Joey Johnson (Days of Our Lives)

Last updated
Joey Johnson
Days of Our Lives character
Tanner Stine as Joey Johnson.png
Tanner Stine as Joey Johnson
Portrayed by
  • Brody and Jonas (2008–2009)
  • Jadon Wells (2012–2014)
  • James Lastovic (2015–2020)
  • Tanner Stine (2022–2023)
Duration
  • 2008–2009
  • 2012–2017
  • 2020
  • 2022–2023
First appearanceMay 16, 2008 (2008-05-16)
Last appearanceMarch 1, 2023 (2023-03-01)
Classification Past; recurring
Created by Hogan Sheffer and Meg Kelly
Introduced by
Spin-off
appearances		 Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem (2022)
James Lastovic as Joey Johnson.png
James Lastovic as Joey Johnson
In-universe information
OccupationStudent
Waiter
Family
  • Johnson
  • Brady
Parents
Sisters Stephanie Johnson
Half-brothers Tripp Dalton
Grandparents
Aunts and uncles
First cousins

Joey Johnson is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives , an American soap opera aired on the NBC network, presently portrayed by Tanner Stine. Introduced in 2008, Joey was created by head writers Hogan Sheffer and Meg Kelly as the youngest child of supercouple, Steve "Patch" Johnson and Kayla Brady (Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans). The role was played by siblings Brody and Jonas until the character was written out in 2009. Child actor Jadon Wells appeared in the role of Joey on a recurring basis from 2012 to 2014. In 2015, the character was rapidly aged to 16 when James Lastovic was cast in to play the role. Joey returns having skipped out on boarding school suffering from abandonment issues. It is later revealed that Joey had secretly been conspiring with Ava Vitali (Tamara Braun) to orchestrate Patch and Kayla's reunion. Unbeknownst to Joey, Ava is his father's ex-lover and Ava has caused quite a bit of trouble for Kayla and the rest of the Brady family.

Contents

Storylines

2008–2014

In February 2008, the Brady family travels to Ireland to reunite patriarch Shawn Brady (Frank Parker) with his dying sister Colleen Brady (Shirley Jones). During their trip, Kayla and Steve learn she is pregnant. On their way back to Salem, the family is involved in a plane crash that kills Shawn. It is later revealed that, Steve's deranged ex-lover Ava Vitali (Tamara Braun) is responsible for the accident. Meanwhile, Kayla is trying to save her brother Bo's life (Peter Reckell) and the stress causes pregnancy complications. Kayla goes into premature labor and gives birth to her baby boy at 26 weeks. She names him Joe after his paternal grandmother, Jo Johnson. Joe grows stronger only to be kidnapped in the summer of 2008 by Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo). [1] Joe leaves town in early 2009 with his parents. Though off screen, Joe comes back to town in 2011 when his parents separate and later divorce. Joe (Jadon Wells) first appears onscreen in late 2012 during the Christmas episodes. The character is limited to special appearances during Christmas episodes and is last seen in December 2014 during a Christmas party.

2015–2017

In August 2015, a now 16 year old, Joe, also known as Joey returns to Salem with Steve. Joey had left boarding school and found his father in New York City. Joey acts out because he resents Steve for abandoning the family. When Steve leaves town to find Joey's uncle Bo, Joey stows away on the plane. After the two have a heart to heart, where Steve recounts the story of how he and Kayla fell in love, Joey returns home. However, Joey continues causing trouble when he sabotages the electricity in the library at Salem High. Joey bonds with Theo Carver (Kyler Pettis) during Salem's bicentennial celebration and he ends up collapsing outside. Theo gets help and Joey is rushed to the hospital. Steve makes it back in time to see Joey in the hospital and Kayla reveals that there a drugs in his system. However, Joey denies ever taking drugs. While he recovers and gets released from the hospital, it is later revealed that Joey is working with Ava Vitali (Tamara Braun) to orchestrate his parents' reunion—unaware of her past. After his parents reunite, Steve and Kayla discover Ava's back in Salem and assume Joey has been working with her, but he denies it. Joey later admits to Ava that he is in love with her and he kisses her but Ava rejects him and reveals that she is dying. Kayla finds them together and demands that he stay away from her. Joey confides in Steve about his feelings for Ava and is shocked to learn Ava's past and that she may have given birth to Steve's son. Ava later kidnaps Kayla forcing Steve to cooperate with her in exchange for her release and Joey walks on them as they are about to make love. Ava forces Steve to leave town with her and gives Joey Kayla's location to free her. Though they are reunited as a family, Steve's betrayal leaves Joey bitter and angry.

