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Theresa Donovan
Days of Our Lives character
Portrayed by
Duration
  • 1990–1992
  • 1996–1997
  • 2013–2016
  • 2018
  • 2023
First appearanceSeptember 3, 1990 (1990-09-03)
ClassificationPresent; guest
Created byRichard J. Allen and Anne Schoettle
Introduced by
In-universe information
Other namesJeannie Donovan
Occupation
FamilyBrady
Parents
Siblings
SpouseBrady Black (2015)
ChildrenTate Black
Grandparents
Aunts and uncles
Nieces and nephewsPaige Larson
First cousins

Theresa Donovan is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Currently portrayed by Jen Lilley, the role of Theresa was introduced in September 1990 by then-executive producers Ken Corday and Al Rabin. Theresa was portrayed by several child actors until the character left the series in 1992, with further guest appearances in both 1996 and 1997.[a] Lilley made her first appearance on July 3, 2013.

Theresa is the daughter of supercouple Shane Donovan and Kimberly Brady (Charles Shaughnessy and Patsy Pease[b]. With the casting of Lilley in the role, the character was aged and entered into her first major storyline, opposite Casey Moss who portrays JJ Deveraux. Theresa also develops a relationship with Brady Black (Eric Martsolf), which results in the birth of their son, Tate. In 2015, she pursues her dream of fashion design and teams up with Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) and Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker) in the prospect of re-launching Basic Black.

Storylines

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Backstory

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Jeannie Theresa Donovan was introduced on September 3, 1990, to Kimberly Brady (Patsy Pease) and was originally believed to be the daughter of Cal Winter.4[1] However, paternity tests and a confession from Cal proved her father to be Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy). She grew up with her parents in Salem, before relocating to Los Angeles.[2][3]

2013–2016

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In July 2013, Jeannie returns to Salem, this time going by her middle name, Theresa. Initially, she strikes up a connection with resident bad boy JJ Deveraux (Casey Moss) while trying to secure some pot.[4] During a confrontation with JJ and his mother Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves) in her office, her aunt Kayla confirms that Theresa is in fact Jeannie and that Jen promised to hire her as her assistant, a promise she reluctantly agrees to. Kayla reminds Theresa it is her last chance at a fresh start.[5] Theresa also strikes up a bad first impression with Jennifer's daughter Abigail Deveraux (Kate Mansi) when Abigail smells pot on Theresa in her mother's office.[6] To continue to battle against Jennifer, she teams up with Anne Milbauer (Meredith Scott Lynn) in hopes of exacting her perfect revenge. In a ploy, Theresa reveals her intentions to hopefully woo Dr. Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian). After sleeping with JJ, Theresa overdoses on marijuana and GHB. Upon hearing of their daughter's overdose and continuing problems, Shane and Kimberly return to town in the hopes of handling their daughter's problem, together. After believing that Theresa has a handle on her addictions, Shane and Kimberly leave town together. Theresa then teams up with hospital co-worker Anne Milbauer (Meredith Scott Lynn) to conspire against Jennifer, using Daniel as a way to hurt their relationship. In early 2014, following a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting, she begins a sexual and drugged-fused relationship with Brady Black (Eric Martsolf). In 2015, after it is found that Kristen DiMera (Eileen Davidson) stole Theresa's embryo and carried it to term, Brady and Melanie Jonas return her son, Christopher, to her and Brady, and the pair rename him Tate. When Theresa moves into the Kiriakis mansion, tensions arise between her and Victor. She eventually expresses her interest in purchasing Basic Black and running it as her own fashion company, with financial backing from Maggie Horton (Suzanne Rogers). In the hopes of finding the right partner, she teams up with Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) and Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker) to achieve the goal of purchasing Basic Black, with Kate and Nicole's business background and her own interest in fashion design. As she and Brady share several instances of rekindling their romance, she is kicked out of the mansion by Victor; as a result, Brady quits Titan and moves in with Theresa and Tate, in their own penthouse. In March 2016, Brady proposes to Theresa, and the pair become engaged.

