1998 ‘Days of Our Lives' Departure Ended a Record-Breaking Run of Six Distinct Roles That Changed Daytime TV Forever
On this day in 1998, Eileen Davidson final appearance in her original five-year run as Kristen Blake-DiMera on Days of Our Lives.
Davidson joined the soap in 1993 as social worker Kristen Blake. After Kristen was saved from a mugging by John Black (Drake Hogestyn), she was grateful, until she learned his identity and that he was the longtime rival of her father, Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo). Although Kristen tried to keep her distance, Alice Horton (Frances Reid) helped bring the pair together at the Horton cabin, where they fell in love.
Their romance faced constant obstacles, including Kristen's complicated marriage to Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis). Believing John belonged with Marlena, Kristen honored Stefano's ‘dying wish' and married Tony after learning Belle was John's biological daughter, not Roman Brady's (Wayne Northrop).
Kristen's marriage to Tony eventually ended, allowing her to reunite with John. Believing a medical issue may leave her infertile, Kristen rushed to start a family with him, and the couple conceived a child, which would change the trajectory of their lives forever.
Things quickly change for the couple again, when Marlena was kidnapped by Stefano and taken to Paris. Kristen followed along in the search for Marlena, but after an unexpected explosion killed Kristen's mother Rachel Blake and injured her, Kristen secretly lost the baby John believed they were expecting.
Stefano then orchestrated one of the soap's most infamous twists: hiring a pregnant woman to impersonate Kristen and hand over her newborn as Kristen and John's child. That woman was Susan Banks, launching Davidson's fan-favorite multi-role era.
In a February 1997 interview with TV Guide, Davidson explained that she was originally supposed to leave, revealing, "My contract was up in April, and I've extended it for a few more months because they wanted to go with the story a little bit more. You know Jim Reilly. I wouldn't put anything past that man. Anything could happen. I mean, it would be fantastic if Susan just takes over Kristen's life."
During the storyline, Davidson also played the role of Sister Mary Moira Banks, Penelope Kent, and their brother Thomas Banks, for a total of six distinct parts.
Kristen's lies were eventually exposed. Susan ultimately traded Kristen's freedom for her own, while Kristen famously screamed "No!" after realizing Marlena and John had once again reunited and would live happily ever after.
After leaving Days, Davidson returned to The Young and the Restless as Ashley Abbott. Years of fan speculation ended in 2012 when she reprised her Kristen once again.
Davidson exited again in 2015, later returning for appearances in 2017, as well as the spinoffs Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem and Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas.
The role was later recast with Stacy Haiduk taking over as Kristen and Susan. Haiduk has since earned two Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama series.
Recent reports indicate the role of Kristen will once again be rested, with Haiduk expected to leave at the end of this year.
Days of Our Lives streams weekdays on Peacock.
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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 1:42 PM.