Days Of Our Lives
Sal Stowers Returns As Lani On Days of our Lives!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Look for the return of Sal Stowers on-air beginning next week on Days of our Lives. That is when Lani pops back up on the canvas. As fans of the NBC soap opera know, a year ago Stowers was let-go from the series rather suddenly. But she was happy to learn that she was indeed being asked to come back.
If anyone needs a little refresher course, Lani is the on-screen daughter of Abe Carver (James Reynolds), and she previously was a cop at the Salem PD.
In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstand now, Stowers teased that this time out she will have a slightly different take on her soap opera alter-ego:”I wanted to approach her differently and bring a boldness to Lani, showing her as strong.”
She elaborated, “I’m so passionate about Lani. I’ve been working hard and I’m excited to see what the fans thinks this time around.”
So how will Lani link up to the current story airing on DAYS? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Lexie Emerges and Shocks Abe as the DiMera Family Gathers for The Reading of Stefano’s Will
Next week on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives, finally it looks like Lexie Carver is fully resurrected when the character now played by Nikki Crawford stumbles into a DiMera family gathering, which is supposed to be for the reading of Stefano DiMera’s will.
In the Peacock video teaser, as EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) and company toast the Phoenix, the secret tunnel door swings open, and out stumbles out Lexie! Meanwhile, Dr, Rolf (Richard Wharton) realizes Lexie is gone and no longer in her bed. When Abe (James Reynolds) sees his beloved Lexie, he is absolutely stunned. But the question is, when Lexie speaks, is she the Lexie of old, or will her memory and brain be all scrambled eggs?
As longtime DAYS viewers know, the part of Lexie was portrayed for years by Renee Jones, who retired from acting after her run which lasted from 1993-2012. At the time of her departure, Lexie was killed-off with an inoperable brain tumor.

Courtesy/Peacock
Elsewhere, Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) is up to no good and now makes a play for Xander (Paul Telfer). but then tells him, “What I want now, is for you to kill him!” Who does she want killed? EJ? Johnny (Carson Boatman)? Or someone else?
Take a look at the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of May 11-15 below.
Monday, May 11
Lexie crashes the reading of Stefano’s will.
Tony makes Gabi an unexpected offer.
Kristen sees Sophia.
EJ questions Cat.
Chad defends Leo.
Tuesday, May 12
Belle asks Marlena for advice.
Holly lashes out at Tate.
Brady and Sarah comfort each other.
Philip comes through for Gabi.
Ari opens up to Liam.
Wednesday, May 13
Steve pays Alex a visit.
EJ pulls a fast one on Gwen.
Marlena offers Paulina support.
Thursday, May 14
Johnny and Chanel lean on each other.
Jada moves Shawn into her place and opens the door for renewed romance.
Gabi presses Ari about her relationship with Liam.
Amy confronts Holly.
Friday, May 15
EJ wants to explore his past with Cat.
Kristen and Chad discuss life and death.
Javi opens up to Rafe.
Gwen plays hardball with Xander.
Check out the latest DAYS promo entitled, “Heartbreak Hotel” below.
Then, let us know, does this Lexie come back from the dead intrigue you, even though Nikki Crawford is taking on the role and not Renee Jones? Do you think she will be anywhere near the same personality she had before she “died’? Who does Kristen want killed now? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Breaking News
DAYS Lauren Koslow Temporarily Fills-In for Jess Walton as ‘The Young and the Restless’ Jill Abbott
In a ironic twist, Lauren Koslow, who currently plays Kate Roberts on Days of Our Lives is returning to The Young and the Restless to play Jill Abbott while temporarily filling in for Jess Walton. Koslow will appear for five episodes beginning on Thursday, June 25.
Koslow first appeared on The Young and the Restless back in 1984 in what was her first soap opera role when she was cast as Lindsey Wells. Now, she returns decades later subbing for Walton, who due to a scheduling conflict, was was unable to travel to Los Angeles when the storyline called for Jill. The Emmy-winning Walton has played the Jill since 1987 and went on recurring status with the show in 2012. Jess also left Los Angeles to reside in Oregon in 2011.
