Days Of Our Lives
Vanessa Williams Set To Debut As DAYS Valerie Grant!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Is there a doctor in the house? Days of our Lives has announced that former Melrose Place and Soul Food star Vanessa Williams (Ex-Rhonda) is the recast Valerie Grant.
As longtime fans of the NBC soap know, Valerie (originally played by Tina Andrews) was involved in daytime’s first interaccial romance with Julie’s son, David Banning. Eventually, Valerie went to med school to become a doctor after he relationship went awry.
According to Soap Opera Digest, Valerie comes back to Salem as a respected cardiologist on the upcoming October 25th episode and look for her to be in a story that features her former flame Abe (James Reynolds) and his on-screen son, Theo (Kyler Pettis).
With Abe being shot and with fragments of bullets near his heart, will Valerie help Abe through his tough ordeal?
So, what do you think about Vanessa Williams taking on the role of Valerie Grant? How do you think her story will unravel on-screen? Comment below!
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Wish they had kept Maxine and had her be Valerie’s cousin who was attracted to Abe…sometime ago i had written a little plot involving Theo’s disapproval of Valerie…dont know this actress as well as the other V.W.,…would had been something had they gotten Tina Andrews who originated the role but i dont think she acts anymore…Tina and the late Richard Guthrie(then David) had great chemistry together…wonder if a nuDavid will show up in the future???…would be nice to see some forgotten Horton’s again!!!
I wish Maxine would return. Is the actress busy? Maxine is definitely needed!
it’s the funniest thing… and/or befuddling…. for as much as we’ve seen … Doug and Julie woven in to the canvas for guest appearances… and I LOVE THEM TO BITS
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen any of their children on screen ?
Sons
David Banning
Robert Anderson, Jr.
Grandsons
Scott Banning
it would be amazing to see on of their own
A rare case of a soap character becoming younger, as Valerie Grant was in her 20s when we first met her in 1975.
They did the same with Mike Horton when Roark C. played the role making Mike a decade younger…Mike, Valerie and David should all be in their 60s now
Jaime Lyn Bauer is a decade younger than the previous Laura, Jimmy.
Truth be told, if David and Mike had not been SORASed in the first place, they would still be younger than the most recent performers who played them.
Balls of fire—I said the same thing about Valerie when it was announced they were bringing the character back some time ago.
That’s what my grandmother said, Jimmy. She shook her head in annoyance.
The same as making Alice Horton, while still alive, a great-great-great grandmother.
It’s not too off…this actress is in her 50s.
4ever…i know that too about Laura…she should be almost a decade older than Julie and now its the opposite!!!
Love Vanessa and she will be fantastic. She’s glamorous and talented and I can’t wait.
This VW is 53 not far off of 60 I don’t see what they problem is I love this actress..
The second actress who played Valerie had reach out via social media saying she was interested a few months ago of reprising the role, and now I see she was not chosen. I don’t get why days didn’t try and do anything with the daughter of Abe as well as bring his daughter mother who was played be actress and singer Marilyn Mc Coo to return on a short term base to play the role she Created back in the 1980’s instead of going and bringing in a another blast from the past character. Since they at days brought on… Read more »
for what time and FEW scenes we got…. it was a big deal… to see Abe branching out… and able to relate more familial. the three of them, having dinner in Horton Square…. bonding… aawh… I loved it. Abe / Lani / Theo. where’s my Lexi
I agree w/ JimH. Just bring back Maxine.
I don’t have a good feeling about Vanessa Williams…. I tried to like her… way back when… on Melrose Place… I never had a chance to watch SOUL FOOD. so who knows
I wonder if Debbie Morgan was interested ?
Patrick…I look at it like this: Debbi Morgan would have been a WAY BETTER CHOICE than Vanessa Williams. Just saying……….
Have a good one, dude.
Another gimmick DAYS is using. Instead of adding characters of old back into the fold how about they develop a story worth telling??? Then you can add actors to the fold. They are so intent on bringing back old time characters that everyone has forgotten but once the gimmick wears off and there is no story worth telling the gimmick fails and the actor leaves. I remember when Joan Collins came to GL as Alexandra Spaulding. That lasted all of about four weeks. Then they brought in the last actress to portray her and basically ruined the character forever. Everyone… Read more »
Hey Mateo. I totally agree about making sure Story is there before bringing characters back. I mean Marlena hasn’t even had a SL since returning. But I do disagree about not remembering Valerie Grant. I’m only in my 30’s and even I know who Valerie Grant is, but I’m a diehard Days fan who took the time to learn the shows history. My biggest gripe though is that Valerie had MAJOR story with Julie’s son David Banning & I personally think he should have been home years ago or right now to beef up the Horton clan which seems to… Read more »
The same when Beverly played Iris on AW…when AW foolishly cast her on Texas…AW lost 1 million viewers…same when she left Texas…her replacements couldnt hold a candle to her both on AW and GL…Joan was terribly miscast as Alexandria-she made the character look like a something from a Circus sideshow…and you are right BM was the greatest actress to ever grace our daytime screens!!!
I always did enjoy Vanessa A. Williams’ acting skills, so I cannot wait to see her on DAYS as Valerie Grant. Nice seeing actresses that are not Caucasian gain work in daytime and television itself.
Okay, Vanessa Williams is entirely TOO YOUNG to be romantically paired with James Reynolds. He’s old enough to be her father! So, if they’re bringing her back to portray Valerie, that’s fine. But they shouldn’t even entertain the thought of putting her back with Abe. That ship sailed a long time ago.
