Days Of Our Lives
Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves Talk Return to DAYS for Doug’s Funeral, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and Their Enduring Friendship
Last week, Days of our Lives celebrated the taping of their 15,000th episode which is tentatively scheduled to air on December 3rd. The story will feature emotional and heart-tugging scenes of Doug Williams funeral and honor his portrayer, the beloved Bill Hayes, who passed away on January 12th at the age of 98.
While the actors, producers, and crew took a lunch time break to pose for some pictures and speak with the press, they knew they would have to get back to taping the funeral, which was going to make it a tough day, but also cathartic for all who loved Bill Hayes.
Several returns have thus far been announced including; Melissa Reeves reprising her signature role of Jennifer Horton (a part she first played in 1985), and Matthew Ashford as Jack Deveraux. Reeves had last appeared on the show back in 2021, and she was replaced by Emmy-winner Cady McClain in her absence when Jennifer was in storylines. In real-life, Melissa had moved full-time to Tennessee along with her husband, Scott Reeves (ex-DAYS, GH, Y&R). Now, and as previously reported, Reeves will first appear back on DAYS for the Thanksgiving episodes with the Hortons.
Photo: JPI
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Matt and Melissa during the 15,000th episode celebration to get their take on: being back for these special episodes, how it has been working with and watching Susan Seaforth Hayes portray Julie’s grief over losing Doug, and how they have supported each other through the years. Check out what they shared below.
Melissa, you are back on the set of Days of our Lives for this very emotional and special moment in the series history. How does it feel?
MELISSA: Oh, my goodness. I am honored. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but to be here for Bill. He was like my real-life dance partner. He taught me how to ballroom dance. And to be here for Susan, of course, who’s just been our sweet hero this whole week. We’re just following her lead. She’s just been this incredibly strong example for us in the midst of this trial and season of her life. She is like just lifting us all up with her. It’s been incredible.
I was at Bill Hayes memorial service which was truly incredible and I know at the time you were in Tennessee. It was moving and celebratory of his life, all at the same time.
MELISSA: That’s all I have heard. I have to watch it on You Tube. They said it was just a real celebration of his life and I love that.
Photo: JPI
This must be difficult for Susan Seaforth Hayes depicting the death of Doug, when she is still grieving the loss of her beloved husband. (Susan pictured above with the returning Stephen Schnetzer who plays her on-screen brother, Steve Olson).
MELISSA: I’m sure Susan has those moments at home by herself, but she’s so good at being a leader and leading all of us. We’re following her, you know, and she’s like, “This is how I want to feel today.” And we’re just going along with her, you know? It’s so sweet.
Photo: JPI
How is it to see Matt Ashford again live and in-person?
MELISSA: You know, Matt and I can go years without talking, or seeing each other, and then the minute we see each other we’re chatting away.
MATT: Melissa was out on set doing a scene yesterday on the phone talking to a stage manager; as she was telling some really tough news on the phone. I’m like crying in the background, literally, I’m off-stage crying.
MELISSA: And then we get like back into normal life, and we’re like, okay, “What’s happening? What’s happening with this … or what’s happening with that?”
I had read, Melissa, that you were in touch with Matt about if there night be a possibility for you to reprise your role as Jennifer for these special episodes?
MELISSA: Yes. Well, Matt was like, “Hey! Would you want to come back? “And I was like, “Matt, you know, I would always come back. ”
MATT: Every time I come here to Days of our Lives, they ask, “Where’s Missy? How’s Missy?” Everybody backstage says, “I miss her.” All of the crew is asking about her and saying, “It would be nice to see Missy. Nothing wrong with you Matt, but …” They said, “Where is she?” I said, “She wants to come!”
Photo: JPI
There are some beautiful photos of Missy and Bill and Susan thorough the years that I found. It just reminded me of just the deep and entrenched history we all have had with the show, personally and professionally.
MATT: Missy is roughly the age where Francis Reid (ex-Alice Horton) was when she started the show, which is just crazy.
Photo: JPI
I’ve always said Missy was going to be the next generation Alice. Do you feel that Jennifer is the heir apparent matriarch of the Horton family?
MELISSA: Yes. I mean, this has been greatest blessing of my life, and that would be great. I told Ken Corday (executive producer, Days of our Lives) when I was 17 that this show would be my life. Ken always told me, “This is your home,” and I’ve always felt like that.
