Days Of Our Lives
Jen Lilley Defends Choice to Return to Days of our Lives After Fan Says It’s ‘Not a Worthy Platform’ For Her as a Christian Mom
After it had been revealed that Hallmark and Great American Family favorite, Jen Lilley will soon be seen in episodes on her former stomping grounds of Days of our Lives, not everyone thought it was a great idea for her to reprise her role of troublemaking Theresa Donovan.
Lilley is set to return to the Peacock streaming soap opera the week of August 28, 2023 which coincides with the memorial service for Victor Kiriakis who this week perishes in a plane crash. Of course, the memorial serves as the long-awaited send-off to the late John Aniston who passed away in November of 2022 at the age of 89, and who portrayed the iconic Victor for 37 years.
Yesterday on August 14th, Lilley was very excited to confirm her to DAYS with a comment, “Cats out of the bag, and there’s so much behind the scenes y’all don’t know 🤫 #Days”
Photo: JPI
However, apparently not all her fans are happy with her return to the long-running soap opera as Theresa; thinking her choice is somehow sacrilegious. On her Instagram post, one fan commented, “Don’t do it Jen. It is not a worthy platform for you as mom, Christian. Days is the worst of all soaps with their storylines.”
Lilley responded with, “You should read my interview about why I took the role originally. I wasn’t going to do it and the Holy Spirit told me to do it. The details behind His reasons when I asked the same exact question you just asked still make me sob in awe of His love and mercy when I think about it ❤️”
It is unclear as to what interview Lilley is referring to about why she originally decided to take the role of Theresa and how it does not conflict with her faith. However, back in 2013, the actress appeared on the Canadian Christian daily television talk show, 100 Huntley Street. When talking about taking on the role, Jen shared: “Theresa is something else. She’s extremely destructive, and she’s manipulative. And she’s been addictive, and she’s very promiscuous, but I really felt like the Lord was like, ‘This is your role.’”
Jen added, “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
In addition, since Jen announced her upcoming Salem return, there were several other fans who voiced they would not watch her on DAYS including one who expressed: “I stopped watching when they went to the dark side, although they had many times before. Yet, the Lord, I felt would not approve! The story lines are so dark and woke! I can’t understand how one can comprise.”
While some fans were negative, others pushed back to the positive. One fans wrote,“Take your crappy comments somewhere else. If (Days of 0ur Lives) is the worst, as you say, how amazing that they have been on the air for over 60 years! They have great story lines, the best looking & most talented cast. So don’t watch if that’s how you feel.” While, yet another shared, “I’m sure God wouldn’t want you to be so Judgy.”
So, what do you think of fans trying to take Jen Lilley to task for playing role that they believe is against her Christian values? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
FundaMENTALists always crack me up.
I actually know JC. Me and him hiked around the desert for 40 days, and he came down to Hell for the weekend after that whole crucifixion business was over.
If these people actually read their scriptures, they would realize that JC welcomed a lot of “bad people” to join his little group. Tax collectors, hookers, probably some addicts in that group. That Saul of Tarsus dude who wrote half of the New Testament was a mass murderer with a hobby of killing JC’s followers, until that whole Damascus incident.
Not to sound like I’m advertising here… it’s bad for business, of course. But the FundaMENTALists might want to stop thumping their bibles long enough to actually READ them.
Very well said Satan!!!!!!!!!!
(Insert eye roll)
Dude I honestly don’t know how you or your Old Man hold back from “smiting” all these mortals doing such really dumb things in your name.
Hope you make it down here for the labor day BBQ. Haven’t seen you down here forever!
I’ve never heard of her she’s obviously on your list! Now I have to talk with my Mother it was her special day today. Get behind me!!
Who is she lmao?
it’s sickening how everyone has to make a grandstand about something. I’m so glad Jen is back!!
Me too
Reaching
It’s a job! She’s only playing a part in a soap. She’s not transforming herself into Theresa Donovan.
Some people just take things to far. Bloody tv show for Pete sakes
It’s just a soap opera not a real live show people. Quit being pansies
I think sometimes Days fans need to be reminded that This Is A TV Show.
