Days of our Lives Comings and Goings: Two Leading Ladies Return

Here’s the latest comings and goings casting news from Days of our Lives. Find out if any newcomers or popular stars from yesteryear are boarding the soap in contract, recurring, or day-player roles or if any of your favorite actors or actresses are leaving the Peacock soap. 

The Week of August 12, 2024

After a two-year absence, Alison Sweeney is heading back to Salem as Sami Brady. The actress, who originally began playing Sami as a teenager back in 1993, made her last appearance on the soap in 2022. Sweeney has already begun filming scenes for a storyline that reportedly caught her off guard. Due to the show’s advanced schedule, she won’t air until 2025. 

Meanwhile, Cady McClain returns as Jennifer Horton Devereaux on Friday, August 16. The character arrives in town to participate in the unraveling mystery surrounding “Abigail.” The actress has filled in as the popular character since Melissa Reeves’s exit from the soap. McClain made her last appearance in 2023. 

Finley Rose Slate pops back in as the precocious Rachel Black. The child airs on Thursday, August 15, when she visits Marlena (Deidre Hall) with her mother, Kristen (Stacy Haiduk).  

Tina Huang gets more air time as Melinda Trask. She shares scenes with Tamara Braun’s Ava on Friday, August 16.

On the exit front, Emily O’Brien has completed her run as Theresa Donovan. The character was shipped off to Statesville prison on August 8 to serve a six-month sentence for tampering with Victor’s will. O’Brien began her Days career as Gwen Rizczech in 2020, but the character was written off the canvas in October 2023. In the very same episode she took over the role of Theresa from Jen Lilley.