Ben Weston is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network, most notably portrayed by Robert Scott Wilson.

The role was originated by Justin Gaston in 2014, as Ben Rogers, when the character was introduced as the new love interest of Abigail Deveraux (Kate Mansi), and was later revealed to be the estranged brother of Jordan Ridgeway (Chrishell Stause).

Soon after, Wilson was hired as a recast and the writers began exploring the character's dark past with the introduction of his abusive criminal father Clyde Weston (James Read).

Upon his return, head writer Ron Carlivati began to redeem the character through his friendship and eventual romance with Ciara Brady (Victoria Konefal), whom he later married and had a son with.

Ben (Justin Gaston) comes to Salem in 2014 where he lands a job as a waiter at Club TBD and runs into his estranged sister Jordan Ridgeway.

Meanwhile, Ben grows closer to Abby despite her ex-boyfriend Chad DiMera attempts to sabotage his budding romance with Abigail and the life he's building in Salem.

Meanwhile, Ben warns Abigail to keep her distance from Chad who has been implicated in the murders of Serena Mason (Melissa Archer) and Paige Larson (True O'Brien).

Meanwhile, Ben is furious when his future brother-in-law JJ Deveraux (Casey Moss) gets Clyde arrested for drug trafficking and they nearly come to blows.

However, Ciara invites Ben to move in with her, her boyfriend Tripp Dalton (Lucas Adams) and her niece Claire (Olivia Rose Keegan).

[6] In February 2014, it was reported that actor and country singer Justin Gaston, known for his appearance on the television series, Nashville Star had been cast in the contract role of Ben.

[13] In a November 2020 interview with Michael Fairman, Wilson disclosed he received the casting call for Ben in 2013, and was unable to audition, due to his commitment for All My Children.

The casting notice also described Ben as “utterly charming” due to his “honest sincere approach to life and love.” The producers looked for actors with a musical background.

"[24] I ran with it because I got what I wanted: a chance to play Ben in a total arc, taking him from one set of character traits to a completely different type of person.

"[31] In the summer of 2015, Entertainment Weekly reported that the series would launch a Murder mystery plot in late August as the show was to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

[39][40] On the episode that aired on September 24, 2015, the killer tries and fails to kill one of the show's most iconic characters, Marlena Evans, portrayed by veteran actress Deidre Hall.

[62] In an interview with Michael Maloney for TV Insider, Wilson said "The show has come up with a phenomenal way to bring Ben full circle and putting him in a different light without losing his edge.

"[63] The writers paired Wilson with Deidre Hall's character, resident shrink, Marlena Evans, as she examines his mental stability upon hearing the news that he is rehabilitated.

[64] Laurisa from Soapcentral.com argued that the extreme circumstances of the parallel plot in which Abigail avoided prison after killing someone due to a psychotic break made Ben's return more plausible.

Jamey Giddens said, "Is it any wonder CBS Daytime decided to make Robert Scott Wilson the first-ever male model on The Price is Right?

The blog admitted that had the actors (including Wilson's costars Chrishell Stause and James Read) been cast in a more established roles, "we doubt they'd be on a worst list."

You nailed it.”"[75] While the character was initially not well received, the shocking serial killer plot and Wilson's portrayal led to Ben becoming a fan favorite.

Michael Maloney described becoming a soap serial killer as "a thankless role" but credited Wilson's "compelling performances" with garnering "rave reviews.

"[81] Days superstar Alison Sweeney who played Will's mother Sami even voiced her own anger over the decision to kill the character.

Michael Fairman who praised the story as a "deeply affection and riveting arc" said "Wilson owned every second of Ben's troubled inner life and turmoil.

"[83] Soap Opera Digest made the climax it's "Editor's Choice" and praised Wilson and his co-stars for making the "stakes feel higher" and "infusing the action with blistering intensity."

[86] Michael Fairman praised Wilson for his "incredibly twisted" portrayal during Ben's final confrontation with Kate Mansi's Abigail in April 2015.

[93] When Wilson reprised his role in 2017, Ryan White-Nobles excitedly declared "The sexiest serial killer in soap history is returning to Days of our Lives!

"[95] Michael Fairman described the December 2017 scenes in which Ben attempts to re-enact Will's murder, as "riveting" "can't-miss soap opera!"

"[106] While she was excited for the return, Laurisa of Soapcentral.com said "My biggest issue with reformed Ben is that [Robert Scott Wilson] does such a superb job of playing the villain.

While the magazine agreed that keeping "Ben on canvas a villain" could generate "interesting" plots, "trying to transform him into a romantic leading man is a big stretch.