DAYS casts Vanessa Williams as historic character Valerie Grant

Days of our Lives has cast Melrose Place alum Vanessa Williams as the new Valerie Grant.

Long-ago Days of our Lives history will soon come alive again with the return of historic and, at the time, somewhat controversial character Valerie Grant. The role originated by Tina Andrews will now be played by Melrose Place, The Flash, and Soul Food alum Vanessa Williams.

And to avoid any confusion, this is not the Grammy-winning singer and former Miss America Vanessa Williams.

As previously reported, DAYS began the search in April for a "gorgeous African American" to play the role of the doctor, described in the casting breakdown as a woman with courage and perseverance. Deadline reports the soap found its perfect match in Williams, who will first air as the now well-respected cardiologist on October 25 and will be involved in storyline with Valerie's ex Abe (James Reynolds) and his son Theo (Kyler Pettis).

Longtime fans of the NBC soap opera may remember that Valerie (also played by Rose Fonseca and Diana Sommerfield) had a romance with Julie's (Susan Seaforth Hayes) son, David Banning (Richard Guthrie). The pair became famous for being DAYS' very first interracial couple but were later were forced to split up due to real-life racism, according to an interview Guthrie gave in 1977.

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Andrews, who played the role from 1975 to 1977, reports that she was not approached to reprise the role.

What do you think about DAYS casting Vanessa Williams in the role of Valerie Grant? What do you remember, if anything, about the long-ago character? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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