Leo Stark is Back in Salem! Get Ready for Mayhem on August 20!

Oh, my sweet, sweet Salemites, grab your popcorn and prepare for a seismic shift! The news we’ve all secretly hoped for, and perhaps a few have dreaded, is here: Leo Stark, portrayed by the incomparable Greg Rikaart, is returning to Days of our Lives on Monday, August 20! My heart nearly stopped when I saw the sneak peek photos for that episode – a mischievous glint in his eye, a perfectly tailored suit, and that undeniable air of ‘I’m about to cause chaos.’ You just know when Leo’s around, things are never, ever dull, and this veteran fan, who has watched every single twist since 1965, can tell you, this is exactly the kind of jolt Salem needs!

The Return of Salem’s Most Lovable Scoundrel: What We Know

The official word from the sneak peek is simple: Leo’s return will “shake things up.” And honestly, could it be anything less? When Greg Rikaart graces our screens as Leo, he doesn’t just walk into a room; he sashays, he schemes, and he steals every single scene he’s in. The last we saw of our favorite gossip columnist and master manipulator, he was deep in his podcasting venture, ‘The Spectator,’ with his equally devious bestie, Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien). Their dynamic was pure gold, a Bonnie and Clyde of Salem gossip, and I’ve been missing their banter fiercely!

What brings Leo back this time? Is it a new opportunity to stir the pot? A forgotten vendetta? Or perhaps, dare I say, a genuine attempt to turn over a new leaf? (Okay, who am I kidding? This is Leo Stark we’re talking about! ‘New leaf’ usually means ‘new disguise’ or ‘new blackmail target.’) Whatever his reason, you can bet it’ll involve high stakes, hilarious one-liners, and probably a few people tearing their hair out. And I, for one, am absolutely here for it!

Leo’s Legacy of Trouble: A Deep Dive into His Past Shenanigans

For those who might be new to the glorious chaos that is Leo Stark, let me give you a quick refresher, because this man’s history in Salem is a masterclass in soap opera villainy… with a heart of gold (sometimes). Leo first burst onto the scene with a mission to blackmail Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith), claiming they had an affair. That escalated quickly to a fake paternity claim involving Sonny and Will Horton’s (Chandler Massey) baby – a storyline that had us all screaming at our screens! He even managed to “die” (only to miraculously return, naturally) at the hands of Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow), sparking a massive whodunit that gripped the town.

Remember when his “mother,” Diana Cooper (Judith Chapman), came to town? That further complicated his already tangled web, revealing even more layers to his manipulative personality. And let’s not forget his bizarre, yet strangely compelling, attempts to charm Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and even Chloe Lane (Nadia Bjorlin). But perhaps his most enduring relationship has been his rollercoaster friendship with Gwen. They found a kindred spirit in each other, two outsiders always looking for an angle, and their ‘Spectator’ podcast was a brilliant way to keep them in the thick of Salem’s drama. He also had a knack for pushing Belle Black (Martha Madison) and Shawn Brady’s (Brandon Beemer) buttons, leading to countless legal battles and restraining orders. Leo truly is an equal-opportunity troublemaker!

Who’s in Leo’s Crosshairs This Time?

Now for the fun part: Speculation! Who will be Leo’s first target or, perhaps, his unwitting ally? Here are my top predictions:

Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien): This is practically a given. Their bond is strong, and with Gwen now married to Dimitri von Leuschner (Peter Porte) in what was clearly a marriage of convenience, Leo could either support her or expose every single one of her secrets. Maybe he’ll even try to help her get the money? Or maybe he’ll be jealous of Dimitri? The possibilities are endless!
Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson): With Sonny gone, Alex is the next generation of Kiriakis who Leo could antagonize. Alex is no stranger to drama and has a bit of a chaotic streak himself. Could they become rivals? Or even… gasp… friends?
Belle Black (Martha Madison) & Shawn Brady (Brandon Beemer): Old habits die hard. Leo loves to needle this power couple, and I wouldn’t put it past him to immediately find a way to make their lives miserable, just for old times’ sake.

EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) & Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker): Leo is fearless, and the DiMeras are always ripe for blackmail. Imagine Leo getting wind of one of EJ’s schemes or Nicole’s secrets! The fireworks would be legendary.
Brady Black (Eric Martsolf): Leo still harbors a bit of a crush on Brady, and with Brady now potentially entangled with Theresa Donovan (Jen Lilley), Leo could create some hilarious, if not entirely welcome, romantic interference.

Will Leo Ever Find Redemption… or Just More Trouble?

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Leo Stark is a complex character. He’s undeniably selfish, manipulative, and often self-serving, but he also possesses a strange charisma and, at times, a glimmer of vulnerability and loyalty (especially to Gwen). I’ve always rooted for him, even when he’s at his worst, because he brings such a unique energy to Salem. Can he truly change? Can he find a way to be a good person without losing that delightful spark of mischief that makes him so entertaining?

Part of me hopes he never fully redeems himself, because Salem needs its lovable rogues. We need characters who stir the pot, who provide the comic relief, and who remind us that even the villains have their complexities. Leo’s return promises exactly that – a renewed sense of unpredictability and fun that only he can deliver. August 20 can’t come soon enough!

So, tell me, my fellow Days fanatics: What are YOUR predictions for Leo Stark’s return? Who do you think he’ll target first, and what kind of trouble will he cause? Share your thoughts in the comments below!