Development

Creation and casting

On November 24, 2012, Mary Beth Evans announced that child actor Jadon Wells would make his debut in the role of Joey in December 2012. [2] Wells is the real life son of actor Dan Wells who had previously appeared on the series as Stan, the male alter ego of Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney). [3] Jadon's appearances were limited to special Christmas episodes and he last appeared in December 2014. [4]

In March 2015, it was reported that Days of Our Lives had released two casting notices — one of which was for the contract role of the 16 year old Joey. [5] In April 2015, talent agency John Robert Powers San Diego announced that James Lastovic had been cast in the role of Joey Johnson with a two-year contract. [6] Five months prior, Lastovic had quit his day job to do a play for $25 a week. "I had money saved up from the one commercial that I had done and thought I could use the money from that to do the play." However, the play lasted longer than expected and Lastovic ran out of money. "I was so broke that I looked forward to the dinner scene" so he could eat. Fortunately, Lastovic booked Days as the play ended. [7] Lastovic had actually auditioned for the series three years prior. While he wasn't sure for what role he auditioned for Lastovic revealed, "I had the same exact sides when I read for Joey!" [7] Lastovic filmed his first scenes in March 2015 and made his debut on August 28, 2015. [8] During the audition process, Lastovic watched a few episodes of the series to prepare. Casting director Marnie Saitta later informed the young actor that he'd be working with two "adored" veterans in Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) and Stephen Nichols (Patch). "I looked them up online and found some of their scenes from the 1980s. I saw how good they were and I was instantly excited to get to work with them" Lastovic revealed. After he booked the role, Lastovic admitted that he got hooked on the show when he went back to watch Patch and Kayla's love story. [9]

Teen years (2015–2017)

Stephen Nichols on Joey

He’s very resentful. He doesn’t want to address his father’s absence. He’s just kind of silent and stoic about the whole thing. It’s hard to get two words out of the kid.

Michael Logan, TV Insider [10]

The production team wanted to establish a teenage set in time for the show's 50th anniversary and Lastovic's casting was just the first in a slew of castings. Executive producer Ken Corday said "Joey will be giving Patch the 'rebel' a little of his own medicine!" [11] Lastovic was very nervous about playing such an important role but Mary Beth Evans invited him over to her home and greeted him with freshly baked cookies. "Seeing Mary Beth holding that plate of cookies, I immediately felt that motherly connection." He credited Evans and Stephen Nichols for making him comfortable. Lastovic also founded a mentor in costar Casey Moss who had joined the series two years prior in the similar role of troubled teenager JJ Deveraux—Joey's cousin. "I think he could see a little bit of himself in me" Lastovic said. [8] Lastovic later admitted that his nerves worked well for his first scenes as Joey had recently run away from boarding school -- "he was supposed to be nervous." So much is changing Joey at the time of his return. "He's just beginning to experience all these new emotions, so he's feeling a little lost." [8] Joey's needing his parents helps bring Patch and Kayla back together after years of estrangement. [10] A promo for the show's 50th anniversary in November 2015 revealed that Joey is secretly conspiring with his father's ex-lover and family rival Ava Vitali (Tamara Braun) to help reunite his parents. [12]

Departure

In March 2017, after a cryptic tweet by Lastovic's mother, Lucienne, it was rumored that the actor's contract with the series had not been renewed. [13] On Wednesday, August 16, the rumors were proven through by Lastovic himself in an Instagram post, he last aired on August 22 when the character going to prison for Ava's murder. [14] [15]

Return and second departure

In November 2020, it was revealed in a Christmas promo for the show, that Lastovic will be returning as Joey, Lastovic made his return on December 10, 2020, and made an unannounced exit on December 24, 2020. [16] [17] [18]

Second return

In June 2022, it was announced Tanner Stein had been cast in the role of Joey and would appear in the second season of Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem in July of the same year, and will later begin appearing in a recurring capacity on Days of Our Lives. [19]

