For decades, Days of Our Lives has been more than just a soap opera. It has been a living, breathing chronicle of love, betrayal, resilience, and redemption, told through the unforgettable characters of Salem.

And among those beloved figures, few have captured hearts quite like those portrayed by the incomparable Judi Evans. But now, fans are reeling from the shocking update:

Judi Evans has officially departed Days of Our Lives as of August 2025, marking the end of an era. The news comes as both a heartbreak and a turning point for longtime viewers

who have watched Evans bring two of Salem’s most iconic women to life—Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis and her mischievous doppelgänger Bonnie Lockhart. With her departure, Salem loses not just a character, but an entire legacy of warmth, chaos, and emotional resonance.

A Soap Opera Titan

To understand the gravity of this moment, one must first reflect on Judi Evans’s extraordinary career. A powerhouse talent from the start, Evans made waves in the soap world at just 19 years old, winning a Daytime Emmy for her portrayal of Beth Raines on Guiding Light. Her unique blend of vulnerability and steel made her a natural fit for the high-stakes world of daytime drama.

In 1986, Evans stepped into the role that would define her for generations of fans—Adrienne Johnson, the resilient, tender-hearted woman who stole Justin Kiriakis’s heart. Their love story became one of Days’ most iconic romances, complete with a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding that still lives on in fan memory. Adrienne’s mix of strength and fragility gave audiences someone to root for through the betrayals, the feuds, and the endless Salem storms.

But Evans wasn’t done yet. In a stunning display of versatility, she also embodied Adrienne’s polar opposite: Bonnie Lockhart. Where Adrienne was a symbol of quiet strength, Bonnie was a scheming whirlwind of trouble—unpredictable, outrageous, yet ultimately lovable. Few actresses could shift so seamlessly between heartfelt drama and comedic chaos, but Evans managed it with ease, cementing her reputation as a soap legend.

The Shocking Exit

Rumors of Evans’s departure first surfaced in mid-2025, when eagle-eyed fans began noticing Bonnie and Justin’s dwindling screen time. In Salem, absence is rarely accidental—it often signals a looming goodbye. By August, speculation became reality: Judi Evans had wrapped her time on Days of Our Lives.

For many fans, the exit felt abrupt, even cruel. After decades of storytelling, to lose both Adrienne and now Bonnie leaves a gaping hole in Salem’s tapestry. Social media exploded with reactions, with hashtags like #SaveBonnie and #JudiEvansForever trending as fans expressed both devastation and gratitude.

“Salem won’t be the same without her,” one fan wrote. Another declared, “Bonnie brought joy, laughter, and chaos—she made us feel everything. Thank you, Judi.”

Adrienne and Bonnie: A Tale of Two Legacies

Part of what makes Evans’s departure so painful is the magnitude of the characters she leaves behind. Adrienne’s tragic death in 2020, the result of a controversial car accident storyline, was already a heavy blow. Fans mourned deeply, feeling robbed of a character who had been a cornerstone for over three decades. Evans herself admitted she was blindsided by the decision, though she found solace in continuing on as Bonnie.

Bonnie Lockhart, meanwhile, became Salem’s unpredictable spark. From her harebrained schemes to her unlikely romance with Justin, she brought levity in the darkest storylines. Yet even Bonnie faced brushes with mortality. Her harrowing fall down an elevator shaft left Evans terrified she was about to lose another character.

“I panicked,” Evans admitted in a candid interview. “I cried. I thought, ‘They’re killing me off again.’”

Though Bonnie survived that ordeal, her sporadic appearances in recent months hinted at a possible phase-out. Now, with Evans’s official departure, it seems those fears were not unfounded.

The Emotional Toll

For Evans, leaving Days is more than just the end of a job—it’s the conclusion of a decades-long emotional journey. She has spoken openly about the strain of embodying both Adrienne and Bonnie, two women who demanded not just technical skill but raw vulnerability.

“The highs and lows of these characters mirrored so much of life,” Evans once said. “I laughed with them, I cried with them. They became part of me.”

That deep connection explains why her fans feel such a profound sense of loss. Judi Evans didn’t just play characters; she lived them. Every tear Adrienne shed, every scheme Bonnie concocted, carried the authenticity of an actress who poured her soul into her craft.

Fans in Turmoil

As word of Evans’s exit spread, Days of Our Lives fans flocked to social media to share memories, tributes, and their heartbreak. Some lamented the show’s apparent shift toward younger storylines at the expense of veteran characters. Others pleaded with producers to reconsider, hoping that Bonnie’s story wasn’t finished just yet.

“I can’t believe Salem without Adrienne or Bonnie,” wrote one devastated viewer. Another reflected, “Judi Evans was the heartbeat of Days. She gave us history, comedy, and heart. Thank you, Judi, for everything.”

The possibility that Wally Kurth’s Justin may also fade from the canvas has compounded fans’ fears. Justin and Adrienne’s romance—and later Justin’s bond with Bonnie—was a bedrock of the show. To lose both together feels, for many, like the end of an era.

What This Means for Salem

The absence of Evans will be felt deeply in Salem. Bonnie brought a chaotic energy that balanced the weight of the darker storylines. Adrienne embodied the soul of family and resilience. Without them, Days risks losing some of its emotional depth and comedic spark.

Yet, soap operas thrive on reinvention. Could Bonnie be recast? Could Adrienne resurface in some twist of Salem fate? Fans know better than to rule anything out entirely. But for now, Evans’s official departure signals a profound shift in the landscape of Days of Our Lives.

A Legacy That Endures

Whatever the future holds for Salem, one truth remains unshakable: Judi Evans’s legacy is permanent. From her Emmy-winning beginnings to her unforgettable double roles, she has given daytime television some of its most memorable moments. Her work has transcended simple entertainment, becoming part of the very fabric of Days.

As fans mourn her exit, they also celebrate the gift of her performances—performances that brought laughter, tears, and unforgettable storytelling to millions of living rooms across the world.

A Bittersweet Goodbye

And so, as of August 2025, Salem says farewell to Judi Evans. But in true Days of Our Lives fashion, the goodbye feels less like an ending and more like a bittersweet pause. After all, in Salem, no door is ever fully closed, no goodbye ever truly final.

For now, fans can only reflect with gratitude, remembering Adrienne’s grace, Bonnie’s chaos, and the extraordinary actress who gave them both life. Judi Evans may have left the canvas, but her spirit will linger in Salem forever.

Because in the world of Days of Our Lives, legends never truly leave—they simply become part of the heartbeat of the story.