One popular character. Two powerful actresses. Days of our Lives has found a way to utilize that unique formula to make sure Jack and Jennifer’s daughter, Abigail Deveraux DiMera, remains onscreen, now and in the future.
Kate the Great
Kate Mansi’s Abigail became a megahit when she took on the part back in 2011. An emotional good girl daddy issues, she had a wild crush on Austin (Patrick Muldoon), embarked on a short affair with EJ (James Scott), and dated serial killer Ben (Robert Scott Wilson) before finally finding true love with Chad (Billy Flynn).
Mansi’s pairing with Flynn was embraced by viewers, and they quickly emerged as a Salem supercouple, eventually marrying. Things, however, hit a major snag when Mansi up and left the soap in 2016, and Abigail was sent off to a psychiatric hospital. But DAYS took a gamble, decided to recast the role, and hit pay dirt with daytime newcomer Marci Miller.
Moving on with Marci
Like Mansi, who won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2017, Miller was a consummate actress. She took the opportunity and ran with it, playing Abigail’s fragile mental state with the same poignancy and intensity as Mansi.
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In fact, Miller’s depiction of Abigail’s battle with multiple personality disorder earned her back-to-back Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2018 and 2019.
Time for a Switch… or Two
When Miller wrapped up her contract in 2018 and opted to leave DAYS, the soap found itself without an Abigail, again, but not for long. Mansi agreed to return for a few story arcs, keeping Abigail front and center. Now, just as Mansi has parted ways with the show again, word has leaked the Miller has agreed to return to the part. The recasting strategy is brilliant on DAYS’ part.
It keeps one of Salem’s most popular characters onscreen, and she’s always being played by a familiar face and topnotch actress. Plus, the latest Abigail switcheroo will, no doubt, be seamless, as fans seem to adore both Mansi and Miller in the role. Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.
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