‘Days of Our Lives’ New Writers Share Vision for Salem’s Future: Less Fantastical, More ‘Human Relationships’
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In July 2024, Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford were named co-head writers of Days of Our Lives, a show that has played a meaningful role in each of their lives for decades. On Wednesday, April 23, the material they began writing last year will finally start airing. Here, the duo unveils their plans for Salem, teases what’s ahead story-wise, and so much more.
How would you describe Salem under your vision?
Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford: Days is, first and foremost, a show about family and love/romance. We won’t totally abandon the fantastical types of plots Days has become known for, but human relationships will be at the foundation of all of the stories we tell.
What was your first order of business when you took over?
Cwikly and Ford: The first task we were given was addressing the months-long absence of John Black [Drake Hogestyn, who passed away in September 2024 from pancreatic cancer] from the canvas. While we wanted John to have a heroic and meaningful exit, we wrote the story with the fervent hope that Drake would be able to return someday.
John had already been off the canvas for over nine months, and there were only so many missions the man could be on. His family and friends in Salem, especially Marlena [Evans, Deidre Hall], were sort of stuck waiting for him. Realizing he might never come back, while praying he would, we needed to craft an exit that honored John, Drake, and the fans.
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How do you work together? What is your collaboration style?
Ford: Paula and I have known each other for more than two decades. She is one of the most big-hearted and generous people I have ever met. In terms of our working relationship, we have very similar ideas about what we want to see on the air. I am the “big ideas” person, and she is the “details” and “fix-it” person. While our styles are different, they are complementary, and I could never do this job without her.
Cwikly: We live on opposite coasts, and spend hours on the phone together every day. It is amazing how often we independently have the same thoughts. But, at the same time, there are instances where I have been stuck on something forever, and she says one thing that has me smacking myself on the forehead and saying, “Of course!” In this genre, the job never ends. As soon as you finish a show, there is another one. I say it is like the Lucy in the chocolate factory episode [“Job Switching” from I Love Lucy]. The conveyor belt never stops. I love Jeanne Marie, and I love working with her. She makes me better every day. And I could never do this without her.
Looking at the canvas, which characters and families did you feel needed some love when you started?
Cwikly and Ford: We wanted to bring more Hortons back to the canvas, give meaningful story to the beloved vets, and flesh out our younger cast to give Salem a true multigenerational appeal.
Both of you have deep, longtime ties to Days. How do you feel your past association with the show informs your current writing?
Ford: I’ve been a fan of the show since the supercouple era, and I still consider myself a fan first and foremost. I moved to L.A. after college with the sole goal of writing for Days of Our Lives. I have held every job on the writing staff. Knowing how these positions interface with one another and with production is definitely an asset in terms of ensuring that things function as smoothly as possible.
Cwikly: While I took a different path than Jeanne Marie, this is where I always wanted to be. I fell in love with the genre in my early teens and decided I wanted to write for a soap, but living in a small town in Pennsylvania [Canonsburg], I had no idea how to get there. I came up through local TV, then various network jobs. Days was the first show I did the promos for, it was my first show as a network programming executive, my second soap writing job, and first head writing job, so it has always held a special place in my heart. I’ll be forever grateful to Ken [Corday, executive producer] for this opportunity to return. Like Jeanne Marie, I was a fan first. I am trying to remember my earliest memories of watching the show. I know I was watching when Marlena was married to Don [Craig, Jed Allan]. I remember Roman [Brady, then-Wayne Northrop] coming to protect Marlena during the Salem Strangler story, and remember the Brady pub being a fish market. I remember the stories I loved to watch, which very much inform the stories I want to tell.
What does it mean to you to be writing the show’s 60th anniversary season and shows?
Ford: I remember watching the 25th anniversary season when I was in college and never dreamed I’d be a part of Salem for the 30th, 40th, 50th, and 60th. It’s a privilege to be writing these episodes, but also quite daunting to be stewards of a show with so much rich history.
