Lately on Days of our Lives, Marlena has been haunted by unsettling dreams that seem to hint at something darker on the horizon — possibly even the return of The Phoenix himself, Stefano DiMera. They have hinted at her time as the Queen of the Night, when Stefano used hypnosis and mind-altering drugs on her, leaving her vulnerable to demonic possession. And now, Deidre Hall herself is reflecting on that wild storyline and what it meant, both for her and the audience, in a new interview.
Her Full Commitment
Hall appeared on New York Living to talk about DOOL and its landmark 60th anniversary. She explained that when she first heard about the possession story, she had her doubts, but she was quickly convinced it would work if handled with care. “My only request was ‘Do it tastefully. Do it well,” she said, adding that the writers really did manage to ground the supernatural twist in a way that fit the tone of the show.
She also revealed how she learned about the storyline, recalling that she was called upstairs and told directly that she would be the one possessed by the devil. “We had Christmas trees catching fire, things happening, and they called me upstairs, and I thought, ‘That’s never a good sign.’” While the concept stunned her at the time, she gave it her full commitment, and the results became one of the defining arcs of her career. (Revisit the time Marlena’s possession returned.)
Enduring Legacy and Family Bonds
Hall praised those hard workers behind the scenes for the show’s longevity. “My opinion: a lot of people doing a lot of things right.” She also praised the fanbase for being there through thick and thin. Calling the viewers “the most loyal fans in the world,” Hall further stated that the support contributed to an evolution “from where you started to where you are now.”
For Hall, the connection runs deeper than just storylines — she emphasized that the cast and crew feel like true family, especially when rallying together through loss, such as the recent passing of long-time co-star Drake Hogestyn (John).
As Marlena’s current dreams spark speculation about what’s next, Hall’s look back at her most shocking storyline is a reminder that in Salem, anything — even possession — is possible.
This story was originally reported on Soap Hub on October 2, 2025. Add Soap Hub as a Preferred Source by clicking here.