They could put this new Valerie with Rafe, Dario, Deimos, Brady, or even Eric Brady now that Greg Vaughan is returning!
Yes, James Reynolds is 17 years older than Vanessa. However, it is called acting! Do you also have a problem with the romantic relationship between Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie) who is 73 and Bill Hayes (Doug) who is 91?
Susan & Bill are married in real life..lol
Love to see Abe, Theo have more front and center storylines. The cast and storylines should include more African Americans in more prominent roles! Loved Maxine. Would love to see her more!
I like Maxine! Where is she?
Just looked her up on IMDB. She was working on two other series 2015-2016 and a TV movie in 2016. Don’t know if that occupies all her time, but she is missed at Days.
Abe looks old enough to be her father for crying out loud.
I got all excited and then I realized it is not the Vanessa Williams I was thinking of. Oh well.
I know… right
my heart took a leap… with
I knew that picture couldn’t have been thee Vanessa L. Williams.
so I can palpitate and get my pulse back to “normal”
these token actors…. when relegated to like minded actors ( Valerie + Abe )
REALLY ? argh!
They should bring back Jaime Lyn Bauer
They should bring back “Maxine”
They should bring back Flo…. Nicole mother
either of these ladies would be perfect
Do you Fay? That was Nicole’s mother.
I was hoping Laura would stick around for longer. Maybe she’ll return when Abby does.
Great actress but TOO young to play that character!
Wrong role, wrong show.
If Y&R writers decide to bring Drucilla back from that ravine, this actress would be perfect.
Days bring back Vivian and how about Linda Anderson to .I always like Elaine Princi.Wasn’t that her name?Then again what do I know lol.I do like Vanessa Williams she is good actress.
Maybe she can sing on the show too.
Bring back Maxine, Vivian, and Sami. I do not like this Abigail.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Billy Flynn and Wife Gina Comparetto Expecting Their First Child
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ to Honor James Reynolds’ 40th Anniversary as Abe Carver with Special Episode
As DAYS viewers witnessed on Friday’s episode, Abe has been shot in the park, after Carmine pulls out a gun, and Jake (Brandon Barash) tries to apprehend him. Jake rushes to Abe’s side and calls an ambulance and he is rushed to University Hospital. Once there, Abe eventually flatlines, while Lani (Sal Stowers), Paulina (Jackee Harry) and Eli (Lamon Archey) are besides themselves with worry.
This sets the stage for Monday’s episode where Abe will go into the light, as Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) works to save his light and while he hovers between life and death, DAYS fans are treated to the special 40th anniversary episode of James Reynolds as Salem’s Abe Carver. The Daytime Emmy-winning actor, (he won Lead Actor in 2018) began his Salem journey when he first aired back on October 29th, 1981.
Photo: JPI
While Abe revisits the past, he will meet up with his late wife and love of his life, Lexie, only according to Soap Opera Digest, Renee Jones was not available to be a part of the milestone episode. So, in a pivot another actress was brought in.
Reynolds told SOD on the Lexie appearance, “The young actress they brought in to be part of this was just wonderful“n giving the essence of (their) relationship and communicated beautifully, just beautifully, in her face and her eyes, as Renee did quite so often.” He added, “I was kind of transported, actually.”
Photo: JPI
In addition, James continues to be the the longest-running black actor in the same role in television history.
Check out the latest NBC promo featuring Abe’s life hanging in the balance below.
Now let us know, are you glad that DAYS is honoring James with this special 40th anniversary episode? What has been your favorite James Reynolds performance as Abe through the years? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Head Scribe, Ron Carlivati, Shares On Marlena’s Possession 2.0: “We Decided John Needs To Get On To This Sooner Than He Did In The Original, Because That’s What The Audience Would Expect”
As viewers of NBC’s Days of our Lives are watching the revisiting of the classic possession storyline revisited with its 2021 version 2.0, the stage is being set for plenty of devilish drama, now that good doc, Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) is once again in the grips of evil.
We have already seen her with yellow eyes, conjuring up some demonic plans, and of course, the devil trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Marlena’s husband, John Black (Drake Hogestyn).
Photo: NBC
Back in the 1994/95 version of this storyline, Father John emerged and exorcised the demon from Marlena, so he knows a thing or two about being possessed, and the horrors it caused to Marlena, and the town of Salem 25 years ago, and as we have seen John is very, very concerned about all this talk of Marlena being possessed by the devil from the script that Johnny (Carson Boatman) is set to make into a film on Sami’s life story.
Current Days of our Lives head writer, Ron Carlivati, spoke with Soap Opera Digest in their latest issue on newsstands now, about his plans and the creation of the 2021 possession storyline. Ron revealed that John is not going to be in the dark for long, sharing: “John has been through this, so the devil isn’t going to be able to pull the wool over his eyes the way he did the first time.”
Carlivati also added: “Even though all soap opera stories, I would argue, depend on some characters being a little bit dumb, in this case, we decided John needs to get on to this sooner than he did in the original because that’s what they audience would expect. Look for the story to move along at a pretty good clip. We are not rushing, anything by any means – we are having so much fun with the story, but it was important to us that John not look stupid here so he starts to suspect something is wrong with her pretty soon.”
So, are you glad that John will not be completely dumped? Will Father John return to save the day? Are you enjoying the story thus far? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Then, check out our recent interview with Ron all about the creation of DAYS limited-series, Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem still streaming on Peacock.
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