Surprising Twist: 'Days of Our Lives' Star Emily O'Brien Opens Up About Unexpected Recasting as Theresa

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Days of Our Lives star Emily O’Brien is breaking her silence on replacing actress Jen Lilley in the role of Theresa Donovan.

"Don't worry, I'm certain Gwen is still wearing that mischievous smile somewhere..." began O'Brien, 38, who has portrayed the character of Gwen Rizczech (now von Leuschner) on Days since 2020, in a heartfelt Instagram statement on Thursday, October 12. "I want to take a momentary break from the chaotic events happening in the world to express my utmost appreciation for the privilege of bringing such a beautifully complex character to life over the past four years."

O'Brien went on to say, "Through Gwen, I've embarked on a captivating journey of self-discovery, exploring her desires and the deep longing for love that persists despite her pain, vengeful nature, and deceitfulness. Someday, perhaps in a different place far from Salem, she may finally find the love she craves."

Expressing her excitement to delve into the character of Theresa, O'Brien kindly urged fans to exhibit kindness. In her message, she hoped that fans would approach her interpretation with an open mind, have fun, and enjoy the journey. O’Brien emphasized that it is merely a playful act of dress-up and make-believe. Numerous fans and soap actors, including Lilley, 39, showed their support for O’Brien in the comments section, with Lilley stating, "YOU'RE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB."

Commenting on O'Brien's performance, Paul Telfer, who portrays Xander Kiriakis, praised her, exclaiming, "Emily, you are amazing!" Stacy Haiduk, who plays Kristen DiMera, also acknowledged O'Brien's talent, saying, "Emily, you are incredibly talented! Whatever you do will be outstanding! It's always a pleasure working with you in any role!" The shocking announcement was made in the credits of the October 2 episode, revealing that O'Brien would be taking over the role of Theresa for the remainder of the season. This came as a surprise to fans and to the previous actress, Lilley, who had portrayed Theresa on and off since 2013.

Jen Lilley and Emily O’Brien YouTube/NBC; Chris Haston/NBC

Lilley revealed to Soaps.com in August that she was caught off guard while on set when she found out about the recasting. This happened after she returned to play the character for episodes centered around Victor Kiriakis' funeral, which aired the previous month.

In a recent interview with the same outlet, she expressed that she holds no grudges against O'Brien. Lilley acknowledged the challenging position O'Brien was in, having to communicate with her knowing that she would be taking over the role. She empathized with how awful O'Brien must have felt in that situation.

Lilley expressed her gratitude for her time on the show in a heartfelt Instagram post as her final episodes began airing. She reflected on the lessons of empathy and grace she learned while portraying Jeanne Theresa Donovan for the past 10 years. Lilley praised the cast and crew at @dayspeacock, considering them her family. She also expressed her appreciation for the dedicated fans, reminding them that no matter how dire the circumstances, God's love and redemption are always within reach. She concluded by thanking her supporters for their unwavering support throughout her decade-long journey.