Iconic Return: Kristian Alfonso Honors Late Bill Hayes on 'Days Of Our Lives
Kristian Alfonso, a beloved figure among fans, is set to make a poignant return to Peacock’s Days of Our Lives, honoring the late Bill Hayes' character, who passed away in January at the age of 98.
Alfonso, renowned for her portrayal of Hope Brady, daughter of Hayes' Doug Williams, returned to the set on April 22 to film a heartfelt tribute, as disclosed by TV Insider. This special episode is slated to air on November 29.
In a candid interview with the outlet, Alfonso expressed the bittersweet nature of her return, stating, "My return is very bittersweet, because it is the end of an era with Bill gone. 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."
Reflecting on her memories of Hayes, she reminisced, "I remember my first scenes with him. He was very loving, very welcoming. That he was very talented and an incredible actor and an icon, that all goes without saying, but my personal relationship and my working relationship with Bill, it was home. Doing the scenes with Bill, I felt like I was with my dad because there was so much warmth and reality."
Alfonso bid farewell to Days of Our Lives in 2020 after gracing the soap's screens since 1983. However, she made a brief return in 2022 for the Days spinoff Beyond Salem on Peacock.
Expressing her gratitude for her time on the show, she shared, "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. I’m very blessed. I’ll always be very blessed, regardless if I ever return to do more shows or finish the storyline or not. I will always be eternally grateful and so appreciative to Days of our Lives and to Ken Corday [executive producer] and the fans that kept me going."
