Days of Our Lives Preview: Eric Busts Leo and Sloan, Maggie Shares Big News — and Bobby Comes Out to Play! (2024)

Go behind the scenes ofDays‘ 15,000th episode celebration in the photo gallery below!

Image: Jill Johnson/JPI

1/29

<p>Both executive producer Ken Corday and Deidre Hall (Marlena) are synonymous with the show at this point. “It was a magical moment watching these pictures come together,” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C54m4R5uhtx/?img_index=1" target="_blank">Hall shared on Instagram</a>. “And yes, it was as much fun for us to see old familiar faces as it is for you to spot them in the crowd. Congratulations all around.”</p>

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2/29

<p>“Some <em>Days</em> just fill us with gratitude,” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5qsYSTODz9/" target="_blank">Stephen Nichols (Steve) shared on Instagram</a> with Mary Beth Evans (Kayla). “Thanks to this amazing legacy and to everyone responsible for making it happen… And thanks to the fans who continue to tune in for an astounding 15,000 episodes!”</p>

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3/29

<p>“I think about my first day on set a lot,” said Sal Stowers (Lani), here with Lamon Archey (Eli). “I think being an artist in general, it’s such a surreal moment. Like when you step on set, you’re like, ‘Oh, I get to do this for a living.'”</p>

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4/29

<p>Speaking of sand, let’s hope after Chanel and Johnny’s snowy honeymoon, they get to vacation somewhere a bit more beachlike soon! We’re sure Raven Bowens would appreciate the change of scenery too!</p>

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5/29

<p>“It’s very emotional,” Stephen Schnetzer admitted of returning as the brother of Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes), Steve Olson. “Every corner I turn, it’s… Josh Taylor, we played softball together 40 years ago on the Days team. And seeing Ken Corday coming into the building. He was just starting out as Betty’s [Corday] associate when I was here.”</p>

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6/29

<p>Whenever we get another Horton home, we feel like breaking out <em>all </em>the balloons! And Maree Cheatham making her return as Tom and Alice’s youngest, Marie, is more than enough reason to celebrate!</p>

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7/29

<p>And just like that, Jack and Jennifer are back — with Melissa Reeves joining Matthew Ashford once again! We wonder what their characters will think of what Xander’s done with <em>The Spectator…</em></p>

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8/29

<p>Well, as miserable as Clyde’s made Brandon Barash and Tamara Braun’s alter egos, at least we know Stefan and Ava will survive his reign of terror by the time the 15,000th episode airs!</p>

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9/29

<p>Wait, Remington Hoffman was there with Tina Huang?! We guess Li is alive after all! That or his ghost is haunting Melinda… Actually, sure, we could get behind him playing the Patrick Swayze to Huang’s Demi Moore.</p>

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10/29

<p>Josh Taylor’s Roman never met Gloria Loring’s Liz, but that’s about to change! Should Kate watch out in case any sparks fly and they become “Friends and Lovers?”</p>

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11/29

<p>Yup, Martha Madison and Brandon Beemer were back for the celebration (and grandpa Doug’s funeral) as well! It’s nice to see Shawn around to say goodbye to his grandfather, and Belle, we’re guessing, right by his side to support him. We guess that rehab went well!</p>

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12/29

<p>Does this solo photo of Greg Vaughan mean time is running out for Sloan’s lies? Maybe not just yet, but by the time 15,000 episodes rolls around, Eric is definitely flying on his own! (Unless he finds someone new by then.)</p>

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13/29

<p>“Congrats to everyone at <em>Days of Our Lives</em> for reaching this milestone,” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5o6amBPUCP/?img_index=4" target="_blank">Huang wrote on Instagram,</a> eliciting love from Elia Cantu (Jada) and a whole lot of folks. “15,000 episodes! So great to see everyone together!”</p>

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14/29

<p>“I love being back on set and seeing everyone who at some point felt like my family,” Konefal shared, with Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), Bowens and Carson Boatman (Johnny). “I’m thrilled to be back and the energy on set is better than ever.”</p>

