Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Jen Lilley on Upcoming Theresa Replacement: “Be Kind to Her. She’s a Stellar Performer and Being a Recast is Super Hard.”
This week, Jen Lilley returned to Days of our Lives as Theresa Donovan returns for Victor Kiriakis (the late John Aniston) memorial service and more. Thus far, Theresa has run into her ex Brady (Eric Martsolf) and shared scenes with him.
In addition, Theresa has shared some snarky scenes with Xander (Paul Telfer). Needless to say, Theresa’s arrival in Salem has not been met with, after all the machinations she pulled through the years.
As previously revealed by Lilley herself, she wound up taping 12 episodes or so, for this return. After that, and to continue the story, the DAYS powers-that-be made the decision to recast the part, something Lilley was originally unaware of, in order to fulfill the amount of episodes that were written for the show. Jen had let the soap opera know she was only available for 3 or 4 weeks.
Photo: JPI
Taking to her Instagram, Lilley shared some pics with Eric Martsolf and Paul Telfer and shared: “Ha! I’m cracking up because I saw this first press photo and had to confirm with @ericmartsolf that this was us between takes quickly judging and absorbing some redirection we didn’t seem to agree with . I think it was something like, just remember they don’t like each other that much Swipe. So happy to share the screen again with this powerhouse actor for a dozen or so #Days episodes. You’re a treasure sir! And I had to throw in a screen cap of me and my buddy @paultelfer because I distinctly remember us not making eye contact in fear we’d burst out laughing at the horrible things our characters say to each other.”
Jen also added, “Excited for all my #DOOL episodes this week and very happy for the lady taking over the role of Theresa. Be kind to her. She’s a stellar performer and being a recast is super hard. We’re all family and I got nothing but love for all my @dayspeacock people.”
Being concerned for her recast stems from Lilley’s experience when she stepped- n for Kirsten Storms as Maxie Jones on General Hospital and was not treated well by fans. Lilley replaced Storms for almost year from September 2011 to August 2012, before joining Days of our Lives as Theresa in July of 2013.
While we get to see Lilley’s deliciously portrayed antics as troublemaking Theresa, one can’t help but wonder, just who is coming in to take over the role on screen in a few weeks? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section, and if you are enjoying seeing Jen back on DAYS.
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I’ve seen rumors on another site (one not exactly known for accurate spoilers & predictions) about who the recast is. I don’t believe it, so I won’t bother saying who they claim it is… but let’s just say it would be another “Ben turns into Alex” situation.
And if that’s the case, it wasn’t worth the trouble of bringing Theresa back at all, if they’re just using Jen Lilley as a bait & switch to bring back the character in an unneccesary recast form.
Except, that’s not exactly true. Jen Lilley reached out to TPTB with the idea of Theresa returning for Victor’s memorial… and they returned to her with the idea of a twelve-week stint that had been written. She told them she couldn’t do twelve weeks, but three. So, they said they’d have to recast, so she wrote a letter to TPTB (via her agent’s delivery) that she wished the role to not be recast and if they did, she’d like to talk to them, knowing how it feels to be a recast (Maxie on General Hospital). So, some time passed, and they came to Lilley would the idea of filming twelve weeks of material within a three-week period. Even cast were told this was happening. So, she gave them four weeks of time, and by the second weeks, scripts had paused, and she went to the former co-EP, and he informed her they had recast the role to complete the storyline.
This is the problem with taping your show 6 months (or more) in advance…
Albert Alarr screws up the show 666 ways from Sunday and you still have to work through the damage he’s done, long after he’s gone.
Mhmm.
She pretty much said that. What are you on about?
Bottom line Jen lilley was a great recast I watched the show then she was great ! KS has issues i have not watched the show in four years who is playing Maxie ? I asked they said KS and I don’t recognize her and if you start your crap with fat shaming I’m done she has gained a lot of weight and that’s dangerous it is from the medication and I know that ! But if you think this is healthy ??? Talk to a cardiologist
Bella – KS HAD BRAIN SURGERY in 2021 and the medications she needed to take resulted in weight gain. AND a cardiologist is always consulted when these drugs are given to a patient after brain surgery. Anything to say now!
Judgmental much? Would hate to be in your circle of people or your orbit. I bet you’re the perfect of health and body image, yes?
I’m really confused. I thought Jen always played THERESA.
They were referring to Lily’s stint on GH where she was a recast of Maxie Jones. As for this switcheroo, rumor has it that the actress playing Gwen will throw on a wig and take over the role. Emily is an amazing actress but I actually like Gwen!
