Days of Our Lives sets the stage for John’s emotional farewell with one last adventure

Drake Hogestyn has been an integral part of the Days of Our Lives. He played John Black in this soap opera for over 38 years. Last year, he lost his life to pancreatic cancer at age 70, according to Deadline.

Before this unfortunate incident, he had approved the final scenes of his beloved character, which included John's death and his funeral. The show has set the stage for an emotional farewell with one last adventure.

The recent development in John's arc leads to a mystery about his disappearance. So, as his final episode comes close, it becomes an emotional affair for his co-stars as well.

When speaking with Soaps.com about these changes, Martha Madison (Belle Black) says,

“This is just the beginning of a sort of adventure/mystery trying to find John. It puts Marlena more into the hero position, looking to go off and find answers about her husband. ‘Where is he? What’s happening? Is he safe?’”

When speaking about the show and John's farewell arc, she further adds,

“I just think this whole year of shows that are coming up it’s going to remind the world of classic soap opera storytelling...You’re supposed to feel an array of emotions and can’t wait to tune in the next day, and I think that’s reallywhat’s on the way.”

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Days of Our Lives: John Black's farewell arc will pay tribute to Drake Hogestyn’s legacy

Drake Hogestyn initially appeared in Days of Our Lives in 1986 as John Black. He starred in over 4,200 episodes in this role, which won over the audiences. Now, the NBC soap is celebrating his legacy with John's farewell arc while reminding fans why John, Marlena, and Steve’s bond remains iconic with their adventure days.

When speaking with Soap Opera Digest in November 2024, Days of Our Lives executive producer Ken Corday revealed the process behind the same.

“We were rolling the dice because it’s difficult to tell a story of someone’s death or a character’s death while the actor is still alive. And I made the choice to, ‘OK, let’s tell the story.’ He hadn’t been on [Days of Our Lives] in nine months. We needed a reason [for John’s absence]."

He further added,

“Had Drake, God willing, beaten this, he would’ve come back, and it would’ve been something different,” he continued.“But [the story] had to be told. It was extremely difficult and painful for us to tell it — for the cast, for everybody. Drake was a big part of the show. The consummate actor.”

At the time, Stephen Nichols mentioned that the emotional farewell scenes were “the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”.