If it feels like Emily O’Brien was just on Days of Our Lives recently, that’s because she was. She returned to Salem in March, but played Theresa. She originally played Gwen Rizczech, but left in October 2023, returning in the same episode as a recast of Theresa, taking over for Jen Lilley. Gwen left Salem after suffering a heartbreak when her new husband, Dimitri, had an affair with Leo. But now Gwen’s back, and O’Brien has some things to say about her return.
She Loves Playing Gwen
When Theresa went to prison because of her involvement with defrauding Alex (Robert Scott Wilson) and Xander (Paul Telfer) over Victor’s inheritance, as well as kidnapping baby Victoria, O’Brien told TV Insider, “I thought that was it. I was very emotional on the last day; I said my goodbyes.” Little did she know what was yet to come.
Once she departed Salem, O’Brien explained that she dove into working on her house. Eventually, the show came back to her and asked her not only to finish Theresa’s story arc, but to later reprise Gwen as well. “I’ve always loved playing Gwen, so it was an easy answer for me, really,” she remarked.
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Gwen Now Has Knowledge and Status
O’Brien explained that when Gwen left Salem, she was despondent from her failed romance. But explained, “Now, she has everything except for love, so she’s sort of back to where she was, but with a full wallet.” After divorcing Dimitri (Peter Porte), she secured his inheritance and left town to try and get her hands on the rest of his fortune.
Now she’s back, and O’Brien marveled at how Gwen was refined by the writers. “She went away and spent time with the elite, and now she has knowledge and status,” the actress stated. “So that’s been a different twist to come back and play her.” She’s looking forward to reconnecting with other actors, and her dream would be to work with Jackée Harry’s Paulina.
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