How have gotten through the scenes watching Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie go through the loss of Doug?
MATT: Susan is bringing her best performance life for her and Bill. I mean, she’s a showbiz baby. She always has been one hundred percent, and she’s doing it for him, and this is who they’ve always been. So, you’re seeing this amazing performance colored by her life. She has her private life as Susan, but she has enough plugged into Julie that she’s done amazing work. The director, producers and writers are giving her room to live in these moments and it’s quite wonderful.
Photo: JPI
Have you already broken down in tears during the taping?
MELISSA: Yesterday, but today’s taping of the actual funeral I think they want us to try and be just more celebratory.
MATT: I mean, it is a beautiful long life for Bill Hayes and his character of Doug Williams, and so it will be about that. Then, you get a bunch of us together in the church pews, and there’s going to be hijinks.
MELISSA: We all have been through the waves of grief. You have that awful cry and then all of a sudden you feel okay. There are those family situations we are portraying where you’re like, “What do we do? What do we do now? You know, no one knows what to do. But, it’s so sweet. I’m looking forward to seeing how the scenes all turn out.
So, are you glad that Matt and Melissa are back for the 15K episode and Doug’s funeral? From what we can tell, it’s going to be quite an emotional journey for Days of our Lives fans, and especially the performance of Susan Seaforth Hayes,
I am happy to see Missy Reeves back as Jennifer. She is Jennifer to me. Seeing Matt Ashford back is wonderful too. I am still hoping that Kristan Alfonso comes back as Hope. As much as Hope loved her father, it would be jarring not to see her. I know Peter Reckell said he was sorry he wasn’t at the taping. Will be a tear jerking episode. If anyone hasn’t seen the Memorial Service of Bill Hayes on YouTube, I recommend. I laughed and cried. He was definitely loved by his family and collegues
So glad to have them back. They are a huge part of the show’s history and need to be back full time
Love them so much
Just here to find out if Matt’s back for good but… love Missy with Matt, but just her wouldn’t be a reason to start watching again. No Matt no Days is my motto.
I started watching in earnest in 2011 so I really don’t know Jack, but I absolutely loved Missy Reeves as Jennifer. I believe the character was dating Daniel Jonas back then.
Oh how I would love for her to come back. The replacement lady was good, but wasn’t Jennifer.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: EJ is on the Warpath After Finding Out Sloan’s Baby Is Not Hers!
This week on Days of our Lives, storylines look to be heating up, in particular, will we finally get to the root of Sloan (Jessica Serfaty) and Melinda’s (Tina Hunag) baby switch plot, making Nicole (Arianne Zucker) believe her baby died, when all along the little one has been living with Sloan and Eric (Greg Vaughan) as baby Jude?
Looking at the latest promo for the Peacock streaming soap opera, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) is hot on the trail of Sloan after learning some intel from Leo (Greg Rikaart). However, EJ still is unaware that he is not the true baby-daddy, but Eric is. Meanwhile, Eric and Nicole look to be working together again when she gets a job at the Spectator and he is the photographer.
Elsewhere, Konstantin (John Kapelos) activates the “Pawn”, but what will he have him do for him next? Chanel (Raven Bowens) is sick with radiation poisoning thanks to the exposure from her mother, Paulina (Jackée Harry) and watch out when John and Marlena (Deidre Hall) find out that Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) is going to marry Konstantin!
Photo: JPI
Here are a few teasers to look forward to this week on DAYS:
Monday, April 29
Tripp and Wendy say their goodbyes to family and friends.
Tuesday, April 30
With John under his control, Konstantin orders him to do his bidding.
Wednesday, May 1
EJ decides he will make Paulina pay for disrespecting him.
Photo: JPI
Thursday, May 2
Sloan tells Leo he’s cut off from her money.
Photo: JPI
Friday, May 3
Leo tells EJ a life-changing secret.
Maggie tells a wary Marlena and John that she is engaged to be married.
Check out the latest promo for Days of our Lives below, where an irate EJ goes after Sloan Then let us know, what do you hope happens next? How will EJ get what he believes is his baby with Nicole, back? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Serena Scott Thomas to Days of our Lives, But What Role Will She Play?
