Soap operas always strive to keep viewers guessing, but Days of our Lives just pulled one heck of a rabbit out of a hat that has everyone shocked. The Friday, November 12, episode ended with the devil jumping out of Marlena's (Deidre Hall) body and into the body of Susan Banks, who then transformed herself into Kristen. While an OMG moment in and of itself, the transformation was made all the more shocking because rather than Kristen's current portrayer, Stacy Haiduk, appearing on-screen, viewers saw the character's original portrayer, Eileen Davidson, instead!
As a quick recap, Davidson recently stepped back into Kristen's shoes during the Peacock limited series Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem. The actress explained that she and Haiduk were time-sharing the part, with Beyond Salem sort of existing in its own universe. However, it seems they're now going to be time-sharing the part on the network version of the show, as well -- which means that this time, they'll be in the same role on the same show at the same time!
While fans will have to tune in to DAYS to see how the NBC soap plans to pull this shared-role situation off, new writer Jamey Giddens seemingly confirmed that Haiduk will remain in the role even though Davidson has returned as Kristen. The Monday, November 15, episode is when his material debuts, and he shared on Twitter that it was slightly intimidating to write for both actresses at once.
"So...about my 1st air show. No pressure, just two superstar Kristen Blake DiMeras in ONE episode! Tune in Monday!!" he tweeted.
So...about my 1st air show. No pressure, just two superstar Kristen Blake DiMeras in ONE episode! Tune in Monday!! #DAYS https://t.co/K9VEtiLede
- Jamey_Giddens (@Jamey_Giddens) November 13, 2021
Many fans are relieved to hear that Haiduk -- who has been playing the role of DAYS' Kristen and the character's look-alike, Susan Banks, since 2018 -- is reportedly staying put, especially given how surprising it was that Peacock asked Davidson rather than Haiduk to play Kristen in Beyond Salem. Even Haiduk was surprised and initially thought that Davidson was reclaiming the role.
"At first, I was a little like, 'What's going on?' And it was hard but I get what they were doing and I understand it and I really love Eileen," Haiduk shared with Soap Opera Digest at the time. "I think she's a wonderful woman and actress, so I get why they did what they did. But I had to call the producer and say, 'Uh, is Eileen coming back?' and he was like, 'Yes, yes, she is, but not in the way that you think she is.' So there was this panic that I went through because it was like, 'No, I don't want to not play Kristen,' because I really, really enjoy it. But I knew exactly what they were going for and I hope it was a success!"
In addition to DAYS, Haiduk is known for playing Patty Williams on The Young and the Restless and Hannah Nichols on All My Children.
Eileen Davidson began playing the role of DAYS' Kristen in 1993 and has been playing the character on-again, off-again since that time. Her other soap credits include Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. She's also widely known for starring in Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
At the moment, it's unclear how long Davidson will be appearing as Kristen and sharing the role with Stacy Haiduk. Keep checking back to Soap Central for updates as they come.
What do you think about Eileen Davison reprising her role as DAYS' Kristen? How do you think the NBC soap opera will manage keeping Stacy Haiduk in the role, as well? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