Reception

Omar White-Nobles of TVSource Magazine praised the decision to age Joey along with the other characters in time for the show's 50th anniversary. "I may be 29, but I'm a fan of the multi-generational aspect of the continuing narrative." [20] Lastovic's debut was "highly anticipated" as it coincided with the onscreen return of Stephen Nichols as Patch. [21] Soap Opera Digest included the actor in its list of the "Hottest Newcomers" for the year 2015. [7] Daytime Confidential also listed Lastovic as number five on their own list of the "Top 20 Soap Opera Newcomers of 2015." The blog praised Lastovic for his portrayal and said Joey's habit of acting out and causing grief for his mother "helps to further ground the Johnsons as Salem's relatable, working central family." [22] Omar Nobles said Joey return provided Kayla with "a greater purpose and more attention in just a few short weeks than the four years since she returned to the show." He continued, "That's smart planning. That's smart creative." [20] The website also praised Lastovic as being one of the strongest of the new younger actors. [23]

Related Research Articles

Mary Beth Evans is an American television actress, known for her role as Kayla Brady on the NBC daytime soap Days of Our Lives, and her role as Sierra Estaban on the CBS daytime soap As the World Turns.

Stephen Earl Nichols is an American actor, recognized for his roles on American daytime soap operas. He has portrayed Steve "Patch" Johnson on NBC's Days of Our Lives on and off since 1985. In 1996, he joined the cast of ABC's General Hospital as Stefan Cassadine; he exited the role in 2003. From 2009 to 2013, he portrayed the role of Tucker McCall on The Young and the Restless.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stefano DiMera</span> Soap opera character

Stefano DiMera is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives, played by Joseph Mascolo. Created by Pat Falken Smith, Stefano was introduced on January 18, 1982 as the father of Tony DiMera looking to expand his criminal empire to Salem. Stefano's early storylines included his feud with Roman Brady, playing his children – Tony and Renée DuMonde against one another when he is presumed dead, orchestrating a series of murders with his son and Tony's deranged look-a-like André, and replacing the presumed dead Roman with the brainwashed John Black.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Brady</span> Fictional character from Days of Our Lives

Bo Brady is a fictional character from the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. The role has been most notably portrayed by Peter Reckell, who originated the role on May 3, 1983.

John Black (<i>Days of Our Lives</i>) Soap opera character

John Black is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on Peacock. He has been played by actor Drake Hogestyn since 1986, with a break in between from January 2009 to September 2011. John was created by scriptwriters Sheri Anderson, Thom Racina and Leah Laiman as The Pawn in 1985 and introduced by executive producers Betty Corday and Al Rabin. John becomes one of the series' most popular characters when he is revealed to be the presumed dead Roman Brady with plastic surgery and amnesia. However, Northrop's return in 1991 led to Hogestyn's Roman being retconned into the entirely separate character of John Black, which also establishes the supercouple pairing of John and Marlena, due to John's affair with Roman's wife, Marlena Evans. Hogestyn was attributed with helping the series out of its ratings slump in the 1980s. He was often featured in soap opera magazines, such as Soap Opera Digest and Soap Opera Weekly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Johnson and Kayla Brady</span> Fictional couple in the soap opera Days of Our Lives

Steve "Patch" Earl Johnson and Dr. Kayla Caroline Brady are a supercouple on the American soap opera Days of Our Lives. Steve is portrayed by Stephen Nichols and Kayla is portrayed by Mary Beth Evans. On internet message boards, the couple is often referred to by the portmanteau "Stayla". The couple was initially popular from 1986 through 1990 until the "death" of Steve. Both characters have since returned: after being presumed dead for 16 years, Steve returned to the show on June 9, 2006, and Kayla returned on June 12, 2006, before both departed again in February 2009. Kayla returned in December 2011. In August 2015, Steve returned to Salem, and the couple reunited soon after.

