Days of Our Lives sent shockwaves through the soaposphere when it released a preview hinting at a comeback for the late Stefano DiMera (played by the legendary Joseph Mascolo, who passed away in 2016). But even if the Peacock drama wasn’t inching toward a surprising return for the Phoenix, his importance to the canvas cannot be overstated. “Regardless of whether you talk about it or not, the legacy is there,” Dan Feuerriegel points out to Soaps.com. “I mean, his painting’s up on the wall in the mansion.

“I talk to it all the time,” he adds in character. “I always go for it for advice or to get things off my chest. It’s just part of the DiMera family.”

Why Is Stefano So Important to the DiMeras?

In fact, without Stefano, there wouldn’t really be a DiMera family — not one of note, anyway. What he built up, by whatever means, “that is the DiMera legacy,” Feuerriegel says, “and that’s what EJ is trying to keep alive. It is of the utmost importance, because if you think about it, if there was no Stefano, what would the DiMeras be? Nothing. They wouldn’t be the DiMeras.” (See who’s who in the loco clan here.)

What Impact Did Stefano Have On EJ?

EJ hasn’t necessarily had it easy being the son of Salem’s most notorious villain. “But it’s a part of his life,” shrugs the actor. “And he so fully believes in the family legacy that it is what it is. It is DiMera.

“It’s not a burden at all,” he continues. “Legacy is important. Obviously, EJ talks about how hard sometimes it was growing up underneath Stefano, but it made him the man that he is today. Not very well-liked, but it’s made him the man that he is today.”

Since Days of Our Lives is teasing Stefano’s resurrection, who could even conceivably possibly step in for the irreplaceable Joseph Mascolo? Consider some potential Stefano recasts in the below photo gallery.