A new day is dawning for Days of our Lives on Wednesday, April 23rd, as Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford's head writing tenure starts hitting your Salem screens. Expect comebacks galore, ultimate tragedy, and the happy ending that longtime fans have been waiting for.
Days of our Lives enters a new era
Ron Carlivati's last scenes as DAYS' head writer streamed on Tuesday, as EJ woke from his coma and Salem prepared for a carnival to save University Hospital. The carnival is what sets the soap's new era in motion, but the coming months will bring so much more than that.
In just a few short weeks, Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso will be back to finish the story that began two years ago. In 2023, fans expected to finally see Bo and Hope get their long-awaited happily ever after. Sadly, Bo ended up in a coma after Shawn-Douglas (Brandon Beemer) shot him, thinking he was protecting his mother from his unhinged father. He had no idea Hope had broken through Megan's (Miranda Wilson) brainwashing, and the real Bo had just returned.
That wasn't the original story written, but it was nixed in favor of more angst. This time, Cwikly and Ford promise that fans will finally be satisfied.
"Bo/Hope’s previous exit story could not be executed as originally planned, and we felt we needed to give them — and their fans — the resolution they deserved," the writers told TV Insider.
A necessary story of grief
Aside from the highly anticipated Bo and Hope reunion, Cwikly and Ford were the architects behind John Black's exit story, dictated by the tragic death of beloved star Drake Hogestyn last fall. The actor's cancer kept him from working, so by the time he passed, John had already been off the DAYS canvas for months, but the writers still knew they needed to do the character and the actor justice.
"It was very hard [to write]. Everyone on the show, including us, loved John and Drake," they said. "They were both Superman, and this was not supposed to happen. Logistically, it was difficult because it was our first major story. It was an emotionally fraught situation that involved numerous variables beyond our control. First and foremost, we wanted to respect Drake’s legacy and everyone who loved him."
As the story plays out, we will always watch strong psychiatrist Marlena (Deidre Hall) navigate her grief.
"Marlena will be very busy in the coming months as a mother, grandmother, psychiatrist, and friend," the writers explained. "She has counseled many patients on grief and has obviously experienced loss herself, but losing John forces her to re-explore who she is without him."
What more can you expect from a new Days of our Lives
Emily O'Brien will be back this summer as Gwen Rizcech, Jack Deveraux's (Matthew Ashford) wayward newly-discovered daughter, Leo's (Greg Rikaart) BFF, and Xander's ex. With all that on her resume, look for Gwen to stir up trouble.
The mystery of who shot EJ (Daniel Feuerriegel) also takes center stage now that the character has emerged from his coma.
"This story was perfectly poised to take off when we took over," the writers explained. "There are many viable suspects with means, motive and opportunity. There will be a trial in the summer that involves many characters on the canvas."
But what about Belle (Martha Madison), the new lady in EJ's life? She knows EJ is no good for her, but she just can't stay away. Sounds a little like her sister Sami (Alison Sweeney) to us...
