John Oliver returns to soaps with a ridiculous new role on ‘Days of Our Lives’
'Last Week Tonight' host John Oliver will make his soap opera dreams come true a second time in 'Days of Our Lives.' He will start his three-episode stint on Peacock's show from the August 11 episode, according to Michael Fairman TV. A DAYS representative recently revealed that the host will play Salem's Chief Water Inspector, who is set to investigate the local water supply. In an interview with Soaps.com, Dan Feuerriegel, who plays AJ and shares scenes with Oliver, revealed the name of the character the late-night host will play. The character's name is 'Devlin St. John,' which apparently gave the host everything he wanted from the experience.
Oliver's tryst with soap opera began when the host asked for a part on the March 8 episode of his popular HBO show. On the show, he put himself out there but had certain conditions about the part he wanted to play. "To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you," Oliver shared. "Write me a role, and I'll be on your set so fast, it'll make your head spin. I only have a few conditions: First, I don't want to play myself; I want to be a character. And I want his name to be ridiculous. Also, I want to do something juicy — like murder or slapping or being slapped or being someone's long-lost something — and, ideally, I'd like a dramatic close-up of my face. But in return, trust me, I will give my all to this performance."
The show apparently fulfilled all his needs when creating Devlin's storyline. "He wanted the whole thing. From my recollection, he wanted a wig. He wanted a ridiculous name, and he wanted to slap or be slapped." Feuerriegel shared, "We did all the things. Everything you would think cliché in a soap, we did. I got slapped. I slapped." EJ will apparently go toe-to-toe with the new entrant. "So, I think intellectually, absolutely. Devlin St. John was a match for EJ, but EJ was sick," the actor shared. "He was operating from a little bit of a lesser area, but he was fantastic. It was wonderful to work with him." Feuerriegel enjoyed working with Oliver, calling him "very, very professional." For those unaware, DAYS shoots its episodes a year in advance. Because Oliver made his appeal in March 2026, the writers, to fulfill his wish as quickly as possible, created his storyline and incorporated it in already-filmed episodes.
Apart from EJ, Oliver will also have scenes with Rita (Maggie Carney) and Mayor Paulina Price (Jackée Harry). Harry shed some light on her character's storyline with Devlin during an interview with TV Insider. "He is the water commissioner and coming to her with some scheme. He is trying to get one over on the city of Salem, and she is not having it. And then he's onto the next victim," she said. Apart from Tuesday's episode, the character will also appear on the August 12 and August 14 episodes.
Oliver has already featured in the show's promo for the week beginning on August 10, in which his character is looking for Mayor Paulina. "Mayor Paulina Price?" he asks. "That's me," she responds. However, nothing more is evident from the promo, but the host is clearly wearing a wig. During an episode of 'Last Week Tonight,' he expressed his delight at booking the part. "I'm thrilled to announce I have an update, because I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of a little show called Days of Our Lives," he said.
"The show that gave us unforgettable moments like the Devil possessing Marlena, Sami Brady trying to rescue Phillip from Iraq by going in full soldier drag, and Bo Brady discovering a mysterious woman in a bayou that everyone called Swamp Girl until learning she was actually a princess. Well, I’m happy to say that I’ve already taped a week of episodes on Days of Our Lives!" This is his second soap opera stint since his March 8 appeal. He previously appeared on 'General Hospital.' 'Days of Our Lives' continues to stream every weekday on Peacock.
