Kim Coles is set to reprise her role as the eccentric Whitley King on “Days of Our Lives” starting February 5. The actress, who first appeared in a dramatic storyline during the summer of 2023, is thrilled to return to the show that has captured her heart. “It’s forever a place that is warm in my heart,” Coles shares, reflecting on her initial stint on the long-running daytime soap opera.
Despite having reservations about joining a soap opera due to the rapid pace and intense workload, Coles embraced the challenge. Coles admits, “There’s two things in my career I said I never wanted to do: one of them was porn and the other was soap operas. I was adamant about the porn, and I was really clear about soap operas because I’d heard the stories about how hard it was and how it moves so quickly, and I’m not built for that kind of acting.
It’s a very specific skill and I just didn’t think I had it in me. So, when this opportunity came along, I was like, ‘OK, this is here for a reason. Let me take it head-on.'”
To prepare for her audition, Coles hired a coach and went on to secure the role.
“When they said yes, I was like, ‘Oh, wow, the other one is still on the list, but I can cross this one off.'”
By the time she wrapped up her storyline two years ago, Coles had developed a profound appreciation for the genre. “It was such a great experience,” she raves. “The people are awesome to work with and to be welcomed and given the tools so that I could succeed.
I fell in love with the process and was praying that they would bring me back.”
And bring her back they did. Coles made a brief return for a Halloween episode in 2023 and now is set for another significant storyline.
Kim Coles embraces soap opera return
This time, Whitley King is revealed as the mastermind behind causing chaos on the “Body & Soul” set—even while confined to a mental health facility. “That this rich thing that was happening behind the scenes was set up for me to come in and cause mayhem again was quite a delight,” Coles enthuses. Coles also shares her joy in reconnecting with former co-stars.
“Any time you get to be in any space Jim [Reynolds] is, it’s a beautiful thing,” she says. “He’s a lovely man and he’s really funny and charming, so just to play with him is wonderful.” Coles also mentions her longtime friend, Paulina Price, whom she praises for being “a hoot, and she’s easy to be around.”
Coles, originally well-known in the sitcom world, finds that her experience on “Days of Our Lives” has added valuable skills to her resume. “The way sitcoms are shot is completely different from the way that soaps are done,” she explains.
“And to have those new tools in my tool belt is delicious. To come back and play something so dramatic and so pivotal to the lives of others made me feel like, ‘Oh, I could do anything.'”
Outside of acting, Coles dedicates her time to coaching others. “I help speakers, authors, and coaches share their story so they can get their methods out into the world,” she explains.
She is passionate about the power of storytelling and enjoys teaching it across various social media platforms. As for future returns to Salem, Coles is more than willing. “I will come back any day,” she declares, reflecting on the warm reception she received from both cast and fans.
“I loved the experience; I loved the making of the show and the people on the show and to be a part of that just feels good. I’m a better performer and a better artist now.”
“Days of Our Lives” airs weekdays on Peacock.