Kristian Alfonso Reflects on Her Emotional Return toDays of Our LivesAmid Heartbreaking Loss
Kristian Alfonso, beloved for her role as Hope Williams Brady on Days of Our Lives , makes a return to Salem this week in what she describes as a "very bittersweet" moment for the show. After her last appearance in April 2023, Alfonso returns to mourn the loss of a cherished character, Doug Williams, portrayed by the late Bill Hayes, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 98. Hayes was an iconic presence on the show, and his passing has left a void in the Days family that resonates deeply with both the cast and the audience.
Alfonso reflects on her relationship with Hayes, sharing that his death deeply affected her. "I remember exactly where I was when I got the call," she recalls, describing the emotional impact of the news. "I was in the car, driving, and it was raining... I found myself not being able to make my way home. I just kept driving because I couldn't believe it." As she recounts this loss, Alfonso emphasizes the significance of the role Hayes played in her life both on and off screen, noting their years of working together as Hope and Doug.
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When the Days team reached out to her about returning for Doug’s emotional farewell arc, Alfonso knew the moment would be difficult but was honored to be part of the tribute. She admits, “They didn’t need to ask me. They could have just written Hope out, saying she was somewhere else. So, I really appreciate them including me in this way.” This reunion on set with Hayes’s widow, Susan Seaforth Hayes, who portrays Julie, was a deeply emotional moment. Alfonso describes their encounter as a moment of shared grief, where the two actresses, bound by their love for Bill, embraced each other in an unspoken understanding.
Alfonso also opens up about the complexities of her character, Hope, dealing with Doug’s death while being emotionally tethered to her comatose husband, Bo. Though the timeline of Hope’s return to Salem was delayed in part due to scheduling conflicts, Alfonso appreciates how the writers explained Hope’s delayed arrival. “Hope would never leave Bo’s side, but she would never not say goodbye to her father. It was a tough choice,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. Despite this inner conflict, when Hope does finally return to Salem, Alfonso chose to portray Hope as being strong for Julie, who is holding it together outwardly. “We all cover up our pain sometimes until you’re alone,” Alfonso reflects.
Throughout this return, Alfonso gets to reconnect with many former co-stars, including Melissa Reeves (Jennifer), who portrays her long-time best friend. Their shared scenes were a highlight for the actress, who values the rich history between Hope and Jennifer. “Jennifer and Hope are best friends, sisters at heart. In times of loss, they have always been there for each other,” she says.
While the circumstances of the reunion were tragic, Alfonso takes solace in the fact that her character gets to connect with old friends and family, including her on-screen children, Shawn and Ciara. Still, she admits there’s a sense of loss, as she didn’t get the chance to film the joyous scenes that were originally planned with Bill Hayes before his passing. Those scenes would have been an emotional reunion for Bo and Hope, and Alfonso feels deeply saddened that this opportunity was lost. However, she remains grateful for the chance to be part of such a poignant moment in Days of Our Lives history, giving fans a chance to say goodbye to Doug, a character who has been an anchor for the show for decades.
Alfonso’s return is a bittersweet moment in Days history, capturing the essence of long-running soap operas—where love, loss, and family always bring characters and fans together.
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