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15/29

<p>Now this is the type of photo we<em>love</em>to see! Generations of Salem women together — Madison, Hall, Loring, Suzanne Rogers (Maggie) and Cheatham!</p>

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16/29

<p>Seeing this photo of Abigail Klein and Blake Berris makes us wonder: By the 15,000th episode, will it be Bobby or Everett romancing Stephanie? (Let’s hope we at least find out by then who Bobby even is!)</p>

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17/29

<p>Co-executive producer Janet Spellman-Drucker joined Wally Kurth (Justin) and Judi Evans (Bonnie) on a day that brought not just castl, crew and execs together, but the Johnson family as well! Check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5o526cR6T7/" target="_blank">Evans’ reaction to the family reunion on Instagram here</a>.</p>

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18/29

<p>It looks like the teen scene is going to be growing shortly with Ashley Puzemis’ Holly and Leo Howard’s Tate joined by a mystery newcomer. Do we see a love triangle in their future?</p>

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19/29

<p>Just a few days later, headwriter Ron Carlivati and the <em>Days of Our Lives </em>writing team took home their fourth consecutive Writers Guild of America Award for their work on the soap! Talk about a good week!</p>

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20/29

<p>Barash is a lucky man in between two amazing women, Salem newbite Cherie Jimenez and vet Braun. Though with Ava on one side — who Stefan has most definitely hooked up with — we’re more certain than ever that Jimenez is playing the other woman in Stefan’s life, Gabi! (Peep that handsome fella in the back.)</p>

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21/29

<p>NBC/Peaco*ck’s EVP of Current Scripted Programming & Limited Series Michael Sluchan was onhand with the Kiriakis family — Godfrey, Paul Telfer (Xander), Wally Kurth (Justin) and Gregy Rikkart’s Leo, because why not — to make clear that Peaco*ck has <em>Days of Our Lives’</em>back!</p>

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22/29

<p>In case you didn’t realize that the hourglass you’ve been seeing everyone hold has been <em>Days of Our Lives</em>‘ symbol for nearly 60 years, Robert Scott Wilson (Alex), Barash and Dan Feuerriegel (EJ) were happy to help you out!</p>

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23/29

<p>It doesn’t get much better than this: Longtime vets, returning alums, daytime newbies and core families, all together in one photo.</p>

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24/29

<p>We have a sinking feeling Melinda may be losing a friend once Sloan’s busted for stealing Jude (not that the former DA is innocent herself), so we wouldn’t hate it if Trask and Chanel struck up a most unexpected friendship!</p>

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25/29

<p>“I always go to the fans,” said Archey, “the fans who have stuck with this show through generations of great grandmothers to grandmothers to mothers, and even we’ve been at events and seen little kids that watch the show and actually know who we are. So many generations. That’s definitely something that is special to myself and all of us.”</p>

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26/29

<p>We can’t help shaking the thought that EJ had something to do with Li’s (what we’re pretty sure is fake) death. So while he may not be happy if Li returns, at least Melinda and Wendy will be!</p>

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27/29

<p>“I get to tell beautiful stories for a living,” shared Stowers. “And coming onto a set that has so much history, you can’t help but feel so blessed and so thankful to be a part of it for more generations and generations to come. So it’s a very humbling and thankful feeling.”</p>

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28/29

<p>Though the show hasn’t yet confirmed her role, Jimenez has been welcomed with open arms. “Filled with gratitude and so much love over the kind messages I’ve received over the last few days,” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5uEB4cvMrE/" target="_blank">she shared on Instagram</a>. “It means the world to me. Thank you so much.”</p>

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29/29

<p>“Last week we celebrated a <em>big</em> milestone,” the official<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C53lx7pxHgM/?img_index=7" target="_blank"><em>Days of Our Lives</em> Instagram account</a> shared, “15,000 episodes! Congrats to the cast and crew!”</p>