Peter Reckell Talks Emotional Return to ‘Days of Our Lives’ After Recent Cast Losses
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Bo Brady’s storyline on Days of our Lives kicked back into gear on May 23, and his portrayer, Peter Reckell, couldn’t be happier to be visiting Salem again.
“There’s so many different levels to it,” begins Reckell, who last appeared in 2023. “The first thing that I think about is that I grew up in a family with six kids, and once I left home, coming back for holidays or whatever, you just pick up as if it was just another day at home, and it all works. That’s the first feeling I have when I come back to the show. But then there’s the next layer, which is all the other people in the cast and crew and production that are involved with creating this show, and that’s like a class reunion, where you’re all just catching up with each other. And then there’s a whole other layer when you have all these fans that love the show, and you’ve had an impact on them and they’re showing their love and their appreciation for you, so your appreciation for being back in in that family of Days of our Lives just grows and grows.”
Reckell says he was also grateful for the emotional material he was given to play when Bo wakes up from his two-year coma. “It was cool because all the cast members, we had these awakenings,” he explains. “I got to, not only in person, but in character, have these reunions and tell people how much they mean to me. The last time I was there, Bo was in a whole different state of mind, and pushing everybody away, but this is a reconnection of the characters and the history of not only Bo’s children and his wife, his best friends, and his sister, but the people that are no longer there. So, these shows are really impactful that way and that’s why the impact of not having John [Aniston, Victor Kiriakis] and Drake [Hogestyn, John Black] hits you hard.”
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Since Bo has been off the canvas, his father, Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston), passed away, as did his father-in-law, Doug Williams (Bill Hayes). In real life, Aniston died in November 2022, Hayes in January 2024, Drake Hogestyn (John Black) in September 2024, and Bo’s on-screen brother, Wayne Northrop (who played Roman Brady and Alex North), in November 2024.
For Reckell and for Bo, it’s been an overwhelming sense of loss, especially with John’s story tied so closely to Bo’s. “It’s still difficult to talk about because Drake touched everybody in his sphere so closely, and he was my brother and one of my best friends,” Reckell shares. “Having his memorial, there was no acting required in those scenes, because you’re saying things as the character that parallel your feelings in your personal relationship. When I went to John’s memorial and all these emotions came up, I just wanted to run away and be by myself and feel those feelings. To have to do it as a character was really difficult.”
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Reckell, who now resides in Alaska, regrets that he didn’t have a final chance to visit with Hogestyn when he filmed at the studio in Los Angeles last year. “I tried to go see Drake, but when I went down, it was just a couple of weeks before he passed, and so I didn’t get to see him,” Reckell sighs. “I’m not feeling sorry for myself, but you gotta take that time to tell people how much you love them and how much they mean to you. We’re at that age in our lives where people are going to transition.”
Reckell’s memories of working with Northrop, dating back to the start of his run in 1983, are also dear to him. “Those first days and months when I came on to the show, he and [Deidre Hall, Marlena Evans] were not only Days superstars, but daytime superstars,” Reckell relays. “He was my big brother, and he just guided me along and gave me the space to do what I do. Right off the bat, that was so strong and deep and multifaceted. He just meant so much to me, and he and Lynn [Herring, Lucy Coe, General Hospital, Northrop’s widow] were just part of my life. And I just feel so bad for Lynn and his family, and same with Drake. They meant so much to everybody that they touched. Their spirit was just so loving and supportive. They’re amazing men that I’m going to miss forever.”
Paul Skipper/jpistudios.com
Two other men he misses greatly are John Aniston and Bill Hayes. “Obviously, they’re two very different people, but my feelings about both of them are the same thing,” Reckell says. “When I’d have scenes with them, I’d go to their dressing rooms and hang out with them. John would tell his jokes, and Bill would tell stories of his incredible family and his history with being a pilot. He always had family reunions in a town in Michigan that sounded awesome. I was like, ‘Hey, can you adopt me so I can go?’ They were just substantial, powerful men who happened to do the same thing I do. I just loved sitting and listening to them talk; that grew our bond. I think [their deaths] also hit me so hard because my dad had just passed recently, so it was a challenge, that’s for sure.”
On a happier note, May 23 marked the 40th anniversary of Bo and Hope’s first wedding, which the show marked on air. “Isn’t that amazing?” Reckell marvels of his longtime connection to co-star Kristian Alfonso (Hope). “It’s just astounding to me. Kristian and I were talking about how we created something along with everybody else that has touched people on a very deep level. Whatever it was, we worked as hard as we could to make it the best show that day and every day. We would surprise each other and challenge each other, and we can’t help but have that connection.”