Look who’s coming to Salem next? In a tease on their official Instagram account, Days of our Lives has revealed that Serena Scott Thomas has been on set and will debut in an upcoming role, leaving many fans guessing just who might she play.
The English actress and documentary producer has previously starred in Diana, Her Story as Diane Prince of Wales, Dr. Molly Warmflash in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough, and played the villainess ‘Watcher” in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and Bruce Willis’ wife in the film, Hostages among others.
Serena is the younger sister of Kristen Scott Thomas, best known for her Oscar-nominated role in The English Patient. Several DAYS fans are already weighing in that Serena will play Konstantine’s (John Kaeplos) wife.
Photo: DAYS IG
However, NannyKat 63 may have it all figured out the best, when she posted, that not only will “Serena play Kostantine’s wife,” but the character “had an affair with Victor Kiriakis and got pregnant.” Thus, making Xander (Paul Telfer) her son. She went on to theorize, “Perhaps, And John and Steve will find her in the nick of time… and she’ll enter in time to stop the wedding of Maggie to him. Xander will find out his true identity then. The baby was given to Victor’s brother to be raised in Scotland.”
Photo: JPI
Sounds plausible to us! Another guess came from donnamoore_23 who said, “Ya’ll think he could be Bobberette ‘s mom or sister or .. SOMETHING to do with his story .. someone who can back up what trauma he went through to be so sick? 🤷🏼♀️ but I think y’all are right could be Katerina.”
Photo: JPI
Two DAYS stars, Tamara Braun (Ava) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah) also shared comments on Serena Scott Thomas’ upcoming appearance on DAYS. Godfrey simply said, “YES!!!! while Braun add her guess, expressing, “Ava’s mum. Oh wait, her mom was killed by her dad. Or was she? 🤔”
So, what do you think? What role will Serena Scott Thomas play on Days of our Lives? Share your theories in the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
Arianne Zucker Reveals Her Last Days of our Lives Airdate
Arianne Zucker, who is no longer on contract with Days of our Lives, and involved in a lawsuit against the show, took to her You Tube channel and in her latest episode, and offered up what she believes is her final airdate as Nicole Walker DiMera.
The actress expressed: “I was really appreciative of the amount of support that I have had since leaving Days of our Lives.” She then added, “My last airdate, I think, it’s July 29th and we’ll see how things go after that.”
Zucker went on to say how she has continued to receive overwhelming support since suing her former employer, Corday Productions, with the allegations that former Co-EP Albert Alarr sexually harassed her and other females at the show, and that the production company entity did not respond sufficiently and adequately.
Photo: JPI
After lodging her complaints, Zucker said her agents received two notices that Corday Productions were reducing her pay before her character was ultimately written off. Zucker’s contract expired in January and since DAYS tapes over six months ahead it brings her final airdate, which as of now, to the end of July. Zucker is suing for harassment, discrimination, retaliation, negligent hiring and supervision, and wrongful termination among other claims.
Previously, Corday Productions issued this statement on Zucker’s claims: “The allegations in Ms. Zucker’s lawsuit are without merit. Corday Productions, offered to renew Ms. Zucker’s contract including offering her a pay increase. Rejecting Ms. Zucker’s counteroffer does not constitute retaliation. Complaints about Mr. Alarr’s on-set behavior were promptly investigated. Corday Productions fully cooperated with the impartial investigation and subsequently terminated Mr. Alarr.”
On her You Tube channel, Arianne went on to thank everyone who came out to the east coast fan event last weekend that featured several DAYS stars. She expressed, “My whole goal is to really help people stand up for themselves.” Arianne also shared she thinks it’s important for people who have gone through trauma to help each other through it.
Photo: JPI
On DAYS, Nicole is still in the dark that Sloan (Jessica Serfaty) is raising her child, Jude, with Eric (Greg Vaughan), and Eric also doesn’t know that he is raising his biological son. Will Eric and Nicole reunite and will Nicole find out what Sloan, Melinda and Leo (Greg Rikaart) have been hiding for months, before she exits the show? Stay tuned. There has been on official confirmation from DAYS that July 29th is Zucker’s final airdate.
You can check out Ari’s latest episode from her You Tube Channel below.
Now let us know, do you think somehow DAYS and Arianne will work these out and she will somehow be back on the show? What do you think Nicole’s exit will look like? Do you think they will recast? Let us know in the comment section below.
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