<Tr> <Th> Grandchildren </Th> <Td> Johnny DiMera Sydney DiMera </Td> </Tr> <P> Susan Banks is a fictional character on NBC's daytime drama Days of Our Lives . She was played by Eileen Davidson from November 4, 1996 to April 8, 1998, and again in 2014 and 2017 . Susan is the eccentric mother of Elvis "EJ" DiMera, and once acted as Kristen Blake's doppelganger . In November 2011, it was announced that Brynn Thayer would take over the role of Susan, since Davidson was committed to The Young and the Restless . Thayer made her brief one - off appearance as Susan on December 7, 2011 . </P> <P> In January 2014, it was announced that Davidson would be returning to Days for a three - month story arc after having departed with the show in November 2013 . In late September 2014, it was announced that Davidson would reprise her role as Susan Banks; her first time portraying the character in 16 years . Davidson returned to the role once again on November 2, 2017 . She reprised the role of Susan's sister, Sister Mary Moira on November 21, 2017 . Stacy Haiduk debuted as Susan on August 21, 2018 . </P> <P> The decision to create a storyline in which Stefano hires a doppelganger to impersonate Kristen Blake demanded that the Days producers cast an actress who resembled Davidson . Actress, Brenda Epperson was considered for the role, an actress Davidson suggested to replace her in her role as Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless, due to their uncanny resemblance . Instead of casting Epperson, or any actress for that matter, Davidson suggested that she play both roles: Kristen and her alter . The show ultimately agreed . </P>

Who is playing susan banks on days of our lives now