Making this all the richer was the original Jill played by Brenda Dickson, often shared scenes with Koslow’s Y&R character. Lauren played Lindsey Wells until 1986, before moving over to The Bold and the Beautiful as Margo Lynley. Koslow was B&B’s Margo from 1987–1992, and again in 2002. Then, in 1996, she was cast on Days of Our Lives as Kate Roberts, replacing Deborah Adair, and she has been in Salem ever since. But there’s still another another twist to this casting history. Y&R viewers recall Deborah Adair also played Jill, after Brenda Dickson left in 1980, and following a brief stint by Bond Gideon, before heading to DAYS to originate the role of Kate.

Photo: CBS
THE DAYS AND Y&R CONNECTION
As soap fans know, Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless are both part of Sony. Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television, while DAYS is owned by Corday Productions and distributed by Sony.
So, having Koslow visit The Young and the Restless to fill in for Jess Walton has nothing to do with her continued role of Kate on DAYS. In fact, a rep for the show shared that her upcoming appearance on Y&R, “does not affect her status with the show in any way.” Recently, Stacy Haiduk reprised her role of Patty Williams on Y&R, even though she is still being seen as Kristen DiMera on DAYS.
In a joint statement offered up to TV Insider, executive producer, Sally McDonald and head writer, Josh Griffith expressed, “We’re extremely grateful to Lauren Koslow for returning to her Y&R roots and temporarily stepping into the role of Jill. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Ken Corday (executive producer) and Noel Maxam (co-executive producer) at Days of Our Lives and Peacock. Their support embodies the collaborative spirit of the daytime television community.”
McDonald and Griffith clarified that Jess Walton is forever their Jill and shared, “Jess Walton is an enduring cornerstone of Y&R. We look forward to welcoming her back to Genoa City as her schedule permits and celebrating her extraordinary 40th anniversary as the iconic Jill Abbott.”
So, what do you think of Days of Our Lives Lauren Koslow stepping in for Jess Walton as Jill Abbott? Excited to see what she does in the role while filling in for the Jess? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Shares Parting Thoughts on ‘Brilliant Minds’ Following its Cancellation
Last week, NBC pulled the plug on the medical drama, Brilliant Minds, as the last 6 episodes of its second and final season will begin to air later this month. The series which saw its ratings plummet was taken off the schedule in February, with reports of it being on the bubble until finally the decision was handed down.
Al Calderon, who departed Days of our Lives in the role of Javi Hernandez in 2025 to join the primetime series as Nurse Nico Silva, was a part of the stellar cast that also featured One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) and series star, Zachary Quinto.
On Brilliant Minds, Quinto plays neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

Photo: NBC
In a real-life twist, Days of our Lives announced Calderon’s successor, Jacob Martinez as the new Javi debuting this June on April 30. Come May 1, NBC canceled Brilliant Minds. Now, on Wednesday, May 6, Al Calderon took a moment to reflect on his experience at Bronx General Hospital, the backdrop of Brilliant Minds, via a post on his Instagram.
“Thank you Brilliant Minds” Calderon began. “What a life changing experience. Met forever friends. Learned from the absolute best. Was reminded that my voice mattered. Learned that it’s okay to believe in yourself. Felt like I was part of something. While our beautiful show has gone onto glory we’ve got 6 more incredible episodes to share with you starting May 27th.”
Al also added, “NBC and Warner Brothers TV, thank you for allowing me to be silly and quippy, Demane Davis, Michael Grassi, David Rapaport, Zachary Quinto, thank you for all of your encouragement and support.”
As his heartfelt post came to a close, Calderon explained why the experience on Brilliant Minds was life-changing: “I’ve been at this a long time and this show gave me hope for the future of my career. I owe it to these incredible individuals. Our crew. Our writers. Our editors. The whole shebang. I love you all endlessly.”
