JJ on Days of Our Lives — Everything You Need To Know

It’s been a while since JJ Deveraux has been on Days of Our Lives, so for fans needing a refresher on the guy, we’ve got you covered! Born on-screen in 2004, JJ was played by a series of child actors for a couple of years but in May 2013, the character returned from boarding school as a teen played by Casey Moss. Although he exited DAYS in February 2020, the actor was back to reprise his role again in November of that year for a brief stint and then again in July 2022 for another appearance. Then, in June 2024, it was announced that Moss would be bringing JJ back again. So here’s what you need to know about the character!

Shortly after Jack Deveraux’s death, Jennifer Horton gave birth to their son, who was named Jack Jr., after his late father. Thankfully, she soon discovered that her husband had not actually been murdered by the Salem Stalker, and the whole family was happily reunited. When Jack and Jennifer got jobs in London, they moved overseas with their little boy.

JJ returned to Salem in 2013 after being kicked out of boarding school. But it was soon revealed that he had been expelled because he knew his roommate had been selling drugs! JJ didn’t approve of his mother’s new romance with Dr. Daniel Jonas and frequently tried to sabotage their relationship, even going so far as to vandalize his car! JJ continued causing trouble when he and his pal, Rory, sold pot around town. And when that didn’t make them enough money, they stole medication from the hospital! After learning that his father had raped Kayla Brady, JJ flew into a rage and vandalized the town square.

When Theresa Donovan overdosed, a frightened JJ called Daniel for help and came to realize that his mother’s beau wasn’t such a bad guy after all. Faced with the reality of his choices, JJ decided to turn his life around so he didn’t wind up behind bars. He soon became smitten with Paige Larson, but his pals, Rory and Bev, weren’t crazy about the new JJ and tried to ruin his budding romance. Paige’s mom, Eve Donovan, also didn’t approve of her daughter dating the son of her longtime rival, Jennifer. But after JJ and Paige split up, he ended up having a secret affair with Eve! Naturally, when Paige discovered this (on her birthday, no less), she was decidedly less than thrilled.

Continuing to try and turn his life around, JJ began working with the DEA and posed as a drug dealer to find out who Kyle’s boss was. Paige, who was dating Kyle at the time, didn’t realize he was working undercover and worried JJ was getting involved in drugs again. Kyle was killed by his boss, Clyde Weston, and when JJ found Paige dead as well, he immediately suspected Clyde, but also blamed himself for getting Paige involved in the dangerous situation. However, it was later revealed that Paige was killed by Clyde’s son, Ben Weston, the Necktie Killer.

After working with the Salem PD to get Clyde arrested, JJ decided to join the police force officially. He also began dating Gabi Hernandez, but after his sister, Abigail Deveraux, was killed in a plane crash, he had a grief-stricken one-night stand with a stranger. Gabi reluctantly gave him another chance but split up with him for good after suspecting he was cheating on her again. But in fact, the secret JJ was actually keeping was that Abigail was still alive and secretly hiding out in Salem! 

JJ dated fellow detective Lani Price but that relationship soured when he shot her brother, Theo Carver, in the line of duty. Guilt-ridden, JJ considered taking his own life, but Gabi was able to talk him down. When Lani found she was pregnant, he suspected he could be the father, but the babydaddy turned out to be Eli Grant, which was pretty much the end of JJ and Lani.

Moving on, JJ transitioned to being an EMT and came to the rescue of nurse Haley Chen, who was attempting suicide. They grew close, and when she admitted she was in the country illegally, he offered to marry her. But she turned him down and entered into a Green Card marriage with Tripp Johnson instead! 

After a year passed in the blink of an eye, JJ was in a very dark place, driven back to drugs by Haley’s tragic death. When it was later revealed that she’d died after a grieving Kristen DiMera pushed her down the hospital stairs, JJ contemplated revenge. But he ultimately chose not to kill Kristen and with the love of his family, began putting his life back together again. He also chose to leave Salem to help Theo, thereby helping himself.

In November 2020, JJ came home to reunite with his family and attend his parents’ anniversary party. But the next time he returned to Salem was for the much sadder occasion of Abigail’s funeral in June 2022. What will bring him back this time around? Stay tuned!