Thank goodness Brandon Barash is back on Days of our Lives, and he’s hit the ground running as Jake – a dead ringer for the late Stefan O. DiMera. The character’s brought instant energy to Salem and opened up a mysterious new storyline that’s about to be explored. Here are five things we love about Jake and Brandon Barash’s return to DAYS.
Brandon Barash: Same Look, New Man
Jake is everything Stefan wasn’t – gruff, surly, and totally unpolished. Jake’s his comfortable best under cars in an autobody shop, while Stefan thrived at the DiMera mansion and in the boardroom. Jake is who he is and makes no apologies. He’s a breath of fresh, down-to-earth air. He’s wild, fun, and unpredictable. Salem doesn’t have another character like him, and that’s what makes him so fascinating to watch.
A Role of His Own
During his last stint, Barash had a tough task — taking over a role created by another actor, Daytime Emmy winner Tyler Christopher (ex-Stefan). That’s always a difficult assignment because it lends itself to comparisons. This time around, Barash is creating a character from scratch, taking what the writers have given him, adding his own little nuances, and making it totally his own. So far, he’s been mastering it.
Coupling Up
Now that Brandon Barash is back, the soap can explore another pairing with his former leading lady, Camila Banus (Gabi). The two actors were a surprise hit after the writers transformed Stefan and Gabi from adversaries to lovers. The pairing was unexpected and laden with crazy sparks. Hopefully, they can recreate that same magic as Jake and Gabi.
Who’s That Guy?
Jake’s resemblance to Stefan stirs up all kinds of questions. Did Stefan really die? Did Dr. Rolf bring him back to life? Could Stefan have been a twin and Jake is his rough-around-the-edges brother? The options are endless, and it’s only a matter of time before they’re all explored.
Mama’s on Her Way
Barash’s emergence as Jake opens the door for a Vivian return. And, as viewers know, Louise Sorel will be resurrecting the crazy quirky character soon. So things are bound to get even more interesting once Viv lays her eyes on the Stefan doppelganger. She’ll either be as surprised as the rest of Salem or, perhaps, be able to shed some light on exactly what’s going on. Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.
