“Days of Our Lives” fans are a loyal bunch. Many have been watching the soap opera for several decades. At times, watching the sudser has even become a family tradition. Of course, these diehard fans have also seen so many character recasts over the years. Some have been excellent. However, others have been less than thrilling.
Days of Our Lives recasting drama: A Tale of 3 Philips
Philip Kiriakis is a legacy character that “DOOL” fans have come to know well over the years. As the son of Victor Kiriakis and Kate Roberts, viewers were thrilled when Philip was aged into a teenager. Actor Jay Kenneth Johnson took on the role, becoming part of Salem’s teen scene with the likes of Belle Black, Shawn Brady, and Mimi Lockhart. However, a few years later, actor Kyle Brandt stepped into the part in 2001.
Fans weren’t exactly thrilled with Brandt’s work at Philip, and after he exited “Days of Our Lives” in 2008, he never returned. Johnson did return. However, when he was unavailable, soap actor Jean-Paul Lavoisier tackled the role, giving many much better Philip vibes.
Tracy Middendorf couldn’t compare to Christie Clark in the role of Carrie Brady
Christie Clark is Carrie Brady. The actress had been playing the role off and on since she was a child. However, in 1991 the soap opera opted to recast the character with actress Tracy Middendorf. Although the star was a very accomplished actress, she wasn’t a great fit for the role of Carrie, and fans weren’t happy with the switch-up.
Eventually, Clark returned to “Days of Our Lives.” Carrie went on to have plenty of big storylines with the love of her life, Austin Reed. She also engaged in a decades-long feud with her younger sister, Sami Brady.
#OnThisDay in 2004, Charity Rahmer assumed the role of Belle Black #Phelle #Days pic.twitter.com/TEMi4yA3fp
— ThoseWereTheDAYS (@Daysofour_Lives) July 19, 2021
Kirsten Storms left a huge void in Salem when she exited as Belle Black
Kirsten Storms made “DOOL” fans fall in love with the legacy character Belle Black. As a Salem teen, her relationship with Shawn Douglas Brady was everything to young viewers. However, when Storms exited the role, the sudser recast her with actress Charity Rahmer. Fans couldn’t get on board with Rahmer’s version of Belle, and the show quickly recast the role again.
This time around they added Martha Madison to the cast, and she has been playing the role of Belle Black Brady ever since. Meanwhile, Storms went on to make a name for herself in the role of Maxie Jones on “General Hospital.”
Krista Allen wasn’t a hit in the role of Billie Reed
The character of Billie Reed is beloved by “Days of Our Lives” fans. Although she was a character who momentarily came between iconic super couple Bo and Hope Brady, fans couldn’t get enough of Lisa Rinna on the soap. Sadly, when Rinna left, the show decided to go in a different direction and cast Krista Allen as Billie.
Billie was known for being sassy and strong-willed, and Allen didn’t deliver the right attitude to embody the role. Later, actress Julie Pinson was cast as Billie and fans were much more welcoming of her portrayal. Meanwhile, Rinna has returned to the sudser on multiple occasions to reprise the character of Billie Reed.
Days of Our Lives viewers weren’t on board with the Will Horton recast
When “DOOL” viewers love a character, it’s hard to see them be recast. However, the groundbreaking character of Will Horton was particularly hard for fans to say goodbye to. Actor Chandler Massey had become a huge hit in the role, and when he left fans were devastated.
Sadly for his replacement, Guy Wilson, many viewers weren’t happy with his work as the beloved son of Lucas Horton and Sami Brady. Guy was in the role for some huge moments in Will’s life, including his supposed murder and his wedding to Sonny Kiriakis. However, Massey eventually returned to reprise the role, much to viewers’ delight.
“Days of Our Lives” continues to shuffle actors in and out. Recently, it was confirmed that Jen Lilley’s character, Theresa Donovan, had been recast. However, it’s all part of the deal when you’re a soap opera fan.
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Kendra Quinn