'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Days of Our Lives, one of the longest-running soap operas, has been on air since 1965. Set in the fictional town of Salem, the show follows the lives and relationships of families like the Bradys, Hortons, and DiMeras. It continues to remain popular among daytime television viewers, thanks to its classic, dramatized storylines and characters.
One of the most iconic characters on the show is Dr. Marlena Evans, played by Deidre Hall. Marlena, a kind doctor of psychiatry, first appeared in 1976 and quickly became central to many major storylines, including her long-term romance with John Black and an arc where she became possessed.
In 2009, the show took another turn when Deidre Hall, who played Marlena, left Days of Our Lives seemingly due to budget cuts. NBC, facing declining viewership for daytime TV, had to cut back, and Hall was written out, as was her on-screen husband, Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black. Fortunately for fans, Hall returned to the show in 2011, bringing back Marlena.
Trending
How has Marlena Evans' character arc on Days of Our Lives evolved over the years?
Actress Deidre Hall portrayed the role of Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives as a psychiatrist working for the Horton family's Mickey, tying her more permanently into the show. However, she didn't become a central figure in the show until the 1980s. Her romance with Roman Brady cemented her place in the show, where her twins, Sami and Eric, came into the world.
Marlena has always been portrayed as a caring figure who balances between personal and professional life despite complex situations or scenarios ranging from family dramas to supernatural experiences, for instance, demonic possessions. For years, Marlena's name has been associated with the most popular storylines.
From the discovery that John Black, the love of her life for so long, was actually Roman Brady in disguise to dealing with conflicting dynamics in raising her children, Marlena has been part of it all. Throughout it all, her softer side has been constantly challenged- when children or loved ones have threatened to move into harm's way or had their lives tangled in scandals.
Her affair with John Black, full of twists, breakups, and reconciliations, forms a pivot that her character swings around. Marlena faced various personal and professional challenges. She was kidnapped, brainwashed, and even possessed by the devil at one time. Throughout all these extreme situations, she never lost her dignity, professionalism, and compassion.
Read More: Did Jenna Ortega star in Days of Our Lives? Explored
What is Marlena Evans' current storyline on Days of Our Lives?
Marlena Evans had been possessed by a devilish storyline, as the devil returned to Salem again to possess her once more on Days of Our Lives. It is something that has resonated for nearly two decades and brings back to the forefront something she did when she was first possessed in the 1990s, something that sent shockwaves through long-time fans with angst.
Marlena tried at first to ward off the devil, but in the end, she didn't even put up a fight as he talked himself into entering her body promising to protect Doug Williams, who first became a devil himself. The return of the devil throws Marlena into a high-stakes situation as it tries to manipulate the events in Salem.
Marlena's fight to be in control again of her mind and body becomes a great part of the storyline because she keeps fighting with the devil's intentions. Despite her possessions, she tries to save her loved ones and not let the devil do much harm.
This storyline reveals Marlena as a strong character, always trying to protect her friends and family even in the face of supernatural forces. It keeps with the long history she's had with involvement in the most dramatic and dangerous situations in Salem, keeping her at the center of the action.
Read More: What is happening with Gabi on Days of Our Lives? Explained
Why did Marlena Evans, portrayed by Deidre Hall, leave Days of Our Lives?
In 2009, Deidre Hall left Days of Our Lives due to significant budget cuts by NBC. The network was losing viewership on daytime TV and had to make cuts, thus losing both Hall and her on-screen husband, Drake Hogestyn (John Black).
More than three decades of playing Marlena have left Hall with many fans, most sad at the prospect of losing him. Her exit was part of a larger budget-cutting initiative, but it was not something to be taken lightly for long-time viewers who had grown up with Marlena and her character and her connection to John.
But Hall came back to the show again in 2011, much to the excitement of the fans. Her return was made at the right time, with the enormous celebration of Horton Town Square, where Marlena and Drake became headline characters once more.
Interested viewers can watch Days of Our Lives on Peacock every weekday.
