Days of our Lives News: Why Kristian Alfonso REALLY Left Hope Behind

Kristian Alfonso stunned the soap world when she announced that she would not be returning to Days of Our Lives in September when the show goes back into production. Now, the Emmy-nominated star is speaking out on why she opted to vacate Salem after a 37-year run as the beloved Hope Williams Brady.

Kristian Alfonso Tells Her Story

The actress appeared on Entertainment Tonight in a segment with correspondent Matt Cohen (ex-Griffin, General Hospital) to talk about why she decided to say goodbye to Hope.

Alfonso shares that DAYS executive producer Ken Corday approached her about giving the character of Hope a hiatus for approximately five months. She would then return to the story canvas and be thrust into a new storyline with a Navy SEAL.

“[It] was as if Ken had opened that door for me just a little bit and I opened it all the way and made the decision to depart DAYS,” Alfonso told ET. “So many milestones in my life happened on that show and I have so many incredible memories.

“I thought to myself, you know what, it’s time for a change and it was the perfect moment to make that decision,” she says. “I was taken aback when [Ken] said that they wanted…to take me off camera…It was not something that ever been been discussed but that’s what it was…I just thought…it’s time to write a new chapter.”

Alfonso, who debuted on DAYS in 1983, says that the coronavirus pandemic also played a role in helping her make up her mind. “COVID,” she says, has “really made me pause and think about life and to really appreciate our health every single day and never take it for granted and that was part of my decision also.”

What’s next for the actress? She says she’s been enjoying “being home and doing nothing.” She likes cooking and spending time with family and friends. She adds that she misses her jewelry line, Hope, Faith, and Miracles, which she sold back in 2016 so, perhaps she’ll embark on a similar venture.

Alfonso added that she’s not interested in dropping in and out of Salem like other actors and characters do. She shared that Corday told her that the role of Hope would not be recast (how could it be?) but she realizes that’s not her call to make.

Is acting either on another daytime serial or in another medium in her future? “I don’t know if I will continue in this business,” she says, “but possibly. I have been getting calls and some interest on some projects, so we’ll see.”

Veteran DAYS fans recall that Alfonso left the show only to return twice before. She first departed daytime in 1987, returning for another brief stint in 1990, and then came back full-time to the show in 1994. Might there be a third time? ET’s Cohen seems to think so. He ended his televised report on Alfonso by saying, “I know Kristian says she won’t return to DAYS, but it’s a huge honor in the soap world to be asked back so, I still think she will,” Cohen said with a smile.

Alfonso leaves grateful to her loyal fan base and is filled with gratitude for her experiences. “I would say I’m just a very lucky girl,” she says. The actress is set to air on DAYS through October. Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on NBC. Check local listings for air times.