Days Of Our Lives
Heartbreaking DAYS: Steve Learns Adrienne Died, An Anguished Sarah Lays Into Xander, Brady Tells Kristen Their Baby Is Alive
If you caught Tuesday’s episode of Days of our Lives, it proved to be one of the more dramatic and emotional episodes of the year in soaps; featuring stellar performances from the cast. First, knocking it out of the park was Stephen Nichols (Steve), who while in the hospital and regaining his true self back, learns from the love of his life, his sweetness, Kayla (Mary Beth), that she has moved on with another man in his absence. Then, when Kayla admits she has been involved with Justin (Wally Kurth), he immediately questions her, “What about my sister? Did they split up again?” Confused and shocked, he tells Kayla she would never have an affair on Justin. With nothing left to do but tell Steve the truth, Kayla has the painstaking task of telling him that his beloved sister, Adrienne died and the events that led to her death. Steve is gut-punched and breakdowns in tears over his sister’s death and that he was not there for her. When Steve says she was such a good sister it is crushing moment as he says he will always love her.
Photo: JPI
Later, when Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) and Jack (Matthew Ashford) visit Steve in his hospital room, Steve hides his face. Jack learns that Steve knows about Adrienne, as he sees Steve just overcome with grief, and goes to hug and comfort his brother. Jack also tried to help Steve understand how Justin was devastated when Adrienne was killed and that Kayla was grieving the loss of her relationship with Steve, knowing she signed the divorce papers and he went MIA from Salem and did not contact her.
At the Kiriakis mansion, Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) is supposed to start her wedding to Xander (Paul Telfer), but now she is armed with the truth that he switched her and Eric’s (Greg Vaughan) baby, with Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Kristen’s (Stacy Haiduk) … and her little girl actually died. As Justin presides over their nuptials, Sarah is filled with moments of anger, hatred, and shock towards Xander. He is not sure what is going on with her. When it gets to the vows, Sarah finally blurts “How could I marry you after what you did?” It is then he learns she knows he switched babies and let her fall in love with a child that was not hers!
Photo: JPI
Sarah reveals to Xander that Eric told her everything on how he covered his tracks and passed off Brady and Kristen’s baby as hers, Justin leaves and once he’s gone, Xander tries to explain he did the switch for her, because he loves her and she had gone through so much. Sarah, who is an emotionally fragile state, hears Xander suggest that they take Mickey and run away. She tells him she is going upstairs with Mickey (Rachel) and when she comes down she wants him gone and she never wants to see him again. Realizing he has been found out and his plans have blown up in his face, Xander collapses to the floor. Upstairs with the baby, Sarah doesn’t know how to let her go. And in the cliffhanger of the entire episode, an overwrought Xander turns and sees that Eric has showed up, ready for a confrontation …. and to see Sarah.
Photo: JPI
Brady, who has been through an emotional rollercoaster learning from Eric and Nicole (Arianne Zuvker) that baby Rachel is alive, and that it is now his brother, Eric who is grieving the loss of a child, goes to find Kristen to tell her the shocking, and yet wonderful news. He finds her at the gravesite of their believed-to-be-dead daughter. As she continue to grieve the loss of their child, it is then Brady tells her that their little girl is alive!. Kristen begins to understand the revelation when Brady reveals that “Mackenzie” has the same birthmark as Rachel. and he has DNA test results to prove she’s theirs. At first, Kristen is too scared to believe this could be true, but she reads the DNA results and is overjoyed. Just then, Eric and Nicole arrive at the gravesite. Brady hugs his brother and Kristen tells Eric how sorry she is, even though she knows he does not like her for what she has done in the past to him. Then, Eric and Nicole have a moment at the gravesite, as an emotional Eric says goodbye to his daughter.
Later at their home, Kristen says she wants to go get Rachel. Brady says they need to give Sarah and Eric a day to grieve before barging over to the Kiriakis mansion to claim their baby. Kristen tells Brady she is not sure she can wait another day. When she starts questioning how the hospital messed up the birth of the babies, it is then she learns that Xander was behind the baby switch; and as expected, that was not going to sit well with Kristen!
