| Theresa Donovan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Days of Our Lives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Hannah Taylor Simmons (1990–91) Emily and Alicia Pillatzke (1991–92) Caitlin Wachs (1992) Gabriella Massari (1992) Jen Lilley (2013–16, 2018, 2023) Emily O'Brien (2023-24) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current status | Former; Contract | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1990–92, 1996–97, 2013–16, 2018, 2023-24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | September 3, 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | August 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cause/reason | Sent to prison | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Created by | Richard J. Allen and Anne Schoettle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Ken Corday and Al Rabin (1990) Ken Corday, Lisa de Cazotte and Greg Meng (2013) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fullname | Jeannie Theresa Donovan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alias(es) | Jeannie Caroline Donovan (birth name) Theresa Black Theresa Kiriakis (previous married names) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Namesake(s) | Margaret "Jeannie" Donovan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gender | Female | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | September 3, 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Businesswoman (2015–16) Fashion designer (2015–16) Personal assistant (2013–15) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Los Angeles, CA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jeannie Theresa Donovan is a character from the soap opera, Days of Our Lives. She was portrayed by several child actors from 1990-92, and in 1996 and 1997. She was most recently portrayed by actress Jen Lilley. She returned again in 2023 to attend the funeral of Victor Kiriakis. The role is then suddenly recast, and played by Emily O'Brien (ex Gwen) in 2023.
Theresa is the daughter of supercouple Shane Donovan and Kimberly Brady.
Casting
In April 2013, it was announced by Soap Opera Digest and several other sources that actress Jen Lilley, who was previously known for temporarily filling in for Kirsten Storms in her portrayal of Maxie Jones on ABC's General Hospital, was announced to have joined the cast of Days of Our Lives in a newly created role with ties to the canvas. Due to the show's advanced filming schedule, Lilley began filming in the (then-unknown) role in March 2013. Lilley made her on-screen debut as Theresa on July 3, 2013.
With the casting of Lilley in the role, the character entered her first major storyline, opposite Casey Moss who portrays J.J. Deveraux.
In May 2016, it was announced that Lilley had quit the soap. Her last air date was November 18, 2016 when the character left town.
Lilley returned in 2018 for a short run.
Lilley returned again in September 2023, to attend the funeral of the late Victor Kiriakis. However, Lilly revealed that even though she had committed to 12 weeks of story, she was ultimately being recast.
Rumours circulated that Emily O'Brien would be exiting the role of Gwen Rizczech and taking over the role of Theresa. Lilley left the series on September 29, 2023, and the credits for October 1st, confirmed that O'Brien would be taking over the role of Teresa. She left the role of Gwen on October 6, 2023 and took over the role of Theresa that same day.
According to Just Jared it was revealed that O’Brien has departed from the show when she was let go in January of 2024 and her last aired episodes are in September of 2024.
Background
Jeannie Theresa Brady was born on September 3, 1990, to Kimberly Brady (Patsy Pease) and was originally believed to be the daughter of Cal Winter. However, paternity tests and a confession from Cal proved her father to be Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy). She grew up with her parents in Salem, before relocating to Los Angeles. In her teenage years, when she was in Mexico, she got involved with Mateo, who was at the time the son of one of the most dangerous drug lords in the world. She soon escaped him, after realizing the kind of man he was.
Storylines
In July 2013, Jeannie returns to Salem, this time going by her middle name, Theresa. Initially, she strikes up a connection with resident bad boy JJ Deveraux (Casey Moss) while trying to secure some pot. During a confrontation with JJ and his mother Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves) in her office, her aunt Kayla confirms that Theresa is in fact Jeannie and that Jen promised to hire her as her assistant, a promise she reluctantly agrees to. Kayla reminds Theresa it is her last chance at a fresh start. Theresa also strikes up a bad first impression with Jennifer's daughter Abigail Deveraux (Kate Mansi) when Abigail smells pot on Theresa in her mother's office.
Theresa with her parents in 2013
To continue to battle against Jennifer, she teams up with Anne Milbauer (Meredith Scott Lynn) in hopes of exacting her perfect revenge. In a ploy, Theresa reveals her intentions to hopefully woo Dr. Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian). After sleeping with JJ, Theresa overdoses on marijuana and GHB. Upon hearing of their daughter's overdose and continuing problems, Shane and Kimberly return to town in the hopes of handling their daughter's problem, together. After believing that Theresa has a handle on her addictions, Roman and Marlena town together. Theresa then teams up with hospital co-worker Anne Milbauer to conspire against Jennifer, using Daniel as a way to hurt their relationship. In early 2014, following a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting, she begins a sexual and drugged-fused relationship with Brady Black (Eric Martsolf).
