Kristian Alfonso Hits Back at Critics Ahead of Days of Our Lives Return: ‘I Didn’t Say I’m Never, Ever Coming Back’
When Kristian Alfonso tendered her resignation from Days of Our Lives in 2020 after 37 years, the actress seemed rather emphatic about it being a permanent departure.
Cut to July 2022, Alfonso is set to reprise her role of Hope Williams Brady opposite former leading man Peter Reckell in the second installment of Days offshoot Beyond Salem (premiering July 11 on Peacock). But the soap legend insists her return does not contradict her previous statements.
“I don’t think of this as going back to Days of Our Lives,” Alfonso tells Soap Opera Digest. “[Beyond Salem] is, I feel, a branch of it.”
Regardless, Alfonso insists that her comments two years ago came with an asterisk.
“I have seen online where viewers have stated that I said, ‘Never’ regarding [returning someday] — I never said never,” Alfonso maintains. “I said that I will not be popping in and out like other actors have done in the past. I didn’t say I’m never, ever coming back. I was not absolute.”
(Fact check: While Alfonso did leave some wiggle room about a potential comeback in one post-departure interview, she was decidedly more firm in a subsequent exit Q&A with Soap Opera Digest. “I’m not coming back,” she told the magazine at the time. “I’ve had a great run and so many wonderful moments on the show and worked with so many wonderful people. It’s time for me to start a new chapter professionally.”)
Ultimately, Alfonso says the opportunity to play Hope again was one she could not refuse. “It always has to be the story and the characters,” she explains to Digest. “And [the Beyond Salem storyline] made me excited. That’s why I decided to come on board.”
She can change her mind at any time what’s the big deal?
I agree with Bella. What is the big deal?
For me the big deal is how nasty she was about it. She was very unprofessional and threw a toddler tantrum.
She was unhappy at her job and left. Nothing about that is unprofessional or throwing a tantrum.
She had a lot of choice things to say when she left that were very unprofessional. She was mad they didn’t stop her from quitting.
She and every other actor on the show was removed from contract status in November 2019. They worked on a non-contract basis for two months from mid January 2020 to mid March 2020 when the pandemic began. She did not technically quit; she simply refused to sign a new contract deal because they wanted her to take five months off to preserve the DAYS budget. She felt that was an insult and she didn’t sign that contract. They let her go and then asked her back, as long as she waited five months, and she said “No.”
and would not be returning when Days resumes production Sept. 1.
In an interview with ET , Alfonso shed light on how her decision to leave came about. While she had been contemplating leaving for the past couple of years, her abrupt exit was triggered by a plan for her character, Hope Williams Brady, relayed to her by Days executive producer Ken Corday, which involved Hope being written off for 4-5 months before coming back to have a storyline with a Navy Seal.
I know several people who have quit jobs and gone back, not a big deal as long as bridges aren’t burned in the process. I think she was honestly bored with her character at the time and wanted to take a break. She also felt hurt being told she’d be off canvas for an extended time, so she took control and left. She shot a couple Hallmark movies and just enjoyed her family, can’t fault her.
Kristian is one of my very favorites ever on my one and only soap. I watched her ever since she was first cast. I was sad when she left. But, I understand her point and am looking forward to “Beyond Salem.” I would love it if she would return to the show full time, but I know she’s doing other things and that’s ok with me. It is her decision! She still has me as a big fan of anything she does!
Kristian has always been one of my favorite characters on the shoe. When she left iwas saddened but understood. They were not given the storylines she deserved. She is a strong actress and deserved better. Fan forever
Am glad she is back. Ms.Alfonsonus a very watchable actor. Just wish the storylines and production schedule weren’t so whackadoodle. If NBC kept one show, I would have preferred Another World
She needs to stop. It’s not a big deal to me, and I’m sure to others. So, she changed her mind, and decided to come back, at least to this side show of Days. I don’t care. She’s playing Hope again.
She seemed VERY firm about not returning (not to mention she dragged the show and head writer, claiming the show hadn’t been Days for several years).
I watched it recently I’d have to agree with her, the cheap sets are the same, but a story about a devil taking over bodies seemed more like that show that use to be after it
Granted I watched it in the late 90s painting schools, was always in during lunch break so what do I know.
My guess if they were going to have her off the show then, back might as well make a soap opera narrative, of I’ll never return now I’m back as it gets a little press for a mostly forgotten genre of shows
Oh please, she thought the show couldn’t work without her. Now that she can’t book other gigs she’s coming back. Does anyone still watch soaps?
Yes. Run along now, Karen.
Where’s the lie? Like Victoria Konefal, she thinks she holds the reigns at Days. Kristian is not all that she thinks she is. Her portrayal of Hope comes off as stunted, boring, and lacking depth needed to get viewers invested. It’s always the people she played off of who carried her. Days doesn’t NEED her. She NEEDS Days.
Soap actors frequently say that and frequently return. Why single her out?
Where can. I find DOOL Beyond Salem. I don’t know where Peacock is
Peacocktv.com. You need a paid subscription to watch. It’s only five dollars a month and you can cancel after you watch the special.
I can’t wait to see the new chapter! I’m happy that Hope will be back.
Yes I am excited to see Bo and Hope together again but I was hoping that some how someway Bo would actually be alive being held at a place designed to look like heaven to make him believe that he really dead. Somone using smoke and mirrors to make Bo and everyone else believ he is dead but he is very much alive. He’ll how many times did Stephano rise from the dead so why not Bo
You are amazing Kristian!
Peter and yourself as Bo & Hope we’re my all time favorites . I left when you did. Sounds like I need to find this Beyond Salem.
I cringe at the thought of this talentless person coming back. Hooray that Peter is though and she said NEVER
I love Kristian Alfonso! She was definitely one of the reasons I had continued to watch “Days of Our Lives”
If heaven has so many rules and penalties — why do we have to be good here on earth??
I am 70 years old..I have watched Days since my freshman year in high..minus one year while in Germany..Army brat… I love Days..my husbend got Peacock so I could continue..I am an invalid now..don’t take Days away ever again…at least wait until I DIE!!!
I love Kristian Alfonso