Soap operas have been pulling out all the stops to keep taping during the coronavirus pandemic, from using mannequins as performer stand-ins to bringing in actors' real-life spouses for intimate scenes. Execs at Days of our Lives said they would never turn to mannequins to continue COVID-safe filming, but they are turning to an actor's real-life spouse: General Hospital star Jon Lindstrom (Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain), who happens to be married to DAYS actress Cady McClain (Jennifer Horton), will be temporarily replacing Matthew Ashford in the role of Jack Deveraux.
According to She Knows, the casting is being done so that the NBC soap opera can showcase some upcoming scenes between Jack and Jennifer that require physical closeness that McClain and Ashford wouldn't be able to play out, due to the show's current on-set safety protocols.
As Soap Central previously reported, McClain -- who's known for her roles as All My Children's Dixie Cooney and As the World Turns' Rosanna Cabot -- stepped in to play the role of Jennifer in September, after original portrayer Melissa Reeves decided that she did not want to return to work during the COVID pandemic.
At the time Reeves's recast news broke, McClain expressed her reservations about how DAYS fans would react and assured viewers that she knows how tough the situation must be. Funny enough, her comments could apply to Lindstrom briefly taking over for Ashford, as well.
"I get it. I understand. Listen, how would I feel if somebody was going to be stepping in and doing [All My Children's] Dixie with Dixie and Tad [Michael E. Knight]? Even just from a fan's point of view, I would be like, 'What? She's who?'" McClain said. "But I felt that there's some sort of extenuating circumstances here and those extenuating circumstances are what they are and I hope that the fans will feel that at least Jack and Jennifer are there for them to enjoy in some capacity. And during this difficult time, I hope that that will be like a soothing balm. It may be a different face, but we're here for you."
At this time, Lindstrom's first airdate as DAYS' Jack hasn't been announced -- nor is it clear if fans will see the change on-air or if editing tricks will be used to make Lindstrom appear as if he's Ashford. Keep checking back to Soap Central for updates as they come.
In addition to playing GH twins Ryan and Kevin, Lindstrom's daytime résumé also includes roles as Mark on Santa Barbara and Craig on As the World Turns. He's also made appearances in series like Blue Bloods, True Detective, and S.W.A.T..
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