Salem is bidding farewell to one of its own as Emily O’Brien departs Days of Our Lives after her character Theresa Donovan’s arrest at the end of July 2024.
The actress confirmed her exit in an interview with Soap Opera Digest, revealing that her time portraying Theresa had officially come to a close. This was further confirmed in the August 8th episode, available for streaming on Peacock, as Theresa was sent to Statesville prison for her crimes.
Among her criminal activities, Theresa had admitted to kidnapping baby Victoria, defrauding Alex and Xander, and conspiring with Konstantin to steal the Kiriakis fortune. While characters being sent to prison is not uncommon in soap operas, O’Brien’s departure from the show may come as a surprise to fans.
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In her interview, O’Brien shared, “I wasn’t originally meant to be on the show for as long as I was. I never imagined that daytime television would be a possibility for me again,” reflecting on her previous role as Jana on The Young and the Restless.
O’Brien described her emotional farewell behind the scenes, stating, “I was in tears as I spoke to everyone on set and looked into the cameras. I expressed how incredibly fortunate I feel.”
Overall, O’Brien expressed gratitude for her time on the show, saying, “I not only had the opportunity to play one amazing character, but two amazing characters.” Fans of Days will remember O’Brien’s debut as Theresa in October 2023, after playing schemer Gwen Rizczech for over two years.
O’Brien also shared her fondness for playing Theresa, adding, “I ended up falling in love with Theresa and the world she inhabits. I am truly grateful for the trust the team placed in me to portray both of these roles.”
While O’Brien’s departure may be permanent, she left the door open for a potential return to her Days roles, stating, “You never know.”
What are your thoughts on Emily’s departure? Share your opinions in the comments below and continue watching Days of Our Lives on Peacock.
Days of Our Lives, Streaming, Weekdays, Peacock
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