Imagine living through the most profound heartbreak of your life, the loss of your soulmate, and then having to portray that exact scenario for millions to see. Sounds like a plot twist from a dramatic TV show, right? Well, for Susan Seaforth Hayes, the iconic Julie Williams on NBC/Peacock’s “Days of Our Lives,”

this isn’t fiction – it’s her incredibly raw and poignant reality. Since the devastating loss of her real-life husband and on-screen love, Bill Hayes (the cherished Doug Williams), in January 2024 at the remarkable age of 98, Susan has been tasked with navigating Julie’s widowhood, a storyline mirroring her own painful journey.

When Art Mirrors Life’s Cruelest Twist
Walking onto the set these days carries a different weight for Seaforth Hayes. The line between Susan the grieving widow and Julie the grieving widow has blurred in the most challenging way imaginable.

She candidly admits the difficulty, stating, “It’s taken a bit of concentration reliving the day he passed, reliving the real funeral, reliving all of those empty moments and making them real for the audience, [while] not wanting to come into work.” Think about that – summoning the strength to not only show up but to channel your most vulnerable emotions for the cameras.

It’s a testament to her professionalism and, perhaps, a unique way of processing an overwhelming loss. The authenticity viewers are seeing in Julie’s sorrow? It’s drawn from a wellspring of genuine pain.

Finding Purpose in Shared Sorrow
So why put herself through such an emotionally taxing ordeal? Susan believes deeply in the story they’re telling.

“Days of Our Lives” has a massive audience, many of whom are women who, statistically, might face widowhood themselves. “I feel we have a large audience of women and, in the fullness of time, most wives outlive their husbands,” she notes. She felt this was a vital narrative, perhaps underexplored with such raw honesty before.

What adds an incredible layer of depth is the audience’s awareness of the real-life love story. Fans didn’t just watch Doug and Julie fall in love, overcome obstacles, and build a life together on screen for decades; they knew that

Susan and Bill really loved each other off-screen. Their chemistry wasn’t just acting; it was the real deal, a Hollywood rarity that lasted over five decades. This shared history, this knowledge that the tears are rooted in genuine loss, gives Julie’s storyline an emotional heft few fictional tales can achieve.

There’s a certain depth and I appreciated that,” Susan acknowledges.

A Shoulder to Cry On: Support Behind the Scenes
While plumbing the depths of grief on camera is tough, Susan hasn’t been alone. She emphasizes the incredible wave of support she’s received from her “Days of Our Lives” family.

“I received beautiful treatment from my co-workers, crew, cast, writers… Everyone has been outstandingly considerate, supportive and absolutely lovely,” she declares warmly. Far from shying away, this shared experience and outpouring of kindness have actually strengthened her bond with the show.

“My interest in being on the show has increased tenfold since it has become much more of my life than it ever was when I was happily married.”
This support system, from Executive Producer Ken Corday down to every member of the crew, has been invaluable. Susan understands the vital need for connection during such a devastating time:

“Women need support at this time. Anyone who has lost the center of their universe needs a bit of extra support… It’s been very precious, unexpected and gratefully received.” It paints a picture of a workplace that truly rallies around its own, offering comfort amidst the klieg lights and camera cues.

The ‘Club’ No One Wants to Join: Finding Sisterhood in Grief
Susan’s journey through widowhood isn’t solitary, even outside the studio. She’s found herself part of an informal, heartbreaking “club” with close friends who experienced similar losses around the same time.

Her sister-in-law lost her husband (Susan’s brother) within weeks of Bill’s passing, and a dear friend, a star at the Metropolitan Opera, lost her husband just a week apart. “I’ve been in contact with them, and we’ve really learned and lifted each other up. It’s that club of people who loved their husbands,”she shares.

Even though Bill lived a long and seemingly healthy life right up until the end, his death wasn’t something she felt prepared for. There was no sense of relief that can sometimes accompany the end of a long illness or dementia. “I felt no relief,” she states plainly. “I felt only loss… He was here, [now] he’s not here.” It’s a raw, unvarnished look at the sharp pain of absence when a vibrant life is suddenly extinguished.

Fan Mail & Lifelong Bonds: Unexpected Comfort
The outpouring of love hasn’t just come from colleagues and friends; it’s flowed generously from the fans who adored Bill and cherished Doug and Julie’s enduring love story. Susan has been deeply moved by the waves of condolences. “Everybody that recognizes me gives me sympathy,” she says, touched by the public’s kindness. Mail, delayed by transitions at NBC/Peacock, arrived like a balm, filled with “outpourings of honest emotion and affection and respect for Bill.”

Susan, known for her dedication to her fans, has always tried to respond personally to letters, and this connection feels even more vital now. She shared a touching story about a teacher who named her daughter Julie and wrote about how much Susan and Bill’s “true” love meant to her. Susan wrote back immediately, touched by the gesture. These connections, sometimes spanning decades, are proof of the unique bond between soap stars and their dedicated viewers. She even recounted long-term friendships forged through fan mail, including one with a fan from Kentucky who, sharing the bond of recent widowhood, visited Bill’s grave in Michigan when Susan felt she couldn’t bear to go herself. “My God! Some of the best people in the world are watching our show,” Susan exclaims.

Moving Forward, Carrying Love
Susan Seaforth Hayes’ journey is a heart-wrenching, public navigation of private grief. Yet, in sharing her vulnerability, both as herself and through her beloved character Julie, she’s doing more than just acting. She’s offering a portrayal of loss, resilience, and the enduring power of love that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced heartbreak. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the fictional town of Salem, real emotions and real connections matter most, solidifying the incredible legacy of Susan and Bill Hayes, both on screen and off.