‘Days of Our Lives’: Melissa Reeves Returning as Jennifer Horton

Melissa Reeves attends the 45th annual Daytime Emmy Awards
David Livingston/Getty Images

Melissa Reeves looks set to reprise her role as Jennifer Horton Deveraux on Days of Our Lives, according to TVLine.

News of Reeves’ return was first speculated by Kelli Gustafson, manager of the Jack and Jennifer Classic Days Instagram account. Gustafson claimed she had spoken with Reeves at an event in Tennesse and that the actress had revealed that she will be returning to the long-running daytime soap opera.

Reeves, who has played Jennifer on-and-off for a total of 26 years, is expected to make her comeback around the holiday season. She will replace soap veteran Cady McClain, who had stepped into the role last year on a temporary basis.

It was announced in September 2020 that Reeves had opted not to return to the show when production resumed following a pandemic shut down. This came after Reeves received criticism from some fans and co-stars, including Linsey Godfrey, for ‘liking’ several anti-Black Lives Matter social media posts by right-wing commentator Candace Owens.

McClain started in the role of Jennifer in October but hasn’t appeared on-screen since March. She had previously told Soap Opera Digest that she was open to further appearances but understood “if they need their Missy back!” She added, “I have complete understanding for that, too, so whatever is meant to be, I’m OK with it. As they say, no one ever dies in daytime.”

Days head writer Ron Carlivati also told Digest that the character of Jennifer would be back in the show at some point. “As far as I’m concerned, Jennifer will someday be back on canvas, regardless of who it might be,” he stated.

It is not yet known if Reeves is back on a permanent basis or will just be involved in the Christmas episodes.

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  1. P

    PurplePuzzle

    Very pleased to learn Melissa Reeves is returning to canvas as Jennifer Horton. On a separate note, I always thought we live in a country of "free speech." If I disagree with your views on a particular issue, does that make me racist? For goodness sake, the labeling of "Black Lives Matter," is nonsense. How do you characterize "Black?" My heritage is Middle Eastern and, frankly, when I was a little girl growing up in the late 50s and early 60s, they called us "Black Syrians." Shameful beyond shameful. I truly believe that many politicians, journalists and plain folks who label someone "racist," is themselves racist. So, my mantra is: ALL LIVES ... EVERY LIFE ... MATTERS!!!

    27 8

  2. O

    OlivePlanet

    Good for you for voicing your opinion. BLM is a Marxist group and have no true concerns for the anyone but themselves. God made us all as one and never taught us to judge by color. Racism is taught and shame on them for pushing their agenda

    25 12

  3. P

    PurpleBlowdryer

    Cannot wait for her return!!!🥰

    20 7

  4. O

    OrangePopcorn

    Love her!

    Missed her!

    Love that she'll be back!

    Can't be replaced!

    15 6

  5. O

    OrangeWeights

    Glad she's going to be back!!!

    16 7

  6. B

    BlueProcessor

    SO EXCITED FOR MELISSA’S return, you deserve it. Keep standing up for your convictions I’m behind you 100%

    15 7

  7. P

    PurpleTeepee

    I am a life long fan of Days of Our Lives and I am so happy Melissa Reeves is returning. You are the only Jennifer Horton. Thank you for sharing your talent as a great actress and entertaining us fans.

    9 2

  8. R

    RedCloud

    God never taught us to apply the law differently based on race and he also taught us not to deny educational opportunities or employment opportunities. Gods also taught us not to freak out if a predominantly white neighborhood has more than 3 black families move in ..... yes that is all exactly what has happened and what does still happen. The same God you invoke now was the same God that was invoked when it was illegal for a black person to be married to a white person. Employment quotas actually came into existence because that same God you invoke now was conveniently absent from hiring people regardless of race or gender.

    Don't invoke God unless you want to be shown how much of a hypocrite you are being. Of course feel free to show me documentation of how Godly principles were used to write the US Constitution while declaring white people as 3/5 human as it was with black people. The only true constant in US history is white people blaming white people who came before them for being racist and claiming that now things are no longer racist...only to have future white people not yet born or say the exact same thing in the years to come.

    6 2

  9. R

    RedCloud

    This is the ignorant and possibly willfully malicious rhetoric that has been at the very root of all the racist practices in the USA since the country's inception. Free speech doesn't mean free from consequence. Try having an employee stand up in the middle of their workplace and make accusations against their employer on a daily basis. Does free speech mean they get to keep their job if they refuse to stop? Free speech is about oppressive regimes imprisoning anyone who dares to criticize the way that regime governs. Exactly what jail did Ms. Reeves serve time in since her free speech was obviously infringed upon?

