Kristian Alphonso exits Days after 37 years

The soap world is losing a dynamic actress as Kristian Alphonso has decided to leave Days of Our Lives. She announced on Instagram on July 6 that she has filmed her final scenes and will not be with the show when it returns in September. Alphonzo, along with Peter Reckel were one of the most popular soap couples ever as Bo and Hope Brady. I remember when a young Alphonzo took over the role of Doug Williams's daughter and Julie's half sister. She portrayed a teen who was smitten with Beauregard Brady who regarded her as a mere child. She eventually won his heart and their wedding was one of the highest rated soap episodes ever.

I call my 39-year- old son watching with my grandmother in the mid-1980s. When I came in fro work he would tell me all about "Bo and Hope," later dubbed "Bope". Daytime fans had their hearts broken in 2015. when Reckel returned only to die of a brain tumor in Hope's arms. Many viewers wanted to see the reunite but the actor said it was time to put Bo and Salem in his past. Even today, there are devotees of Days who were still looking for their favorite couple to reunite, but now that will not be possible. One of my favorite moments with this couple was when Hope was separated from Bo and thought she was Princess Gina and found herself pregnant.

The fans were so irate that the writers quickly flipped that script. They later showed a flashback scene where somehow, (I believe it was Stefano Dimera) had a drugged Bo and he ended up in the same location as his wife. The two confused spouses fell into each other's arms and made love. When they referred to each other by their pet names of "Brady" and "Fancy Face," their fans knew that subconsciously the couple realized they were being intimate with each other. In time they recalled that special night and a DNA test proved that the child Hope gave birth to was indeed Bo's.

On her Instagram, Alphonzo said the following: "I am forever grateful to NBC and the late Betty Corday, who took a chance on me many years ago and changed my life. I have built some lifelong friendships with my extraordinarily talented castmates. Days has one of the hardest working crews in all of television, many of whom have become part of my extended family. I feel blessed and honored to have been invited into people’s homes for over three decades. However, it is now time for me to write my next chapter. I will not be returning to Days when it resumes production in September. I’ve already filmed my last episode several months ago. Finally – to the incredibly loyal fans of Days – many of you have been with me on this journey from the beginning. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity, love and support. I could not have done it without YOU!!! Lots of love, Kristian XO."

Galen Gering who portrays Rafe Hernandez announced in February that he was leaving the NBC daytime drama so Alphonso's exit will more than likely coincide with his. The writers will probably have Hope and Rafe ride off into the sunset together. Decades ago, Bo and Hope sailed away on their boat named "Fancy Face" with their young son Shawn Douglas, when their portrayers left the show at the same time. Rafe and Hope leaving Salem together will not be as heartwrenching as when she left with Bo, but Kristian Alphonso and Galen Gering will be dearly missed by th0ose who watch Days of Our Lives.

Although Days halted the production of new programming in March, they had enough episodes to last for several months. Since Alphonso has already taped her final scenes, it's expected they will air sometime in late September or October. Stay tuned for breaking news, spoiler alerts, and updates related to how this beloved Salemite will leave town. Since her final episode was taped prior to the COVID-19 shutting down production, it's possible that Doug and Julie might be on hand. When new episodes resume, all actors over age 65 will not be able to return to work right away, so stay tuned. All the best is wished for Kristian Alphonso in the next chapter of her life. For her many fans however she will always be "Fancy Face" and one half of a much beloved soap couple.