John and Marlena Black
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John Black and Marlena Evans are fictional characters and a supercouple on the American soap opera Days of our Lives. John is played by Drake Hogestyn and Marlena is played by Deidre Hall.
[edit] History
Jahn and Marlena became a supercouple in 1986 on the American soap opera Days of Our Lives. Drake Hogestyn (John Black) joined the show that year and his chemistry with Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans) was undeniable. At the time, Hogestyn's character was an amnesiac named John Black but information (later proved false) suggested that he was really the missing, presumed dead Roman Brady (Marlena's husband), with extensive plastic surgery to explain the difference in appearance between the old Roman and John Black. John (as Roman) and Marlena were then married until she "died" in a plane crash in 1987.
The pair's romance in the 80's was short-lived, but it left an indelible mark on Days of Our Lives fans and the soap opera world.
In 1991, Hall returned to Days of Our Lives, and reprised her role as Dr. Marlena Evans. It was revealed that Marlena's supposed death in the plane crash was not true and Marlena had spent the previous four years in a coma. Soon afterwards, Wayne Northrop, the original portrayer of Roman Brady also returned to the show. In a stunning turn of events, Drake Hogestyn remained on the show through a piece of storytelling that revealed that his character was an imposter programmed with the memories of the real Roman Brady. As a result, the fake Roman reverted to the name John Black. While Marlena attempted to reconcile with the real Roman, her feelings for John remained and eventually the two had an affair that produced their daughter Belle and led to Marlena and Roman's divorce.
This was not to be the end of their turmoil, because soon afterwards Marlena was possessed by Satan. John, who had found out that he had been a priest in his former life was able to perform an exorcism and Marlena was saved. However, the two could not resume their relationship at that time, and after John left the priesthood he fell into a relationship with Kristen DiMera, a former lover who was the adopted daughter of John's worst enemy, Stefano DiMera, the man who had brainwashed John to believe that he was Roman. Kristen eventually grew insecure about her relationship with John and cooked up one scheme after another to keep him away from Marlena. However, Kristen was exposed and John and Marlena were finally able to reunite.
Throughout the mid to late '90s, fans clamored for John and Marlena to be together. They have solidified their status and standing as one of Days of Our Lives'' leading supercouples.
In the 2000's, John and Marlena faced some obstacles when Marlena lost her memory. Amnesia specialist Alex North came to town, claiming to be Marlena's real husband from college. Marlena became torn between Alex and John and, due to John's raging jealousy and Alex's manipulations, Marlena chose Alex. When it was discovered Alex was abusive during their marriage and that's why Marlena left him, Marlena left both John and Alex. Marlena took a job in New Jersey and left town for a little while. John moved on, but when it was discovered was missing, John began to search for his love which continues today.
John & Marlena remain the only supercouple on Days of Our Lives to have been played by the same two actors during their entire run on the show. That says a lot considering John & Marlena's passion-filled, I'd-die-for-you history spans nearly 20 years.
