Deidre Hall Opens Up About Marlena’s Future on DAYS — And It May Surprise Fans
Soap Hub’s Alina Adams caught up with Deidre Hall (Marlena) at the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame Awards in New York City, where Days of our Lives was honored with the Iconic Show Award.
The actress reflected on her decades as Salem’s guiding light, the loss of her longtime on-screen partner, and what she hopes lies ahead for Marlena — an answer that may surprise fans.
Marlena’s Legacy
For nearly 50 years, Deidre Hall has been synonymous with DAYS. Her character has lived through some of the soap’s most unforgettable moments — shocking deaths, fan revolts, supernatural possessions, and deeply human stories about love and family.
Asked what it’s been like to embody Marlena through so many eras, Hall gave credit where she feels it’s due.
“It always comes down to the writing,” she said. “If it’s not on the page, it can’t be magic. And you can’t make something out of something that isn’t there. I’m always grateful to our writers. They seem to like her a lot. They write her interesting things. And they put her in complex situations.”
Life Without John
One question many fans wanted to know: how has Hall adjusted to playing Marlena without her iconic partner, John Black (Drake Hogestyn, who passed away)? The actress admitted she doesn’t let herself dwell on the absence.
“There were so many days that I came to work that I wasn’t working with him,” she explained. “And now, it just sort of feels like, oh, he’s not here today. He’s not working today. And that’s as deeply as I let myself go.”
What’s Next for Marlena
When it comes to Marlena’s future, fans might expect Hall to push for another larger-than-life storyline — perhaps another supernatural twist or a sweeping romance. But her hopes are much simpler.
“More time with her family. More time with her granddaughter. More time with Belle. More time with Brady,” Hall shared.
“I think we’re all in a hungry place for family. Obviously, with all that’s going on in the world. We miss our support team and we miss our comfort. And so, I hope it’s a lot about family.”
Her words may surprise viewers accustomed to Marlena battling demons — both literal and figurative. But for Hall, the most powerful drama now comes from strengthening bonds with loved ones, something she believes resonates even more deeply in today’s world.
An Icon Honored
Hall’s reflections came on a milestone night for Days of our Lives, as the show was celebrated with the Iconic Show Award at the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame gala. With Marlena at the heart of the soap for decades, Hall’s vision of family-first storytelling may just be the grounding force fans didn’t realize they needed. Check out the interview below.