2018

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2023

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Creation

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Background

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Casting

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Lilley's temporary portrayal of Maxie Jones on General Hospital caught the eye of executive producer Ken Corday and other executives at Days of Our Lives, which lead to her audition for Theresa.

Following the character's introduction in 1990, the role was portrayed by five child actors: Hannah Taylor Simmons (1990–1991), Emily and Alicia Pillatzke (1991–1992), Caitlin Wachs (1992) and Gabriella Massari (1992).[7]

In April 2013, Soap Opera Digest and other media outlets announced Jen Lilley had joined the cast of Days of Our Lives, in a newly-created role with "ties to the canvas".[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Due to the soap's advanced filming schedule, Lilley began filming in the then-unknown role in March 2013, and made her first appearance as Theresa on July 3, 2013.[8][17][18][19]

Reflecting on her casting and upcoming return, Lilley told Soaps.com's Kristyn Burtt, in 2023 (via an email forwarded to the powers that be at Days of Our Lives): "I never thought I wanted to do daytime again after my experience on General Hospital, but DAYS changed everything for me. DAYS feels like family. DAYS is home to me."[20]

In May 2016, Daytime Confidential reported that Lilley had quit the soap after three-years; a rep for Lilley or the soap did not comment.[7][21] On November 17, 2017, Soap Opera Digest announced that Lilley would reprise her role as Theresa; she will begin making appearances in May 2018.[22] Speaking to Soap Hub in January 2018, Lilley maintained she always remained open to returning to the role of Theresa.[23]

Characterization

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Development

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Introduction (2013)

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Executive producer Ken Corday admitted seeing Lilley's work on General Hospital helped with casting her in the role of Theresa.[24] Upon Theresa's re-appearance on the canvas, she was characterized as the "bad girl". In an interview with MSN, Lilley spoke: "Part of me doesn't want to make excuses for her, because you can have horrible upbringing and make something positive of it. Some of the most amazing, well-grounded people have come from the wrong side of the tracks. Obviously, the Brady-Donovan family is a great family, but her dad Shane is a spy and I watched the episode where he leaves the kids with Kimberly. Theresa was probably one, at most, so she didn't have a dad growing up, which is a formula for trouble. Typical psychological path for a girl like that is to look for love in the wrong places and look for a father figure in older guys."[25] The role of Theresa has been described as "Sarcastic, calculating, mischievous" and "mysterious".[26]

Lilley, on creating a role of her own in comparison to being a recast (2013)

Ugh, it's such a blessing. I feel like I'm finally part of something. On General Hospital, I had two bleeding ulcers because I was so stressed out. I never knew what was going to happen, day in and day out. I can finally relax a bit.

Deanna Barnert, MSN[25]

For her casting, Lilley admitted she originally went in for two roles, the roles of both Theresa and Jordan.3 At the time, she was hoping to book the "good girl" role; however for her second audition, was asked to amp it up to a more bad girl persona and concentrate on Theresa. She revealed: "I got to skip the first audition, which is called a pre-read and is an audition to audition. So then I auditioned with everyone else, and I got to do my screen test twice, which is very unusual. I was the only girl who got to do that, so I went first and last. The reason they had me do it twice is that I wore my hair curly, and I have a really young face, and they said that I looked too sweet and innocent and young with the curly hair. So they straightened my hair and had me do it again. On the second take, I knew that I had nothing to lose. I had already done a perfect first take, and they told me it wasn't going to get better than that so I could do whatever I wanted. I just did everything out of the box, and that's what got me the job. I mean I took the guy's shirt off in the scene! I told the actor that this is a character with no concept of personal space, so I asked him if it's ok if I touch him. He said that was fine and it was my screen test. So I took his shirt off and I threw some props at him at the end. I broke all the rules, and I think [the casting staff] thought, that is that character."[27]

