THE SCOOP
Get ready for the return of Jennifer Horton on “Days of our Lives.”
Sources confirm to Soap Opera Network that actress Melissa Reeves will soon reprise her role on the daytime drama series just in time for the annual hanging of the Christmas ornaments on the Horton Christmas tree.
Rumors of Reeves’ return first came to light after Kelli Gustafson, manager of the Jack and Jennifer Classic DAYS Instagram account, shared she had spoken with Reeves at an event in Tennessee last night where the actress resides and Reeves willingly shared the news of her return to the daytime drama series. TVLine also reported the news citing their sources.
Reeves began playing Jennifer Horton in 1985. In 1995, she left the series to spend time with her family and the soap recast the role two times before she returned to in 2000. After choosing to exit once more in 2006, Reeves made a brief return in 2010 before being offered a full-time contract. She remained with the show until 2020 with episodes filmed prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic which later shut down production for several months.
When the show returned to production in September, Reeves was unavailable which led producers to decide to recast with three-time Daytime Emmy Award winner Cady McClain (ex-Dixie Cooney, “All My Children”; ex-Rosanna Cabot, “As The World Turns”; ex- Kelly Andrews, “The Young and the Restless”), who left the series earlier this year. Ironically, McClain’s third Emmy came from her guest portrayal as Jennifer on the soap.
“As far as I’m concerned, Jennifer will someday be back on canvas, regardless of who it might be,” commented head writer Ron Carlivati to Soap Opera Digest when asked about plans for the character following McClain’s exit. As for McClain she told the publication, “I also understand if they need their Missy back! I have complete understanding for that, too, so whatever is meant to be, I’m okay with it. As they say, no one ever dies in daytime.”
At this time it remains unclear as to whether Reeves will be back just for episodes surrounding the annual Christmas festivities or if she is back on a full-time basis.
Keep checking Soap Opera Network for the latest on this developing story.