Days of Our Lives’ Martha Madison revealed how Deidre Hall has many of the same qualities as her own mom and siblings.

After a stint off the canvas, Belle and Shawn are back on Days of Our Lives. However, the longtime couple recently decided to divorce. Martha Madison, who plays Belle, seems to be sticking around, especially since her character accepted the position of Salem’s district attorney. It’s a position that will require her to work with Shawn, who’s rejoined the Salem PD. Madison’s latest return has featured some wonderful scenes with Marlena as she supports her daughter through her divorce and reentry into Salem. In real life, Madison has been able to count on a supportive dynamic with her TV mom as well.

They Bonded Right Away

Deidre Hall (Marlena) and Martha Madison formed an instant bond when they met. The actress shared a special moment from her 2007 wedding with Soap Opera Digest involving her reel mom and her real-life mom, who passed away in 2021.

“I remember when I was doing my first dance with my husband,” she began. “I looked over, and Deidre had her arm around my mom. It was really sweet, and it just choked me up.”

When Madison started on DAYS in 2004, Marlena wasn’t in Salem, but she had been a fan of the show for years prior to joining. “When I got to finally meet her and work with her I was a little starstruck.” Hall knew that Madison had some nerves about being on the show, and immediately became a mentor for the young actress, telling her, “You’re with me kid. I got you.”

The Similarities Are Striking

Madison explained that growing up, there were mainly women in her family, with almost no males present. So Hall appeared to be very much like her own mother. “They even say some of the same things! It’s really weird,” she revealed. However, it was the similarities between Hall and her mother that helped cement their on-screen mother/daughter bond.

In fact, most of the women in Madison’s life, including her grandmother and sisters, are a lot like Hall, who she described as “Very independent. She’s very strong. She says what she means.” She feels she also bears those characteristics. So, needless to say, Madison is happy to see Belle transform from the typical “damsel in distress,” noting, “I’d like to tell stories about a successful, confident, headstrong woman.” In facing down EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) and whatever next hurdle is coming down the line — that’s exactly what Belle is doing with a bold and powerful demeanor. (Revisit Madison’s 2023 exit.)