Days of our Lives Comings and Goings: Two Popular Leading Ladies Return

Key Takeaways

  • Alison Sweeney is back as Sami Brady DiMera on Monday, August 4, for a one-day visit. She will return again in November.

  • Leann Hunley finally resurfaces as Anna DiMera on Thursday, August 7.

  • Al Calderon is exiting the role of Javi Hernandez due to a new primetime role, but his final scenes won’t air until 2026.

  • Stacy Haiduk returns as Susan Banks on Tuesday, August 5.

  • Tina Huang and Karole Foreman are also back as Melinda Trask and Judge Dabney, respectively.

A pair of popular leading ladies resurface on Days of our Lives this week. Here’s the soap’s latest comings and goings casting news. Find out which popular actresses are back onscreen, if anyone new is boarding the Peacock drama in contract, recurring, or day-player roles, and if any of your favorite performers are exiting the show.

Days of Our Lives' Star Alison Sweeney Gushes Over 30 Years of Playing Sami  Brady: “I Love My Job” | Decider

Casting For The Week Of August 4, 2025

Two fan favorites are back on the Salem scene. Alison Sweeney returns for a quick visit as Sami Brady DiMera on Monday, August 4, to share an emotional reunion with her onscreen mom, Deidre Hall’s Marlena. It’s a one-and-done appearance for Sweeney, but the actress will be back in November.

After a long absence, Leann Hunley finally resurfaces as Anna DiMera on Thursday, August 7. Look for Anna to surprise her husband, Tony (Thaao Penghlis ), with news about Stefano (Joseph Mascolo).Days Of Our Lives - Anna DiMera (Leann Hunley) - Soap Opera Spy

Kennedy Garcia pops in as Felicity Greene on Monday, August 4. She interacts with Raven Bowens’ Chanel, Casey Moss’ JJ, and others.

Stacy Haiduk is back as Susan Banks. She airs on Tuesday, August 5, in scenes with Carson Boatman’s Johnny, Dan Feuerriegel’s EJ, and Deidre Hall’s Marlena

Tina Huang is back as Melinda Trask. The attorney has scenes with Rachel Boyd’s Sophia on Wednesday, August 6.

Adam Chambers turns up as Dave on Monday, August 4. The character, a security worker at Salem University Hospital, has scenes with Billy Flynn’s Chad and AnnaLynne McCord’s Cat.

Karole Foreman gets more airtime as Judge Dabney. The character continues to officiate over Johnny’s trial on Thursday, August 7.

On the exit front, Al Calderon, who portrays Javi Hernandez, has nabbed a role on the NBC primetime series Brilliant Minds. Although Calderon will still appear as Javi into 2026, courtesy of the soap’s advance filming schedule, the role will eventually have to be recast.

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