Photo: JPI
Kudos to Eric Martsolf, Lindsey Godfrey, Greg Vaugha, Stacy Haiduk, Paul Telfer, Mary Beth Evans and the aforementioned Nichols for their performances in this episode that featured several hankie x 10 moments.
So, what did you think of this episode of DAYS? Were you emotional through it? Did you enjoy the work of the cast? Comment below.
You know when there is a wedding there isnt going to be a wedding…well there be a who shot Xander-JR Ewing style…Since her arrival Sarah has changed men faster than i change my shorts-lol..at least this baby drama didnt last as long as GHs…please no more mind control, amnesia or Ciara being kidnapped or Ben being suspicious of a crime…time for Days to move on with something different than the overuse of the same plot devices…ps-i still think Adrienne is alive and will show up thinking she is Bonnie Lockhart-yes, another mind switcher-with Bonnie thinking she was Adrienne and it was Bonnie really killed,,,and Sarah will either be preg by Xander or her baby will still show up…did we need GR return briefly with another baby drama even if it was brief???-at least they didnt bring back his mom Diana!!!
Stephen Nichols’ performance in this episode was Emmy worthy. It was so raw and truthful. I’m glad they remembered to address Adrienne’s death.
I can’t wait for Victor to find out that he and Xander have been found out, but it will kill poor Maggie to find out it was her fault the baby died.
I am also hoping Maggie wI’ll run into Adrienne’s double in prison but it will actually be Adrienne with amnesia.
I can’t wait for Kirsten to confront Victor and nail him to the wall. Also, I wanted Kirsten and Brady to immediately phone the police to have Xander arrested. The police would have Marlena to take Rachel.
I knew that wedding was never going to happen.
if dool wasn’t written by RC I would probably give the show a chance, they do have a lot of interesting actors. Every show is rich in history especially if they been around for so long, but like I said I just can’t bring myself to watch this show under RC writing. It would be to much, I don’t want to see hope being princess gina, patch being stephano, Adrianne being dead maybe, Marlena possecesed, ect, its to heavy loaded w/ soapy content, and w/ everybody’s life turned upside down. whose life in Salem is just normal?
The cast showcased in this episode was amazing! It proves if you give halfway decent material the actors will come through. Stephen Nichols has proven he is hands down the most gifted and versatile actor in daytime right now. Mary Beth Evans and he are magic together 30+ years and never miss a beat. Chemistry/connection off the charts!
Everything was great, except for the ridiculous Justin/Kayla/Steve triangle..history has been conveniently rewritten to fit plot, Kayla OOC, etc She waited 16 yrs, wouldn’t sleep with Jack(when married to him) because she wanted Steve, went through 3 separations and she never moved on. Most importantly, she is a hypocrite at times and would never choose Justin, a known cheater, to get involved with. Hope Steve walks away and she realizes grass isn’t greener with the safe rebound called Justin.
That was a good week! Steve having to come back from having that dumb “stefano chip” in his brain to find out his life has been imploded was heartbreaking. The actors that play Kayla and Steve have some kind of chemistry and connection, its natural.
The writing/dialogue makes it hard to support the Kayla/Justin pairing. Writers have flipped Kayla’s dialogue from month to month, those scenes where Justin was hanging out at the hospital seemed desperate. Then you had him telling anyone in Salem that would listen about his and Kayla’s relationship..its seems they are trying to hard to sell it and it’s gotten old quick. Chemistry is just pleasant with those two, where Kayla/Steve are electric.
What a good week of Days that was! Kept you pretty much on the edge of your seat and it was nice to see the 30+ age crowd and veterans putting on a show.Some of those younger actors (and older ones such as WK who is spotty at times) could take lessons from Mary Beth Evans, Ari Zucker and Stephen Nichols..Stephen Nichols deserves every kudos given his way during this time jump-he’s been that good. He and Mary Beth Evans are just so natural on scene it’s nice to watch.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
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