The return of Peter Reckell to Days of Our Lives as the iconic Bo Brady was met with enormous excitement from long-time fans. However, the storyline took a dramatic and unexpected turn, leaving viewers wondering about Bo’s fate and, crucially, What Is Peter Reckell Doing Now following this intense arc. Bo Brady’s comeback, which concluded on the April 28 episode, saw the character undergo surgery after being shot by his son, Shawn. Unfortunately, instead of a joyful reunion with Hope and a happy ever after, Bo lapsed into a coma, leaving fans heartbroken and questioning the future.
This storyline conclusion was far from the fairytale reunion many had hoped for, especially after the brief glimpse of Bo and Hope in the DAYS spinoff, BEYOND SALEM, last summer. The emotional response from viewers has been significant, as Peter Reckell himself acknowledged in a video chat with Michael Fairman. “People are having huge feelings,” Reckell stated, recognizing the deep connection fans have with Bo and Hope and their desire for a more fulfilling resolution. “Which is great, because it shows that the audience is passionate about what they want to see.”
Reckell further elaborated on the constraints of these short-term returns for him and co-star Kristian Alfonso (Hope). He explained that these limited engagements somewhat restrict the writers’ ability to fully explore the beloved couple’s storyline. “The circumstances are rather difficult with us coming back for these short times and it’s so long in between the times we come back,” Reckell noted, highlighting the challenge of satisfying audience expectations within these parameters. Currently residing in Alaska, Reckell’s commitments and location add another layer to the complexity of his appearances on Days of Our Lives.
However, this recent return provided Reckell with a unique opportunity to delve into a different facet of Bo Brady’s personality. He embraced the chance to portray a darker side of the character, describing this storyline as “Bo’s evil twin.” This manifested in Bo’s memory loss and altered personality throughout this arc, culminating in a powerful moment of memory restoration on the cliff. “This journey was basically Bo’s evil twin,” Reckell explained, emphasizing the departure from the traditional heroic Bo. “It built up to that moment on the cliff [when his memories returned]. It was a pinnacle moment.”
Despite Bo’s resurrection, the anticipated future with Hope remains uncertain. As viewers witnessed, Bo’s regained memories were quickly followed by a tragic shooting by Shawn, leading to his current comatose state in a Greek hospital. Looking ahead, Reckell expressed hope that he and Alfonso could eventually deliver the reunion and future that fans are yearning for. “Obviously, they’re going to be doing something else because you couldn’t leave Bo in cryogenics, you can’t leave him incapacitated,” he speculated, hinting at potential plans for the characters’ future.
Addressing the question of what is Peter Reckell doing now more directly in terms of his Days of Our Lives involvement, Reckell revealed that he is in communication with executive producer Ken Corday. While Corday has indicated “a plan” to bring him back to the show, the timing remains unclear. Factors such as the pending writers’ strike in Hollywood and the production logistics surrounding the show’s recent two-year renewal are contributing to the uncertainty. “Last week, Ken called and said, ‘It’s going to be a while,’” Reckell shared, emphasizing the indefinite nature of his return. “Right now, we’re waiting to see when and if they’ll bring the story back.”
It’s clear that Peter Reckell’s current focus, regarding Days of Our Lives, is one of anticipation and waiting. He is hopeful that his recent appearance is not the final chapter for Bo and Hope. Reckell underscored his commitment to the fans and their long-standing investment in Bo and Hope’s love story. “It wouldn’t be fair to the fans,” he asserted, expressing his concern about leaving the storyline unresolved. “To leave it like this… I can’t even think about it. I don’t see how it’s possible because it would be very disrespectful to the fans.” For now, both Peter Reckell and the devoted Days of Our Lives audience are in a state of suspense, awaiting news about Bo Brady’s future and Peter Reckell’s next chapter with the show.