Steve Johnson (<i>Days of Our Lives</i>) Fictional soap opera character

Steve "Patch" Johnson is a fictional character on Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Created by head writers Sheri Anderson, Thom Racina and Leah Laiman, he has been portrayed by Stephen Nichols since 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis</span> Fictional character

Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis is a fictional character on NBC's daytime drama Days of Our Lives. She had been portrayed by actress Denise Wanner from November to December 1986 before Judi Evans took over the role from December 1986 to February 1991, from May 2007 to January 2008 and from March 2010 to January 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayla Brady</span> Soap opera character

Kayla Brady Johnson is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, a soap opera on the NBC network. She made her first appearance in 1982. Kayla was created by Pat Falken Smith as one of the original members of the Brady family. She is known for her popular pairing with Steve Johnson. This relationship gave the couple the title of a famous super couple. Kayla was described as being the "good" girl of the serial. During her time on Days of our Lives, Kayla was extremely well received by television critics. Kayla Brady Johnson is one of the six Brady children. She is the daughter of the late Shawn Brady and Caroline Brady. She is the sister of Roman and Kimberly Brady, the half-sister of Bo Brady, and the sister of adopted brothers Frankie and Max Brady. She has been married five times, once to Jack Deveraux and four times to Steve Johnson. Steve and Kayla have two children, a daughter, Stephanie, and a son, Joey. Mary Beth Evans returned to Days of Our Lives for a short-stint on June 18, 2010, and then again on recurring status starting in December 2011. She was upgraded to regular status in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ava Vitali</span> Fictional character

Ava Vitali is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Created by and introduced by then-executive producers Ken Corday and Edward J. Scott, the role is portrayed by Tamara Braun, who won a Daytime Emmy Award for the role in 2009. Introduced as a "mysterious woman from Steve's past," Ava was later revealed as a woman from a Mafia family. Ava appeared for six months in 2008, and returned in December 2015 for a three-month guest appearance. Following a brief voice appearance in 2017, Ava returned to the show on a regular basis in November 2020. She departed again on December 20, 2022 and returned on August 8, 2023

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline Brady</span> Soap opera character

Caroline Brady is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives, a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional United States town of Salem. Matriarch of the series' Brady family, the character has been continually featured since her debut. Created by writer Margaret DePriest, the role was originated by actress Peggy McCay on February 7, 1983. Jody Carter stepped into the role briefly in 1984, followed by Barbara Beckley from 1984 to 1985. McCay returned to portray Caroline from July 17, 1985, to December 5, 2003, when the character was seemingly murdered by a serial killer. McCay returned in 2004 when Caroline was found alive. She played Caroline for another 12 years; last appearing in August 2016.

<i>Days of Our Lives</i> American daytime soap opera (1965–present)

Days of Our Lives is an American television soap opera that streams on the streaming service Peacock. The soap, which aired on the American television network NBC from 1965 to 2022, is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday since November 8, 1965. A co-production of Corday Productions and Sony Pictures Television, the series was created by husband-and-wife team Ted Corday and Betty Corday. During Days of Our Lives' early years, Irna Phillips served as a story editor for the program and many of the show's earliest storylines were written by William J. Bell, who would depart the series in 1975 to focus full-time on The Young and the Restless, which he created for CBS in 1973. Following the 2007 cancellation of Passions, Days of Our Lives remained the only soap opera airing on NBC. On August 3, 2022, NBCUniversal announced that it would relocate the series exclusively to its Peacock streaming service beginning September 12 after 57 years on the network and leaving NBC as the only Big Three network without a daytime serial.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theo Carver</span> Fictional character

Theo Carver is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Created under head writer Dena Higley, Theo was born onscreen in 2003. The character was portrayed by two sets of twins and three child actors, Chase and Tyler Johnson (2003–2004), Kavi Faquir (2006–2007), Amyrh Harris (2007), Terrell Ransom Jr. from (2008-2015), Kyler Pettis (2015–2018), Cameron Johnson (2020–present). Along with several other child characters, Theo was rapidly aged in November 2015 and Pettis stepped into the role. Pettis announced his departure from the series in 2017 and he vacated the role in 2018. After a two-year absence, Theo was recast when Johnson took over the role in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciara Brady</span> Soap opera character

Ciara Brady is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Created by Hogan Sheffer and Meg Kelly, the role is portrayed by Victoria Konefal since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theresa Donovan</span> Soap opera character

Theresa Donovan is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Introduced in September 1990, she was portrayed by several child actors until the character left the series in 1992, with further guest appearances in both 1996 and 1997. The character was reintroduced to the series in July 2013, under the portrayal of actress Jen Lilley, best known for her portrayal of Maxie Jones on General Hospital, and departed in November 2016. Lilley reprised the role in May 2018 for a three-month stint, departing again in July. Lilley briefly returned to the role in September 2023, with Emily O'Brien assuming the role in the following month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xander Kiriakis</span> Fictional character from Days of Our Lives

Xander Kiriakis is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. The character, created by Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell, is portrayed by Paul Telfer.

References

  1. ↑ "Yearly Update for 2008". Days of Our Lives . Sony Pictures Television. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Jadon Wells makes his debut as Steve & Kayla..." Facebook . November 24, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Dexter Season 8 – Jadon Wells To Play Harrison". Dexter Weekly News. February 17, 2013. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Days of Our Lives Non-Contract Archive". Jason47's Days of Our Lives Website. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  5. ↑ "TEEN CASTING AT DAYS". Soap Opera Digest . American Media, Inc. March 4, 2015. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  6. ↑ Di Lauro, Janet (April 5, 2015). "Days of Our Lives Casts James Lastovic as Steve and Kayla's Son Joey?". About.com . United States: IAC. Archived from the original on April 5, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 "Hottest Newcomers of 2015". Days of Our Lives: James Lastovic (Joey). Soap Opera Digest . American Media, Inc. 40 (41): 61. October 12, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 Waldron, Robert (September 28, 2015). "Generation Next". Interviews. Soap Opera Digest . American Media, Inc. 40 (39): 44–47.
  9. ↑ "Bloodline". Scene & Heard. Soap Opera Digest . American Media, Inc. 40 (38): 53. September 21, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Logan, Michael (August 24, 2015). "Patch Is Back! Stephen Nichols Previews His Return to Days of Our Lives". TV Insider . TVGM Holdings, LLC (CBS Interactive). Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  11. ↑ Logan, Michael (August 17, 2015). "First Look: Days of Our Lives Grows a New Teen Set Practically Overnight". TV Insider . TVGM Holdings, LLC (CBS Interactive). Archived from the original on August 19, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  12. ↑ Fairman, Michael (November 15, 2015). "DAYS Is On FIYAH! Watch The Scorching Hot NBC Promo Of What's To Come!". On-Air On-Soaps . Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  13. ↑ Clifford, Kambra (July 21, 2017). "REPORT: James Lastovic out at DAYS". Soapcentral.com . United States. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  14. ↑ Soaps SheKnows (August 7, 2017). "James Lastovic out at Days in August". Soaps.com . United States: SheKnows Media . Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  15. ↑ Fairman, Michael (August 16, 2017). "James Lastovic Shares Emotional Message To His DAYS Family!". On-Air On-Soaps . Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  16. ↑ Baldwin, Joshua (November 22, 2020). "DAYS Winter Promo: A Holiday Season Filled With Sweet Love and Delicious Mess". Daytime Confidential. United States: Confidential Media, Inc. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Who's Coming". Comings and Goings. Soap Opera Digest . American Media, Inc. 45 (50): 12–13. December 14, 2020.
  18. ↑ Ken Corday and Albert Alarr (Executive producers); Ron Carlivati (Head writer); Scott McKinsey (Director); David Kreizman (Script writer) (December 24, 2020). Days of Our Lives. Season 56. Episode 14005. NBC.
  19. ↑ Lewis, Errol (June 2, 2022). "Tanner Stine to Recur on Days of Our Lives Following Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Debut". Soap Opera Network . United States. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  20. 1 2 Nobles, Omar (September 14, 2015). "'Days of our Lives' Creative Course Correction is off to a Great Start". TV Source Magazine. SoSource Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ Fairman, Michael (August 21, 2015). "DAYS Promo: Stephen Nichols Returns! Serena Is Murdered! Chad In Wrong Place At Wrong Time?". On-Air On-Soaps . Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  22. ↑ "The Top 10 Soap Opera Newcomers of 2015". Daytime Confidential. Confidential Media, Inc. (SAY Media). January 9, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  23. ↑ Gray, Coryon (November 8, 2015). "'Days of our Lives' Week In Review: Celebrations, Returns and Introductions". TVSource Magazine . SoSource Media, LLC. p. 2. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
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