In an interview with Michael Logan of TV Insider, Lilley called Theresa an "unapologetic mess", while continuing: "I knew I was in for a wild ride when I heard the list of crimes she had committed even before she hit the screen, which included grand theft auto, cocaine possession and two cases of assault and battery. The latter is particularly amazing, seeing as I’m 5'2" and 100 pounds wet." On her portrayal of Theresa, Lilley described, "I play everything balls-to-the-wall. [...] My worry is not pushing the audience too far. I worry about not being full-on committed in every moment, which is not always easy in the crazy world of soaps. I had a storyline where Theresa got pregnant and had her fetus stolen. All I could say was, ‘Bring it on! I know this is goofy, but I’m going down in soap glory!"[28]

[29]

Relationship with Brady ("Thrady")

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Basic Black

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Departure (2016)

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Return (2018)

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On November 17, 2017, it was announced Lilley would reprise the role of Theresa after more than a year away. Detailing the reasons for her return, Lilley credited head writer Ron Carlivati, stating: "I was able to chat with him on the phone and, because he knows I'm trustworthy, he asked me how much of the story I wanted to know. I said I want every detail!"[23] In a June 2018 interview with TV Insider, Lilley stated of Theresa's return: "She fought so hard to survive Mexico and she did. But to come this far, she's not going to back down to get back what's rightfully hers, which is Brady and her son, in her mind."[30]

Lilley returned to filming in November 2017, and returned to Days of Our Lives on May 3, 2018. Theresa's return saw her living in Mexico with Mateo (a.k.a. El Fideo). While there, she reunites with Chloe Lane (Nadia Bjorlin) who had become Mateo's new obsession. She flees Mexico and returns to Salem with the assistance of Xander Kiriakis (Paul Telfer.

Lilley announced her return to Days of Our Lives. Due to the serial's advanced taping schedule, her return was not expected to air until sometime in May 2018.

Reintroduction and recast (2023)

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Emily O'Brien assumed the role of Theresa in 2023, following Lilley's controversial exit.

In August 2023, it was announced Corday and Alarr would reintroduce the character, five years after her previous departure,[31] in connection to the passing of Aniston's Victor. Lilley later revealed to Soaps.com she was asked to return for twelve-weeks; she explained she declined the offer, due to other obligations, including her deal with Great American Family, while also explaining there was "a lot" preventing her from making a permanent return. In response to the initial twelve-week request, she offered three weeks of time to reprise the role. She told the web site she agreed to film twelve-weeks worth of material in the four-week time. However, two weeks into her return, Lilley reveals she was told by Alarr the stories promised she would work would continue with someone else as Theresa.[20] On October 2, 2023, it was announced Emily O'Brien, who joined the cast in 2020 as Gwen Rizczech, would assume the role of Theresa.[32] The following day, Lilley spoke with People about her exit and the series' decision to recast with O'Brien. She told the magazine she recalled feeling blindsided by the decision, explaining: "I don't know whether it was a budgetary thing or a scheduling thing where they just couldn't work the schedule out so everybody could do it. I don't know their reasoning. It's a little befuddling, but I still am really grateful that I got to go back." Lilley also spoke sympathy for O'Brien, stating: "That's not cool to do to Emily. I think Emily drew the shortest straw, honestly. I was like, 'That is the worst thing you could possibly do to a recast is be like, we're going to wig you and make you just walk through fire for eight weeks.'"[33]

The magazine also reported the decision to recast the role happened three weeks prior to Lilley's return to set.[33] In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, O'Brien discussed working as both Gwen and Theresa at the same time, calling the experience "too much". She also described the experience of replacing Lilley, stated: "I didn't know how to feel about it. I'd never ever stepped into somebody's shoes as a recast before. I knew nothing about it. So I was watching [Jen Lilley, ex-Theresa] thinking, 'How am I going to do this? I'm nothing like Jen, and she's had this role for five years. How am I going to step in and do this justice? The fans are going to just hate me.' But, at the end of the day, I'm an actor who was given a part. And I had heard that Jen was unavailable and could only do [the show] for X amount of weeks."[34]

