AlexAnn Hopkins Exits ‘Days of Our Lives’ as Joy Wesley
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Days of Our Lives‘ March 19 episode.]
AlexAnn Hopkins wrapped up her run as Joy Wesley on Days of our Lives on March 19.
A spokesperson for Days says, “We enjoyed having AlexAnn bring the character of Joy to life, it was a short yet important story arc, and we hope the fans enjoyed watching it unfold.”
The Florida native, whose past credits include The Goldbergs, Criminal Minds, and Chicago P.D., made her first appearance on Days on October 22, 2024, as a grown-up Joy, the daughter of Nancy Wesley (Patrika Darbo) and Dr. Craig Wesley (Kevin Spirtas). Joy was born on-screen in 2003 when Chloe Lane (Nadia Bjorlin), Craig and Nancy’s other daughter, was diagnosed with leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Joy was, thankfully, a match and saved her sister’s life. Joy (Aisling Acuna) was a flower girl at Chloe’s wedding to Brady Black (Kyle Lowder) in 2005, then left town with her parents and wasn’t seen again until last year.
When Joy returned to Salem with Nancy in 2024, it was to audition for Body & Soul, the soap opera produced by Abe Carver (James Reynolds) and Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow). The night before her audition, Joy met Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) at a bar, and he revealed that he thought his wife was cheating on him. Joy and Johnny went back to her hotel room and he spent the night. He left his wedding ring; Joy ran into him the next day and returned it to him.
Joy then went to her audition for the role of Regan Holloway, where she discovered that not only was Johnny the director of the soap, but his wife, Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) was in the cast and playing Regan’s rival. Joy secured the role, so she and Johnny agreed to keep their night together a secret. The truth came out as the town rang in the new year, but since Joy and Johnny didn’t actually sleep together, everyone was able to put it in the past.
In time, Joy started sleeping with Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson), but they split up after he reunited with Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein). Since Body & Soul had been canceled, Joy needed a new job and was hired at Titan, where Alex also works. Joy then realized she might be expecting. Stephanie overheard Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) calling in a pregnancy test and confronted Joy. Joy got her results back and revealed to Alex and Stephanie that she wasn’t pregnant … which was a lie. Rather than stay in town, Joy decided to go home to New York and broke the news to Alex on the March 19 episode.
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“I’ve decided to quit my job… I don’t want to be a problem for you and Stephanie,” Stephanie told Alex. “New York is where I need to be at this point in my life.”
After Joy packed up her belongings at the Brady pub, she called Nancy and said, “Hey mom, guess what? I’m moving back home actually. I know it seems sudden, but I will explain everything when I get home. I’ll see you soon.”
Before leaving the pub, she looked around and said her final line, which applied to both Joy and Hopkins, her portrayer: “Well, Salem, thanks for making me a soap star, I guess.”
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O
Glad Joy is leaving 👏👏👏👏
22 4
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G
I hate to see that, I really liked her a lot.
I was hoping when she went to the airport today she would meet up with Theresa who would convince her to stay.
Come on Days you give us a really good new character, then write her off.
But my guess is if she continues with the pregnancy she will be back.
Fingers crossed!!
25 9
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B
Remember sami is returning at some point with a baby, so maybe Johnny and Joy did sleep together and this will be the baby Sami returns with.
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P
I like Joy too, but it's getting ridiculous with two women (Joy and Sophia) having babies with men (Alex and Tate) who love someone (Stephanie and Holly) else. I was worried they would write that Johnny and Chanel would adopt Joy's baby.
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O
That’s definitely not tates baby 😂😂
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R
I believe it’s Aaron baby.
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C
Glad she's going but, I bet she'll be back with baby in tow ~ just to cause more drama and trouble for Alex. If that is the case, I hope he and Stephanie are married by then.
11 1
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G
I didn't like Joy, I'm glad she gone, but I hate so bad Billy Flynn is leaving one of my favorite characters
8 1
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G
Maybe I watch days of our lives for too many years. They use the same storylines Over and over and over again. Especially when dealing with pregnancies. Not only is it repetitive it's starting to get very boring She is a good actress but I was glad to see the character leave.
8 1
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C
Sorry to see Joy go. But looking forward to the plot twist later on when Alex & Stephanie find out about the baby. I hope the next Chad is just as amazing as this Chad is! Who will be the next villain? Now that it seems EJ will finally pay.
7 1
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R
Whoever shoots EJ it’s not going to be anyone who we think, it’s going to be someone who we least expected.
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G
I really don't care if joy is leaving
I am up set because Chad will be leaving the show
So they is no love life for so Shaun is the one left for Aaron Green sister I forgot her name
And the big secret come out of Philip lie Xander will be mad at Sarah
Alex will be mad at Stephanie
Ej should be the one leav Chad don't go
8 2
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O
Apparently from what I heard they’re recasting Chad which I’m not happy about. I loved Billy Flynn.
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G
I didn't like her she really don't add anything to the show plus she looked too young for alex
6 1
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P
The age difference between Joy and Alex was annoying, especially having her still being pregnant. However, I did enjoy having Joy on screen.
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C
Glad she’s leaving, she was super annoying
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R
Why isn’t Jada feeling guilty that she slept with Shawn.
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G
Yay!!!! She was really like out of place. Just unnecessary character.
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B
She reminds me sooooo much of Nancy McKeon (Jo, from The Facts Of Life). Her "butterface" in the eyes & the lips.
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R
I was hoping she stayed, to bring drama to Stephanie and Alex. Stephanie is going from men to men.
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O
GGabi should keep her mouth shut about Leo moving in that's Rafe house not her house
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O
That sucks. I really liked the character and the actress was great.
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