Why are they watching is always my question? I’m a Christian and watching Days has Zero to do with my salvation. Get real people.
I can’t wait to see Jen!
Evangelicals need to get their sticks out of their asses.
Creepy BS. Are these fundamentalists all social worker … who out of contact with reality have no contact to drug addicts, homeless people or the LGBT+ community or how are they able to put food on the table if they go so far to feel that a soap opera – for entertainment – is so evil that a good Christian should not work for such devilish product?
Remember Another Life? The Christian soap? I loved that show. They highlighted the difference in Terry’s life, a Christian and her sister Nancy’s life. A devious B. Soon lights appeared in a hospital room and healed a person, a Bible was hollowed out to hide something. In essence a soap with a religious bent. Still a soap at it’s core. Days eschews the religious part, don’t even equate that devil nonsense with anything closely spiritual, but it still highlights that evil is always brought down. And they still highlight highly moral characters. She has every right to return but she needs to STOP with all that The Holy Spirit told me to do it. Just say it’s my choice and leave it at that. If she were Eve in The Garden Of Eden mankind would STILL end up doomed. The Serpent told me to eat it. Girl/Jen please.
She can say what she wants.
You don’t have to read it, if it bothers you.
And FYI…calling yourself Satan and Jesus on here is not cute. I REALLY don’t like that type of nonsense but that’s MY opinion. I don’t see the joke in that at all, like it or not.
Which one of my names should I use them?
Lucifer. Beelzebub. Mephistopheles (way too many letters). Old Scratch.
I could go really old school and go with Samael. Which is the name I went by way back when in Heaven when I was still wearing the halo & white wings.
The Jesus poster is either new to the site or renamed. The other one – while his shtick is quite stale as this point – has often provided well thought-out observations with a deep knowledge of soap history.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums and ‘Veronica & Julian’ Stars Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
Two Days of Our Lives favorites, Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe Lane) and Kyler Pettis (ex-Theo Carver) are starring in the new indie feature Veronica & Julian and now on Monday, August 31 beginning at 3pm ET/12pm PT, they will visit You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat to discuss their film roles and time in Salem and much more.
Kyler Pettis appeared on Days of Our Lives as the grown-up autistic son of Abe (James Reynolds) and Lexie Carver (Renee Jones and more recently Nikki Crawford) from 2015-2018. He won a Daytime Emmy for his work on DAYS in 2019 in the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Nadia Bjorlin is best known for her role as Chloe Lane. Bjorlin appeared in multiple runs on the show from 1999-2023. In addition, she has been featured in Crystal Chappell’s Venice the Series since 2009 in the role of Lara.
Photo: VeronicaandJulian
VERONICA & JULIAN CONFRONTS MODERN ROMANCE
Now in 2026, the two are featured in the romantic drama of Veronica & Julian. In story, a confident and successful marketing executive (Bjorlin) winds up falling for a younger aspiring architect (Pettis).
From there, a journey of desire and self-discovery is set against the backdrop of present-day New York City. with obstacles along the way. Does it work? Does love conquer all, or do they go their separate ways? Veronica & Julian examines what happens when an unexpected romance forces the characters to confront the realities of age, timing, and love.
The cast also includes: Blake Jenner (ex-Glee), Erin Cummings, Chrystee Pharris (ex-Simone Russell, Passions and Queens of Drama), Robert Lee Leng, Mark Famiglietti and Jennafer Newberry. Look for Veronica & Julian to be released later in the fall.
The films director Otoja Abit shared this statement: “Veronica & Julian is about the right people who have a chance meeting at the wrong time. It’s a look at two people who don’t grow apart—they just grow up. This film is an authentic exploration of an imminent ending and how two people deeply in love got there. It aims to be quiet while telling a relatable story about modern-day relationships.”
QUESTIONS FOR THE DAYS ALUMS
If you have a question for Nadia and Kyler, make sure to join us in the live chat and we might just ask it during the live broadcast. If you can’t be with us live and can catch the repla, but have something you would like posed to our guests, you can drop it in the comment section here.
Now, check out the official Veronica & Julian trailer below.
