Ryan Carnes is set to reprise his role as Lucas Jones, the adopted son of Bobbie Spencer and Tony Jones, on ABC’s “General Hospital.”
During a recent “Days of our Lives” fan event, actor Drake Hogestyn (John Black) told Soap Opera Network that he’d signed a new contract with the sudser, but that’s not all the actor revealed! He’s got a pretty good idea of upcoming story for his alter ego, and he assured us that loyal viewers just might get exactly what they wish for when it comes to the popular pairing of John and Marlena (Deidre Hall).
Drake Hogestyn is not only returning to NBC’s “Days of our Lives” in the early part of the new year as his iconic character, John Black, he’s also returning to contract status with the daytime drama series. The actor confirmed his new status with the soap to Soap Opera Network during today’s “A Day of Days” fan event at Universal CityWalk Hollywood.
“Days of our Lives” actor Drake Hogestyn (John Black) delivered a very happy Halloween treat to fans today: He tweeted confirmation that he is indeed returning to the NBC sudser!
According to Soap Opera Digest, NBC’s “Days of our Lives” is welcoming back veteran actor Drake Hogestyn (John Black) to its canvas after nearly a 7-month absence. Hogestyn last appeared on screen in mid-July based on scenes filmed in mid-March.
It’s incontrovertible that “Days of our Lives” James Scott (EJ DiMera) is drop dead gorgeous. He has an impressive 6-foot-something stature, model good looks, a smooth British accent, perfectly polished style and… scrapes all over his hands. (Record scratch.) Yes, when the English native recently sat down with Soap Opera Network for an exclusive interview, he had numerous red scratches marring his otherwise perfect digits. And suddenly, he was all the sexier. Especially when he quipped of the wounds: “Oh, I did a love scene with Alison [Sweeney, Sami] yesterday.”
It’s no secret (at least depending on who you talk to) that Drake Hogestyn last appeared under contract on NBC’s “Days of our Lives” as of the Wednesday, July 17 episode, nor is it a secret that he last taped those scenes in mid-March, but is the actor looking to rally his fans via social media to get him back on the soap? Some of the actors most recent tweets, using sports references, looks to be doing just that as fans are left wondering what’s up with Hogestyn and his “DAYS” character, John Black.
For weeks “Days of our Lives” fans have been asking that question after actor Drake Hogestyn (John Black) tweeted he last taped an episode of the NBC Daytime drama series on March 18 (scheduled to air Wednesday, July 17). In his tweet he said, “Given a chance off the bench, I’m sure I could hit a homer for J&M. #putmeincoach.” Fans were given some hope when Soap Opera Digest reported in its June 24 issue that the actor “has reported back to work after a brief hiatus from the show.” The report was found under the “Stuff We Know (and shouldn’t tell you)” section. Sadly, the mag didn’t actually know as Digest semi-retracted its reporting per the Tuesday, July 9 issue citing comments from Hogestyn’s daughter, Alex, who took to Facebook to say that her father was not filming again. “[The] report is not true. My dad has not been back filming, I wish he was though!”
If anyone knows what it’s like to play a quintessential soap opera character, it’s “Days of our Lives’” Eileen Davidson (Kristen Blake; ex-Ashley Abbott, “The Young and the Restless;” ex-Ashley Abbott, “The Bold and the Beautiful;” ex-Kelly Capwell, “Santa Barbara”). During her 1993 to 1998 stint in Salem, she played everything from helping save Marlena (Deidre Hall) from satanic possession, being presumed dead, buying a baby and even playing four other characters (Susan, Thomas, Sister Mary Moira and Penelope) in addition to her original role as Stefano’s adopted daughter. And the madness hasn’t slowed down since she’s returned to the show for a second run! “The storylines are always pretty nutty for Kristen,” the actress says with a laugh. “It doesn’t stop, that’s for sure.”
For the past couple of years NBC’s “Days of our Lives” has been holding its “A Day of Days” fan event at Universal Studios CityWalk, where fans of the drama series could meet and great some of their favorite stars and get signed autographs. Unfortunately, this year the network has decided not to continue that event, and instead opted to branch it out a little bit (similar to how ABC canceled Super Soap Weekend, which turned into the Soap Nation Tour). Earlier this year, in a posting on the soaps operas Facebook page, the network said, “Ask and you shall receive! NBC has heard your requests and we are taking our yearly fan event on the road! Instead of holding our event at Universal City in California, members of the ‘Days of our Lives’ cast will be traveling to a few cities around the country. Dates and cities to be announced soon!” That “soon” is now.
