It’s a known fact that Days of our Lives‘ production schedule is unique. What the cast and crew are taping now will not air for roughly another year. And so when Soap Hub recently visited the set of the Peacock soap opera, we asked three of its actors to tell us how different their characters’ lives will look a year from now. Their answers were fun and intriguing.
Key Takeaways
- Dan Feuerriegel teases that EJ won’t be quite as in charge a year from now.
- Emily O’Brien reveals Gwen will interact with new characters and forge unexpected relationships.
- Paul Telfer promises major changes for Xander and plenty for his fans to look forward to.
Prepare to Be Shocked When It Comes to EJ
Currently, most of Salem has it out for EJ DiMera. He has been playing puppet master in multiple ways. And he always seems to elude punishment (except when he was shot last year). Dan Feuerriegel (who recently dissected the current state of EJ DiMera) shared a short, sweet teaser about his character a year from now. It seems like there will be a reckoning for the DiMera villain at some point.
“Let’s just say, EJ isn’t as in charge as he would hope,” the actor revealed. Can you imagine a world where EJ isn’t in charge of anything?
It’s a Different World for Gwen
Emily O’Brien (Gwen Rizczech) had this to say about her character’s look in 12 months. “Gwen’s hair is longer,” she teased. But her appearance isn’t the only thing that changes. Gwen interacts with a whole new set of people.
“There have definitely been some new people introduced to her that I’ve actually been really thrilled to work with and also explore those relationships,” O’Brien added. “Actors that I have always wanted to work with and now I am.”
There’s somebody that she hasn’t been working with as frequently, however. “When Dan (Feuerriegel) and I worked together, it was Dan and I, Dan and I, Dan and I for months. And then boom, story ended, and now I never see Dan.”
There’s a Payoff Ahead, Especially With Xander
Telfer (who highlighted actresses who have left a lasting impact) was particularly excited about what’s ahead, especially since he says what’s currently airing on Peacock helps set up what airs almost a year from now. “I mean, it’s significantly different,” the Scottish actor began. “But what I like about the current shape and pace…right now I’m playing out things, and the fallout of things that we’re setting up is what’s airing right now.”
What he’s referring to is what EJ is attempting to cover up in the present-day episodes. “There’s all the stuff with the contaminated well and the Coriseal and EJ’s true motivation for what he’s doing. And our reaction to it all. These are all things that play out over months and months and months and incorporate all the characters on the canvas in a way that we weren’t really doing relatively recently, and so I love it.”
As for Xander specifically? What a difference a year makes. “Xander’s life is completely different. The Xander that’s airing right now…the thing that he does care about the most, he would be ecstatic about the current situation,” he explained. “If people are into Xander and into what Xander’s into, there’s a lot to look forward to and a lot to be happy about coming down the pike.”
“The scenes that I shot today, for instance, I’ve shot a version of these scenes in the past,” he continued. They were a lot more traumatic for Xander in the past because he didn’t have in his life then what he has now, if that makes sense.” Telfer loves what this kind of thing means for his character, who is currently putting in the work with therapy sessions and struggling to make healthier choices.
“It’s different enough that it feels…it’s a way of almost demonstrating the growth of the character,” he revealed.
