Alice Halsey to Return as Rachel Black on ‘Days of our Lives’

Alice Halsey is returning to Days of our Lives as Rachel Black, with her episodes set to air in 2027, TV Insider can report exclusively.  

Following her appearance on the red carpet at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys, where she was nominated for Outstanding Emerging Talent, Halsey filmed four episodes, filling in for Lorelei Mote, Rachel’s current portrayer, who had a scheduling conflict.  

“It was very exciting,” says Halsey, who last aired in the role on March 5, 2026. “My parents told me that I would be coming back for a few more episodes, and I was so happy. I was freaking out. I was like, ‘I get to go back to Days. I get to see everybody again.’ And I’m just really glad that I get to be here.” 

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Rachel has been through plenty since Halsey last played her, including a stint in Bayview Sanitarium and a recent hospitalization. However, the young actress didn’t delve too deeply into her character’s latest developments. 

“I came in, and I did my work, and it was just awesome,” she reports. “It was fun, and it reminded me so much of back when I was Rachel before, and it made me even more grateful to be able to be Rachel again.” 

Still, Halsey noticed some changes in her character. “Rachel has matured a little bit more than when I was there, and it’s really fun to be able to play that up,” she explains. “She is older now, and so, of course, Rachel has changed, but my portrayal of her is essentially the same. She’s still the little girl that she used to be.” 

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Halsey has an interesting perspective on her complicated alter ego. “She is both innocent and guilty,” observes the actress. “She has her evil moments, but inside, I think she’s just a confused little girl. I think sometimes she counts on the wrong people for advice, like Kristen [DiMera, Stacy Haiduk], her mother. But I really love playing Rachel and playing all of the weird sides to her. She’s a very complex character.” 

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Reconnecting with her on-screen parents, Haiduk and Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), was another bonus of her comeback. “It was incredible,” she reports. “I reunited with Stacy at the Emmys, actually, which was hugs and screams and smiles and pretty much chaos. Reuniting with Eric was basically the same thing. I love both of my DOOL parents. They’re the best. They’re really like best friends to me on set.” 

For Halsey, who stars as Laura Ingalls in Netflix’s reboot of Little House on the Prairie, getting back into the soap’s speedy routine wasn’t too much of a challenge. “I got my scripts again, and I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I remember everything going really fast in one take per scene,’” she says. “I prepped with my whole family — we didn’t want me to come back and suck — so, I practiced and I practiced and I practiced. I figured out what Rachel is feeling, how she’s evolved, and I’ve just been having a lot of fun.” 

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Her experience on Little House has been equally rewarding. “I love Little House so much. I’ve made a lot of lifelong friends there, just like Days, actually. And the prairie is just such a magical place. I’ve had the time of my life.” 

Halsey admits she’s been surprised by how often she’s recognized as Laura Ingalls. “It’s both really weird and really cool,” she says. “I did not think that that would happen. I thought that my glasses would be my alter ego, but turns out people saw me beyond the glasses. It was so fun for people to come up to me and say, ‘I love the show,’ and it makes me feel warm inside to know that they got the message of our show. It’s hope, it’s family, and it’s community, even through the hard times. I love that our show gives a message to younger people and new generations.” 

As for what to expect from the series in Season 2, Halsey is keeping details under wraps, but she does promise some surprises. “I can’t say much, but they’re going to love it,” she predicts. “I can say that there will be drama on the prairie, and it’s probably drama that some people will not expect. But if you want to know what I’m talking about, watch the show, guys.” 

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She will hint at the possibility of some familiar faces popping up. “Everybody from the old show seems so supportive of our show, and they’re great,” she enthuses. “I met Alison Arngrim [who played Nellie Oleson] and a couple more, and there may or may not be some cameos in season two.” 

Halsey has also met Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura on the original TV series from 1974 to 1983, and the two hit it off immediately. “She’s the sweetest person,” raves Halsey. “When I saw her, I just ran up to her and gave her a big hug because I felt the Laura energy in the room. I love Melissa. She’s really nice.”  

And while she’s enjoying her time on the prairie, Halsey would happily make another trip to Salem if the opportunity arose. “If I could, yes, for sure,” she concludes. “I love Days. We all love each other so much, and we’re so supportive of each other. It’s a big family here.” 

Look for Halsey’s episodes of Days of our Lives to air in late 2027. 

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