‘Days of Our Lives’ (DOOL) spoilers find that after a seven-year absence, EJ DiMera is finally back in Salem. Sure, he looks a little different and though we’ve barely heard a peep from him yet, we know portrayer, Dan Feuerriegel is Australian so he might sound a little different too.
‘Days of Our Lives’ Spoilers: But EJ DiMera is back!
While fans wait with baited-breath to see if he can fill the enormous shoes James Scott left behind, Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) and DOOL head writer, Ron Carlivati has promised that Feuerriegel has the goods.
Carlivati assured fans that recasting the role after Scott’s impressive run from 2006-14 wasn’t a task taken lightly. Increasingly though, as Sami spent more and more time in Salem, it became necessary to continue EJ’s story, starting with exploring EJ and Sami’s marriage.
‘Days of Our Lives’ Spoilers: EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) Is Officially Back!
After a search almost as extensive as Sami’s as she searched the world for her supposedly dead husband, the Aussie actor was tapped to play the fan favorite part.
“I wasn’t there for the auditions in person, but I watched it virtually,” Carlivati explained to Soap Opera Digest. He went on to discuss how not only did Feuerriegel gel well with the other actors on set, the screen test between he and Sweeney exceeded everyone’s expectations.
“Dan just brought a lot. He brought the attitude, which is what we were looking for in EJ. And an accent, which also helps”
While Carlivati hopes audiences will respond well to Feuerriegel, Sweeney assured fans that her new on-screen husband will ‘wow’.
Admittedly apprehensive to start when she heard there would be a new actor in the role,
Sweeney’s biggest concern was falling back into the EJami relationship, seven years later, and with a different scene partner.
“It was actually really complicated for me returning to the ‘EJami’ storyline without James,” she reflected. “It felt sort of overwhelming to try to tackle it with someone new, someone I’d literally met for five minutes.”
Ordinarily actors would get to know each other as their characters fell in love- but it was straight into the deep end for Sweeney and Feuerriegel.
“Dan has been fantastic,” Sweeney sighed with relief. “I’ve really enjoyed working with him. He clearly understood the importance of the task ahead.”
Though it hasn’t all been serious on set. Sweeney laughed as she recalled filling the new EJ in on all his past hi-jinx and relationships. “I didn’t want to overwhelm him by telling him too much all at once. I mean, it’s a lot to take in!”
Ultimately, Sweeney has no reservations about Feuerriegel taking over the iconic bad-guy-gone-almost-good role, saying, “I know he’s going to give the fans the EJ they have been missing.”
How do you feel about welcoming a new EJ into your television? Let us know in the comments below and watch Days of Our Lives, weekdays on NBC to see Feuerriegel’s take on the classic part!
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