THE SCOOP

Christmas is a time for joy and togetherness, and “Days of our Lives” is bringing all the holiday cheer with the returns of several fan favorites on tap.

On the Thursday, December 22 episode of the soap, Kyle Lowder was back in Salem as Rex surprised Kate (Lauren Koslow). Meanwhile, the Friday, December 23 episode is jam-packed with returns, including Lamon Archey as Eli, Cady McClain as Jennifer and even Marci Miller as Abby.

First up: Chad (Billy Flynn) meets up with Jennifer at Abigail’s grave as they reflect on memories of their loved one. “They’re still grieving in different ways, but they’re at a place now of more acceptance,” says Flynn in the December 26, 2022 issue of Soap Opera Digest, on newsstands now. “They’re able to reflect on and understand what Abigail’s life was, who she was and how she served everybody. Chad feels like he has to gather a bit of strength and be there for Abigail’s mother. He is comforting Jennifer.” 

Later in the episode, as everyone gathers around to hang up ornaments on the Horton tree, Chad imagines Abigail and they talk about how he is going to make Christmas okay for their kids as they celebrate their first holiday without their mother. “It’s very sweet,” teases Flynn of the husband and wife conversation. “I kind of viewed it as the audience getting a glimpse into the relationship that Chad and Abigail have now.”

Elsewhere, while he’s currently moonlighting as Principal Carter on The CW’s “All American,” Lamon Archey is once again back in Salem when Eli pays a visit to grandma Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) with the twins in toe. “It has been a while since Eli had seen his family and vice versa,” the actor tells Soap Opera Digest. “It is a good time to get everyone together, and what better time to do it than Christmas?” 

Catching up with his former co-stars was a great experience, Archey notes, specifically when he caught up with Susan and her husband Bill Hayes. “I hadn’t seen them since I left. I think I maybe emailed them once or twice during the time I was gone. It was really good seeing them and the other faces I hadn’t seen in a while. It was really good reconnecting with my co-workers.”

As for what fans can expect to learn from Eli considering Lani (Sal Stowers) is unable to bask in the cheer considering she’s currently in prison, Archey says, “I believe Eli says she’s doing the best she can under the circumstances. She’s pulling through, but definitely misses being with her family, especially during the holidays.”

Although Archey’s latest return is a short one, don’t be surprised to see him pop up again sometime in the near future. “I talked to Albert [Alarr, co-executive producer] before I left,” he notes. “He had asked me if I wanted to come back and do some more episodes. I said we can definitely talk and figure it out. Recently, they did reach out to me and asked if I’d stop by again and help with some stories they have going on. So, of course, I’m down to pop in and lend a helping hand.”

Outside of “All American,” Archey can next be seen in the TV movie “Love Me to Death” which also stars actors Brian White, Pamela Jones and Tisha Campbell, among others. A release date has not been announced.

Watch the show’s holiday promo below.

“Days of our Lives” airs weekdays, exclusively on Peacock.