Days Of Our Lives
SAW star Tobin Bell Cast as John Black's Father For Short Story Arc On Days of our Lives!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
One of the most convoluted and complex paternity storylines in the history of soaps appears to be getting some closure! John Black (Drake Hogestyn) has for years been searching for his true identifty and where he came from on Days of our Lives.
According to EW.com on Friday, Tobin Bell, one of the main stars of the horror flick franchise Saw, has been cast as John’s dad. The storyline marks the culmination of John Black’s search for his father – a war hero who supposedly died in Korea three weeks before his son was born , and who went by the name, Yo Ling.
Bell will appear in a five-episode arc beginning on the March 11th episode of the NBC daytime drama series.
As well as playing Saw’s Jigsaw, a.k.a. John Kramer, Bell has also had many TV episodic roles including guest star turns on 24, ER, Seinfeld, Criminal Minds and Wilfred.
So, are you looking forward to seeing how John reacts and gets closure upon learning of his biological father? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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John’s been moaning and groaning and squinting at Marlene in that raspy voice of his for so long about his biological parents that I can honestly say frankly my dear I don’t
give a damn.
They need to come up with something really interesting on this show….and this ain’t it.
People (characters) leave this show without a word. Eve left town, we don’t really know to where or why. Maxine, who must have extended leave at the Hospital and is head of Nursing, appears to be gone. Of course, we don’t know this for certain as her absence at the Hospital is never explained. Kayla and “Patch” are still deliberating their love even though they are far too long in the tooth to be having these teeny bopper romance problems. “I slept with Ava only to save your Life, baby!” screams Patch to Kayla. Honestly? What is so Hot about him anyway and what’s so great about Ava?
The storyline about Brady (oh yes, he just had a heart transplant) diving into the ocean to save some nitwit from drowning (because he had a dream about her) is beyond ridiculous. The last three months have been tedious to endure – they should NOT have gotten rid of Will – if they weren’t that happy with the actor, they could have attempted a recast – and if the actor who portrayed Sonny wanted to move on, they could have done a recasting of Sonny.
JJ is a nice young male character but he certainly made it through the Police Academy quickly (??) while other storylines drag on for an eternity…..including John’s search for his true biological parents.
Geez I hope the writers get on the stick and come up PLEASE WITH something more compelling than this –
I agree with you Jim, the storylines on Days need to improve. I am losing my mind, with the weak writing and horrible plots.
Lol tell us how you REALLY feel. .although I hate to admit it you are spot on correct
Wished I had a like button for every last bit.
Forget Johns closure…let this story end so i can have my own closure…i was in my 20s when it started and now i’m getting senior discounts but knowing Days IS this REALLY the END of John learning his TRUE identity…this convoluted mess of a story is old as i am…meanwhile, i hope Summer(who acts and looks somewhat like Anne) IS’NT Maggie’s daughter but someone scheming to get her hands on Victors money…dream or know dream of Brainless Brady…Maggie has two daughters they could bring back…why couldn’t Sarah suffer mental issues or something…or even Melissa…does Days forget them-i guess out-of-sight, out-of-mind.
Summer is going to turn out to be Anne’s “good” sister, and now that Anne has left her job at the secure Hospital to join a new Design Team (because everyone does that) Summer will take over the Hospital.
Yes I’m kidding but this show is getting so inane on so many levels that anything is possible.
actually, i think i would like that as the plotline for her-no kidding.
Tobin Bell’s upcoming DAYS visit is certainly “buzz”worthy news!!!!! The “jig” was up a while back when I “saw” this casting on IMDb.
LOL! That is too punny!! You should be on Day’s writing team and lighten up the place!
Who do you think you are…me?…lol
LMAO!! Oh Jim, you’re so funny!! That comment made my night. So did your points about John Roman Brady Black Alamain Dimera Brady Now Who?
Again Ben kidnaps Abigail who disappears until a new actress is found to take over the role!
Oh dear. DOOL has been chasing this storyline for what, two decades?
Will Pops arrive with two wooden elephants?
The fans (and Mr. H!) deserve better.
Honestly, they need to resolve it already – good grief who gives an
elephant’s tusk at this point –
Revamp this writing team and come up with something interesting.
The last 3 months have been dreadful, really atrocious. Belle arguing with her whiny daughter just doesn’t cut it, and when John and Marlene appear on screen I need to take a No-Doze caplet.
Kayla and Patch still having the same stupid problems that teenagers have, please get on with it.
Bring back Sonny and Will and Paul – well Paul is there yes I know but he has absolutely nothing to do except that stupid modeling job. Even watching Ben go crazy with Abigail was far MORE interesting than the dull, mundane storylines – if you can call them that – that are appearing presently.
