Days of Our Lives continues to be all over pop culture in 2026 with A-list celebrities who have shared their love of the long-running soap opera set to turn 61 this November.

First came word of Ryan Gosling’s admiration of Deidre Hall (Marlena) and his love for the show. Next, came ‘Last Week Tonight’ host, John Oliver’s desire to visit Salem, which came to fruition, and now Hall, the iconic star of the series, has invited Oscar winner, Julia Roberts to do a guest stint on the soap, too.

Roberts had been a known fan of Days of Our Lives for decades. During Monday’s Backlot Pass Day, which showcased upcoming original television and streaming line-ups for NBC and Peacock, Hall walked the carpet to talk to reporters.

Photo: JPI

When she spoke with PauseRewind, Hall shared what other celebrity she would like to see show up in Salem, “You know, Julia Roberts is a very big fan,” recalled Hall. “I think she must have some downtime somewhere. So, Julia, come on by, babe.’

Hall, a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement recipient, and who is celebrating this year her 50th year as Dr. Marlena Evans, added that she has met Roberts several times at award shows. “She was just sort of gobstruck, (and it) wasn’t about me, it was the show. ‘The people sitting behind me are from my show.’ She was so cute,” added Hall.

RYAN GOSLING UPDATE

In addition, Deidre offered an update on her collab with Ryan Gosling, where fans everywhere are hoping to see scenes with Marlena and a character written for Gosling. He ‘has yet to come,’ acknowledged Hall.

As for John Oliver, who this week can seen on three episodes of Days of Our Lives (August 11, 12 and 14), Hall said of meeting him at the DAYS set, “I was there for John Oliver. He is so adorable and easy to work with. He’s thrilled to be there, part of the gang. There was no hesitation, just a dream to have him there because we appreciate his comedy and his history.”

Photo: JPI

A MARLENA STORYLINE YET TO BE TOLD

Deidre also spoke on storylines she had yet to do over five decades, since she has played almost everything imaginable, including being possessed by the devil twice in a lifetime! “Marlena has not been disabled, and 50 years you’d think at some point she would have fallen out a flight of stairs, or lost her hearing, or lost her sight, or something,” expressed Hall.

“I have thought at some point it would be interesting if Marlena had a patient who was hearing impaired, and the audience got to see what that looks like. Sign language is a beautiful, beautiful thing, and it would be interesting for them to see it,” added Deidre.

As it turns out, Deidre learned sign language along with her sister, Andrea (ex-Samantha and Hattie, DAYS) when her twin sister welcomed a young deaf student in her class (Andrea is a special education teacher) and had to quickly learn the language to better accommodate her needs.

So, would you like to see Julia Roberts next up on the growing list of celebrities to make their way to Salem? If so, who should she play? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

For just under 24 hours, fans of ABC’s General Hospital took to social media and, for the most part, were unhappy to see that character of Jacinda Bracken written off the soap opera on the Tuesday, August 11 episode.

The story turn marked the end of the latest run of Paige Herschell who had initially joined the show back in April of 2025.  Many viewers liked the romance between Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) and the often down on her luck former escort.

However now, the beginnings of their love story was aborted, as previously reported, in a story-line dictated move, after Michael learned Jacinda drugged Willow’s (Katelyn MacMullen) iced coffee, while his ex-wife was with his children, Amelia and Wiley.

Courtesy/ABC

In Herschell’s final scenes, Michael tells her that Willow is going to come after him for full custody of his children after Jacinda’s actions, and he cannot lose his kids. He informs her he has to break-up with her, and he set up a bank account for her, so she can start a new life anywhere in the world. They shared a tearful goodbye. From the looks of it, GH may be heading back to a Michael and Willow reconciliation. Time will tell.

PAIGE HERSCHELL OPEN TO A RETURN AS JACINDA

After her final episode aired, Paige Herschell took to her Instagram story, and shared these heartfelt words: “Thank you General Hospital for giving me Jacinda. I’ve loved every moment with her, on stage and off. And thank you to the fns for your sweet messages and encouragement. I’m overwhelmed with your kindness. I’ve loved sharing this journey with you all.”

In closing, Paige left the door open, that she would definitely be interested to return down the line to GH as Jacinda. Herschell expressed, “If you need me … I’ll be in the character closet.”

With Jacinda, you never know when she might show up. She has come and gone from the Port Charles canvas before, and she may prove be useful a character to come back and seek revenge or extort money from Michael or someone else down the line.

General Hospital had been making a lot of moves in front of the camera recently with several new cast additions and several exits. Who might be coming or leaving next? Stay tuned.

So, what did you think of Paige’s heartfelt goodbye? Did you get emotional watching Jacinda lose the man she loved, and once again finding herself down on her luck and feeling less than? Let us know via the comment section.

As suspected, Jacinda Bracken got a one way ticket out of Port Charles, thus ending the run of Paige Herschell as the escort-turned-girlfriend of Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson). The story turn took place on the Tuesday, August 11 episode of General Hospital.

After Jacinda drugged Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) by spiking her iced coffee, and Michael finding Willow drugged out in front of their kids, Amelia and Wiley, he knew he had to break things off with her.

Michael gave Jacinda enough money to get out of town and start a new life for herself, because given these recent developments, Willow will use this against him to gain full custody of his children. In their final scenes, Michael and Jacinda said a heartfelt goodbye to one another.

Courtesy/ABC

THE HISTORY OF JACINDA BRACKEN

According to Soap Opera Digest, a GH rep confirmed that today marked Paige Herschell’s final appearance in the role and that her exit was indeed, storyline-dictated. Herschell had originally auditioned for the role of Blaze a few years back. That part went to Jacqueline Grace Lopez.

Later, Herschell was brought in for a short stint beginning in April 2025, as the escort hired by Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Portia (Brook Kerr) to paint Drew (Cameron Mathison) in a bad light. So with Nina and Portia supplying her with ketamine, she drugged Drew. Next, Jacinda was able to get the then congressman to do liquor shots off her body in front of everyone at the Savoy Nightclub. After Drew made a public spectacle of himself, Nina paid Jacinda to leave town and she wound up in Australia.

However, by September of 2025, Jacinda was back in town, where she agreed to pretend to be Michael’s girlfriend for appearances sake and to give him an alibi on the night Drew Cain was shot. The arrangement eventually turned into genuine feelings for one another.

Back in April of 2026, Paige celebrated her one-year anniversary with GH as Jacinda and posted on Instagram,”Holy smokes! It’s been one year since Jacinda was introduced on Genera Hospital. I’m so grateful to this show for the work! Thank you to the amazing fans and the awesome cast and crew! One year! Holy moly! Jacinda- you continue to surprise me.”  Fast-forward and now by August, Herschell has wrapped her run.

So, with the news of Jacinda’s departure on GH, are you glad Michael sent her packing. or were you hoping that Michael and Jacinda would wind up a bonafide couple that would go on for quite some time? Let us know via the comment section below.