If you’ve been watching Days of our Lives lately, you know the name Jeremy Horton has been carrying a lot of weight. It’s funny how soap operas work. One day a character is a distant memory, and the next, they’re the eye of a hurricane.
Jeremy isn’t just some random addition to the cast. He’s legacy. He’s the son of Mike Horton and Robin Jacobs, which basically makes him Salem royalty, even if he’s spent most of his life acting more like a court jester or, frankly, a straight-up villain.
His return in late 2025, now played by Michael Roark, has caught a lot of people off guard. Honestly, if you remember the Trevor Donovan era back in 2007, you probably have some mixed feelings. Is he a changed man? Or is he the same guy who left town under a massive cloud of scandal?
The Jeremy Horton History You Might’ve Forgotten
Let’s go back. Way back.
Jeremy first showed up in 1989. At the time, he was just a kid, the surprise result of Mike Horton’s time in Israel. It was a classic soap trope: the long-lost child appearing out of nowhere. He didn't stay long, heading back overseas with his parents.
Then 2007 happened.
The show aged him up, brought in Trevor Donovan, and turned Jeremy into a full-blown "bad boy." He wasn’t just rebellious; he was dangerous. He started a charter airline business—Touch the Sky Airlines—which sounds romantic until you realize it was a front for human trafficking and smuggling.
It was a dark storyline.
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He manipulated Stephanie Johnson, broke her heart, and eventually fled Salem to avoid the ISA. He didn't just leave; he vanished. For seventeen years, Jeremy Horton was a name people only whispered when they wanted to talk about the "black sheep" of the family.
Michael Roark and the 2025 Comeback
Fast forward to October 2025.
The show cast Michael Roark, an alum from The Young and the Restless, to take over the role. This wasn't just a cameo. Jeremy walked back into Salem with a brand-new look and a brand-new story. He claims he’s reformed. He’s a teacher now.
Yes, a teacher.
He’s been working as a substitute for Thomas and Rachel at Salem Elementary. It’s a wild pivot from human trafficking to fifth-grade math, and half the town isn’t buying it. Stephanie Johnson, now played by Abigail Klein, certainly isn't. When Jeremy showed up at her door with flowers, the tension was thick enough to cut with a scalpel.
Why the Redemption Arc Feels Different This Time
The writers aren't ignoring his past. That’s the interesting part.
Usually, when a soap character returns after a decade, everyone just kind of forgets they were a criminal. Not here. Characters like Jada Hunter and Steve Johnson are actively digging into his background. They’re skeptical, and they should be.
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Jeremy insists he’s spent the last 17 years getting his life together:
- He went to rehab.
- He finished his education.
- He got his teaching certification.
- He claims his criminal record has been expunged.
Is it possible? Sure. People change in real life. But in Salem? Change usually comes with a hidden agenda or a twin brother hiding in the basement.
The Horton Family Connection
You can't talk about Jeremy Horton without talking about the Horton family legacy. His return coincides with the 60th-anniversary celebrations of the show and the big gala honoring his great-grandfather, Tom Horton.
Seeing Michael Roark share scenes with Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) has been a highlight for longtime fans. Julie is the matriarch. She wants to believe the best in her family. She’s welcomed him with open arms, which has put her at odds with others who remember the 2007 version of Jeremy.
Then there's his father, Mike Horton. With Roark Critchlow returning for the anniversary events, the father-son dynamic is finally getting some screen time. It’s a messy family tree, but that’s why we watch, right?
What’s Actually Happening in 2026?
As of January 2026, Jeremy is still a major player.
There’s a lot of noise about his true intentions. He’s been seen reacting quite strongly to news of Stephanie’s engagement to Alex Kiriakis. He says he wants closure, but his "coincidental" run-ins with her feel a little too calculated.
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There's also his weirdly close bond with the kids he's teaching. In the episodes airing mid-January 2026, he’s giving advice to Rachel Black. If you know Rachel, you know she’s a DiMera through and through—manipulative and sharp. Seeing her bond with a Horton who has a shady past is a recipe for disaster.
Is He Leaving Again?
There are always rumors.
With the recent casting shakeups at Days of our Lives—where several younger actors were reportedly let go in early 2026—fans are wondering if Jeremy's redemption arc is a short-term story. Soap budgets are tight. Characters come and go.
However, Jeremy is currently tied into the Abigail/Stalker mystery that’s been brewing. Some fans on Reddit and soap forums are convinced he might be the "mysterious figure" lurking in the shadows. It would be a classic "Days" move: make the audience love the guy, then reveal he’s been the villain all along.
How to Keep Up With Jeremy’s Story
If you’re trying to track the latest on Jeremy Horton, you’ve got to stay tuned to the Peacock daily drops. The show moves fast, and missing one week can mean missing a massive revelation about his time in Israel or his "reformed" status.
Watch for these specific red flags:
- The Tablet Incident: Pay attention to how he reacts when he thinks nobody is looking. His "public" face is very different from his "private" one.
- The Jada Connection: Jada is a cop. She’s trained to see through lies. If she starts to trust him, it might actually mean he’s changed. If she stays suspicious, we should too.
- The Horton Gala: This is where the truth usually comes out. Keep an eye on the upcoming anniversary episodes.
Whatever happens, Jeremy Horton isn't just a background character anymore. He's a reminder that in Salem, the past never stays buried, and a Horton name is both a blessing and a curse.
If you want to dive deeper into the Horton family tree or see how Jeremy's crimes in 2007 compared to other Salem villains, check out the official archives or the latest recaps on Soap Hub. The history is dense, but it’s what makes the current drama so satisfying to watch.