Days Of Our Lives
(EXCLUSIVE) Peter Reckell Pays Tribute to His ‘Days of our Lives’ Original TV Brother, Wayne Northrop
Peter Reckell first aired on Days of our Lives back on May 3, 1983. When he came to Salem, Bo Brady was the rebellious younger brother to the more steadfast police detective, Roman Brady, played by Wayne Northrop, who had debuted in the role two years earlier in 1981.
On Sunday, Days of our Lives and soap fans learned that Wayne had passed away back on November 27th from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 77. Northrop had been battling Alzheimer’s over the last six years. As tributes have poured in from Northrop’s former co-stars, Peter Reckell (Bo) shared exclusively with Michael Fairman TV, his remembrances of his on-screen brother and dear friend.
“Wayne was my big brother from the moment I met him,” recalled Peter. “Teasing and joking with me. Putting his arm around me physically and emotionally to guide me on my introduction to DAYS. No ego, just love and support. I am extremely lucky to have had him as family. Forever in my heart.”
Photo: PReckell
The relationship between the two brothers was magic in a bottle for Peter and Wayne, as Reckell recalled his start on DAYS and coming in at the time when Roman and Marlena (Deidre Hall) were the show’s supercouple. “The relationship with Roman was the most important relationship for the longest time for me as Bo. Wayne and Deidre Hall were rock stars of daytime when I came on the show,” expressed Peter. “So, to jump right into the middle of that whole thing was intimidating. Wayne and Deidre were always just so good and there for me.”
Who can ever forget the classic scenes from 1984 when Roman caught up with the evil Stefano DiMera (Joe Mascolo) on a cliff during the original prism storyline, only to have Stefano pull out a gun and shoot him, presumably to his death. It was Bo who cradled Roman in his arms at the ocean. And as DAYS fans know, when Bo left the scene for a few moments, and then returned, it was believed Roman had washed out to sea, only he was kidnapped by Stefano. Reckell remembered the on-screen chemistry he had shared with the late Northrop as brothers, “The audience could see when we looked at each other, we loved each other.”
Photo: ABC
Peter also spent a lot of time in his early years on DAYS with Wayne and his wife of 43-years, Lynn Herring (ex-Days and Lucy Coe, General Hospital). He shared, “We did personal appearances and stuff like that together. I recall that we did this athletic competition show between soap operas; where there was swimming and running. Wayne’s competitive side came out. He was just so like the athlete. He did well. He’d be jumping around like a 5-year-old. He was so funny. We spent a lot of time with Lynn, who is just the best person. The two of them were just incredible together.”
Sadly, Peter recently lost his other TV brother, Drake Hogestyn, who just two months earlier passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 70. Drake had debuted in 1986 and was believed to be Roman Brady for several years, until all the twist and turns confirmed he was the man now going by the name, “John Black.”
Photo: NBC
Reckell recalled Drake’s beginnings at DAYS, “By the time Drake came on the show, I had been pretty established by then. When he came along he was just the best guy ever. He was nervous, and I was sort of helping him along. He’s a guy’s guy. Drake tried to hide his nervousness, and he had experience doing other things, but obviously daytime is a whole different animal. Drake was just a great person.”
Today on the December 2nd episode of Days of our Lives, marked its 15,000 episode while honoring the late Bill Hayes at the memorial service for his character of Doug Williams. For decades, Reckell would play his son-in-law who was married to Doug’s ‘princess,’ Hope (Kristian Alfonso).
Photo: JPI
Peter shared his most treasured memories for Bill Hayes, “First of all, it’s just him as a person. When I’d go run lines with him in his dressing room, we’d just start talking … and his stories! The audience sees our relationship, and it was great because the whole arc of having Hope’s father just hating Bo and wanting Bo out of his life, to slowly building up this beautiful, loving relationship. The stuff that I love with Bill was sitting and talking from hearing about: his time being a pilot, to this family reunion were there were hundreds of people in Traverse City, Michigan, which is one of my favorite places on Earth. Then, there is his music. I started off as a song and dance man, and so we shared all sorts of stories of what different shows we were doing. Bill obviously kept doing musicals all the time. He was just so talented in so many different ways.”
