User:Livelikemusic/Serena

Serena Mason is a fictional character on the NBC daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives. The role is portrayed by actress Melissa Archer, who made her first appearance on December 5, 2014, and last appeared on August 2015. Archer appeared in additional flashback scenes on September 28, 2015.

Serena is introduced as a friend of Melanie Jonas (Molly Burnett) and a former lover of Eric Brady (Greg Vaughan), during the pair's time in South Africa, prior to Eric's joining of the priesthood.

Casting and creation
In August 2014, Soap Opera Digest announced that former One Life to Live actress, Melissa Archer had been hired by the soap, to portray an unknown contract role; later revealed to be the role of Serena. Soap Opera Digest learned of Archer's casting at the 41st Daytime Emmy Awards in June 2014. She made her first appearance on December 5, 2014. In April 2015, Soap Opera Digest confirmed Archer had completed her time as Serena Mason, and given the soaps' advanced taping schedule, would continue to air through September 2015.

Character development
In December 2014, the series cast Adam Mayfield in a then-unknown role, described as someone from Serena's past, for a "short arc". Mayfield began his story arc as Ted on January 12, 2015.

Reception
Jamey Giddens of Daytime Confidential had been pushing for Archer's hiring as the series, in the role of Sarah Horton for some time. Michael Fairman remarked "Yes!" with the announcement of Archer's casting.