Reception

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Upon the news of Lilley joining the cast, Michael Fairman of On-Air On-Soaps credited her casting as, "fantastic news for [Jen Lilley] fans".[13] Despite rumors of Lilley joining the cast as a recast for either Belle Black5 or Cassie Brady.6 it was informed she would portray a new character.[14] Janet DiLauro of About.com praised Theresa as a "riveting character", writing: "Days of our Lives has been seriously lacking in the bad girl department [...] Enter the deliciously naughty Theresa Donovan and suddenly it seems like Salem will never be the same."[26] Daytime Confidential listed Theresa's storyline with JJ as part of their "10 Best Soap Opera Storylines of 2013", ranking in at number eight. They praised, "Disrespectful. Drug-addicted. Debaucherous. JJ and Theresa harken back to DAYS long history of introducing horrid snots via the soap's younger scene. Heck, cruise-going matriarch Julie Williams (most notably played by Susan Seaforth Hayes) made her 1965 debut as a teen shoplifter! We can't forget Salem's ultimate teen scheme queen. Almost two decades after she drugged her sister's boyfriend and sold her kid sister on the black market, former pubescent bad seed Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) is still going strong! Welcome to the club, JJ and Theresa."[35]

On January 25, 2017, Lilley received a pre-nomination in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama.[36]

