Melissa Reeves, Matthew Ashford, and Maree Cheatam return to Days of Our Lives

Missy Reeves will return to DOOL in November

Melissa Reeves is a famous actress who originated the role of Jennifer Rose Horton Devereaux on Days of Our Lives in 1985. She was last seen in Salem in 2021 but will return to the soap in November for Thanksgiving. TV Insider reports that Jennifer also will be in the shows featuring the memorial for Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes). No dates have been given for this tribute.

Two additional fan favorites return to Salem

For fans who are wondering, the answer is yes, Matthew Ashford has been confirmed to return to Days of Our Lives to honor Bill Hayes's character, Doug Williams. Maree Cheatam is also coming back to Salem as Marie Horton to honor Doug so be on the lookout for updates as they become available.

Reeves feels guilty about her replacement

Reeves said she had one concern about returning to the role she has played off and on for nearly 40 years.

My one thing was, ‘I’m not taking this away from Cady. If this is Cady’s thing, and she loves being here and playing this part, I don’t want to take it away from her. I’m so good either way,’ ” Reeves explains to TV Insider. “I’m a huge fan of Cady’s. I even messaged her on Instagram, ‘Oh, my God, I’m so grateful you’re playing my part! I’m honored.’ But it worked out.”

Cady McClain did an excellent job, but for most Days of Our Lives fans, Reeves is the only Jennifer Rose. Also, the soap used McClain for less than a year, and she last aired in January 2021. Reeves is acting as if her replacement had been in the role for a few years and she was kicking her out, which is not true.

Reeves left Salem behind to move to Tennessee with her husband, Scott Reeves, and their children. She shared that she told Matthew Ashford (Jack Devereaux) that she no longer has family in Los Angeles and nowhere to stay, so she cannot return to the role full-time.

Melissa Reeves early credits

Among Reeves' early film roles was the thriller Summer Camp Nightmare (1987). Her first television role was as Jade Perkins on Santa Barbara from 1984 to 1985. Reeves abruptly left Days during the show's thirtieth anniversary season, and Corday Productions and Sony TV Entertainment sued her for breach of contract. The matter was settled out of court with Reeves paying an unspecified sum, which Days Executive Producer Ken Corday donated to pediatric AIDS research.

Jack and Jennifer were one of several super couples on DOOL

Jennifer and Jack were considered a super couple on Days of Our Lives when times differed in the 1980s. Before the couple made love for the first time, Francis Reid, who portrayed Alice Horton, gave a disclaimer that in the days gone by, young people waited until marriage for sex.

This was not true of everyone, but it was commonly accepted and portrayed most often on television at the time. There was always a period of a buildup of expectancy and obstacles for couples that they overcame to be together the first time.

In addition to Jack and Jennifer, Days of Our Lives gave fans Bo and Hope Brady (Peter Reckell and Kristen Alfonso), the most beloved couple in soap history.

Other popular pairings on the soap were Shane and Kimberly Donovan) Charles Shaughnessy and Patsy Pease, and Steve and Kayla Johnson (Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans). Fans became invested as they waited for their favorite couples to give in to passion, and it was always worth the wait.