Photo Credit: JPI Studios Days of Our Lives’ Dan Gauthier teases surprises ahead as Peter Blake steps back into DiMera territory.

Dan Gauthier has spent decades moving comfortably between genres, from his long run as Kevin Buchanan on One Life to Live to film and primetime roles that fans love. Now, he’s back in daytime, stepping into the role of Peter Blake on Days of our Lives. Peter, Kristen DiMera’s long-absent brother, hasn’t been in Salem for nearly 30 years, which gives Gauthier unusual space to work with and a certain weight to carry at the same time. In a new interview, he reflects on returning to daytime after a 15-year break, and figuring out how much of Peter’s history belongs in the version of the character he’s playing now.

Key Takeaways

• Dan Gauthier returns to daytime as Peter Blake on DAYS after a 15-year hiatus.
• Peter’s long absence from Salem gives Gauthier rare freedom, along with added responsibility.
• Familiar faces and a welcoming set helped ease Gauthier’s return to daytime.
• Gauthier chose not to revisit Peter’s past portrayals, focusing instead on the current scripts.
• Peter re-enters Salem directly into DiMera territory, with motives and alliances still unclear.
• Gauthier teased that viewers may be surprised by how Peter fits into the family this time around.

Returning to Salem After 15 Years Away

Gauthier spoke with TV Insider about stepping back into the daytime world, and one thing became clear right away: the nerves didn’t linger. There was still that first-day energy that comes with any new set, but familiar faces and rhythms took the edge off faster than he expected. Knowing actors like John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip) were already there, and finally sharing scenes with Stacy Haiduk (Kristen), made the transition easier than he expected.

That sense of welcome mattered. Gauthier described the set as open, generous, and immediately comfortable, the kind of environment where momentum builds fast. “Everybody was so kind and accepting and welcoming,” he said, adding that he liked the environment and enthusiasm of his castmates. “I couldn’t ask for anything better, to be honest with you,” he noted.

The adjustment period was brief, which allowed him to stop thinking about the transition and settle into the work itself. That said, he’s not pretending the nerves weren’t there at the start. Any new set comes with an adjustment period, even for someone who’s been doing this for decades. Despite his nerves, his experience helped him trust the process and settle into the rhythm without forcing it.

Finding His Version of Peter Blake

Peter Blake arrives in Salem with history attached, but Gauthier made a deliberate choice not to revisit it. Rather than study Jason Brooks’ earlier portrayal or dig through decades-old storylines, he stayed focused on what was on the page. The scripts in front of him mattered more than continuity homework, especially for a character returning after such a long absence.

That approach gave him room to claim the role as his own. Peter doesn’t ease back into Salem so much as step straight into the middle of DiMera business, with Chad (Billy Flynn), Tony (Thaao Penghlis), EJ (Dan Feuerriegel), and Kristen all in close orbit and no one quite saying what they want yet. Without giving away spoilers, he explained, “The mystery is kind of the enjoyment of this whole thing.”

He also teased that viewers may be surprised not just by Peter’s presence, but by how he fits into the family now. As his chemistry with Haiduk helped create their dynamic, he’s looking forward to seeing where Salem lets Peter Blake go.