They kind of look alike.
He looks more like Luke Spenser in that picture…imho.
Or Fluke…..LOL!
Frankly the whole who is John Black question jumped the shark eons ago– at this point I no longer care, and find this whole ending to his tale rather anti-climatic. This guy at least looks a bit like John to make it believable, but honestly a five episode arc to end a story that started in the eighties seems pointless. The should have stopped with him being Stefano’s brother or left his real identity a mystery never to be solved.
Hi Mary. ) I agree. The last John switcheroo was thrown in hastily so Theresa and Brady could get horizontal. But that makes no sense…they could have done it anyway because they would have been what…like fourth cousins twice removed? Guiding Light had Tammy and Johnathan, who were FIRST cousins, and they were a supercouple on that show…and they got married. On second thought, the show was cancelled two years later…lol. And because NO ONE knows who John is really related to, half the town could be related, married, procreated, etc. His daughter Belle could be her husband Shawn’s cousin…who knows? LOL. Gotta love the soaps. Is there NOT a private clinic OUTSIDE of Salem city limits where they do DNA, and NO ONE is there with motive and opportunity to tamper with the results?? I also chuckled handily when the end of an episode recently had Ava all breathlessly and dramatically declarng to the airport clerk on the phone…”I need a one way ticket…to Salem…USA.” LMAO. I burst out laughing, and imagined the clerk on the other end of the phone “Uh, lady…could narrow that down and be a bit more specific. This happens with Springfield too!”
It’s about time DOOL provided John with the answers.
Yes! I’m so excited to see this storyline kick off in March!
Yes but we’re the ones who have to endure his squints…
And his greatest huskily whispered, greeting of all time….”Hey, doc”….
Every single actor has mannerisms, that are a part of their personality or physical mannerisms they bring to the character. Every single person has mannerisms too, they are what make us individuals. I can not stand it when people make fun of people’s mannerisms.
Drake is an awesome actor and I for one appreciate the fact he is a method actor, willing to change his appearance for his storyline. Very few actors will do that.
And viewers.
So the endless, mind-numbing plot of “Who is John Black’s daddy?” is going to end with a 5-episode arc? Talk about little payoff for something years in the making!
“Closure”? Really? Give them another five years (and another headwriter) and they’re come up with another paternity story.
Exactly, because it had been answered years ago with that ghastly Irish story.
LOL, this is gr8! The guy who burns people alive in ovens and makes people where face crushing traps … is John’s father, LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!
*wear* geez, I know how to spell
Perfect casting! Dream casting that becomes reality. How can you not watch the SAW movies and start to think….when you see Tobin Bell’s performance.
I agree…it is perfection! I love that John’s mom and dad have his blue eyes too!
This is one reason why I hate the retconning on soaps when new writers come in… Back in the day we were told, “The true reason for the feud between the DiMeras and the Bradys… the real reason why Stefano has had it in for John… it’s because he’s the product of a love child between Stefano’s dad and Grandpa Shawn’s sister, who just happened to look like EJ and Sami when they were young! Final answer!” Then, oops, “No, that was all wrong, we thought of something ‘better’ featuring day players not connected to anybody.” I think I liked it best when John was Forrest Alamain, going up against Lawrence and Vivian….
Drake Hogestyn has said he’s used Jason Bourne as a template for his character. What happened to Bourne kind of holds true here: Learning his true identity was kind of a let down. There’s something to be said, story-wise, for never finding out. The search is the fun part.
…Er, he *is* the love child, I should say….
IKR. I liked it better when it was Aunt Vivian…
He’s been everything from a Roman Brady, Catholic Priest, Soldier of Fortune… honestly I don’t care who he WAS I want him to be something Now.
Ugh.
Auntie Viv was just whacked!! I need about 1500 milligrams of whatever she was on!! Daily.
I for one couldn’t be happier! After all of these years, John is finally going to find out who his dad is and be able to fill in more missing pieces of his past! This is a story that needed to be told, after the former writers rewrote John’s past again when Drake wasn’t even on the show at the time. I love that it goes back to his mercenary past. The show has had a really bad February Sweeps, so I’m more than ready to see some of the actors that have been overused lately, to be benched a bit so actors like Drake can work out their acting chops! I’m looking so forward to March when this story gets going…finally, DAYS will be worth watching again.
This casting is brilliant. Put a hat on this guy to hide his hair and he seriously could pass as Drake’s father in real life. Two thumbs up to DAYS casting! I’m looking so forward to seeing Drake and Tobin in scenes together!
