Days of our lives spoilers: RUMOR! James Scott comeback to DOOL and takes on a very interesting role
Rumors are swirling in the world of Days of Our Lives, igniting speculation and excitement among longtime fans.
The latest buzz suggests that James Scott, the actor who famously portrayed EJ DiMera from 2006 to 2014, may be returning to Salem — but not in the way viewers might expect.
While Scott’s portrayal of EJ made him a fan-favorite, defined by his electric chemistry with Alison Sweeney’s Sami Brady and his mastery of EJ’s morally complex character, whispers now hint at something even more shocking: the possibility that Scott could return not as EJ, but as Stefano DiMera, the infamous Phoenix himself.
Stefano, originally played by the legendary Joseph Mascolo, was the heart and soul of DiMera villainy, known for his cunning, resilience, and ability to rise from the ashes again and again.
With Mascolo’s passing in 2016, many believed Stefano’s story had ended — but Days is a soap opera where the impossible happens, and recent summer 2025 teasers have fanned the flames of a potential resurrection. A cryptic line from Rafe referencing Stefano’s “Phoenix-like” legacy has only fueled the speculation.
What makes the theory even more compelling is the show’s history of wild twists, including body-swaps, possession, cloning, and even a storyline in which Stefano’s essence inhabited Steve Johnson’s body.
If the writers repeat that formula, placing Stefano’s consciousness into EJ’s body — portrayed once again by James Scott — it would offer a thrilling and full-circle twist, reviving a legacy while adding new layers of psychological intrigue.
Scott, known for delivering emotional depth and magnetic villainy, could embody a version of Stefano that’s younger, sharper, and perhaps even more dangerous.
His familiarity with the show’s tone, cast, and DiMera family dynamic gives him a unique advantage that other actors simply don’t have. However, there’s one major obstacle: Scott’s own reluctance to return.
In a 2020 Instagram comment and interviews, Scott stated clearly that he had no intention of returning to Days of Our Lives or acting in Hollywood, having shifted his focus to a personal wellness business called The Whisper Within.
His departure from acting was firm and introspective, and many fans have come to terms with his decision. Still, in the unpredictable world of soaps, “never” rarely means never — and legacy roles like Stefano don’t come around often.
Fans across social media platforms like Reddit and X have expressed longing for Scott’s return, with many believing he is the only one capable of bringing new life to Stefano without disrespecting Mascolo’s iconic legacy.
Should Days successfully entice Scott back, it could redefine the DiMera family and set up emotionally explosive storylines involving Sami, Chad, Kristen, and others. The visual of Sami facing EJ’s body with Stefano’s mind inside it could be one of the most heartbreaking and intense arcs in recent memory.
While other names have been floated as potential Stefanos — such as Vincent Irizarry or Anders Hove — none carry the emotional and narrative weight that Scott does.
Bringing back Stefano isn’t just about a single character; it’s about restoring the dark heart of Days of Our Lives and honoring its legacy as the show celebrates 60 years on air.
Whether or not James Scott returns remains to be seen, but the mere possibility has reignited fan passion and speculation. And in Salem, where the dead don’t always stay dead and nothing is ever as it seems, the Phoenix may very well rise again — perhaps in a form we never imagined.
