Days of our lives Comings and Goings: Stefan is about to return in a shocking scenario.

Days of Our Lives Shocker: Is Stefan DiMera About to Make a Triumphant Return?

By Soap Family Insider | July 2025

In Days of Our Lives, even the most unassuming moments can signal seismic shifts in Salem’s ever-twisting narrative. A sideways glance, a sudden phone call, a cryptic message—all can be precursors to stunning revelations. But sometimes, it’s something as simple as a get well card that sends shockwaves through the fandom. And that’s exactly what’s happened this week.

A mysterious card has reawakened one of the soap’s most compelling mysteries and ignited speculation that could mark the return of a beloved—and controversial—DiMera: Stefan O. DiMera.

The Clue That Rocked Salem: Stefan’s Signature Reemerges

EJ DiMera, master manipulator and ruthless businessman, recently received a get well card. But this wasn’t just any well-wishing note. It was signed by Stefan DiMera—the very man who has been presumed missing, if not entirely off the grid, for months. Officially, he’s believed to be held captive in Alamainia, with no confirmed sightings or reliable contact in ages.

For casual viewers, the mention may have passed unnoticed. But longtime fans know that in Salem, nothing is ever a throwaway. If the writers went out of their way to name-drop Stefan, it wasn’t by accident. It’s a breadcrumb in a much larger trail—a signal that something big is brewing beneath the surface.

A History of Unfinished Business

Last portrayed by the charismatic Brandon Barash, Stefan DiMera left a mark on Salem unlike any other. He was bold, darkly magnetic, and emotionally complex—a DiMera with fire in his veins and a deep vulnerability that made him irresistible to fans. His love story with Gabi Hernandez captivated viewers, and his feud with his DiMera siblings added the kind of classic family warfare soap operas thrive on.

But Stefan’s exit from the canvas was jarring. His storyline under then-head writer Ron Carlivati came to an abrupt halt. Official word was that there were no more ideas for the character’s trajectory. Barash was let go—not due to lack of talent, but due to creative exhaustion on the writing team’s part. Fans weren’t buying it. Social media erupted with backlash, petitions, and vocal calls for his return.

And now, with new writers steering the narrative ship, past characters and abandoned storylines are being dusted off and reexamined.

Why Now? The Timing Speaks Volumes

The very act of mentioning Stefan in a new episode is significant. With Salem currently brimming with power grabs, family betrayals, and shifting allegiances, the table has never been more perfectly set for a Stefan DiMera resurrection.

Kristen DiMera is scheming again. Gabi remains emotionally untethered. EJ is clinging to control over DiMera Enterprises, but threats loom at every corner. The DiMera family is fractured. And in a house that thrives on internal warfare, Stefan’s return could throw everything into chaos—just the way fans like it.

Vivian Alamain’s Involvement — A Psychological Game or a True Signal?

So who really sent that card?

One theory is that Vivian Alamain, the always-scheming matriarch, may have invoked Stefan’s name to rattle EJ. Psychological warfare is very much in Vivian’s playbook, and using Stefan as a weapon would be right in line with her twisted sense of justice. But even that possibility raises the question—why now?

Why would Vivian choose this exact moment to remind the world of Stefan’s existence?

Could it be that Stefan is on his way back—and Vivian’s prepping the battlefield?

If Stefan Returns… What Then?

If—and it’s a very big, very exciting if—Brandon Barash steps back into the role, Stefan wouldn’t be walking into the same Salem he left. He’d be returning to a volatile, shifting terrain:

• Gabi, his one true love, remains emotionally fragmented. Would she welcome him back or fear another heartbreak?

• EJ, his brother, is a man desperate to maintain his grip on power. A sibling war between EJ and Stefan could become the next major storyline centerpiece.

• Kristen, ever manipulative, might either ally with or battle against Stefan depending on where her schemes take her.

• DiMera Enterprises, once a shared goal, may now become a warzone.

And then there’s the darker possibility: what if Stefan hasn’t been hiding but instead has been held, controlled, or brainwashed by unseen forces? His return could involve revenge, secrets, or an entirely new agenda.

Brandon Barash’s Absence Never Went Unnoticed

It’s also worth remembering that when Brandon Barash was released, the fan reaction was immediate and loud. Viewers didn’t just like Stefan—they missed him. The depth of support was palpable across platforms, and the outcry didn’t die down.

That’s the kind of loyalty soaps dream of—and producers don’t forget it.

So while no official confirmation has been made, and Barash himself has remained tight-lipped, the mere invocation of Stefan’s name tells us one thing loud and clear:

He’s on the radar.

And when that happens in Salem, returns aren’t just possible—they’re inevitable.

What Happens Next?

The next few episodes could hold subtle hints or even explosive reveals. Will we get confirmation that Stefan is alive? Will a figure in the shadows emerge? Will a stunned Gabi receive a mysterious call? Will EJ begin unraveling as more ghosts from the past rise to the surface?

It’s all in motion.

And if the current creative direction is any indication, Days of Our Lives is preparing for a bold move—one that could rewrite the power dynamics of the DiMera dynasty and give fans the long-awaited resurrection of a character whose absence has never stopped echoing.

Final Thought: Is Salem Ready for Stefan’s Return?

Whether as a corporate rival, a wounded soul looking for justice, or a romantic antihero aiming to reclaim everything he lost, Stefan DiMera’s return would be electric. It would ignite existing tensions, reframe old alliances, and give the show a jolt of emotional depth and danger.

So, is Stefan coming home?

We say: the storm is building, and it smells like DiMera.

Stay tuned. Because in Salem, no one is ever truly gone—and every signature has a story.