The Two Leading Ladies of Days of Our Lives May Be Headed Home in 2026 — And Salem May Never Be the Same

For longtime fans of Days of Our Lives, 2026 is shaping up to be a year soaked in anticipation, nostalgia, and explosive possibility. Whispers are growing louder, clues are stacking up, and devoted viewers are asking the same heart-pounding question: Is Salem preparing to welcome back two of its most iconic women—Nicole Walker and Abigail Deveraux?

These are not just returns fans casually hope for. These are seismic events that could rewrite relationships, resurrect old wounds, and detonate long-buried secrets. If even one of these women steps back onto Salem soil, the ripple effects would be enormous. If both return? The town may never recover.

Nicole Walker: The Queen of Complicated Love Poised for a Shattering Comeback

Nicole Walker has always been a paradox—scheming yet vulnerable, sharp-tongued yet deeply wounded, capable of breathtaking betrayal and profound loyalty in equal measure. Her departure at the end of 2024, when she left Salem hand in hand with Eric Brady for a fresh start in Paris, felt like a rare moment of peace for a character who has known very little of it.

But peace, in the Days universe, is never permanent.

Nicole’s absence has been felt in every corner of Salem. Her daughter Holly continues to be a living, breathing reminder of the woman who once dominated storylines with her emotional volatility and fierce maternal instincts. Holly’s off-screen visits to Paris throughout 2025 weren’t just narrative filler—they felt deliberate, like breadcrumbs leading fans toward something bigger. Why keep Nicole alive in dialogue if her chapter is truly closed?

Behind the scenes, speculation has intensified. Arianna Zucker’s exit was tangled in real-world controversy, making a return seem unlikely—until recently. Industry insiders and fan forums alike are buzzing with talk of behind-the-scenes conversations, possible reconciliations, or even a limited-run return designed to give Nicole the kind of closure (or chaos) only she can deliver.

Imagine Nicole returning not as the woman who fled Salem for love, but as someone forced back by crisis. A secret uncovered in Paris. A betrayal she never saw coming. Or worse—a danger threatening Holly that Nicole cannot outrun. Her return wouldn’t be quiet. It would be dramatic, emotional, and utterly destabilizing.