In a bombshell announcement, Days of our Lives enduring and ever-popular star, Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams) has decided to make her exit from the NBC daytime drama series after more than 37 years in her role.

Kristian made her debut as a teenaged Hope Williams in 1983 and quickly rose to popularity and became soap-famous; along with her on-screen romance to Bo Brady then played by Peter Reckell. Together as one of soaps most all-time popular duos and separately, Alfonso has remained one of soap opera’s most notable performers.   There were only two times throughout her time in Salem, that Kristian took breaks from the show; during one of them she starred on CBS’s Falcon Crest.

According to Deadline who broke the news; in a statement to the outlet, Alfonso shared, “I feel blessed and honored to have been invited into people’s homes for over three decades. However, it is now time for me to write my next chapter.”

And it appears its already a wrap for Alfonso, who will not be returning to the series when the show is planned to return to production in the fall and come early September.

Kristian added:  “I will not be returning to Days when it resumes production in September.  I’ve already filmed my last episode several months ago.”

In a heartfelt post on her Instagram account, the actress gave special thanks to the late Betty Corday (mother of DAYS EP Ken Corday), and of course, her millions of fans who loved her as Hope throughout her time on the soap.  You can read it in full below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#❤️ #😘

A post shared by Kristian Alfonso (@kristianalfonso) on Jul 6, 2020 at 3:00pm PDT

So, what do you think about Kristian Alfonso’s exit from Days of our Lives?  Are you heartbroken to see her go? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

Looks like Salem and Days of our Lives will be back in full-swing come September, if the target date holds true as revealed today by Deadline.

According to their sources, Corday Productions, who produces the long-running NBC daytime drama, sent out an email to cast members on Thursday notifying them of their intent to resume production come September 1st.

However for this article; reps for NBC, Corday and Sony Pictures TV declined to comment.

Days of our Lives has had enough shows banked through early October of this year, so was not pressed to get back into production amidst the coronavirus pandemic as much as CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful (which went back into production a week and half ago), and The Young and the Restless and General Hospital who are targeting a mid-July restart.

All three of the shows, except for DAYS ran out of original episodes to air, back at the end of April of this year.

So, excited to hear that their may be plans ahead come fall for DAYS to come to back and tape new episodes? Comment below.

This week on Days of our Lives saw the first African-American couple to be married on-screen in the 54-year history of Days of our Lives.  Now while Lani (Sal Stowers) and Eli (Lamon Archey) tried before in a previous ceremony, this one did the job … they are now officially husband and wife!

The ceremony was attended by Lani’s dad, Abe Reynolds (James Reynolds), her mother Tamara Price (Marily McCoo), Billy Davis Jr.  as a former FBI mentor to Eli, Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) – it was her restaurant after all and she is Eli’s grandmother.  Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) presided over the ceremony.

There were some unwelcome guests at the ceremony as well; leading the bride to question, are we doomed?  Why does this keep happening to us everytime we tried to get hitch!

However, fate was on Lani and Eli’s side this day, as even Gabi (Camila Banus) with her antics, and a shocking arrival from Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel), couldn’t rain on this day.  Vivian even tried to shoot the bride, but thanks to Rafe (Galen Gering) saving the day and armed with news that her son Stefan (Brandon Barash) could be alive; he informs Viv firmly that she would be killing someone for the wrong reason, even though Vivian is in disbelief that her son is alive.  Next, she is whisked out of the ceremony.

Lani still feeling rattled by all the wedding interruptus gets a sign she should marry the man she loves; when her mother, who needed to go lie down earlier, as she was feeling faint, was able to show back up just in time to restart the wedding.

During the ceremony, Eli mentions the loss of little David Abraham and the struggles they went through, but how in the end it brought then closer together.  After the rings are exchanged and they are pronounced man and wife, the newlyweds “jump the broom” a wonderful tradition and a symbol of African-American heritage, where the sweeping of the broom signifies sweeping away all the bad energy.  After they sweep the broom, Elani jumps over it.

In a behind-the-scenes of the wedding segment released this week on the DOOL app, Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey talk about the inclusion of the ‘jump the broom’ moment in the episode, and how they suggested the idea to DAYS Co-EP Albert Alaar, and how  it was written into the episode.

So, what did you think of Lani and Eli’s wedding? Did you enjoy it? Let us know via the comment section below, but first check out this wedding photo gallery of the big day!

Eli and Lani make one beautiful married couple!

Eli's mom, Valerie Grant gives her son hugs and kisses.

Eli, Valerie, and guest star Billy Davis Jr. (playing a former mentor to Eli) shows up as Val's date and they strike a pose.

Tossing the bouquet to her groom is Lani Price, now Grant!

Picture perfect!

Tamara Price (guest star Marilyn McCoo) came back to Salem to watch her daughter be married again; this time for real!

Eli and Lani can be as fun-loving as they are serious peace keepers in Salem.

A proud moment for Abe, walking his daughter down the aisle at Julie's Place.

"Jump the Broom" - the beautiful tradition put into the ceremony at the request of Lamon and Sal themselves.

It's honeymoon time for the newlyweds! With baby on the way ... can they share some blissful downtime?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios