Details of Michael Dietz’s role in DOOL revealed, shocking fans Days of Our Lives Spoilers
A new character on Days of Our Lives may have a familiar face to some soap fans — Michael Dietz will be adding another daytime drama to his resume when he appears in Salem as Dr. Jeffrey Russell!
TV Insider is reporting that Dietz will debut in the Wednesday, April 30, episode for a short arc as a doctor who has created a miracle drug.
A recent trailer released by Peacock shows Kayla meeting with Dr. Russell about using his medication to help save the life of her brother, Bo.
The actor made his daytime debut playing Alan-Michael Spaulding on CBS’ Guiding Light in 1996 before originating the role of Dr. Joe Scanlon on General Hospital spin-off Port Charles in 1997.
After primetime appearances in shows like Charmed, The Drew Carey Show, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, the actor returned to daytime in the role of Dr. Mark MacLaine on The Bold & The Beautiful from 2002-05. He also made some appearances as Jake on Passions in 2007.
“What is it with me and doctors?” Dietz joked. “Ironically, my daughter’s graduating from Duke in a month, and she wants to go to UCLA for her Master’s and PhD.
She wants ‘doctor’ at the end of her name, so the big joke is I’ve played one on TV, and my daughter will be one.”
Dietz’s most recent acting role was playing the mayor in a 2002 episode of 9-1-1, because since 2000, he has been focused more on his role as a producer, working on reality series like Big Brother, Great American Road Trip, The Great Christmas Light Fight, Love Island USA, and House of Villains.
Though he was admittedly wary of returning to acting after so long away, once he was back on set, those nerves became a thing of the past.
“The greatest joy is I went in and, of course, everybody was beyond lovely,” Dietz confided. “And when I got on set, Scott [McKinsey], the director, came out, and he was one of my last directors I worked with on Port Charles.
He gave me a big hug, and I said, ‘I’m a little nervous.’ I had my scene with Mary Beth [Evans (Kayla)], and she was so lovely.
After, Scott said something over the speaker on the stage like, ‘Welcome home, pal.’ Then it all kind of melted away.”