With Days set to turn 60 in November, Reckell, who has made it clear he’d love to return to the soap in a more meaningful capacity, can’t help but reflect on the impact playing Bo has had on his life. “Having been involved with the show for 42 years, what an honor,” he reflects. “What an honor to get to say, ‘Yeah, I have been doing this for 40 years and loving it.’ You look at big movie stars and if they do three movies a year or whatever, they could be overdoing it, but I get to do this, not quite as often as I want to right now, but I’ve been able to do this for many, many years, and it’s been very fulfilling. I feel like I am one of the luckiest people in the world.”
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Wow
I stopped watching Days years ago. Never liked the direction it was going but i happily remember the years I started watching from the very beginning of days with my mom and sister.
I remember when Hope was born and watched her grow and start her story with Bo!!
That’s when Days really meant something!!!
Glad for the fans that Bo has come home
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Bo(Peter Reckell) has always been my favorite actor on 'Days'. I also really liked Wayne Northrop as 'Roman' many yrs ago!!!. I had watched Days since 1972 but no longer watch since they aren't on NBC. Will not pay for Peacock...😟
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I'm a little confused from today's episode. I thought Bo and Hope were supposed to be overseas somewhere in a hospital. Today, Hope rushed to the warehouse to help break in to the meth lab and then she and Shawn D. went right back to the hospital where Bo was. Am I missing something?
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I was also confused that how could Hope get there so quickly if she was overseas and how did Shawn get there to the hospital so quickly?
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Right! I guess in "soap time," they moved him to Salem?? lol
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They really treat this the viewers like we're total morons when it comes to age morphing and In traveling from one country to another. But I guess like most of us we just deal with it and keep watching, no matter how ridiculous it seems.
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Did anyone notice that Hope was wearing an all white suit when she left Bo’s hospital room then at the warehouse she was in a different suit? I think she teleported to Salem from one scene to the next then teleported back to the hospital with the serum to save Bo. But it’s Salem…you can die then be brought back to life years later by Dr Rolf. They also have age progression- when John and Marlena got married again Belle was the flower girl about 5 years old. They went on their 3 week honeymoon and came back to a 16 year old Belle (Kirsten Storms)
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Wasn't that ridiculous?
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I have to agree with everyone on BO and Hope. I thought Bo was in Greece. How did Hope get here so fast and then back to Bo in Greece in a matter of minutes. Very confusing. But so glad to see them both back on DAYS. Just wish they would stay this time and Ciara too
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The show today was very sad but beautiful in a special way. Welcome back to Bo and Hope.
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I totally agree. The acting was very well done today.
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Bo abd Hope....always my favorite
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I would like to say Thank you to such a awesome show .I have been watching since day one .I have grown old with you and i couldn't have done it without you .you not only gave me great entertainment but also helped me unknowingly through some real bad times I will continue to watch with loving wishes for each and every one of you until my day's end .Thank you again. You are the family I never had since I was 5.
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I know what you mean Barbara. I've been watching DOOLS (whenever I wasn't working) since 1967. It does help in understanding human nature, strange or otherwise!😄🤗
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Today’s episode could’ve been amazing instead it was confusing. I thought Bo was on a Greek island recuperating or somewhere in Switzerland definitely not a few blocks away in Salem. If that was the case, why hadn’t we seen any of them?
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I think Bo and Hope are the couple that's been there forever. Gonna be the ones the family turns to. Like Doug and Julie, and Alice and Tom
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I had the same thought but I actually think it will be Steve and Kayla because they have been on the show more consistently in recent years and they have been stepping up I think as the support everyone needs lately.
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Bring Bo and Hope back permanently!! There's been too much sadness with some of the old timers passing away. Bring back Jack and Jennifer too we need some stability. In the real world it's not only about the young. There are actually some pretty awesome elderly people living in the real world too. A good mix of Youth and elderly are good for all of us.
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I thought the character "Bo" died of a brain tumor years ago and now they have him in a coma?
I stopped watching the show 6 yrs ago..guess I missed how the character was revived. Was a great show many yrs ago. Too bad what happened to Arianne Zucker. Sad what they did to her. She played a great character.
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I can't believe that this, Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful I watched mostly in the 90's when I wasn't at school. My mother was a fan. Sometimes still on the same thing 3 months later. Came out with some great actors and actresses. But please the shows need to end
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Just don’t watch! Let the rest of us enjoy it.
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