Taking to the comment threads were several of Al’s Brilliant Minds and DAYS former co-stars, and even his successor, Jacob Martinez jumped in and shared, “YOU are brilliant 💕”
What did you think of Al’s heartfelt message about his time on Brilliant Minds? Will you miss seeing him on DAYS and on the primetime series? Looking forward to seeing what he will do next? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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I truly wish her well.
she was making inroads… and it is always heartwarming and refreshing when a family of color is featured… plus they have a nice cohesive knit… and gell. add in Valerie.. and you’ve got some serious knock…. TIME TO REEL.
I’ve been so happy of late… for James Reynolds
since the passing of Lex…. gosh darned it.
Carver Clan relish ( Abe / Lani / Theo ) PLUS Valerie… with her own son on the horizon ? hope it’s true that her son is a Banning
4 solid actors… NICE
Always glad to see James Reynolds on screen. Maybe Lani can calm Theo’s butt down over his distrust /dislike of Valerie. Big sister advise.
@Mollie : you made me laugh
“…Maybe Lani can calm Theo’s butt down over his distrust /dislike of Valerie. ”
I realized not too long ago… it’s rare to see a father/son relationship….
perhaps, as in real life… I’ve always championed… mother/child relationships.
so… just like… whom I miss… Aiden/Chase… that Abe and Theo… are given
REEL time to explore their lot in life…
Thank you @DAYS for bringing to the forefront… fathers and sons
Lani should be the present day Valerie to Shawn’s present day David! Shawn and Belle should return fulltime!!
Sal is scorching!
I hope they give her a better story line. She was so good on the AMC reboot, she deserves a chance to show what she’s got. Yay!
My thoughts exactly. She was really good on OLTL.
Thank you
Nice Say
i was so disappointed with tptb/writers at dool – they did not utilize sal’s acting talents and i sure hope they do better this time around………………jmo
I definitely agree with you CTwildheart. Sal was very good in the online All My Children. I had never seen her before that and was so impressed by her performance. I’m crossing my fingers that the good folks at Days will actually use her talent this time round.
a girfriend for deimos
Trouble for JJ.
Awwwwww. Love Lani……
This is good news. The writing for Lani was terrible the first time around, that’s why I think she didn’t work. But if they’re bringing her back with a goal, a direction, and as a stronger and better developed character, I think she’ll shine. Sal Stowers is a great actress, and if she’s given good material, she will own the character and story. Plus, I like the added attention that Abe is getting now, after years of being criminally underused by writing regime after writing regime.
It is good when they utilize a vet and good actor like James Reynolds…glad they brought back Valerie too-she has so much history to the show and a connection to the Hortons when Val dated David-maybe they had a child who will soon come to town and stir up things…maybe a son who gets involved with Lani?
Valerie did have David’s son, Jimmy! It’s a matter of DAYS before he hits Salem! He’s being played by Lamon Archey who was on Y&R.
YAY! Lani is back! I really do hope that they actually utilize her character this time around. I really liked Lani and Shawn D. Now that Shawn D. isn’t on contract, I say Lani should be free to mix and mingle. I think she’d be a good match with Chad, Brady, or even Eric since he’s coming back, too! Just don’t waste her time by having her work at the police station 24/7! How boring! She needs to have a love life that’s actually played out on screen this time!
I reckon she’ll be paired with Vals son. At first I thought he might be a teen, but she told Julie he was working, so could be in his 20s. Her and Shawn d would have been good, but the then writers mucked that story by making Lani a little predatory.
I hope she’s not sex crazed like she was last time around.
I also wish they weren’t bringing Lani back. I think there are too many storylines as is.
I also hope she’s not JJ’s one-night stand. If she is, I hope she’s not pregnant. A girl like Lani wouldn’t let that happen.
Lani and JJ knew each other before the one-night stand so it wouldn’t be Lani.
I love Sal Stowers and she was great on the re-boot of AMC – I hope that the writers at Days of our Lives give her character something to do this time around – the problem with this show isn’t really the dramatic capabilites of the actors, it’s the atrocious writing and montonous storylines.