In 2015, after it is found that Kristen DiMera (Eileen Davidson) stole Theresa's embryo and carried it to term, Brady and Melanie Jonas return her son, Christopher, to her and Brady, and the pair rename him Tate. Theresa threatens Melanie into leaving Salem, saying she will take Tate and leave Salem, if she didn't break up with Brady. Theresa had hoped that if Melanie broke up with Brady, she could win him back, but Brady quickly realized what Theresa was up to, and rejected her. Theresa continued to scheme to get Brady's sympathy by faking a broken ankle, and even went onto seduce Xander Cook (Paul Telfer), and then accuse him of raping her, so Brady would save her. That scheme works and Brady finally have Theresa a chance. Theresa shunned her previous bad behavior, so she could keep her family together, and even offered Melanie her condolences after Daniel was killed in a car accident.
When Theresa moves into the Kiriakis mansion, tensions arise between her and Victor. She eventually expresses her interest in purchasing Basic Black and running it as her own fashion company, with financial backing from Maggie Horton (Suzanne Rogers). In the hopes of finding the right partner, she teams up with Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) and Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker) to achieve the goal of purchasing Basic Black, with Kate and Nicole's business background and her own interest in fashion design. As she and Brady share several instances of rekindling their romance, she is kicked out of the mansion by Victor; as a result, Brady quits Titan and moves in with Theresa and Summer and Tate, in their own penthouse. They are forced to move back into the Kiriakis mansion when a vengeful Xander escapes from prison, and nearly kills Theresa on the day she and Brady were supposed to be married.
Theresa leaves Brady
In May 3, Theresa revealed herself to Chloe Lane whom became Mateo's new obsession. She explained everything to her, of why she's in Mexico with Mateo and how he forced her to leave Brady and Tate. On May 14, Theresa finally finds a drive that might be the key to ending Mateo. However, she runs into Xander, whom she believed was dead. After catching up, they made a devil's bargain, she would give him the drive to deliver to her father so Mateo would get arrested and in exchange she would help him finally become accepted in the Kiriakis family. Unfortunately, Mateo came in and Xander revealed everything including the drive. However, he was able to convince Mateo to give him Theresa and when they were left alone, Xander finally agreed on getting Theresa back to Salem. Theresa tried to convince Xander to help her get Chloe out too, but he refused and so they left without her.
When Theresa got back to Salem, Victor was glad to see that she was alright even though he had received regular reports from the ISA. Xander bright Tate in and Theresa was thrilled to be reunited with her son. She asked Tate if he knew who she was, and Tate nodded. Theresa apologized to Tate for being gone for so long, and promised to never leave him again. Victor wanted to give Theresa a heads up about Brady and Eve, but Theresa said she already knew about them and headed off to read a book to Tate.
When Brady returned home, he was shocked and angry at Theresa as he still believed her lie. Theresa told Brady she still loved him and wanted to be a family. She confessed very thing about Mateo, and how he wanted to get back with her. She left to gather information to take him down, but failed when Xander caught her, so instead he brought her back to Salem.
Brady was shocked and knows Xander doesn't do anything out of the goodness of his heart. Theresa agreed that he would be welcomed back into the family. Brady wondered why she couldn't come to him, but Theresa cried that no one could protect her from Mateo, not even Victor.
Brady was stunned that Victor knew and Theresa begged Brady not to be mad at Victor since she asked him not to tell Brady the truth. Brady wondered if Mateo was a threat, and Theresa assured him he was. There's reaffirmed her love for Brady and asked if he still loves her. Brays says a lot has happened since she left. And Theresa says she knows about him and Eve and that their relationship ended.
Brady asks how she could know that, and Theresa decides not to tell him where Chloe is, and instead says it doesn't matter how she knows. Brady assumes Victor told her, and says his relationship with Eve is more complicated since he has grown to care about her. Theresa knows he doesn't want to hurt Eve, but assures him there is nothing wrong with them getting back together. Theresa kisses Brady just as Eve walks in.
Eve wanted to know what the hell was going on, and Theresa said she was back. Theresa asserted she wanted to be a family with Brady and Tate, but Eve accused Theresa of abandoning them for a life of parting and drugs. Theresa explained that it was a lie and why she said what she said.
Eve sympathized with Theresa, but said she can't just expect things to back to the way they were. Theresa said she knew about her little dalliance with Brady, and Eve showed Theresa her ring saying she and Brady were getting married. Theresa ordered Eve to remove the ring and step aside, but she refused, and Brady told Theresa that she can't just expect things to go back the way they were.
