Daytime Icons Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn to Return to Days of our Lives

LOS ANGELES, July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "Days of our Lives," NBC's longest-running scripted television series, embarks on a new era of romance by bringing back two of its most beloved characters, Deidre Hall ("Marlena Evans") and Drake Hogestyn ("John Black"). Deidre has starred as the adored Dr. Marlena Evans on the show for 35 of its 45 years and is recognized as one of the biggest icons of daytime television, while Drake has appeared alongside her for 25 years as half of one of the biggest super-couples in soap opera history. Together the two have had four weddings, raised a family together, and survived paralysis, amnesia, false deaths, and mind-control, all while representing the idea that true love and family conquers all.

Executive Producer Ken Corday has promised to refocus efforts on romance and core family values and initiated its transformation with the appointment of a new head writing team, Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas, and a new executive producing team, Greg Meng and Noel Maxam. The new direction includes telling more contemporary stories based on the solid foundation of the "Days" history of family, romance, and drama.  Ken Corday commented on the renaissance of the show, "We are thrilled that Deidre and Drake are rejoining the show. I know their return will excite loyal fans and intrigue new viewers. We are gearing up for some amazing cast surprises and guest stars visiting Salem in the fall, launching a grand event airing on September 26th.

Hall and Hogestyn have remained a part of the "Days family" by participating in the ten-city book tour for "Days of our Lives 45 Years A Celebration in Photos," a photo book authored by Meng that celebrates the show's historic 45 years on television. "At every stop on the book tour, families of fans told us how much Marlena and John meant to them," commented Greg Meng.

"Days" will reset in the fall with a huge event and the arrival of many surprises in Salem. The occasion promises to be a historical one, filled with reunions, surprises, mystery, and tragedy. Incredible… even by daytime drama standards.

About "Days of our Lives"

Celebrating its 45th year on the air in November, 2010, NBC's "Days of our Lives" has garnered numerous Emmy Awards and nominations, as well as multiple Soap Opera Digest and People's Choice Awards. The show's success derives from its consistent commitment to excellence in writing and storytelling, the support of a diverse ensemble of performers, and an uncanny knack for anticipating viewer interests.  "Days of our Lives" is produced by Corday Productions, Inc., in association with Sony Pictures Television.

About Corday Productions

Corday Productions, Inc., is an independent production company known for producing "Days of our Lives," the daytime drama that appears Monday through Friday in the United States on the NBC Television Network. Since 1985, Ken Corday has been the President of Corday Productions and Executive Producer of "Days of our Lives," overseeing the full-time, day-to-day running of the show. Under Ken Corday's leadership, "Days of our Lives" has taken on daring storylines and won numerous awards for its writing, acting, and production quality. In addition to airing weekdays on the NBC network, "Days of our Lives" is broadcast weeknights via cable on SOAPnet and episodes are also offered via iTunes. "Days of our Lives" is distributed to international audiences in Canada, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. Corday Productions is actively involved in developing innovative reality and scripted programs for broadcast and cable television and the next generation of television media.

About NBC Entertainment:

NBC Entertainment develops and schedules programming for the network's primetime, late-night, and daytime schedules. NBC's quality programs and balanced lineup have earned the network critical acclaim, numerous awards, and ratings success. NBC has earned more Emmy Awards than any network in television history.  NBC's roster of popular scripted series includes such critically acclaimed comedies Emmy winners as "The Office" and "30 Rock," starring Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey.  Veteran, award-winning dramas on NBC include "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Chuck." Unscripted series for NBC include the new vocal competition hit "The Voice" as well as the popular "The Biggest Loser," "The Celebrity Apprentice" and "America's Got Talent."  NBC's late-night story is highlighted by "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "Last Call with Carson Daly" and "Saturday Night Live." NBC Daytime's "Days of our Lives" consistently finishes among daytime's top programs in the valuable women 18-34 category.  On Saturday mornings, the network broadcasts Qubo on NBC, a three-hour block that features fun, entertaining, and educational programming for kids, including the award-winning, 3-D animated series Veggie Tales.

About Sony Pictures Television

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers.  It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform:   broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution.  In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms.  Internationally, SPT is a leader in local language productions around the world, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats in approximately 70 countries.  To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 120 channel feeds, which are available in more than 142 countries reaching more than 500 million households worldwide.  SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle.  Additionally, SPT owns Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic, production company Embassy Row and Sony Movie Channel, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, new 3D channel 3net, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc.  SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States.  SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

SOURCE Days of our Lives