Overview
- AlexAnn Hopkins is back as Joy Wesley, who reenters Salem with her infant daughter, Kelsey, fathered by Alex Kiriakis.
- The storyline puts Joy in Alex’s orbit and brings Stephanie Johnson into the mix, hinting at strain in the couple’s marriage.
- Hopkins says motherhood changed Joy, giving her a clear purpose to protect Kelsey and to make sure the child knows her dad.
- The actor recalls getting the offer while in London and describes the set as feeling like a family, with episodes filmed far in advance of airing.
- Joy first appeared as an adult in October 2024, left in March 2025 while pregnant, and now reconnects with core players including Robert Scott Wilson, Abigail Klein, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and Suzanne Rogers.