The iconic villainess Vivian Alamain is making a triumphant return to 'Days of Our Lives,' and fans are buzzing! For those who adore the deliciously wicked characters that shake up daytime dramas, Vivian Alamain, portrayed by the incomparable Louise Sorel, is a name that resonates deeply. After a hiatus of nearly a year, Sorel is set to reprise her role, gracing our screens once again during the week of January 26th. This beloved veteran of the soap opera world, also celebrated for her impactful portrayal of Augusta Lockridge in 'Santa Barbara,' has a long and storied history with 'Days of Our Lives,' making her comings and goings a significant event for viewers.
The Alamain Saga Continues
Louise Sorel first graced the 'Days of Our Lives' set in 1992, establishing Vivian Alamain as a force to be reckoned with. Her initial tenure concluded in 2000, but the allure of the character, and perhaps the audience's insatiable appetite for her dramatic flair, brought her back for subsequent stints from 2009-2011, 2017-2018, and then in a series of appearances in 2020, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Her most recent on-screen presence was in April of last year, making this upcoming return a highly anticipated one.
But here's where it gets interesting: Vivian Alamain has been such a compelling character that other talented actresses have stepped into her shoes. In 2019, the legendary Robin Strasser, known for her role as Dorian Lord on 'One Life to Live,' briefly embodied Vivian. Following in her footsteps, Linda Dano, a star from 'Another World' where she played Felicia Gallant, took on the role in 2021. This sharing of such a pivotal character highlights just how much impact Vivian has had on the soap opera landscape.
Reflecting on her early days with 'Soap Opera Digest' in 2015, Sorel shared a vivid memory of her very first day on set. "The first day I came on the set, I think it was darling Michael Sabatino [who played Vivian’s nephew, Lawrence Alamain] and Crystal Chappell [who played Carly Manning] and somebody else who had come to kill Lawrence," she recalled. "So I just remember the first thing I had was to walk in and shoot somebody and then say, ‘I shoot first and ask questions later.’ I think that was my very first thing, which was kind of fun to establish that crazy character." This anecdote perfectly encapsulates what made Vivian so captivating: her unapologetic boldness and her penchant for immediate, dramatic action. Sorel herself admitted, "The character was appealing to me because I like playing those crazy, comic villains."
A Legacy of Outlandish Schemes
Vivian Alamain is etched in the annals of 'Days of Our Lives' history for some of its most audacious storylines. In 1992, she orchestrated the infamous plot where she buried Carly alive, a move that sent shockwaves through Salem. Her schemes didn't stop there; in a particularly memorable and controversial act, she gave birth to Philip in 1995 after a daring act of embryo theft. She had Kate and Victor's embryo implanted into her own uterus, a storyline that pushed the boundaries of daytime drama and cemented Vivian's status as a master manipulator.
And this is the part most people miss: When Sorel returned to the role in 2024, she offered her insights into Vivian's enduring appeal. "All she does is grab for things and manipulate things, which she’s been doing since the very beginning," she mused to 'Digest.' "Of course, so much has happened over the years. The stories change. The needs of people change. So there are adjustments being made, but hopefully she still has the same annoying personality. She’s the same person with the same sort of desperation and humor."
What's truly remarkable is Sorel's ability to seamlessly slip back into the character, even after extended breaks. "The essence of Vivian is there," she explained. "It’s sort of tucked away [inside me] somewhere, because I’m really not like that at all. I’ve just sort of created something, and I’m trying to bring it back." This deep connection to the character, combined with her masterful performance, is why Vivian Alamain remains a fan favorite. Is it the sheer audacity of her schemes, or the underlying desperation and dark humor that makes Vivian so magnetic? What do you think? Do you believe such over-the-top villainy still holds its place in modern soap operas, or has the genre evolved beyond such characters? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
