Philip Returns! (Read 597 times)

[André DiMera]

According to Soap Opera Digest, John-Paul Lavoisier is returning as Philip!

www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-john-paul-lavoisier-back-to-days/?fbclid=IwAR1uEjCuPKi3NljXEL7ne9BSlRVmknqzmewfoPCchyip4p6F7oVJlTmZEtg

And in case the link doesn't work for people (for some reason, Soap Digest randomly decides to block their pages to non-subscribers from time to time):

John-Paul Lavoisier (ex-Rex, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), who portrayed DAYS’s Philip Kiriakis from 2015-16, will reprise the role next month, Digest can report exclusively. Philip, who is currently presumed dead, was last portrayed by Jay Kenneth Johnson, who returned to the show to appear in the DOOL App spin-off LAST BLAST REUNION in 2019, then to Salem and the main show in 2020. His final episode aired in December 2021, when Philip tried to frame Brady for his murder and Kate secretly sent him away to get treatment.

Personally, I'm so excited! I loved JPL as Philip back when he was first on! Can't wait to see what happens with his return!

[Kpatch]

Thanks for posting André DiMera.

I am devastated.

[mae00]

Aww man. I was hoping it would be JKJ. JPL never grew on me as Philip. I really tried but ........just no.

Maybe the writers are thinking that after they trashed Philip so bad in JKJ's last stint that fans would be ok with JPL and trying to do a reset of the character.

[mikey]

From the timing, it sounds like this will coincide with Victor's onscreen death, so I'm glad we'll have a Philip present for that. I don't need JPL to play the character long-term, though.

[doolfan4life]

Boooo
I hated this guy
Hope this is short lived

[tghca]

Loved John Paul on One Life to Live back in the day as Rex Balsom Buchanan and then loved him as Philip as a recast. So seeing Philip back in town, it makes sense because of Victor's upcoming death. But with Philip back, who do they pair him up with? Gwen? Stephanie? Jada? Sloan? Chloe again?

[horizon]

Jul 14, 2023 11:54:35 GMT -5 Kpatch said:

Thanks for posting André DiMera .

I am devastated.

The old saying is there are two certainties in life. Death and Taxes. That is the Cliff Notes version. How about BAD SURPRISES.

I was so looking forward to Philip coming back and relishing the thought of what would go down only to hear the actor has been replaced. The thought of it is making me physically ill.

What is next. Another "Ava" and "Victor?"

Like many I am no fan of recasts but occasionally it can work. Perhaps another Abigail might work. But certain characters are distinct (see Gabi) and it makes no sense bringing the character back with another actor.

That is the case with Philip.

Another day ruined. What else is new.

[tghca]

Philip was in Bayview but is Philip sane

[silvananoir1]

I guess either they couldn't get JKJ or he didn't want to come back. Either way, it's going to take a lot of work to fix what they did to the character before he went away.

I imagine due that their bringing him back for a triangle with Belle and Shawn.

[André DiMera]

Jul 14, 2023 20:52:25 GMT -5 silvananoir1 said:

I guess either they couldn't get JKJ or he didn't want to come back.

After the way they wrote Philip last time, I’d be very surprised if JKJ has any interest in returning ever. Unless he’s busy, he likely isn’t interested in coming back. I have to imagine that if they could, the powers that be would try to get him, as he’s arguably the most popular actor to play Philip. The fact that JPL is playing Philip tells me that JKJ isn’t interested. But again, I’m the odd man out for liking JPL as much as JKJ.

[heroicmuse]

I'm thrilled that JPL was coming back. Hopefully he'll get better writing this time. I also hope he's staying awhile and not just popping in for Victor's funeral or something.

[wendylou]

I’m with you Kpatch. I hate that Jay won’t be back as Philip. Especially because I think his return will be brought on by Victor’s death and really would have liked to see Jay get to say goodbye to him.

I’m glad Philip will be back but this is definitely not who I wanted to see portray him. I would really like to know what’s up with Jay. Honestly, this is just a big disappointment to me. I’ve been hoping for Jay’s return, not just Philip. ☹️

[mikey]

I don't thiiiiiink this is long-term, but we'll see.

[Kpatch]

In my opinion, JPL doesn't play Philip. He plays some random character whose name happens to be Philip with a storyline that is sort of meant for Philip. Only Jay Kenneth Johnson can elicit the essence of Philip Kiriakis. No offense to JPL but this is incredibly disappointing news for JKJ fans. If there was ever a time for Jay to return, it surely seemed like this would be it, so this news of Philip's return without JKJ feels like a gut-punch. Truly devastating to have to let go of a flicker of hope that has been smoldering for so very long.

[fluffysmom]

I'm very disappointed in this news. I wonder if Philip is only returning for Victor's funeral. The writing for Philip in Jay's most recent return was lousy. Most of it didn't even make sense for the character.