As Days of Our Lives charges into 2026, longtime fans find themselves gripped by a familiar, delicious sense of anticipation. Salem has always been a town

where the past refuses to stay buried, love stories defy logic, and death is rarely the end. Now, whispers from behind the scenes and carefully planted on-screen clues suggest

the possible return of two of the soap’s most powerful and polarizing women: Nicole Walker and Abigail Deveraux. If these rumors prove true, their comebacks

would not merely be nostalgic fan service—they would be seismic events capable of reshaping the very fabric of Days of Our Lives.

Since its debut in 1965, DOOL has thrived on reinvention. Generations of viewers have watched beloved characters disappear, only to return years later with secrets, scars, and unfinished business. Nicole and Abigail embody that tradition perfectly. Their stories are deeply woven into Salem’s history, and their absence has left emotional voids that no new character has fully managed to fill.

Nicole Walker: The Complicated Heart of Salem

Nicole Walker’s departure at the end of 2024 marked the end of an era. After decades of emotional highs and devastating lows, Nicole finally chose peace—leaving Salem alongside Eric Brady to begin a new chapter in Paris. It was a rare moment of quiet closure for a character known for chaos, passion, and survival.

Played for years with fierce vulnerability by Arianne Zucker, Nicole evolved from a scheming outsider into one of the show’s most layered heroines. Her battles for custody, her ill-fated marriages, and her struggles with addiction and self-worth made her one of Days’ most human characters. Nicole was never perfect—but she was always compelling.

Since her exit, Nicole’s presence has lingered like an unresolved melody. Mentions of her life in Paris, particularly through her daughter Holly’s storylines, have kept fans emotionally tethered to her journey. Holly’s 2025 visit to her mother and Eric overseas felt less like a farewell and more like a narrative breadcrumb—one that hinted at future upheaval rather than permanent closure.

Behind the scenes, Nicole’s exit was complicated by real-world controversy, making her potential return all the more charged. Yet soap history is full of reconciliations once thought impossible. If Nicole does return in 2026—even briefly—the impact would be explosive. Her reappearance could fracture Eric’s carefully constructed happiness, reignite old rivalries with figures like EJ DiMera, and plunge Holly into emotional turmoil that reverberates across generations.

A Nicole Walker return would not be subtle. It would be dramatic, emotional, and unapologetically messy—exactly the way Days of Our Lives works best.

Abigail Deveraux: Death Has Never Stopped Her Before

If Nicole’s potential comeback feels dramatic, Abigail Deveraux’s would be downright mythic.

Abigail’s brutal death in 2022 left fans shattered. Stabbed in her own home, the daughter of Salem royalty Jack Deveraux and Jennifer Horton appeared to be gone for good. But in Salem, death is rarely final—it’s an invitation to mystery.

Abigail’s life was defined by complexity. As a journalist, she exposed corruption and secrets that powerful families wanted buried. As a wife and mother, she fought fiercely for her children. As a woman living with dissociative identity disorder, her storyline broke new ground, bringing mental health struggles into the daytime spotlight with rare sensitivity.

Since her death, her absence has haunted Salem. Chad DiMera’s grief remains unresolved. Her children sense something missing. And now, the arrival of Cat Greene—a mysterious woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Abigail—has reignited speculation that her story is far from over.

The timing is significant. Jennifer Horton’s confirmed return to Salem in 2026 feels like more than coincidence. Jennifer’s reappearance opens the door to emotional confrontations, buried truths, and long-awaited answers. If Abigail is alive—whether brainwashed, amnesiac, or resurrected through DiMera science—it would be one of the most emotionally charged arcs Days has attempted in years.

Trailers teasing shadowy figures, cryptic dialogue about the dead walking among the living, and constant references to Abigail’s memory suggest deliberate foreshadowing. Days of Our Lives does not plant seeds without intention.

Why These Returns Matter Now

The potential return of both Nicole and Abigail comes at a crucial moment for Days of Our Lives. As the series continues its life on streaming, audience engagement depends on serialized storytelling that rewards long-term viewers while still inviting new ones in.

Nicole and Abigail represent two pillars of the show’s identity: redemption and resurrection. Nicole’s arc speaks to second chances, flawed humanity, and the enduring pull of love. Abigail’s journey explores family legacy, trauma, and the fragile line between life and death. Together, their stories encapsulate everything Days does best.

From a ratings perspective, their returns would generate instant buzz. Social media campaigns, fan petitions, and convention chatter already reflect overwhelming demand. More importantly, these characters bring emotional history—something no newcomer can replicate.

A Turning Point for Salem

If 2026 truly marks the return of Nicole Walker and Abigail Deveraux, Days of Our Lives could be entering one of its most powerful eras in recent memory. Their reappearances would reignite old feuds, deepen family conflicts, and restore emotional weight to long-running storylines.

Salem has always been a town built on the past colliding with the present. Bringing back two of its most iconic women wouldn’t just honor that tradition—it would redefine it.