    I'm not going to claim to know one single thing about the daily lives of Syrians but this particular article is about what is and has happened in the USA for over 400 years. The #1 play in the playbook of a racist is to claim anyone asserting they are racist is the real racist and you seemingly have fallen for that tactic completely. Does your brain truly affirm that black people in the USA have not been treated in a lesser way in terms of access to education, how healthcare is provided, the insurance rates regardless of where that black person lives, how law enforcement interacts with them? Missing black children and women don't even become a national story in the USA and only recently had it even become a recognized truth.

    6 2

  10. O

    OrangeBus

    It's not racism....it's all about what they THINK. They have more opportunities now than they ever had. Even before us!!! I say All Lives Matter !!!!!

    15 12

  11. B

    BlueCactus

    Can’t wait to see her back on the show. Don’t like the one that’s playing her

    7 6

  12. O

    OliveClover

    Here is idea turn her character into lesbian now. Free Jack scope other women bring Greta back for Jack now. Melissa Anderson back. Jennifer can hook up with Kate Roberts.

  13. O

    OliveClover

    She just annoying snoozefest hypocrite self righteous they make her lesbian now. I am sick goody too shoes Jennifer since Daniel mess She is no passion in her character either. Jack/Matthew Ashford deserves better leading lady more classy woman sexy. Melissa Reeves lost her credibility with the show and cast she can stay gone. I don't care if Jennifer for long time she showed her true colors. Bring Stephanie Cameron or Kristina Wagner play Jennifer. Melissa Reeves needs to retire from the show cause too much problems with the show.

  14. B

    BlueDice

    People who have no power cannot by definition be racist. They can however be prejudiced (prefer to be around those they share similarities with)

  15. B

    BlueDice

    BLM doesn't say that others don't. The point is that since the capture and kidnapping of African people who are our ancestors, the Black people have been treated as less than. 3/5 of a man? How do you determine that? I'll wait.

  16. O

    OliveCactus

    It was so great having Melissa Reeves back. One of the best character win a show that has gotten pretty stupid.

  17. C

    CyanTree

    Melissa Reeves is only back for a few Christmas episodes and unfortunately when she leaves to return to Boston Jack (Matthew Ashford) is going with her which means he is also leaving the show. I do like Jack but I no longer like Melissa Reeves and was happy when she left!!

    2 2

  18. C

    CyanTree

    She only returned for the Christmas episodes and when she leaves again this time Matthew Ashford (Jack) is going with her. Both are leaving the show!!

  19. P

    PurpleCocktail

    #BLM has a nice name, but they are a Marxist organization that does not really care about black lives at all.

    1. B

      BlueDice

      It is not a marxist org. It is designed to stop todays legal lynching of Black people. Of course there are those whose agenda is to infiltrate and cause dissention and misunderstanding much as you are now. Please do what the Word of God says and study to shew yourself approved.

  20. G

    GreenWrench

    How appropriate they have Jennifer ( Melissa Reeves) back to bring another angel for the Horton tree. She is not racist just because her opinions differ from yours. I am so thankful she is back and I hope she doesn't let others bully her out. You deserve your job, Melissa, for as long as you want to be there! Keep up the great work!

    1 1

  21. G

    GoldButterfly

    So very very true. Thank you for sharing that....my thoughts exactly.

    1 1

  22. C

    CyanBottle

    Love her keep her the show needs her

    1

  23. P

    PurpleCocktail

    Good riddance. You believe lies.

    1

    1. O

      OliveClover

      Matthew Ashford should not suffer again from Melissa Reeves political stuff. They should push her elevator shaft. She should shock Jack tell him she is a lesbian she is giving him a divorce. I don't want Melissa Reeves back at all she is phony actress and toxic weak. Time for new woman for Jack. Nicole should dump Rafe and hook up with Jack.

  24. G

    GoldLeaf

    I think it is very sad that she is back on the show, Days has never been a show that would tolerate racism. But I guess so, we can never go forward until we week out this kind of thinking. Of course, Black Lives Matter, and one day maybe those who continue to deny the basic rights to all will one day be put in the position to see and feel what it means to be black in the country. Me I will never have to face such a thing as a white person because, all people to me are the same and I treat them the same. I only have a problem with those who do something to me. But the one thing I can't understand is how the people of color would ever want to work side by side with her, trust means a lot. I am done with this show. And so is our study group.

    5 8

  25. C

    CyanLamp

    Definitely will not be tuning in. I rather not get distracted by seeing an openly racist person on my screen. If you like/support anti black racism related statements, I have no time for you. I wonder what the black or other racialized actors think about her coming back?

    8 11

  26. G

    GoldBug

    I do not think they should bring her back…

    5 9

  27. R

    RedWrench

    Hopefully she’ll tone down her racist attitude

    13 26

    1. O

      Olive8Ball

      You're obviously the racist... those that call others racist are usually calling themselves out. BLM is TOTALLY MARXIST AND RACIST. WAKE THE HELL UP.

      1 5

    2. P

      PurplePuzzle

      When someone calls someone else "racist," perhaps they themselves are racist. Freedom of Speech ... remember!!!

      4 2