DAYS Character Spotlight: Roman Brady

Character Name: Roman Brady
Actor: Josh Taylor
Occupation: Police Commissioner
Former Spouses: Anna Fredericks, Marlena Evans, Kate Roberts
Children: Carrie Brady, Eric Brady, Samantha Brady, Rex Brady, Cassie Brady

Rough-around-the-edges cop Roman Brady found himself with a different kind of assignment in 1982 when he was assigned to protect Dr. Marlena Evans, who had been threatened by the Salem Strangler.

Marlena did not take too kindly to a stranger sleeping in her living room, but eventually sparks flew between the pair and Roman confessed his love for Marlena after he believed the Strangler had killed her, but learned he actually killed her twin sister, Samantha.

In 1983, Roman and Marlena married and she soon learned not only was Roman a cop, but he was also a spy for the International Security Alliance (ISA). Roman’s assignments with the ISA made him an enemy of international crime lord, Stefano DiMera, who was living in Salem and eventually revealed a standing rivalry with the entire Brady family that went back decades. After Marlena gave birth to their twins, Eric and Samantha, Stefano took his rivalry with Roman to new heights and killed him atop a mountain on his private island.

Nearly two years later, Marlena met a mysterious man named John Black, who she convinced herself was really Roman with plastic surgery. John had Roman’s memories and began living as Roman, renewing his vows with Marlena. Several years later, the real Roman arrived back in Salem and all soon learned John had been implanted with Roman’s memories by Stefano.

By then, Marlena was also presumed dead, but when she returned she and Roman got back together. However, her feelings for John Black remained and Roman and Marlena went on to become best friends rather than husband and wife.

Roman had an affair with Kate Roberts, but once again Stefano intruded and seemingly killed most of Salem. Of course, he had Roman, Marlena, and all their friends imprisoned on an island resembling Salem where Roman and Marlena had an affair. When they all returned to Salem, a pregnant Marlena miscarried Roman’s baby and Roman once again became involved with Kate. The pair married and divorced, with Marlena giving birth to their children through surrogacy.

Roman’s career also took off after his latest flirtation with near-death and he was named the Salem Police Commissioner after years of off and on service on the force.