Days Of Our Lives
Jen Lilley Reveals Shortened DAYS Return and Recast: “The Girl Coming Back as Theresa is a Brunette”
This week on Days of our Lives, several key returns come to Salem for Victor’s (the late John Aniston) memorial and the aftermath of the story arc, which includes Jen Lilley in the role of Theresa Donovan.
Lilley’s comeback begins on the Friday, September 1st episode of the Peacock streaming soap opera. The actress, who has become a major lead in Hallmark Channel and then Great American Family movies and other projects, played the role of DAYS mischievous Theresa from 2013-2016 and made a return visit to the soap in 2018.
However, in a newly-released video interview with Soaps.com’s Kristyn Burtt, Lilley shares the back-story of how she reached out to then Days of our Lives co-executive producer, Albert Alarr, expressing her interest to reprise the role of Theresa, so she could be included in Victor’s memorial episodes. Since Lilley loved working with John Aniston, she was hoping there would be some way to work things out to pave the way for her to be a part of it.
Jen shared that she made herself available for 3 to 4 weeks, but the soap said they had story planned for Theresa for 12. After a back and forth, she was led to believe they were putting 12 weeks of episodes into 3 to 4 weeks to accommodate Lilley’s availability, which she noted, “is so gracious.”
Later, when Jen wasn’t receiving the amount of scripts she thought she would be given, she felt something was up. That’s when she found out and realized, that DAYS had recast the role of Theresa with another actress to play out the longer run of episodes after confronting Alarr.
Photo: JPI
According to Lilley, she said, “Listen, you told me Theresa’s going to do X, Y and Z, and I haven’t gotten the scripts. I only have one more for Monday, and I have two weeks left (on set).” At that point, Alarr informed Jen that the remainder of the episodes would be in the hands of another actress.
Lilley shared on her recast: “The girl coming back as Theresa is a brunette, and when I was ready to come back, I was ready to cut my hair and dye it brown to play Theresa again. I said, ‘I’ll do whatever you guys need, I’m so grateful.”
The actress reports that while she was working at DAYS, the other actress was already at the set, but Jen had no idea that she was the Theresa recast. Lilley shared, “Albert said on the replacement, ‘She’s known for three weeks.'” That’s when, Lilley detailed they were going to put the other actress in a wig.
Finding herself in a very awkward situation, Lilley went to the actress and said, “I am so sorry. I just found out, that must be so awkward for you.” Jen also shared to her replacement, how brutal it was for her with GH fans when she was a recast as Maxie Jones.
In the end, Lilley expressed, on the time she received to come back to play Theresa: “I was still super grateful to go back for the two weeks and one day. I am happy that the story of Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Theresa can continue on.” Jen also noted that the door seems to be open for her to return as Theresa down the road.
So, what do you think about DAYS replacing Jen Lilley during upcoming episodes as Theresa? Who do you think will take on the role? Comment below.
I’m disgusted!!
Jen’s portrayal of Theresa was a favorite to watch at least for me.
This show is becoming more and more discombobulated.
I agree…Peacock is ruining the Days that I loved!!!
Peacock has nothing to do with it.
It’s not Peacock that was ruining Days it was Alan Alarrs doing that caused so many issues! Now that he is gone things will be so much better! Peacock has already renewed Days for another 2 years!!
Then FIRE Alan…Or Rather More Reduce To Mopping Floors And Cleaning The Restrooms…
I beg to differ with you. Peacock is doing a fantastic job.
Not Only That…It’s Quite Stupid That We Have To Go To Peacock And Pay To Watch The Show…I’ve Missed Almost 1 Years Of It Now Since The Last Episode Aired On NBC September 9Th/2022…
The choice was likely Peacock or cancellation. For some not willing or able to subscribe to Peacock, it might feel like cancellation anyway.
Peacock IS NBC! They are ruining Days, it would have been the same script, even if they didn’t go to Peacock!!!
Truly it is. Must be Alarr’s fault.
Peacock IS NBC!!! Don’t you remember the colorful Peacock that they use to show, everything I show started on channel 3, which was NBC in Nevada anyway. How people can think that Peacock ruined Days of Our Lives are wrong! The show would have been the same either way. Which is not as bad as people are saying! If you don’t like it, then STOP watching it instead of complaining about it!!!!
It stinks
I am shocked but not shocked at the same time, given what was happening on that set during this time. I think it’s shameful they wanted twelve-weeks and she told them she could not, so they told her they would do those twelve-weeks in a four-week timeframe. And then after two weeks & one day, they told her⏤at her request⏤ they would continue the ten additional weeks without her, despite telling everyone she would do doing the filming within a four-week period of time. It’s insanely unprofessional, especially given she was willing and able to put the time in, and they did not even give her a fair fighting chance.
They likely knew they’d be replacing her whether she returned or not, and we do know (via spoilers) that Emily O’Brien will be finishing the ten additional weeks worth of material (wearing a blonde wig). I am incredibly disappointed in what’s been done. It was poorly handled to all involved.
“We do know via spoilers…”
I’ve seen the spoilers you are referring to, and I’ve only seen them in one place, which is notorious for making up random dragonshit rumors about 99.9% of the time. And if you are familiar with that site, you have probably seen me over there throwing their dumb rumors right back at them.