Cwikly: It was an absolute honor — and absolutely terrifying at the same time, wondering if I could do it justice. Because of the show’s accelerated production schedule, we wrote the 60th anniversary week fairly early in our tenure. Those shows were taped at the beginning of this year. I am only sorry it will still be a while before you get to see them. We got to bring back some old faces and relive classic moments in the show’s history. Of course, you never have enough time to include everything and everyone you want.
What can we expect in the lead-up to the big milestone?
Cwikly and Ford: We’ll see the fallout from EJ’s [DiMera, Dan Feuerriegel] shooting; ripple effects from the shifting dynamics within the Kiriakis and DiMera clans; an emotional tribute to John Black; and the return of Bo [Brady, Peter Reckell]/Hope [Williams Brady, Kristian Alfonso].
XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
What can you tease about the actual 60th celebration?
Cwikly and Ford: There will be a gala celebration with the return of many familiar faces, leading to a new umbrella story that takes us into the New Year.
How are you feeling as your episodes are about to start airing?
Cwikly and Ford: Excited and nervous. We are grateful for the support and collaboration of Ken, Janet [Spellman Drucker, co-executive producer], the production team, and the Peacock executives who give so much care and attention to the show.
Do you have a message for the fans?
Cwikly and Ford: We are fans, too. We are writing for you, and we want to hear from you.
Story-wise, here’s what to expect in the months ahead!
The end of John Black’s story
“It was very hard [to write]. Everyone on the show, including us, loved John and Drake. They were both Superman, and this was not supposed to happen. Logistically, it was difficult because it was our first major story. It was an emotionally fraught situation that involved numerous variables beyond our control. First and foremost, we wanted to respect Drake’s legacy and everyone who loved him.”
Marlena’s grief over John
“Marlena will be very busy in the coming months as a mother, grandmother, psychiatrist, and friend. She has counseled many patients on grief and has obviously experienced loss herself, but losing John forces her to re-explore who she is without him.”
DiMera and Titan
“The business story primarily serves as a backdrop to the complex family dynamics, with Xander [Kiriakis, Paul Telfer]/Philip’s [Kiriakis, John-Paul Lavoisier] fraught relationship playing a central role.”
Bo Brady and Hope Williams Brady’s return
“Bo/Hope’s previous exit story could not be executed as originally planned, and we felt we needed to give them — and their fans — the resolution they deserved.”
The fallout of EJ DiMera’s shooting
“This story was perfectly poised to take off when we took over. There are many viable suspects with means, motive and opportunity. There will be a trial in the summer that involves many characters on the canvas.”
Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) and Alex Kiriakis’ (Robert Scott Wilson) romance
“We will see their courtship, and Alex will help Stephanie find a new side of herself.”
Belle Black (Martha Madison) and EJ’s relationship
“Belle knows EJ is toxic, but she can’t seem to stay away from him…”
XJJohnson/jpistudios.com
Gwen Rizczech’s (Emily O’Brien) return
“Gwen’s return was in the works before we were hired. We love Emily O’Brien and think Gwen can stir up a lot of mischief in Salem.”
Arianna Horton’s (Marissa Reyes) comeback
“Arianna is a Brady, a Horton and a Hernandez, so we were eager to have her back on the canvas to round out the teen scene. We also love seeing the maternal side of Gabi [Hernandez, Cherie Jimenez].”
New Rachel Black (Alice Halsey)
“We cannot say enough good things about Alice Halsey. She is talented beyond her years and has been a fantastic addition.”
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Conversation21 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
Please keep Justin (Wally Kurth) in the storyline. He is such a master at his craft and such a believable character. It’s not the same without him adding his wisdom to the Kiriakis clan.
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Oh my gosh! Is it actually possible? I can't believe we may actually have writers that can do justice for the cast and especially the fans! I've been watching the show since Bo & Hope fell in love and it was the best of the best back then. I honestly can't believe I still tune in with all the absurd storylines over the years. All I've ever wanted was for the writers to write REAL, HUMAN CONNECTION storylines - NOT devil possession storylines. Not Clyde and Orpheous getting out of jail all the time. And if a cast member wants to leave, let them leave. Find another person to take their place. Days has actually been successful with recasting at times, but they're scared to do it other times (like Ciera). Feeling optimistic about the new team!