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "The Soaps: Clay and Gwyn in love again?". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. May 10, 1990. p. 8. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  2. ^ Nancy Reichardt (November 29, 1991). "On the Soapbox". The Telegraph-Herald. p. 46. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  3. ^ Nancy Reichardt (November 6, 1992). "Speaking of Soaps". The Post and Courier. p. 28. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  4. ^ Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell (July 3, 2013). "Daily Episode Update for July 2013 (7/03/2013)". National Broadcasting Company. NBC.com/Daysourlives. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  5. ^ Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell (July 9, 2013). "Daily Episode Update for July 2013 (7/09/2013)". National Broadcasting Company. NBC.com/Daysofourlives. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  6. ^ Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell (July 16, 2013). "Daily Episode Update for July 2013 (7/03/2013)". National Broadcasting Company. NBC.com/Daysofourlives. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Wagmeister, Elizabeth (June 6, 2016). "Jen Lilley Leaving Days of Our Lives After Three Years". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 810134503. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  8. ^ a b SOD (April 6, 2013). "EXCLUSIVE! Jen Lilley joins DAYS". Soap Opera Digest. Soapoperadigest.com. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  9. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (April 6, 2013). "Jen Lilley joins DAYS cast". Soap Central. Soapcentral.com. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  10. ^ Simms, Richard M. (April 9, 2013). "Jen Lilley Has Moved To Salem!". Soaps In Depth. ABC.soapsindepth.com. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  11. ^ Clifford, Kimbra (April 9, 2013). "Jen Lilley Headed to 'DAYS'". Soap Opera Network. Soapoperanetwork.com. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  12. ^ Bowe, Jillian (April 9, 2013). "Jen Lilley Heads to Days of Our Lives!". Daytime Confidential. Daytimeconfidential.zap2it.com. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  13. ^ a b Fairman, Michael (April 9, 2013). "Jen Lilley Joins The Cast of Days Of Our Lives! But … Who Is She Playing?". On Air On Soaps. Michaelfairmansoaps.com. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  14. ^ a b White-Nobles, Omar (April 9, 2013). "Jen Lilley Cast on 'Days of our Lives'". TV Source Magazine. TVsourcemagazine.com. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  15. ^ Newcomb, Roger (April 9, 2013). "Jen Lilley Joins DAYS OF OUR LIVES". We Love Soaps. Welovesoaps.net. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  16. ^ Purvis, Matt (April 9, 2013). "Days Of Our Lives Casts Jen Lilley". Soaps She Knows. Soaps.com. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  17. ^ "Comings and Goings". Soap Opera Digest (July 9, 2013). 2013.
  18. ^ Brar, Jeevan (July 1, 2013). "Soap News: Kelly Sullivan exits GH while Lisa LoCicero is sticking around – Plus: Jen Lilley debuts on DAYS". MSN Entertainment Canada. Blogs.TV.MSN.ca. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  19. ^ Sloane, Stephanie (July 9, 2013). "Jen Lilley Debuts on DAYS". Soap Opera Digest (via Zinio). Soapoperadigest.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  20. ^ a b Burtt, Kristyn (August 28, 2023). "Exclusive: Jen Lilley's Return to Days of Our Lives as Theresa Takes a Jaw-Dropping Twist". Soaps.com. United States: SHE Media. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  21. ^ Giddens, Jamey (May 28, 2016). "Jen Lilley Quits Days of Our Lives". Daytime Confidential. United States: Confidential Media, Inc. (SAY Media). Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  22. ^ SOD (November 17, 2017). "Exclusive! Jen Lilley Back To DAYS!". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  23. ^ a b Maloney, Michael (January 15, 2018). "Exclusive! Jen Lilley Previews Theresa's Return". Soap Hub. United States. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  24. ^ Fairman, Michael (July 2, 2013). "The Ken Corday Interview – Days of our Lives". On Air On Soaps. Michaelfairmansoaps.com. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  25. ^ a b Barnert, Deanna (July 26, 2013). "Q&A: Jen Lilley of 'Days of Our Lives' gets feisty". MSN Entertainment. Social.entertainment.msn.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  26. ^ a b Di Lauro, Janet. "Theresa Donovan Quick Profile". About. About.com. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  27. ^ Ellie (July 26, 2013). "Daytime Royalty Interview with Jen Lilley". Daytime Royalty. Daytimeroyaltyonline.com. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  28. ^ Logan, Michael (August 17, 2015). "Salem Witch: Jen Lilley Is Raising Hell With Her Wicked Ways on Days of Our Lives". TV Insider. United States: TVGM Holdings, LLC (CBS Interactive). Archived from the original on August 17, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  29. ^ Clifford, Kambra (July 8, 2016). "INTERVIEW: Jen Lilley talks Tate's kidnapping, Thrady romance, DAYS departure". Soapcentral. United States. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  30. ^ Halterman, Jim (June 14, 2018). "Days of Our Lives Star Jen Lilley on Theresa's 'Indecent Proposal' to Brady". TV Insider. United States: TVGM Holdings, Inc. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  31. ^
  32. ^
  33. ^ a b Falcone, Dana Rose (October 3, 2023). "Jen Lilley Calls Days of Our Lives Recast 'Befuddling' but Says Other Actress 'Drew the Shortest Straw' (Exclusive)". People. United States. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  34. ^ Dei Lauro, Janet (October 17, 2023). "DAYS's Emily O'Brien on Taking Over the Role of Theresa". Soap Opera Digest. United States: A360media. ISSN 0164-3584. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  35. ^ "10 Best Soap Opera Storylines of 2013". Daytime Confidental. December 23, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  36. ^ Fairman, Michael (January 25, 2017). "44th Annual Daytime Emmys Drama Performer Pre-Nominations Announced!". On-Air On-Soaps. United States: Michael Fairman Soaps, Inc. Archived from the original on January 25, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
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Notes

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  1. ^ No actors were credited for both the 1996 and 1997 guest appearances, respectively.
  2. ^ In addition to Patsy Pease's portrayal, the role of Kimberly Brady has also been portrayed by actresses Anne Marie Howard (1991–1992) and Ariana Chase (1992–1993).
  1. ^ The role of Jordan Ridgeway was later announced to be cast with former All My Children actress, Chrishell Stause.
  2. ^ During the duration of the soap, the role of Cal was portrayed by actors Wortham Krimmer (1989–90) and Joseph Bottoms (1991).
  3. ^ The role of Belle Black was last portrayed by actress Martha Madison, who portrayed the role from 2004 until 2008; Madison reprised the role in 2015, as part of the soap's fiftieth anniversary celebration. The role was also portrayed by actress Kirsten Storms, for whom Lilley subbed for on General Hospital.
  4. ^ The role of Cassie Brady was portrayed by actress Alexis Thorpe from 2002 to 2005.
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Category:Days of Our Lives characters Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1990 Category:Fictional people in fashion

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