Kristian Alfonso (Hope Brady) recently celebrated her 30th anniversary with Days of our Lives -- and fans will be pleased to know that the actress will be sticking around Salem for at least a little while longer.

"I'm excited about the future and always humbled to be asked to stay with Days of our Lives for another year," the actress told Soap Opera Digest.

Alfonso made her first on-screen appearance as Hope in April 14, 1983. She exited the show in 1987, returned briefly in 1990, and returned full-time in May 1994.

In April, Alfonso dropped by Soap Central Live, Soap Central's weekly all-things-soap live Internet radio talk show, to discuss her milestone anniversary.

"I've always described Hope as a diamond in the rough waiting for another facet to be discovered, because she is always evolving," Alfonso explained. "She's always doing something different, which is incredibly challenging for myself as an actress, and keeps and piques my interest as much as the audience's, I hope.

Unfortunately, at least for now, Hope will be continuing on in Salem without Bo. Peter Reckell confirmed last week that talks to reprise his Emmy-nominated role broke off.

To listen to, stream, or download Kristian Alfonso's appearance on SCL click here -- it's free!