DOOL fans are bracing themselves for the emotional funeral of Doug Williams after Bill Hayes’ passing. But will the show bring back Doug’s daughter Hope and her beloved Bo for the tribute?
DOOL To Mourn Doug Williams, Celebrate Bill Hayes
Daytime television lost one of the greats in early 2024 when actor Bill Hayes passed away at the age of 98. He played Doug Williams on Days Of Our Lives for over 50 years. His real-life wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes, played Julie Williams, Doug’s wife.
The characters became the show’s matriarch and patriarch after the passing of Alice and Tom Horton (Frances Reid and Macdonald Carey.)
Days of Our Lives plans to kill off Doug Williams to pay tribute to both Bill Hayes and the character at the same time. The soap films months in advance, which means the funeral won’t air until December.
However, the actors returning for the tribute have already begun taping their scenes. Gloria Loring (Liz Chandler) and Stephen Schnetzer (Steve Olson) were the first two names leaked as returning alums.
Fans will be happy to know that Melissa Reeves is also confirmed to return as Jennifer Horton.
More Big Names Returning
As former and current DOOL stars gather to film Doug’s funeral, more names of actors returning have been revealed. According to soaps.com, viewers will see many familiar faces during the tribute.
Victoria Konefal (Ciara), Brandon Beemer (Shawn), Sal Stowers (Lani), Lamon Archey (Eli), Martha Madison (Belle), Maree Cheatham (Marie) and Matthew Ashford (Jack) are all slated to return.
Fans Fear Bo & Hope Won’t Return For Doug’s Funeral
Long-time Days fans may notice two important names missing from the list of returning stars: Kristian Alfonso and Peter Reckell, who played Hope & Bo for many years. Hope is Doug Williams’ daughter from his marriage to Addie (Patricia Barry.) In a classic soap twist, Addie is also Julie’s mother, making Julie Hope’s half-sister and step-daughter.
Many fans feel it would be impossible, even by soap standards, for Hope to miss her father’s funeral. However, actress Kristian Alfonso doesn’t appear to be present in a cast photo taken during filming for the tribute episode
We see who’s here, which is a lot.
And we see who isn’t here.
So, I’ve never seen a photo lie. #Days pic.twitter.com/R5rAQlirQF
— Steven Tankersley (@SouthernGh) April 11, 2024
Doug’s memorial coincides with the soap’s 50th anniversary. The cast and crew gathered for cake and a photo op ahead of the milestone. Neither Kristian Alfonso or Peter Reckell have been spotted in the photo or announced their return to the daytime drama.
It’s possible that the soap is keeping their return under wraps. Hope was last seen on-screen in 2023 at comatose Bo’s bedside, where she is presumed to still be.