The recast of Theresa is coming in about a month. Jen has always played Theresa.
Not a month; Jen Lilley filmed two-weeks worth of material in two-weeks. A total of twelve weeks of Theresa were written.
She did play Theresa and came back to reprise the role but she cannot do more than a few episodes so someone will take on the role of Theresa, Hope that clears this up for you.
That’s not entirely true, Ginger. She was only able to take three weeks off to film for them; she ended up taking four, and they were planning on shooting twelve weeks worth of material in that one-month of time. However, after two-weeks, Albert Alarr and co. decided to no longer use Jen Lilley and forge with a recast for the final weeks of filming.
I don’t like this and don’t know why Days is doing this.
Days is like a bargain basement show. They are constantly switching actors and laying off actors for long periods of time to save money but make more money in the long run. And sometimes the bait and switch backfires on them. Example I loved Ben but can’t stand Alex. They should either commit to high quality programming or give it up
Gwen is taking the role of Theresa I can’t see it don’t like Gwen for the role she is leaving days and coming back as Theresa poor decision Days writers never going to pull it off
I can’t even WATCH a Hallmark movie she’s in! She talks through her teeth, and you can’t understand a word she’s saying through that constant smile. No thank you
It’s rumored that Emily o Brian will assume the role of there’s
Theresa
Who is that?
She currently plays Gwen
I love Jen Lilley as Teresa! Can’t imagine anyone else in that he role.
I concur!
I read Jens comments on this and think it’s BS what days did.
Jen Lilley could only commit to do a certain amount or shows because of her contract with Great America Country Channel. Many of us really like the actress that plays Gwen but unfortunately that writer that was fired, had written the Gwen, Leo, Dimitri storyline there was no where for Gwen to go afterwards but leave Salem. I think Emily 0’brien will do an amazing job playing Teresa! I’d rather her play this role than to leave all together….
Do not bring her back please as Theresa that aweful.
They need to bring Days back to prime time good old fashioned TV !! Have not seen an episode since they went to peacock !! They should realize who their audience is and it’s not “the younger” generation…they don’t follow anything… btw..Jen was great as Theresa back in the day…watch her on Hallmark TV now.
Days was renewed for another 2 years and the ratings have been so good on peacock so the writers are obviously doing something right! If you don’t watch and support the show why are you even commenting??
I wish they were able to keep her. I remember when she started also. I also remember she was the recast on DOOL the original girl was a skinny brunette very tiny. She plays in movies now haven’t seen her in a soap since she left, but this Teresa took over and she did an awesome job. I was happy to see your come back too bad she’s not sticking around.
Love her doesn’t matter what show she is on ,but I think she belongs to her movies.and if they are going to try and replace her, with the one laying Gwen wrong thing to do ,she will never be accepted,
People love Emily O’Brian and will be happy she will still be on Days! Her current storyline had her character backed into a wall with no where to go but leave Salmen! She’s too good of an actress to loose! Days needs her. I’m looking forward to the direction she will go with Teresa!!! @goteamEmily!
Emily should grab Greg Rickart and go back to Y&R and become the original couple they played there. It’s no more far fetched than what they’re suggesting here.
So true!!
Emily O’Brien is a great actress but the Theresa character sucks.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives Favorite Lamon Archey Welcomes Baby Girl
Congratulations are in order for Lamon Archey (Eli, Days of our Lives) and his wife Krissy Terry. The couple have welcomed a baby girl into this world named Kennedy.
In a beautiful photo of Kennedy with her mom and dad via Instagram, Lamon shared: “Blessings on blessings on blessings on blessings. #Blessed @monicamartinphotography”
Terry added,“My princess. Kennedy Archey. You are my everything. I pray I am everything you want me to be in a mama. I never thought I’d love so deeply the way I love you, baby-cakes. I’ll forever be your guide, protector, and nurturer.”
Photo: LArcheyIG
This is Archey’s fourth child. His three other children are: Machiah, 21; Caden, 14; and Gaia, 11
Several of Lamon’s Days of our Lives co-stars shared their well-wishes on his IG post including: Kristian Alfonso (Hope), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe), Stephen Nichols (Steve), Galen Gering (Rafe) and Sal Stowers (Lani).
Lamon and Krissy were married back on March 25th of this year.
