Jen Lilley Previews Theresa’s Dangerous And STUNNING Return

Jen Lilley is back for an extended and emotional run as Days of Our Lives’ Theresa Donovan and she promises fans it’s going to be must-see TV.

“It’s good soap, it’s good drama, and I’m very excited for people to see it,” says Lilley.

When last seen in Salem, Theresa left Brady (Eric Martsolf) and their young son Tate to head off with the dangerous Mateo.

She convinced Brady she was over him and motherhood, but in reality, Theresa gave up the family she loved to spare them from the drug lord’s harm.

Honoring the Past
Lilley’s main concern returning to DAYS was that Theresa’s exit “be honored, because it was so selfless,” notes Lilley.

“Another thing that was particularly important to me was the fact that right before I left, Victor (John Aniston) and Theresa made amends. I wanted to make sure that was going to be something that came back around.”

So she had a talk with the soap’s head scribe Ron Carlivati. “He’s an incredibly talented and gifted writer, but at the same time I wasn’t sure how much he knew about my exit,” explains Lilley. “I love that he chatted with me about it and completely put me at ease.”

Horrific Present
Viewers have already gotten their first glimpse of Theresa, who’s in Mexico with the recently abducted Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin). But exactly what is the two women’s predicament?

“Theresa’s been a victim of human trafficking for the last year and a half,” shares Lilley. “And human trafficking is the most debasing, dehumanizing form of slavery that exists in the world today.”

“The only thing that has kept Theresa alive is the idea of coming home to Brady and Tate and [the idea of] having it be this wonderful thing.”

Heartbreaking Future
Unfortunately, it’s not going to be a dream reunion, …continue reading on the next page —>

Continue reading on the next page…

Unfortunately, it’s not going to be a dream reunion, since Brady and her sister Eve (Kassie DePaiva) are now in love.

“It all makes sense, but at the same time Theresa didn’t prepare for that,” notes Lilley. “She’s gobsmacked. It’s shocking to her, and she’s mad. It seems like such a betrayal, because she did the right thing. She’s also trying to wrestle with the truth of the circumstances, that people don’t know she went down as a hero.

“On the flip side of that, it creates amazing scenes,” continues Lilley, acknowledging that Theresa is in store for “a lot of heartache” as a result of this triangle.

“I was excited to finally be able to release the emotions and tears that I had to hold back on my exit, so that Brady wouldn’t know [what was really going on]. It was nice.”

As was reuniting onscreen with DePaiva and Martsolf. “Working with Kassie and Eric, again, was amazing. Not only do I like them as people, but they are two powerhouse performers,” says Lilley noting that what’s ahead is riveting.

“Brady does love Eve, but he was under the impression Theresa left under false pretenses. And when Eve learns the truth, she has to decide if she’s going to do the right thing and step aside or keep going because she now loves Brady. The story is amazingly woven together.”

The Great Escape
Yet, before any of that can happen Theresa and Chloe have to free themselves from their captors. And they’re going to need some help.

“One thing that’s going to be surprising and interesting is that Xander (Paul Telfer) plays a role in their escape,” notes Lilley, referring to the Kiriakis villain who’s been at serious odds with Theresa in the past.

“That is very unexpected for Theresa. It’s, Will he or won’t he? Can I trust him? Because we’re all going to die, if I can’t.”

Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for air times.