Drake Hogestyn back to work at DAYS

Drake Hogestyn back to work at DAYS

Salem's superspy, John Black, will soon be back in town. Long-time fan favorite Drake Hogestyn has reported back to work at Days of our Lives. The actor made his first DAYS appearance in 1986.

The Days of our Lives canvas has been quite full in recent weeks, but there's been one character who has been conspicuous by his absence: John Black. But that, according to a published report, is about to change.

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Drake Hogestyn (John Black) returned to the DAYS studio today. It's been four months since the actor's last appearance. Fans may need to temper some of their enthusiasm for at least a little while longer; the DAYS production schedule tapes so far in advance that it means Hogestyn won't return on-screen until early 2014.

"I consider him one of the iconic characters in Salem and someone who can come and go because John Black is a superspy, know all-do all," DAYS executive producer Ken Corday told Digest in August. "It is very possible that by the end of the year or the turn of the year, you will see him again."

Hogestyn made his first appearance as John in January 1986. In 2008, the soap world was stunned when Hogestyn and his on-screen love interest, Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) were fired from the show. Shockingly, despite the loss of their combined star power, DAYS' ratings were not negatively impacted. Both Hall and Hogestyn returned to DAYS three years later.

A Days of our Lives rep was not immediately available for comment on Hogestyn's return.

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