Days of Our Lives’ Emily O’Brien Asks Fans to ‘Keep an Open Mind’ About Her Shocking Recast as Theresa
In one of the wildest daytime recasts in recent memory, the Oct. 6 episode of Days of Our Lives ended with Emily O’Brien’s Gwen boarding a flight out of Salem, only for the actress to return seconds later — this time in a blonde wig, sans British accent, playing the role of Theresa Donovan.
Nearly one week since her debut in the role, O’Brien has taken to social media to address the major change, expressing her excitement while also acknowledging fans’ concerns.
“As I step into the shoes (and wig) of a very different role, I hope that you can keep an open mind, have fun with my interpretation, and enjoy the ride,” O’Brien wrote Thursday on Instagram. “After all, it’s just a bit of dress up and make believe, really.”
O’Brien also takes a moment to show her “utmost gratitude” for getting to play a “beautifully layered character” like Gwen for the past four years. “She has taken me through such a delicious discovery of who she is, and what she ultimately always yearned for — despite all her pain, vengeance and deceit,” O’Brien writes. “To be loved. Perhaps someday, somewhere away from Salem, she can finally find it.”
Of course, there’s a bit more to this shocking recast than a new wig and a dropped accent. In a recent interview with Soaps.com, Lilley (aka the previous Theresa) alleged that she didn’t know the role was going to be recast when she signed on to come back. According to Lilley, she was supposed to film 12 weeks’ worth of material in the four weeks she was available, then was surprised to learn on set that Theresa would live on through O’Brien.
Days fans, have you gotten used to seeing O’Brien as Theresa? And are you hoping this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Gwen? Drop a comment with your thoughts below.
I adored Emily as Gwen, but I’m struggling with this. Gwen despite her faults had a humanity that Emily brought to the role, and Lilley also brought a humanity to her role despite also having faults, but in trying to play the character different, I so far am missing the humanity in this version of Theresa so far. I also thought Gwen and Alex had great chemistry when they slept together, and I sensed chemistry with Theresa prior to the recast, but I’m not entirely feeling it since. I hope it gets better with a bit more time.
I’m absolutely loving Emily as Theresa, Jen just didn’t bring Theresa back home to Salem she was just to whimpy, whiny, and wrong for the she created. Emily now, I remember how she came on the screen orignally, I had every bit of confidence she would bring the bite back in Theresa that Jen had created. Don’t get wrong Jen is still a talented actress, she has been doing those hallmark movies a little too long! Let’s not forget Jen’s not an Allison Sweeney by no means, Ali can still come back to Salem and fight fire with the best of them without blinking. I guess time had been a little too long for Jen but it was nice seeing you again. I was hoping to see the Theresa that would take drive the little innocent JJ Deveraux crazy! Sure do miss him too!!!
She is awful in the role. Not to mention the out of place accent.
Emily is a good actress and sye is slowly making the character of Teresa her own.
I have always liked Emily and am rooting for her. I see she picked up the mannerisms of Jen and the sarcasm and way she would roll her eyes. I just want Emily to be comfortable and make it her own. There is no need for a British accent, Teresa didn’t have one.
I don’t like Gwen as Theresa. It doesn’t work
If Emily weren’t already on the show as another character, this recast would have worked much better. Ditto for the way it was handled behind the scenes with Jen Lilley getting blindsided by Albert Alarr.
The jarring change at the end of last week didn’t do the show any favours, but I must say, Emily seamlessly stepped into Theresa’s shoes and is making the role her own. She’s doing a great job despite the messy circumstances.
There’s too much time in history with Gwen and too many people she’s had parts with for me to take her his Brady’s ex-wife. I’d rather see Gwen come back then to see her in this part. The way she flirts and tries to be Teresa just does not work because she looks too much like Gwen.
I’d rather have Theresa permanently killed off than have Emily O’Brien play her.
I love her!! She has taken the Theresa character and done a fabulous job!! Haters will be haters, that’s on them!
“Keep an open mind” about Emily O’Brien playing a character she has no business playing? I’m sorry, but I can’t. I just can’t. I am canceling my Peacock subscription and washing my hands clean of this mess of a show for good. I hope this show dies in 2025.
How kind of you to wish death on a show that millions of us like. Just don’t watch it.
I prefer Emily as Gwen & I wish Gwen would come back. But I enjoy her & am glad that she’s sticking around.
Don’t you think that’s an over-reaction? I wasn’t thrilled with EJ recast, or Gabbleaving, but life goes on. I thought loosing Abbagale and Ciara would kill the show but Days carriers on
Theresa will always be Jennifer Lilly to me! No one can replace her. I don’t blame Emily. She was great as Gwen.
I don’t understand why you’d write someone out of the show when the actor or actress is still available. It’s bad enough when you have to write them out because they leave the show. I was so excited that Jen Lilley was back. Gwen was a brilliant write in, so why take her away? I’ve been waiting for ages for Lilley to come back.
She made a great Gwen but a horrible Theresa bring the original back. One of Days stupider moves.
Hate gwen as Teresa. Bring gwen back and get a new Teresa. Was there a actress shortage
It just doesn’t work!
Enough with the recasts already! I still see Roman as Chris Kozachek! She looks bad in that wig and it sounds like her voice is dubbed in. I don’t like her at all in this different role. And now Nick Fallon, who just recently was seen in Hell is now coming back as a new character? Why don’t you just hire new actors?!
I agree 100%. Chris is Roman, Nick is Everett, Ben is Alex, Gwen is Theresa and let’s not forget Adreinne is now Bonnie! But, as a viewer since the inception of DOL I’ve adjusted and glad the show lives on!
It’s horrible. Nothing bad to say about Emily O’Brien, she’s wonderful but playing two parts is ridiculous especially when the original actress came back to play Teresa Donovan
Poor Emily O’Brien. She could not have been given a worse role. Theresa was only interesting because Jen Lilley played the part well. How about giving Gwen a better storyline and bring Lilley back. I seriously can’t even stomach the scenes between Theresa and Alex, and I’ve been watching the show for 34 years. 🤮
I never liked her character and not that excited about the actress but to recast her as Theresa is just ridiculous. It’s hard to know what character you’re actually watching. Not doing a great job of losing the accent either. Seriously??????
If Jen Lily isn’t available then hire someone else! Please!!!!!
I love her!! She has taken the Theresa character and done a fabulous job!! Haters will be haters, that’s on them!
This is DOOLS’ worst casting decision ever. I have been watching DOOLs since the late 1960s! I tried but just can’t buy in! I’m out! Will switch to Y&R! Goodbye Salem!
Emily is Horrid. Remove her as Teresa!
Don’t like O’BRIAN as Theresa….. she is award trying to step into Theresa, not convincing. The wig looks horrible and her accent comes back on occasion. She’s not convincing as the conniving superficial Theresa. Sorry but I liked her as Gwen…more natural for her.
Great as Gwen. Terrible as Theresa.
I hate it when actors change roles!!. Like aka Ben now as Alex, but I have to say I have gotten used to this one. I love Gwen as Gwen not Teresa!! I love the old Teresa!! Yes I know soap actors are not every day real life situations but when they change roles that just throws a wrench in it for me 😦😩🥴 I have been less interested in Days of our lives since Peacock flew in 😂
Teresa was a lighter character than is currently portrayed by O’brien. She is now money hungry, hard-edged, and low class with bad grammar. If you want to keep using O’brien, please bring her back as Gwen where she excels.
Hate the new recast but she is doing an amazing job with it. Bring back Gwen!