Emily O’Brien Returns to Days of Our Lives as Refined Gwen Rizczech

Emily O'Brien is set to return to Days of Our Lives on July 8, reprising her original role as Gwen Rizczech after previously playing Theresa Donovan. Gwen left Salem heartbroken in October 2023 after discovering her husband Dimitri's affair with Leo Stark, but has since returned as a more refined and wealthy character, having gained knowledge and status from time spent with elite circles. O'Brien expressed her enthusiasm for returning to Gwen, describing the character as scrappy and always seeking love, although now financially stable and more sophisticated. During her break from the show, O'Brien focused on personal projects and voice acting for animation and video games, also completing Theresa's storyline following the character's imprisonment. The writers have evolved Gwen's persona, introducing new dynamics with other characters in Salem, making her comeback a fresh twist for the series. O'Brien also praised her experience playing Theresa, highlighting the natural chemistry with fellow cast members Robert Scott Wilson and Eric Martsolf.