For more than six decades, Days of Our Lives has mastered the art of the jaw-dropping comeback. Just when viewers think Salem has exhausted every possible twist,

the show delivers a return so emotionally charged it reshapes the canvas overnight. Now, as 2026 begins, Days is preparing to unleash one of its most talked-about revivals in years—one

that has fans buzzing, speculating, and bracing themselves for impact. After a long and nerve-wracking absence, Judy Evans is officially returning to Days of Our Lives,

reprising her unforgettable role as Bonnie Kiriakis. The news has sent shockwaves through the fandom, not only because of Bonnie’s turbulent history, but because of the dramatic circumstances that forced her off-screen in the first place.

This is not a quiet return. It is a full-blown Salem earthquake.

A Comeback Years in the Making

Bonnie Kiriakis vanished from Salem following one of the most harrowing storylines in recent Days history. In early 2025, viewers watched in horror as Bonnie plunged down an elevator shaft during the chaotic “Body & Soul” storyline. The fall left her critically injured, hovering between life and death, and plunged her loved ones—especially husband Justin Kiriakis—into despair.

Although Bonnie survived, her recovery played out mostly off-screen, leaving fans to wonder if they had seen the last of her. Judy Evans’ prolonged absence fueled speculation that the character might never fully return, particularly after the devastating loss of Adrienne Johnson years earlier.

Now, those fears have been put to rest.

Bonnie is coming home—and she’s bringing unfinished business with her.

Judy Evans: A Soap Icon Returns to Center Stage

To understand why this return matters so deeply, one must understand the legacy of Judy Evans. Few actresses in daytime television have built a résumé as rich, varied, and emotionally resonant as hers.

Evans first rose to prominence in the early 1980s as Beth Raines on Guiding Light, a role that earned her a Daytime Emmy Award at just 20 years old. Her portrayal of Beth—raw, vulnerable, and fearless—cemented her as one of the most gifted performers of her generation.

When she joined Days of Our Lives in 1986 as Adrienne Johnson, Evans created one of the show’s most beloved heroines. Adrienne’s epic love story with Justin Kiriakis became a cornerstone of Days history, defined by passion, perseverance, and heartbreak. Even Adrienne’s tragic death in 2020 left a lasting emotional scar on the audience.

Yet Evans’ brilliance didn’t end there.

Her portrayal of Bonnie—Adrienne’s polar opposite—revealed her extraordinary range. Where Adrienne was grounded and sincere, Bonnie was outrageous, scheming, funny, and endlessly unpredictable. Over time, Bonnie evolved from comic relief into a deeply layered character capable of heartbreak, loyalty, and surprising growth.

Bonnie Kiriakis: Survivor, Schemer, Icon

Bonnie’s journey through Salem has been anything but straightforward. Introduced as a struggling single mother with a talent for manipulation, Bonnie clawed her way through life using charm, deception, and sheer survival instinct. She lied, blackmailed, impersonated, and occasionally redeemed herself—often within the same storyline.

Her impersonation of Adrienne Johnson remains one of Days’ most audacious plots, allowing Judy Evans to play dual roles with stunning precision. What began as a con gradually transformed into a story about identity, guilt, and redemption, ultimately leading Bonnie to form genuine bonds within the Kiriakis family.

By the time Adrienne was killed off, Bonnie had earned her place in Salem—not as a replacement, but as a fully realized character with her own legacy.

That made her elevator fall all the more devastating.

The Elevator Fall That Changed Everything

The January 2025 elevator disaster was classic Days of Our Lives: shocking, cinematic, and emotionally brutal. One moment Bonnie was chasing opportunity; the next, she was plummeting into darkness as her loved ones watched helplessly.

The fallout was immediate and intense. Justin was shattered. Alex was wracked with guilt. Questions swirled about whether the fall was truly an accident or something far more sinister. Salem was left haunted by the possibility that Bonnie might never recover.

Although Bonnie eventually awakened, her injuries—and the emotional trauma—forced her off the canvas, leaving a void that fans felt deeply.

The Shocking Return — And Bad News Awaiting Her

Bonnie’s return during the week of January 5, 2026, is anything but joyful. Almost immediately, she is confronted with devastating news delivered by none other than Kate Roberts, portrayed by Lauren Koslow.

Kate, a woman who knows a thing or two about survival and ruthless pragmatism, reportedly brings information that could shatter Bonnie’s fragile sense of stability. Insiders hint that the bombshell may be tied to Bonnie’s latest creative endeavor—a script or manuscript titled A Rainy Afternoon.

Is Bonnie’s story being exploited? Has her past caught up with her in a dangerous new way? Or has someone in Salem weaponized her words for their own agenda?

Whatever the truth, the revelation threatens to upend Bonnie’s hard-won peace—and possibly her marriage to Justin.

What Bonnie’s Return Means for Salem

Bonnie’s presence injects a volatile mix of humor, heart, and unpredictability back into Days of Our Lives. Her return opens the door to multiple storylines: unresolved trauma from the elevator fall, lingering mysteries about sabotage, tension within the Kiriakis family, and the possibility that Bonnie’s personal story could expose secrets powerful people want buried.

More importantly, Bonnie’s comeback reinforces one of Days’ most enduring themes: resilience.

Like the actress who portrays her, Bonnie Kiriakis has fallen—and risen—more times than anyone can count. Her return is not just a plot twist; it’s a statement about survival, second chances, and the enduring power of legacy characters to drive emotional storytelling.

 Return Fans Won’t Soon Forget

As Days of Our Lives moves beyond its landmark 60th anniversary, the series is leaning into what it does best: honoring its past while boldly reinventing its future. Judy Evans’ return as Bonnie Kiriakis is a masterstroke—one that promises laughter, heartbreak, confrontation, and perhaps redemption.

Salem won’t be the same now that Bonnie is back.

And judging by fan reaction, viewers wouldn’t have it any other way.