DAYS Exclusive: Dan Feuerriegel on EJ Drama and Belle’s ‘Betrayal’

For Whom The Belle Tolls: DAYS’s EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) is thrown for a loop to find out that Belle (Martha Madison) is the new DA.

The new year has only just begun, but it’s safe to say that it hasn’t started out well for EJ on Days of our Lives. On the heels of Arnold’s surprise return, which led to EJ stashing Rafe in the secret room at the mansion, the usually formidable DiMera ended 2024 getting fired from his DA job and being replaced in the position by his ex-lover, Belle. Dan Feuerriegel chatted with Soap Opera Digest about his character’s woeful situation and all the fun and complicated drama it’s stirred up.

Soap Opera Digest: Tops on EJ’s list of problems has been Arnold’s return. Does EJ feel he’s in control of the situation, or is Arnold such a loose cannon that he doesn’t quite know how to handle him?

Dan Feuerriegel: It’s a combination of both. At first EJ left Arnold to his own devices and trusted him, but then the situation was made worse through Rafe coming in contact with Arnold. That’s when EJ had to take over [and abduct Rafe]. Basically, EJ is just scrambling, trying to fix this and trying to fix that. And it’s mainly because Arnold is such a loose canon.

Digest: What’s the dynamic like when you work with Galen Gering as Arnold as opposed to working with him as Rafe?

Feuerriegel: It’s so much fun. I love working with Galen. We’re very similar in our humor and maturity. Plus, Galen loves playing Arnold, because he gets to do a completely different character from what Rafe is. It’s obviously a character that I was not connected with in regards to EJ, so Galen filled me in on the storyline and everything that happened.

Digest: Did EJ feel he had no alternative but to abduct Rafe?

Feuerriegel: He had no choice. He was also trying to buy time to figure out what to do. EJ’s also using Arnold to his advantage. Well, he’s trying to anyway. He’s got a few little things that he wants to make go his way, and if he uses Arnold in place of Rafe…

Digest: Do you think it’s a good plan, because anything involving Arnold can easily backfire?

Feuerriegel: It’s a silly plan. If one person steps out of line, it could be an absolute mess. So it’s a flimsy plan, but it’s a plan that’s probably best at the moment. All EJ is doing is trying to cover his own butt and maybe gain a few things out of it. Me personally, when I was portraying it, was like, “I don’t know how he’s going to get out of this, unless you kill someone.” It feels like he’s just flying by the seat piece pants.

Digest: Plus, he’s dealing with the aftermath of having been fired as DA, which he’s furious about.

Feuerriegel: It’s the power. He just wants power, because he’s no longer really a part of DiMera Enterprises. So if he can be the DA, then he can kind of let [DiMera] go, do this, and go after his enemies.

Digest: EJ has a few enemies right now. Paulina fired him, after Jada recommended it. And then Belle was given the DA post.

Feuerriegel: I think he’s more going after Jada, because he really likes Belle. Belle’s just collateral damage.

Digest: What’s it been like having Martha Madison back as Belle? When she was last on the show EJ and Belle had a little fling, although it quickly fizzled.

Feuerriegel: Martha is fantastic. I love the dynamic of EJ and Belle. They’re kind of adversaries who love to hate each other. That kind of a thing. And it’s always a pleasure to work with Martha. So I’m very happy and excited that she’s back.

Digest: Martha has likened EJ and Belle’s relationship to the one David and Maddie shared on Moonlighting, the classic TV series that starred with Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd. Do you see the similarity?

Feuerriegel: Absolutely. And I will be Bruce Willis any day of the week.

Digest: Like David and Maddie, EJ and Belle are always spatting back and forth.

Feuerriegel: And there’s this undercurrent of sexual tension. That’s why they fight all the time. They also are kind of independently minded. They each have their own power dynamics that they want to go after in career and life. So it’s just, “Crash, crash, crash,” but they love it.

Digest: How does EJ feel about Belle being the one who replaces him as DA?

Feuerriegel: There’s definitely this sense of betrayal, even though there was nothing to betray. It also makes going after that position again a little bit harder. There’s a new kind of blockage in the way. But maybe it also secretly excites EJ. Maybe he’s like, “All right. I get to do more and go after Belle.”

Digest: Aside from butting heads with Belle and Jada, EJ has also had quite a few combative moments with the town’s mayor, Paulina. What’s it been like working opposite Jackée Harry?

Feuerriegel: I love working with Jackée. It’s just a pleasure to be able to work with all these different people as well. And Jackée is fantastic. She’s lovely, and she gives as good as she gets, which is always so fun. And that’s why her character’s “the man.”

Digest: Do you find it interesting that all of EJ’s adversaries are currently women: Jada, Paulina and Belle? He’s usually battled with the different guys, but now he’s fighting all these power women.

Feuerriegel: I didn’t even think of that. I was just going along with the story and going against who I was going against. I guess EJ has smited with all the boys [laughs]. So now he’s got to combat against the girls, and he’s finding it considerably harder.