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Susan Banks needs to come back for her precious baby boy Elvis! PLEASE, no more Baby Mama Trauma and focus on more POSITIVE LBQT stories. I fought a long battle to get DAYS (and Peacock) back. I am actually available as a new cross over character, RICK DEMERIAKIS secret heir to BOTH fortunes!
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R
I only want to see Susan again if Eileen is playing the part.
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R
I've been watching DOOL for over 30 years & I still watch daily! PLEASE Bring SAMI BRADY BACK PERMANENTLY!!
Salem is just Not Salem without SAMANTHA BRADY!💛
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R
I have watched Days since my son was born in 1966 and it was on for 1/2 hour at noon when I was giving him his bottle 👍. I still watch it everyday and still love the show. Devastated by Drake’s death and wish you both the best!
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T
I would like to see Marie Horton (only living child of Tom and Alice)
return to stay with Julie a few months and to be part of the diamond necklace/Doug William's grandson story line.
I want to know what happen to Sandy (Tommy's only child) when she left Salem. Her family could create new Horton family members. I remember Roman stating him and Sandy played together. Make her a widow who always loved Roman had a brief affair with him before leaving town. Her child is his. Her grandchildren could be part of the teen and young adult storyline.
Also she fights to take over the hospital from Roman's sister.
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C
I'd rather an Eli Grant and Stephanie Johnson have a romance after his divorce from dead scalp Loonie bin.
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B
So my baby sitter when I was 4 used to watch Days religiously and wouldn’t let me make a peep , she got me addicted to it and it’s literally been my favorite program for my entire life and I’m so incredibly invested…. I’m now currently 47 years old and I promise you I’ll be watching until my last breath ‼️💯😍
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C
Yes, EJ/Belle are toxic but, dang, I love them.
So is Joy's pregnancy by Alex just totally dropped now? What was even the point then?
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G
Joy will probably show up to find Alec and Stephanie getting married and she will have baby boy with her. She will have to interrupt the ceremony as in true soap history! My prediction anyways.
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B
Have watched DOOL, as a teen, since its inception! I love the new direction ( about time)!
Thank you for breathing new life into this story!
So many wonderful actors we love have passed and for the latest two Bill and Drake it takes a piece of our hearts.
Thanks for honoring & moving forward
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P
Hi, I Love days of our Lives, but I do not.think EJ and Belle are a good match at all. I totally fast forward them. Also, I do not think we need to repeat the story of Theo and JJ. I like both characters. Black and white issues do exist but lately it’s the opposite way. I think that story line should be canceled. We need more positive instead of negative, thank you for giving me the chance to give my input.
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B
I've starting watching because of the new writers. So I don't know nonthing about past storylines or characters. But I'm excited to jump on this train now for the never ended trip soap opera.
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G
There is so much talent in your cast, people who are singers and dancers. What a missed opportunity for the hospital fundraiser. I hope you can find ways to showcase some of that talent. Also bloopers and fan functions need to be filmed and shared as specials on Peacock!
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B
I have watched since day 1
So glad you are going to be more human and believable. It was getting less enjoyable to watch.
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O
I grew up literally watching Day's with my Grandmother lol. She would swat you if you talked during the Show and yes , I'm the same way 57 yrs later !! I've loved watching and can never get enough !!!! Keep up the GREAT work ! I can't wait to see who actually shot EJ and the return of Bo and Hope !!
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I was real disappointed when I couldn't find Days on NBC anymore it was on peacock so I had to subscribe to peacock to be able to continue watching it I have watched it for 60 years my grandmother would watch it everyday I was 5 years old and remember everything when it was black and white love the show just wish it would have stayed on NBC
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O
Enough with the amnesia, coma everytime someone gets hurt and dragging out the storyline. It's getting boring. I love DOOL but anymore can take it or leave it!
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R
Please bring back Eileen Davidson as Susan and Kristen. We’ve all suffered enough from that horrible recast.
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To the downvoters: imagine thinking Stacy Haiduk is a better actress than Eileen Davidson �
How embarrassing!
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