So, intrigued by the story of Veronica & Julian? Do you miss seeing Nadia and Kyler on Days of Our Lives? Let us know in the comment section too.
Daytime Emmy winner and Gold Circle Honors Inductee, Suzanne Rogers will be on your screens this week on Days of Our Lives, when Maggie Kiriakis is back in action beginning with the Monday, August 31 episode. Previously, Maggie was written-off the canvas in April of this year when she left Salem to visit her daughter, Melissa.
Back in October of 2025, it was revealed that Rogers was battling stage II colorectal cancer. Then in November 2025, Suzanne told PEOPLE that she was now in remission.
Suzanne shared, “I’m feeling so much better. I mean, my summer was rough. I had cancer removed, radiation, that was tough. But I didn’t lose my hair. I guess I got it early. I was stage two, and it was a certain kind of chemo that they gave me, it was pills and the radiation, and it didn’t affect it so that was good.”
Photo: JPI
SUZANNE ROGERS JOURNEY BACK TO DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Now, official Days of Our Lives spoilers indicate that Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) will reach out to Maggie on the Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Due to Days of Our Lives’ advance taping schedule of 10-11 months in advance of streaming new episodes on Peacock, Suzanne’s reintroduction to the story will play out this fall.
In a interview with TV Insider last year, Rogers shared that as of July 31 2025, she had completed cancer treatment and was headed back to work to continue the story of Maggie Horton.
Rogers explained, “I start back to work next week, so we’ll see how that goes. Now, I’m feeling anxious like I do any time I get scripts because I want to do my very best and you don’t want to hold up anybody.”
As Days of Our Lives fans know, Rogers has been with the soap opera as of last week for 53 years having debuted back on August 20, 1973. Then in 1979, Suzanne became the first actress ever to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
In 2024, Rogers was honored with induction into the Emmys’ Gold Circle by The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This award recognizes individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on television for 50 years or more.
Before her recent health scare, Rogers has battled myasthenia gravis starting in 1984, which also has gone in remission.
So, happy to know Suzanne is back as Maggie this week on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives? Have you missed seeing this Salem staple for the past many months? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Brandon Butler, Who Once Played Zack Brady, Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in New Role
Days of Our Lives has revealed another addition to the cast of the Peacock streaming soap opera; only this time his face is familiar to fans of the soap opera. Brandon Butler is taking on the new role of Mason Whitfield, but he previously played Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope’s (Kristian Alfonso) deceased son, Zack Brady for a stint back in 2025!
In a post on Thursday, August 27 on the official DAYS Instagram account, they shared a video of Butler telling 5 interesting things about himself caption with, “Get to know Brandon Butler, who will be playing Mason Whitfield! Here are five fun facts about the newest addition to the Days of our Lives cast before his first episode on September 1.”
That means that viewers will see Butler’s debut as Mason next Tuesday! When Brandon named his fifth fun fact, he shared, “Last but definitely not least for me: Days of Our Lives was my late mother’s favorite show. So this one’s for you, Mom. Love you.”
Photos: Peacock
Previously on DAYS, Butler took over the role of Zack Brady from Scott Shilstone, who last played the adult version of Bo and Hope’s son back in 2022 during the Peacock limited series, Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter Two. Fast-forward to the June 2, 2025 episode on Days of Our Lives.
In story, as Bo Brady finally comes out of his coma after receiving the critical dose of Versavix, thanks to the late John Black (Drake Hogestyn), he is visited by his deceased son, Zack in heaven and he helps push his dad to return to the land of the living.
Brandon’s previous TV credits include roles on: 13 Reasons Why, Hysteria!, Trinkets, and Seal Team, to name but a few. He also appeared on General Hospital back in 2016 for one episode.
It should be noted that also heading to Salem on-screen in September is actress Sydney Malakeh who as previously reported is starting her run in a ‘mystery role.’ Malakeh’s first airdate is September 9. Does this mean that Butler’s Mason will cross paths with Malakeh’s Salem alter-ego? Stay tuned.
So, intrigued to see Brandon Butler back on DAYS in the new role of Mason Whitfield? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
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