Marlena was created by scriptwriter Pat Falken Smith and executive producer Betty Corday, and has become one of Days of our Lives' most well-known characters.

Hall made her debut on the soap on June 21, 1976, currently making her the second longest running actress on the serial, surpassed only by Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Horton).

These would include being possessed by the devil two times (in 1994 and 2021); a plummet from a 30-story-window (which she survived); being used as a surrogate for genetically engineered babies, Rex and Cassie, during a four-year coma, where she was presumed dead after being involved in a plane crash; being mind-controlled to believe she was a serial killer; being targeted by several serial killers; and becoming pregnant late in life and suffering a miscarriage, which caused her to have hysterical amnesia.

In 2010, Sheri Anderson (a former head writer for Days) began writing books about off-screen characters from the soap.

[3] The show decided to cast actress Deidre Hall, who was already known in the soap world for her role as Barbara on The Young and the Restless.

She landed the lead role on the family oriented series, Our House,[6][7] and guest starred on other prime time hits such as Wiseguy and Columbo.

In 1991 (after the primetime series ended), Hall began to miss daytime's creative outlet, and returned to the show that same year.

To make do with the new financial restrictions, executive producer Ken Corday was forced to fire Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn.

[13] The couple were quickly reunited after Drake returned; and then they traveled to Switzerland to treat John's physical disability.

For a couple like Marlena and John – who endured bouts of paralysis, amnesia, false deaths and mind control – that should come as a huge relief.

"[17] It was also confirmed in July 2011 that Drake Hogestyn, who portrays Marlena's on-screen love interest John, will also return to the soap in September as well.

We are gearing up for some amazing cast surprises and guest stars visiting Salem in the fall, launching a grand event airing on September 26.

The story begins when the villainous Stefano DiMera gives Marlena mind-altering drugs whilst she is asleep, and with her hypnotised, whisks her away into his fantasy world of romance.

Viewers were shocked to see long-term veteran Abe Carver (James Reynolds) shot at his front doorstep by a strange cloaked figure.

[32][33] Next, viewers saw 34-year veteran recovering alcoholic Maggie Horton (Suzanne Rogers) get bludgeoned to death with a wine bottle.

[32][35] Viewers then saw bad girl Cassie Brady (Alexis Thorpe) fall out of a Halloween pinata with stab wounds.

[40]Alice Horton (Frances Reid) finds a bloody note at her husband's grave with Marlena's name on it.

[41] The fired actors (James Reynolds, Suzanne Rogers, Matthew Ashford, Alexis Thorpe, Josh Taylor, Peggy McCay, Frances Reid, Thaao Penghlis and Deidre Hall) all returned to their original roles.

To make do with the new restrictions, executive producer Ken Corday was forced to fire his two highest paid actors, Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn.

"[44] Matt Mitovich said their exit was, "Truly the end of an era, as daytime television says goodbye to 'Days of Our Lives' John Black and Dr. Marlena Evans on Friday, Jan. 23.

The iconic couple will create another magical moment when they say goodbye to Salem and loved ones following this week's hospital bedside wedding ceremony.

The following year, shortly after she gives birth to twins Sami and Eric Brady, Roman is shot by Stefano DiMera, and is presumed dead by everyone.

[5] When a serial killer dubbed The Salem Stalker starts wreaking havoc around town, killing many friends, including Roman, John and Marlena are worried about what could happen to them.

Moments later, John is arrested for embezzling millions of dollars in retirement money and pensions from his company Basic Black.

Marlena got caught up in the drama surrounding her children's lives, as Eric decided to leave his priesthood and pursue a relationship with Nicole, and Sami was accused of murder.

At the time of Deidre Hall's 2009 departure from the serial, Marlena was the fourth longest running Days of Our Lives character.

Her outrageous storylines and long suffering nature have led her to be labeled a soap legend and television icon.

[26] In 2020, Charlie Mason from Soaps She Knows put Marlena at first place on his list of the 35 most memorable characters from Days of Our Lives, saying "Thanks to a combo platter of Deidre Hall’s unforgettable performances, unpredictable writing and an enviable array of love interests, viewers have been tuning in since 1976 to find out, ahem, what’s up, Doc?".

[49] In 2024, Mason included Marlena in his list of the best mothers in American soap operas, writing that is a "good thing Sami and Eric's mom is a shrink; otherwise, she might have long ago gone mad trying to curb her daughter's tendency to act on impulse and her son's "here today, gone tomorrow" approach to his priest's collar.

"[50] Mason also placed Marlena fourth on his ranked list of Soaps' 40 Most Iconic Characters of All Time, commenting, "Eat your heart out, Frasier Crane.