How Judith Chapman Really Ended Up Back On Days Of Our Lives!

Judith Chapman is back on Days of Our Lives starting today, but she’s not playing Anjelica Deveraux. Instead, she’s Leo’s much-talked about mother, Diana Cooper, and the actress has a lot to say about her new role!

The actress talked to TV Insider about her new gig, noting it all came about after she briefly reprised Anjelica in last year’s fun-filled Halloween episode.

“[Diana] is trying to understand her son, Matthew, who is now going by the name Leo,” Chapman said. “Leo’s been described as Kevin (Rikaart’s character from The Young and the Restless) on steroids! I’m in awe of what he’s getting away with. Kudos to DAYS for being so courageous.”

There’s more to Diana than her scheming son. It turns out that Diana shares a love past with none other than John Black (Drake Hogestyn)!

“There’s an element of how damaged she was because of her past with John Black – or whatever name he was going by at the time! She’s a broken soul with a veneer of elegance.”

DAYS asked Chapman to stay mum about her new gig, but she got the okay to reach out to Rikaart. “I called Greg and he already knew I was coming on,” the actress shares. “We were both so excited about being reunited.”

In addition to sharing scenes with Hogestyn and Rikaart, Chapman’s also set to encounter Deidre Hall’s Marlena Evans. These are fireworks not to be missed!

As veteran soap fans recall, Chapman began her career in daytime as Natalie on As the World Turns, and did a memorable turn as Ginny Blake Webber on General Hospital.

Chapman started taping DAYS months ago, but she’s currently appearing on stage in Rancho Mirage, CA in a production of Looped, the life story of actress Tallulah Bankhead (Lifeboat). For ticket information on Looped, click here!

Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on NBC. Check local listings for air times.