In either case, ANY recast of Theresa, halfway through a short run, would be ridiculous. Swapping her out for Gwen would be 666 times more so. Sadly not unprecedented though, given the fairly recent example where they wrote out Serial Killer Ben and the next day, brought in Justin Kiriakis’s long lost son, who looked exactly like him. And then proceded to make “Alex” a cartoon character, just so nobody could confuse him with Ben.
Not surprised to read this was Alarr’s doing. Given Days 6 months ahead taping schedule, Hell only knows how many more ways he’s already damaged the show, that we have yet to experience before the shows made without him make it to the screen next January.
I totally agree with you Scott!
They should have kept her I’m the role
Jen is the one and only Theresa !!!!
I agree she is devil hardy harthat she is in a good way!! Jen is the one&ONLY Theresa Donavan!<-right?
I’m not offended at all that you compared Theresa to me, but Jen Lilley might be, as her religious beliefs are well known.
Bad move to recast Jen Lilley!!!!!! Especially when it’s going to be Gwen!!!!!!!
Agree on that
I cannot and will not think of Gwen as Theresa. Uck
I’m not or have ever been a Theresa fan after she tried to kill John – 3 times- and ran Melanie out of town. If it hadn’t been for Melanie,there would be no Tate. Fine way to thank Melanie.
Not cool! There is no one that can replace Jen as Theresa!
Seems like a pretty sh*tty thing to do. Was this just another one of AA’s rotten deeds? One has to wonder.
Still, I’m glad Jen will be back for a while and I hope people are kind to the recast, as it’s not her fault this is happening.
So – Jen comes up with the idea of Theresa coming back, says she can work 4 wks and she’s told the writers came up with 12 wks of material? What? If you weren’t planning on it to begin with, and the actor brings the idea up – how do you hear they are available for 4 wks so lets write 12 wks of story – that just a short while ago, you didn’t even have in the first place?? So stupid in planning and execution.
Jen Lilley brought the idea up to bring Theresa back and never gave a timeline. In response to her idea, they said they had a twelve-week run available and, she told them (via her agent), she was only available for three weeks, given her home life and other obligations. So, she wrote her agent an email to forward to TPTB at Days of Our Lives detailing that she did not want them to recast Theresa, and was willing to come in for four weeks to film whatever they wanted for that time. In response, they decided to bring her in for those four weeks and film the twelve weeks worth of material they said they had. According to Lilley’s telling of the situation, she never outlined how long she would be available when she presented the offer of bringing Theresa back; they assumed it’d be an extended stay like she’s done prior, and then claimed to have twelve weeks worth of material completely done involving Theresa.
After watching Days since the begining, it still disappoints that NBC moved it to Peacock where one needs to PAY to watch it. I have not been able to watch since
It’s the name of the game, unfortunately. Streaming *is* the future of media.
Disgusted hearing this!
Nobody better at playing that role than Jen Lilley…NOBODY! Get your heads out of your rear Days, KEEP JEN!!! The story of Theresa and Brady needs
to have them end up together somehow, and it needs to be Jen Lilley.
I liked Jen Lilly! She should be the one staying.
Keep Jen Lilley As Theresa’s. The shows needs someone like her to make the show more interesting.
Its been getting nothing new, same old thing, people getting a little bored of same story lines,
lasting forever like the devil storyline
I love this Teresa!!! Keep her
Not cool, bad way to treat such a loyal talent. Boo to Alarr
I think it was an unfortunate idea to recast the roll of Theresa with an actress currently on the show – it does not appear to be working.
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. 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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More casting news from Days of Our Lives, and for now, the soap opera seems to be breaking their new additions to Salem via their Instagram account. Now comes word and picture on August 24, that General Hospital and The Young and the Restless alum Brytni Sarpy has joined DAYS!
The Peacock soap opera’s Instagram account, showed a photo of Sarpy standing in front of her dressing room in the hallways of Days of Our Lives’ studios. The caption read, “Someone new is checking into Salem… Welcome Brytni Sarpy to the Days of our Lives family! Stay tuned.”
The casting of Sarpy comes on the heels of the announcement of Sydney Malakeh coming to the show in September, and earlier this year General Hospital favorite, Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha Gilmore, GH) joining the show in a mystery role when she began taping back around the end of March of this year. Now Sarpy is the “mystery role” category too!
In addition, the Days of Our Lives social team dropped a video ditty of the cast spoofing Love Island, where Sarpy appears as the new “bombshell” of the villa. Other cast members such as Rob Scott Wilson (Alex), Abigail Klein (Abigail), Casey Moss (JJ), Sal Stowers (Lani), Paul Telfer (Xander) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah) pop-up in it too, among others.
Photo: JPI
SOAP HOPPING
Soap fans first met Sarpy when she played Valerie Spencer, the niece of Luke (Anthony Geary) and Bobbie Spencer (Jackie Zeman) on General Hospital back in 2015. She made her final appearance on the series back in 2019 to join the cast of The Young and the Restless in the role of Elena Dawson.
Elena was introduced as a love interest for Devon Winters (Bryton James). She later cheated on him with his cousin Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic). Elena began to be back-burned by 2023 with Sarpy’s last on-screen appearance in Genoa City in November of 2024.
Due to Days of Our Lives nearly year in advance tape schedule, viewers will have to wait till sometime in the early summer of 2027 to see Brytni’s arrival in Salem.
So, happy to see Brytni Sarpy has landed another soap role? Now that she is at DAYS, who you think she might be playing and paired with? Put on your casting director hats and let us know via the comment section.
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