Send your well-wishes for Lamon, Krissy and new little bundle of joy, Kennedy via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
Jen Lilley Signs Off at Days of our Lives: “Playing Jeanne Theresa Donovan Off and On for the last 10 Years Has Taught Me So Much About Empathy and Grace”
This week on Days of our Lives, Jen Lilley will wrap her short-term run as Theresa Donovan. Lilley came back to reprise her role to a be a part of the on-screen memorial for Victor Kiriakis, and to honor one of her her all-time favorite scene partners, the late John Aniston.
While Lilley explained in interviews with the press, that she gave the series a 3 to 4 week window of time she would be available to reprise the role, she noted the long-running soap opera wrote more episodes and story for the character; thus the part will be turned over to another actress for the next leg of Theresa’s return story.
Meanwhile, through the years, Lilley came under fire over her run on DAYS being a devout Christian, and taking on the role of the troublemaking Theresa. She fired back in one interview, “Why should I play a role like this,’ you know? That’s been something I’ve been asked over and over again, by Christians, like,‘How can you be a Christian and play this role?’ And the truth of the matter is that from a human perspective, Theresa’s kind of a horrible person, but from a God perspective, she’s exactly who Christ came and died for.”
Photo: JPI
With her final episode streaming on Peacock on Friday, September 22nd, Lilley took to her Instagram to share her sentiments on her Salem journey over the years.
Jen shared: “Last week of me exploring this girl’s shenanigans on screen. Playing Jeanne Theresa Donovan off and on for the last 10 years has taught me so much about empathy and grace. I have enjoyed every moment of her hilarious sass and ferocity, layered with brokenness. To the cast and crew at @dayspeacock, I love you forever. You’re my family. And to the best fans a girl could ask or hope for: remember there is no pit so deep you could ever find yourself in where God’s love cannot find you still. You are never beyond redemption. You are called by grace and marked with love. Thank you for supporting me on this decade long journey. #Days #RIPJohnAniston #ripvictorkiriakis #DOOL”
No word yet if in the future, and with Lilley’s busy filming schedule (once the SAG-AFTRA and writers strikes are resolved) for Great American Family movies and other projects, if she would be available to return to DAYS should the show decide to write for the character.
So, are you sad to see Jen exit the canvas as Theresa? Curious just who and how will take over her role? There have been plenty of online rumors that a certain actress currently on the show is taking over the part. Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives Celebrates One-Year on Peacock (Photos)
When Days of our Lives moved from NBC to the streaming service Peacock after 57 years on the air, it rocked many longtime fans of the beloved soap opera. However, NBC/Universal decided to make it a high priority on its companion streamer as one of its flagship shows. This was due, in part, to its dedicated fan base and viewership.
DAYS started its run in its new home on September 12th, 2022, and now one-year later, Peacock helped the show celebrate its first anniversary in its current streaming digs with an ice cream truck outside its studios in Burbank on Monday.
Taking a break from Salem, and to partake in some ice cream were DAYS stars: Billy Flynn (Chad), Ella Cantu, (Jada) Abigail Klein (Stephanie), Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Doug and Julie), Carson Boatman (Johnny), Raven Bowens (Chanel), Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Stephen Nichols (Steve), and Greg Vaughan (Eric).
Check out some of the snaps from the ice cream truck fun below!
Photo: JPI
Mary Beth Evans, who shared on social media she used to serve up ice cream at one time in her life, took a pic inside the ice cream truck with Stephen Nichols. Seems “Stayla” likes ice cream too!
Photo: JPI
Raven Bowens served up an ice cream cone to Carson Boatman!
Photo: JPI
Too cool for school! Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes strike a pose with ice cream treats.
Photo: JPI
Greg Vaughan with his longtime castmate, Mary Beth Evans, celebrating the one-year anniversary of DAYS move to Peacock.
Photo: JPI
Here’s the signage from Peacock upon sending the ice cream truck to DAYS.
Photo: JPI
The Salem gang strikes one final pose before heading inside and back to work to tape all-new episodes.
So, what do you think about Peacock sending the ice cream truck to DAYS to mark the occasion of its move to the streaming service? Are you glad DAYS is still moving forward on the streamer, even though a year later it’s not on or coming back to network TV? Comment below.
General Hospital’s John J. York On His Health Battle & Living Life While Waiting for Bone Marrow Transplant: “Let’s Just Go One Day At a Time”
Mark Grossman’s Mom to Appear on The Young and the Restless
Days of our Lives Favorite Lamon Archey Welcomes Baby Girl
Jen Lilley Signs Off at Days of our Lives: “Playing Jeanne Theresa Donovan Off and On for the last 10 Years Has Taught Me So Much About Empathy and Grace”
Days of our Lives Celebrates One-Year on Peacock (Photos)
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