<Tr> <Th> Nieces and nephews </Th> <Td> Andrew Donovan Theresa Donovan Stephanie Johnson Joey Johnson Shawn - Douglas Brady Chelsea Brady Zack Brady Ciara Brady </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> First cousins </Th> <Td> Ryan Brady Colin Murphy </Td> </Tr> <P> Roman Brady is a fictional character from the long running NBC soap opera, Days of Our Lives . The role was originated in 1981 by Wayne Northrop who played the role until 1984, was filled by Drake Hogestyn from 1986--1991, again by Northrop from 1991--1994, and is currently being portrayed by series veteran Josh Taylor, who stepped into the role in 1997 . </P> <P> The role was originated on December 8, 1981 by Wayne Northrop . Northrop departed from the series on November 26, 1984, and the character was killed off during a battle with his arch - nemesis, international criminal Stefano DiMera . On November 27, 1985, the series introduced a character known as The Pawn . The role was portrayed by Robert Poynton until January 20, 1986, though the character's face is wrapped in bandages . On January 23, 1986, The Pawn's bandages were finally removed as Drake Hogestyn made his first appearance as John Black, a character with no memory of his past or knowledge of his real identity . In May 1986, Hogestyn's character of John is revealed to be Roman with extensive plastic surgery and Hogestyn played the role written as Roman until 1991 . When Northrop returned as Roman on August 30, 1991, the character that Hogestyn had been portraying for five years was retconned to be an entirely separate character that had been brainwashed to believe he was Roman Brady . Northrop once again departed from the series on August 2, 1994 . On July 18, 1997, Josh Taylor appeared in the role as a recast of Roman Brady . The casting was met with criticism due to Taylor's previous portrayal of Chris Kositchek, one of Roman and Marlena's closest friends . Northrop was later recast as another new character, Dr. Alex North, and scenes from Northrop's time playing Roman were edited to create the new character's backstory . </P>

Who played the original roman on days of our lives