<P> In July 2009, it was announced that Sorel would be reprising the role of Vivian . Executive producer, Gary Tomlin, contacted Sorel and invited her to return to the show . Sorel was surprised as Tomlin invited her to return over the telephone without seeing her current appearance . Sorel told TV Guide "(Tomlin) didn't ask me how I'm looking these days . For all he knew, I've gained 250 pounds ." The actress commutes from New York to California, where Days of our Lives is filmed, for the role . Sorel signed an initial one - year contract . Sorel was initially planning to sign a longer contract, but since relocating to New York, she could not speculate on her long - term future with the show . Sorel returned to filming in September 2009 . Vivian's return was broadcast on October 30, 2009 . </P> <P> Sorel's return coincided with the return of Chappell as Carly . Vivian returns to Salem to wreak revenge on Carly for murdering Lawrence . </P> <P> In June 2011, it was revealed by TV Guide that Sorel was let go from the show following the departure of Head writer Dena Higley and last aired on September 22 . In August 2017, six years after her departure the soap announced Sorel's return . Sorel is expected to reappear in January 2018 . Sorel would make her first appearance on December 29 . </P> <P> Vivian, the aunt of Lawrence Alamain arrives in Salem on March 2, 1992 . She is determined to take over Alamain corporations, but is foiled when John Black inherits them . Vivian looks to be rich, and powerful, so she pursues wealthy crime lord, Victor Kiriakis . Vivian marries Victor for business purposes, but the marriage is short lived . After Victor leaves her for Kate Roberts, Vivian sets out to destroy Carly Manning . Vivian is taking herbal pills from Dr. Wu, which makes her loopy . She begins to target Carly's patients, by injecting them with cleaning fluids . The police begin to investigate Carly for murder . Carly learns Vivian is the one killing off her patients, and sets out to prove it . A crazed Vivian gives Carly a strong dose of morphine to put her in a very deep sleep . Vivian gives Carly a serum that gives her a deathlike paralysis . Carly is pronounced dead, and Vivian buries Carly alive in a coffin, built with a low oxygen supply, and little water . Vivian stops taking her herbs, and realizes what she is doing is crazy, and with the help of Lawrence she digs Carly up . Vivian is arrested and put in Pine Haven Sanitarium where she meets and befriends Laura Horton . Laura sees Vivian as her ticket out of the Sanitarium, and so Laura continues her friendship with Vivian in order to get out of the Sanitarium and get back to Salem . </P>

Who brought vivian back to life on days of our lives