Longtime Days of Our Lives viewers know that no one is ever truly gone in Salem especially when it comes to the legendary Stefano DiMera. With recent spoilers hinting at mysterious forces at play and cryptic dreams haunting fan-favorite characters, speculation is once again swirling: Could a new version of Stefano DiMera be preparing to rise from the ashes?
Even though the original Stefano, played masterfully by the late Joe Mascolo, passed away in 2016, his influence still casts a long shadow over the canvas. And now, with recent episodes pointing to strange dreams, odd behavior, and chilling callbacks, fans have every reason to believe that the Phoenix may be ready to rise once more.
Marlena’s Nightmares and Susan’s Sixth Sense Stir Up Suspicion
The first signs of Stefano’s possible return surfaced when Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) began having strange dreams—visions that took her back to her dark days as Stefano’s so-called Queen of the Night. These dreams alone might have been brushed off as symbolic or stress-induced, but then came another shock: Susan Banks (Stacy Haiduk) confided that she could feel Stefano’s presence lingering in the air.
Susan, never one to keep quiet when her psychic senses are tingling, even warned that Marlena was very sick and told EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) that “his daddy was there.” That one line was enough to ignite a firestorm of rumors across fan forums and spoiler pages alike. Is Stefano really gone, or is something or someone channeling him once more?
Could the Phoenix Be Reborn? Days of Our Lives Spoilers Say Maybe
For Days fans, the very idea of recasting Stefano DiMera is controversial. Joe Mascolo’s portrayal was so iconic that bringing someone else in to play the role outright would be viewed by many as disrespectful. But that doesn’t mean the writers don’t have other tricks up their sleeves.
After all, this is Salem, and if we’ve learned anything from years of DiMera drama, it’s that the dead don’t always stay that way.
Let’s not forget the time Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) was implanted with a chip created by Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton), causing him to believe he was Stefano. That storyline proved that Stefano’s persona can exist beyond his physical form. The chip was eventually destroyed, but the concept of resurrecting the Phoenix through another body has already been firmly established in DOOL lore.
Adding more fuel to the fire, recent spoilers indicate Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) explains to Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) why Stefano was nicknamed “the Phoenix”—a powerful reminder of the character’s legendary ability to rise again after every apparent death.
The DiMera Legacy and a New Host: Who Could Be the Next Stefano?
With Stefano DiMera’s legacy etched into the very soul of Salem, the idea of him returning whether through memory manipulation, cloning, or psychological possession—no longer feels impossible. In fact, given the strange behaviors, unexplained absences, and cryptic interactions we’ve seen from certain characters recently, it may already be happening.
Theories are flying across fan forums and social media feeds as viewers try to piece together the puzzle: Is someone already channeling Stefano’s mind, power, or influence? And if so, who?
Here are the most likely suspects in this high-stakes game of DiMera deception:
Stefan DiMera (Brandon Barash)
Once deeply entangled in a turbulent romance with Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez), Stefan has been unusually silent as of late—especially in response to his brother Tony DiMera. His lack of contact, even after EJ received a mysterious card following a traumatic shooting, is raising more than a few red flags. Could Stefan’s silence signal a hidden transformation, perhaps the early stages of becoming the next Stefano DiMera? The DiMera blood runs strong in him and with enough manipulation, Stefan could become the perfect vessel for a new Phoenix to rise.
Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis)
Tony’s behavior has been increasingly erratic and uncharacteristically aloof. Viewers who have followed his complex history know that Tony has always been cunning, but lately, something feels off. Could Stefano’s essence be influencing him either through lingering psychological conditioning or, more chillingly, through another implanted chip like the one Steve Johnson once carried? If Stefano’s legacy were to live on through a trusted, long-standing DiMera family member, Tony would be a deeply poetic (and dangerous) choice.
Dimitri von Leuschner (Peter Porte)
Though absent from recent scenes, Dimitri remains a dark horse in this twisted equation. He shares a familial connection to the DiMeras and has ties to Megan Hathaway (Miranda Wilson)—a loyal DiMera follower with her own nefarious motives. While Dimitri’s sexuality may raise questions about his alliance-building, his willingness to marry Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) proves that he’s not above calculated manipulation. His sudden disappearance, paired with his DiMera bloodline, makes him a suspicious candidate for the next Stefano-shaped twist.
Andre DiMera (also portrayed by Thaao Penghlis)
Possibly the most chilling contender, Andre is no stranger to resurrection having “died” multiple times before. If anyone could return from the dead under the radar and slip into Stefano’s shoes, it’s Andre. Known for his sinister mind and erratic loyalty, Andre could very well be the secret mastermind behind Salem’s newest wave of chaos. A resurrected Andre adopting the identity or perhaps the soul of Stefano DiMera would be a haunting development, and one entirely fitting for Days of Our Lives.
Let’s Not Forget: Dr. Rolf’s Mad Science Has Made This Possible Before
It would be impossible to have this conversation without mentioning Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton)—the mad genius behind some of Salem’s most unbelievable storylines. Not only did he once implant a chip into Steve Johnson’s brain, convincing him he was Stefano, but he even went so far as to attempt implanting a cloned Stefano embryo into Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Yes, the science may be outlandish, but in the world of Days, nothing is ever off the table.
So if Stefano were to rise again either through mind control, cloning, or another character taking on his identity it would almost certainly involve Dr. Rolf’s interference behind the scenes.
Could Salem Survive Another Reign of the Phoenix?
If a new Stefano were to emerge, the ripple effect across Salem would be immense. Marlena, EJ, Tony, and countless others have decades of history with the DiMera patriarch. The psychological and emotional impact of such a return whether physical or mental would be explosive.
While no official confirmation has come from Days of Our Lives writers or producers, the hints are growing stronger. The dreams. The presence. The mysterious absences. The legacy of the Phoenix is stirring once again.
Who Do You Think Could Be the New Stefano?
Could it be Tony? Stefan? Dimitri? Or someone else entirely? Is Dr. Rolf once again meddling in the dark arts of science and memory manipulation? And how will Marlena, Susan, and the rest of Salem react if the shadow of Stefano DiMera once again falls over their lives?
Let us know your theories and thoughts in the comments. And as always, keep watching Days of Our Lives because in Salem, anything is possible.
