Kristian Alfonso Returns to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

As multiple actors were named as returning to DAYS OF OUR LIVES for the soap’s 15,000th episode as well as the shows paying tribute to the late Bill Hayes and his character of Doug Williams, there was one name fans knew had to be on the guest list. And now it’s official — Kristian Alfonso is returning to DAYS for another visit!

“My return is very bittersweet, because it is the end of an era with Bill gone,” Alfonso told TV Insider. “So to return to DAYS is very sad. I am appreciative that they came to me to include me in their series of shows honoring Doug and I’m very happy to see everyone, but I’m entering the studio with a heavy heart.”

After a series of child actresses, Alfonso took over the role of Hope Brady back in 1983. After exiting in 1987, she returned for a bit in 1990 and then was back full-time in 1994. Fans were saddened when the actress announced her decision to leave the soap in 2020, though she did reprise the role for the second season of BEYOND SALEM and for a brief stint in March 2023 to wrap up that storyline. 

The last time viewers saw Hope, she was leaving Salem to stay by Bo’s side as he remained in a coma. And while fans want nothing more than to see the supercouple reunited, the future is still uncertain. “What I will say is don’t give up hope,” Alfonso urges.

While this visit will be another short one, there’s always the possibility of another one day. “I feel incredibly grateful that I ever had the opportunity to be a part of such an incredible show and the legacy that it holds,” Alfonso expressed. “I’m very blessed. I’ll always be blessed, regardless if I ever return to do more shows or finish the storyline or not. I will always be eternally grateful and so appreciated to DAYS OF OUR LIVES and to [executive producer] Ken Corday and the fans that kept me going.”