I am beyond excited that Drake Hogestyn will get to be front burner again. He and Deidre Hall are brilliant actors who have unfortunately been underutilized. Closure for this story is necessary and welcomed by many fans. I have no doubt that Drake will give a phenomenal performance as he always does and that Deidre Hall’s Marlena will stand by her man while adding another layer to the amazing relationship that is John and Marlena. Their decades of portraying these characters has been the reason to watch Days of Our Lives and I couldn’t be more excited! #Jarlena all the way!
Honestly? How are they “brilliant actors”? Every episode (well not EVERY episode) she turns to John and seems to ask “did you find your parents?” or “this should make you happy knowing who your parents are” always in that deadpan expression of her’s and John squints back in his raspy voice “yeah, Doc”.
Geez, really? To me, “brilliant acting” is comprised of portraying interesting, complex characters and utilizing different accents.
Please don’t misinterpret what I’m saying, you are most certainly more than entitled to your opinion, but to me, “brilliant acting” requires more than what John and Marlena bring to the TV screen.
I am sorry you don’t agree with me. I would challenge you to watch the relationship of John and Marlena from the beginning until today to understand the brilliant acting that I am referencing. Neither Drake or Deidre can change the writing and storyline that they are given. If you don’t like the lines they are given to play I can certainly agree with you on that as of late. I stand by my post that they are brilliant actors, especially when given a storyline worthy of their skills!
I’m really excited to see how John FINALLY finds out who his father is next month!! I’ve been waiting for years, just like John,to find out. Apparently his Dad didn’t die before John was born. It should be REALLY exciting to watch! John deserves the truth! Drake Hogestyn does a marvelous job as John! I look forward to seeing John on my TV screen as much as possible every week! #DAYS
I thought his dad was dead.
I can’t wait to find out about John’s real dad. Any story line John related is worth watching to me.
Great casting. Excited to see him and Drake in scenes together. I’m excited for this story to get underway…Drake and Deidre have been virtually MIA lately.
Exactly! It’s time to get them back on our screens in a major storyline!
About bloody time
I cannot wait for this exciting story to begin. Happy to see Drake Hogestyn & Deidre Hall in front burner story. John & Marlena are the reason I watch.
#Jarlena all the way!!!
Drake’s true identity has been withheld for 30 years. His character has searched and found betrayal and disappointment too many times. The true Drake fans are so excited that he will finally uncover his true story. To have Tobin Bell playing the part of Drake’s dad was a great choice by TPTB. It will be great to see them interact. Drake’s acting abilities have been so unchallenged for way to long. I do hope the writer’s do not butcher it with only a 5 day arc. Personally, I think John is going to feel a lot of pain and further disappointment.
Exactly. I have a feeling nothing will come out of this….so I do not care. I am tired. I will bite my tongue if I am wrong. I just don’t think John will find closure. Could it be because we waited for so long?
I do not care for the Ciara and Chase storyline. I don’t care about Theresa. I don’t care about Brady and the mystery woman, summer. Days of Our Lives has been miserable to watch this week. Too many flashbacks and dream sequences. It’s like the writers don’t know what else to write for the days episode, so they start filling in time with dreams and flashbacks.
I am enjoying the Andre storyline and hoping Hope and Rafe will finally be sent to jail. The only way Rafe and Hope are going to get off on this rap is if Stefano comes in through the door dancing or popping a wheelie in his wheel chair.
It’s fun to watch Hope be under the thumb.
I will watch Tobin Bell (the SAW franchise) play John’s father. It’s going to be interesting.
Rumors of Freddie Smith (“Sonny”) being on the set have peaked my interest.
Yup…ridiculous. Not in a million years will I get interested in this Summer-woman-story-mystery and Brady’s dreams through Daniel’s heart. Bah!!
I’m so glad John & Marlena is finally getting some Air time , can’t wait to see them performing..Love those Guys….Love it!
I’m actually quite excited about this, though I’m not sure how seriouly I’ll be able to take him in this role, I’ll be expecting him to keep saying ‘Wanna play a game’ lol
Days has been through a lot lately…new writers, comings and goings etc. Yet, it is still here!! I say celebrate what is and do not frown upon what should have been. I am looking forward to the new castmate and storyline for John…let him FINALLY be able to find his true family. They need to stay with the cast (veterans…including Drake and Deidre) that made Days what it is and will continue to be..the best!!!
Aren’t they the same age?
But….Tobin Bell is ELEVEN years older than Drake
I am so happy that John will finally know who he is and that story will bring him back to his hero roots. This is what Drake does best. Play hero with a heart. Drake has been doing such a great job with this story so far, esp in his confrontations with his mom. And Drake always said he played john like jason Bourne. This backstory fits perfectly.