Veteran actress Jackée Harry has offered tantalising hints about the upcoming storyline for her character on the long-running American soap opera, Days of Our Lives. The celebrated performer, who portrays the formidable Mayor Paulina Price in the fictional town of Salem, has teased significant developments that will captivate viewers in the coming months.
Paulina Price's Complex Journey Ahead
Harry, who joined the iconic NBC daytime drama in 2021, plays Paulina Price, a wealthy real estate mogul turned political leader. The character has become a central figure in Salem's intricate social fabric. In recent interviews, the actress has hinted at both joyous and challenging times ahead for Mayor Price.
"All I can say is hide the kitchen utensils!" Harry told BET Current with characteristic humour when pressed for details about upcoming plotlines. This cryptic warning suggests dramatic confrontations and heightened tensions are on the horizon for her character.
Family Dynamics and Unexpected Returns
The actress revealed that while Paulina Price will experience the joy of welcoming a new grandchild, this happy event will be balanced against significant familial difficulties. Harry described her character as "strong, forthright, honest, and playful", qualities that will undoubtedly be tested in the evolving narrative.
"I like tension," Harry admitted, confirming that an unexpected return scheduled for March will substantially shake up Price's world. The actress added, "I don't want to be too happy. That ain't real!", indicating her preference for complex, emotionally resonant storytelling over simplistic happiness.
Embracing the Soap Opera Format
Harry, best known to British audiences for her role in Sister, Sister, expressed particular appreciation for the soap opera format that allows her to explore her character's full emotional range. "I get to be stern, I get to be silly, I get to be maternal," she explained about portraying Paulina Price.
The actress acknowledged her reputation as a "workaholic" throughout her distinguished career, suggesting this dedication serves her well in the demanding world of daytime television where multiple episodes are filmed weekly.
Recent Changes to the Days of Our Lives Cast
The revelations about Paulina Price's storyline come during a period of significant transition for Days of Our Lives, which has been entertaining audiences for over six decades. The programme experienced multiple cast changes throughout 2025 that continue to reshape the fictional community of Salem.
In July 2025, it was confirmed that actor Al Calderon would be departing the series after securing a regular role on NBC's Brilliant Minds. Calderon, who played Javi Hernandez since February 2024, will appear in his final episodes through May 2026. The production has confirmed that Jacob Martinez will assume the role of Javi, ensuring the character remains part of the ongoing narrative.
Honouring a Legacy Character
The soap opera also navigated the sensitive task of addressing the real-life passing of veteran actor Drake Hogestyn, who portrayed beloved character John Black for decades. Hogestyn passed away in September 2024 at age 70 from pancreatic cancer, having appeared in nearly 4,300 episodes.
In June 2025, Days of Our Lives aired a poignant farewell to John Black that honoured both the character and the actor who brought him to life. The storyline saw John hospitalised with severe injuries sustained while searching for experimental medication to save another character. In emotional scenes, his wife Marlena and family gathered at his bedside before he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.
This respectful handling of a difficult real-world circumstance demonstrates the programme's commitment to its loyal audience while navigating inevitable cast changes that occur over such an extended broadcast history.