Knots Landing fans know that Peter appeared on the former CBS primetime soap opera in the role of Johnny Rourke from 1988-1989 when he took a break from Days of our Lives to pursue other acting opportunities. Now, viewers can catch all of Peter’s episodes on ‘Knots’ via Amazon Prime, which launched all 14 seasons of the show available to stream as of December 1st.
Photo: CBS
Peter recalled his time on the show, “That was a fun experience. So different from daytime, but yet so similar. I was, once again, working with awesome people. I got to work outside (shoot on location), and it was so fun. I, obviously had hopes that it would last longer. However, for a couple of years it was really, really good.”
If you catch Knots Landing, you will notice that Reckell’s Johnny came into the show with an Irish accent and by the time he left the show, there was no accent. Peter weighed-in on what caused the switch-up, “I guess, maybe the producers didn’t think it was so good (laughs). My audience was built-in when I went to the show, and they like seeing Bo Brady, and they wanted me to be more like him. The producers recognized that. They said, ‘You know what? Maybe let’s go back to you not having an Irish accent.'”
As previously announced, Days of our Lives viewers should be on the lookout for the return of Bo Brady in May of 2025 as his story continues.
Share your thoughts on Peter’s touching remembrances of his beloved original TV brother, Wayne Northrop, the losses of Drake Hogestyn and Bill Hayes, and his time on ‘Knots Landing’ via the comment section below.
My heart aches for these actors it’s a tough journey !! God speed
I’m watching Knots Landing right now. Season 1. Thank goodness it picks up LOL
Losing all these actors from Days is upsetting.
These recent years, with the deaths of many popular and longtime daytime stars, remind us the genre really is about family. These actors are part of our lives, our chosen family, and they will be missed. With the heyday of serials in the 1960s, 1970s, 80s and 90s, the next few years likely will be filled with goodbyes too. Let’s hope these actors’ legacies are not forgotten and good daytime drama, at least strong serialized storytelling, will remain a staple of our entertainment and creative culture.
and John Anniston
So sorry to hear of Waynes passing.I was a huge fan of him and he sent me a picture of himself.He will be missed
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
Days Of Our Lives
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.
In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.
Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”
Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”
Photo: NBC
Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.
NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.
So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Next week, Days of Our Lives welcomes back fan favorites Colton Little (Andrew Donovan) and Christopher Sean (Paul Narita) when they reprise their roles for an upcoming special episode which contains Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena Evans.
Circle Monday, June 22 when the married couple comes back to Salem. Paul is the son of Marlena’s beloved and late husband, John Black (Drake Hogestyn). Andrew is the son of iconic couple Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy) and Kimberly Brady (Patsy Pease).
According to the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of June 22-26, Andrew scolds Cat (AnnaLynne McCord). Let’s remember Andrew is ISA. Meanwhile while Marlena thinks back on her fifty years in Salem, Paul arrives back in town.
Photo: JPI
ANDREW AND PAUL
Christopher Sean began playing Paul Narita back in 2014. He has come and gone from the show over the last decade. He was last on-screen back in November of 2025, when Paul arrived back in Salem for the dedication of the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the Days of Our Lives 60th anniversary celebration.
Colton Little, first began playing the all grown-up Andrew Donovan in 2022 on the Peacock limited series, Beyond Salem: Chapter 2. Little eventually moved to the mothership and Days of Our Lives in 2023. He was last seen on the soap opera back in March of this year in scenes with Peter Porte (Dimitri Von Leuschner) and Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark).
In story, Andrew and Paul tied the knot in front of family and friends on June 24, 2025, which followed the heartbreaking funeral of Paul’s father, John Black, who had passed away several weeks earlier from injuries sustained in an explosion.
Photo: JAnchondoIG
Michael Fairman TV also confirmed the romance exclusively of Colton Little with former General Hospital actor, Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco Rios) at the end of December of 2025.
Anchondo shared at that time, “I reached out to him (Colton) when I got the job on GH. We knew of each other through mutual friends; so I knew of him for a long time. I started asking Colton about what his experience was like on soaps and asked about SAG health insurance, etc. We met up one night and were hooked from then on.”
So, are you excited to see Andrew and Paul back on your screens? Share your thoughts and if you would like to see them stay longer in Salem in the future, with a story all of their own via the comment section. But first, check out the just released promo for the action on Days of Our Lives entitled “Conspiracy” below featuring Christopher and Colton.
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