John Black: podcast appearances and interviews

John Black is a fictional character from the American soap opera Days of Our Lives. The character has been portrayed by actor Drake Hogestyn from January 1986 until January 2009, with a return in September 2011, and his last appearance in September 2024. Hogestyn's portrayal of John Black is notable for the character's complex backstory, including a reveal that he was once presumed dead Roman Brady, after plastic surgery and amnesia. This storyline, along with subsequent narrative developments, established John Black as a central figure in the series, particularly through his relationship with Marlena Evans. The character was created by scriptwriters Sheri Anderson, Thom Racina, and Leah Laiman in 1985, introduced by executive producers Betty Corday and Al Rabin, and became one of the show's most popular characters due to these dramatic revelations and relationships. John Black's character has been involved in key storylines, including a notable retcon in 1991 when actor Wayne Northrop's return as Roman Brady led to Hogestyn's portrayal of the character being redefined. This character's storyline has contributed significantly to the show's narrative, especially through the development of the supercouple pairing with Marlena Evans. Allan Wayne Anderson portrayed a variation of the role briefly in 2025, credited as 'John Double'.