Brady explains how Eve was there for him and Tate, and how they have fallen in love with each other. Theresa argues that Brady doesn't love Eve, and is just grateful to her. Theresa knows Brady loves her since she felt it when they kissed. Brady says apart of him will always love her, but he believes she had ripped his heart out, and it sent him down a dark path that Eve saved him from. Brady asserts his feelings for Eve are real, and Theresa cries that she is sorry.
Theresa reminds Brady of all she sacrificed just to get back to him and Tate, and asked if he is willing to throw it all away just for her sister. Brady doesn't know how to answer that since this is a lot to take in. Theresa says the only solution is for her and Brady to reunited and raise Tate together. Theresa leaves Brady and Eve to go check on Tate.
Theresa sleeps in the guest room, and continued to try and talk Brady into reuniting but Brady says his feelings are complicated, so Theresa tries to pressure Eve into dumping Brady by calling her selfish but Eve tells Theresa she only cares about herself. Theresa says that she wants to put her family back together for Tate's sake.
Eve goes to Brady and breaks up with him because of she doesn't want to keep Tate's parents apart. Eve knows that Brady and Theresa would still be together if she hadn't left. Theresa doesn't know what to say, and hugs Eve. Theresa suggests she and Brady leave Eve alone, but Brady refuses to leave her alone. Theresa asks what Brady meant, and Brady asks to speak to Eve in private. He tells Theresa to go home and he'll meet her there, so she leaves.
Upon returning to the Kiriakis mansion, Victor asks Theresa if Brady chose Eve, but Theresa says Eve told Brady to choose her. Victor notices Theresa looks sad when she should be happy to get what she wanted. Theresa says she is sad for Eve, but Victor says she is a bad liar, and asks if Theresa did something to change Eve's mind. Theresa admits it's not about Eve, but about Chloe, which confuses Victor.
Theresa explains that she had to leave Chloe in order to get away, and Mateo told her that if anyone came for Chloe, he would kill her, Brady, and Tate. Victor suggests she forget about Chloe as she got herself into that situation. Theresa knows she'll lose Brady forever if he finds out what she did, and Victor assures her that won't happen since neither of them are going to say anything to Brady.
Xander asks Theresa to join him for a swim, but she declines. Xander asks why she is moping since Chloe is stuck with a drug lord. Theresa blames Xander for being forced to leave Chloe behind, and Xander says it's easy to blame. Xander wonders what Brady would say if he finds out she left Chloe behind. Theresa asks Xander what he wants, and Xander says he wants payment.
Brady walks in, and wonders what they are talking about, and Xander says he knows the family is grateful to him for bringing Theresa home. Brady asks if Xander is serious, and Theresa reminds him that he did help her get home. Brady agrees and thanks Xander, who then suggests he has Victor name him CEO of TITAN.
Brady argues he will be named CEO since Victor trusts him. Xander asks for a chance to prove himself, and suggests Brady would want devote his time to rebuilding his family with Theresa. Brady says he will never recommend him to Victor. Xander asks Theresa about letting her speak for herself, and Brady says he values Theresa's opinion, but in this case he knows she'll side with Xander.
Theresa returns to Salem to attend the funeral of the late Victor Kiriakis. During this time, she wanted to rekindle her romance with Brady, but Brady turned her down because he still didn't trust that she had changed. Theresa had believed the fact that she and Brady could peacefully cooperant Tate meant that he had forgiven her.
At Victor's funeral, Theresa met and flirted with Alex Kiriakis. She also reconnected with her cousin Chelsea Brady, who has also returned for Victor's funeral, and then left town. After the service, Theresa asked Alex out on a date in front of Brady, but Alex cancelled the date because he and Brady were going to Greece. While Theresa was at Alex's place, Andrew stopped by, who knew Theresa was up to no good.
Theresa followed them much to their chagrin, and they had her wait in the hotel. Theresa decided to order room service and had it put on Brady's card when there was knock at the door. Theresa opened the door and was shocked to see that her father Shane was there. Shane was just as equally surprised to see Theresa. Shane quickly realized that Theresa was still hung up on Brady and encouraged her to let him go and find someone who loves her for her.
Theresa noticed Shane had a briefcase. It was the only thing of Victor's that had been recovered from the wreckage of the plane. Theresa convinced Shane to leave the brief case with her and opened it to see what was inside. When Brady and Alex returned, Theresa gave them the briefcase
Brady coldly rejected Theresa, and told her off. After Brady left, Theresa broke down and sobbed to Alex on how Brady loves her and how no one could love her. Alex reassured Theresa that she was beautiful as she is. They kissed and then slept together before returning home to Salem.
After Theresa's failed marriage to Alex Kiriakis, Theresa is sent to prison.
