Days of our Lives' Eric Martsolf welcomes Alice Halsey as Salem's brand-new Rachel

Days of our Lives fans were surprised earlier this year when news broke that Finley Rose Slater had departed the role of Rachel Black and Alice Halsey would make her debut as Kristen and Brady's daughter on April 24.

It turns out Eric Martsolf was also surprised when he learned the news, but he eventually understood why the casting change was made.

Rachel Black is growing up

Halsey bursts onto the Salem scene at the big University Hospital carnival that kicks off a new head writing era on DAYS, with Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford's work finally streaming on Peacock. With the head writing change comes a change in Rachel, the character, which Martsold realized called for an actress change.

"Honestly, at first, I deeply questioned why she was being recast," Martsolf told Soap Opera Digest. "I thought Finley just did a terrific job while she was here. She brought a spiciness and a rebellious flavor to the character that I just thought was lovely."

However, when he began working with Halsey and saw how Rachel was now being written, it all became clear.

"We tend to make big jumps when it comes to soaps," Martsolf added. "Take Tate — he was eight, and now he’s 18...I think it was time for Rachel to just grow up a little bit, and with her increase in age has come an increase of storyline."

A Days of our Lives chip off the old block

Rachel Black has been quite the precocious and rebellious young lady over the last few years. She is even a seasoned kidnapper at this point, just like her mother, Kristen. Both Kristen and Brady have tried to keep their daughter on the straight and narrow, but that's been easier said than done.

With a new actress in the role, Martsolf expects big things and has offered nothing but praise for 10-year-old Halsey.

"She’s extremely good," Martsolf said. "Quite honestly, I was really blown away. We’re all taking acting tips from this little girl. She is seasoned."

Halsey introduced herself to DAYS fans in an Instagram video on April 22, telling us how much she loves bringing Rachel to life.

"I did not know a lot about my character before I entered the show," she said. "But already it's been super-duper fun and I'm having such a great time."

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