lilley, who had played the role of Theresa on and off since 2013, wanted to appear for a limited-run to be a part of the memorial service episodes for Victor Kiriakis, and honoring the late, John Aniston. Lilley often shared scenes with Aniston.
Photo: JPI
In speaking with Soaps.com on the situation, Lilley thought she was taping episodes during a 3 to 4 window in which she made herself available. However, DAYS actually wrote more episodes of Theresa’s story, and had decided to recast the part with O’Brien Later, when Jen was told who the actress is, she was a bit mystified as they also told her that the show would put the actress in a blonde wig, because O’Brien was a brunette.
Photo: JPI
So, are you excited to see Emily as Theresa? Have you enjoyed her as Gwen? Share your thoughts on this DAYS casting switcheroo via the comment section below.
What the hell???
Days sure do keep things interesting over there. Emily & Jen are equally talented actresses in their own right. For Gwen as nu-Theresa – let’s see if this works. If not, she comes back as Gwen.
Regarding GH and switching Roger Howarth (as a recast Franco… let’s say… interesting? On GH, he started off as OLTL’s Todd Manning, then Franco, and now Austin. And don’t get me started on Michael Easton as OLTL’s John McBain, then he was Silas Clay, now Hamilton Finn.
Back to Jen & Gwen, I wish them both well… Days finally got rid of A.A. Good riddance to him. I believe he instigated the switch, etc. But, for now… it is what it is. Best wishes to both Jen & Gwen.
Why not just write Ms. Donovan out of the script and let Emily O’Brien remain as Gwen?
Because, when Jen Lilley offered to come back, Alarr and co. assumed it’d be for a long-term stay, so they planned out twelve weeks of story to tell, and when approached, she said she could only do three weeks (and claims they wrote out twelve weeks of scripts), and likely had the planned Tate SORAS coming in.
Who is A.A.??
Albert Alarr.
Gwen becoming Theresa? It’s totally insane – what? She’s going to play both parts using wigs? Days has really sunk to a new low
Please we have the guy who played Ben, playing Alex. We pretty much got over it.
I do not like the way this has been handled; I do not blame Jen Lilley or Emily O’Brien, but I blame Albert Alarr and his continued power control. What an unfortunate situation, however, I hate that same actor different role exists within daytime, especially when there are plenty others who could be hired and be given the opportunity to take on the role.
Ron Carlivati is the king of the bizarre! If it’s nonsensical, you can bet Ron has a hand in it.
Head writers have almost nothing to do with casting. And as we’ve learned from the Albert Alarr debacle they can only write what the EP allows (it was revealed by a recently departed writer that Ron wrote a return to Salem for Bo and Hope and a reunion with Doug and Julie and it was scrapped from above, for example) and that Alarr, who had power over actors contracts and budget, regularly dictated, via those decisions, who needed to be written in and out–all while Ron was regularly blamed for it. Given how hands on Frons, Varni, and Valentini were (with casting and budget affecting casting) — and how deferential they were to certain actors with “thoughts” on story — it’s pretty obvious that regularly happened at ABC, too (we know he was forced to write Kyle and Fish out with hardly any notice) and likely happens at all of the soaps, save B&B (where the EP and top exec IS the Head Writer), but there seems to be an unspoken rule the writers (if they want to continue working in this small industry, or maybe due to clauses in their contracts) can’t call out EPs and network execs by name for forcing their hands…and so they just have to take the blame from fans.
Ron Carlivati is head writer… not executive producer/casting. This is purely decision of Albert Alarr.
I don’t understand why people are freaking out over this. Robert Scott Wilson played Ben at the same time as playing Alex. One was on DOOL and the other on Beyond Salem. But, that’s how they kept him around.
But, the head writer does pitch the ideas, that can be accepted or rejected by the executive producer. And yes, they do have some say in casting. Harding Lemay was the head writer for Another World back in the day. He hated Jacuie Courtney and George Reinholt and was instrumental in their firing. They were the top stars of the show.
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This is very strange. I guess I’ll wait and see, but not loving it right now. Jen was so good as Theresa.
I am very happy about this! I love Emily and so this is Wonderful news to me!! Still would love to see her and Alex get together! Loved them as a couple!
This is crazy! She’s British with a definite strong accent. Cannot imagine her as Theresa at all. Days casting crew are nuts.
Then you never saw Emily play her mother with her New Jersey accent.
Emily is a great Gwen, but a terrible Teresa. Jen is the best Teresa.
Worst idea DOOL has ever had. I’m so disappointed. Trying to decide if I can keep watching. It was hard enough seeing the Alex/Ben thing but Teresa/Gwen NO!!!!!
How absurd – why didn’t they just recast with a new actress? If Jen Lilly isn’t available for the long haul that’s understandable, but don’t recast with someone who’s already on the show as a completely different character, it’s astonishingly Distracting. Plus, all of a sudden, Theresa has a British accent (?) – I don’t dislike the actress who played GWEN but I can’t suddenly accept her as the New Theresa –
I preferred Jen Lilley as Theresa Donovan! The switch of characters from actors playing prior parts sucks! Ruins Days for me!
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
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.
Breaking News
DAYS Lauren Koslow Temporarily Fills-In for Jess Walton as ‘The Young and the Restless’ Jill Abbott
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.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Shares Parting Thoughts on ‘Brilliant Minds’ Following its Cancellation
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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