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Olivia Price is a fictional character on the American soap opera, Days of Our Lives, on the NBC network. Portrayed by veteran actress Marla Gibbs, Olivia first was introduced on August 16, 2021 as the mother of Paulina Price (Jackée Harry). The casting made headlines for reuniting Harry and Gibbs who starred opposite one another in the NBC sitcom 227. As the grandmother of established character Lani Price-Grant (Sal Stowers), Olivia implores Paulina to keep quiet about being Lani's biological mother, instead of her aunt.

Storylines
Olivia comes to town, and orders Paulina out of Salem and away from Lani, on behalf of her daughter Tamara. Paulina wants to tell Lani that she is her real mother but Olivia convinces her to keep quiet. Meanwhile, Olivia makes her disapproval about Paulina's budding romance with Tamara's ex-boyfriend, Abe Carver (James Reynolds) known. After meeting Lani's husband Eli Grant (Lamon Archey) and their twins Jules and Carver, Olivia goes back to Miami. In November 2021, Eli escorts Olivia to Paulina and Abe's wedding. Olivia is not a fan of Tamara's former roommate Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) officiating the wedding. When Paulina's daughter Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) interrupts the wedding to reveal that Paulina is Lani's mother, Paulina accuses Chanel of lying forcing Olivia to intervene and confirm the story. To make things more awkward, Lani invites Olivia to spend Thanksgiving with her but excludes Paulina.

Creation and casting
Former NBC executive Bruce Evans suggested Gibbs for a cameo when Jackée was first hired. As the writers developed Paulina's backstory filled with secrets, her mother came into play. Carlivati said "Because it's a family secret and something that happened so many years ago… and often it is this matriarch character" who guards such a secret, Olivia becomes necessary. "So once I knew the network was open to it, you didn't have to ask me twice. I grew up on THE JEFFERSONS and all of those shows, so I love Marla Gibbs."

Gibbs actually announced the casting herself during an interview with the New York Daily News as she was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 20, 2021. Soap Opera Digest confirmed the casting and character on July 22, 2021. "Get excited…," Carlivati said on on social media. As a longtime fan of the soap, Gibbs was "ecstatic" to get the call. She discussed her casting in an interview with Soap Opera Network. "My agent called and said they wanted me to come on as one of Jackée’s relatives." However, Gibbs was not immediately aware that she would be play Harry's mother. The actress told Page Six, "I was [Harry's] mother in ‘The First Family’ and now I’m her mother again in ‘Days of Our Lives.’ I mean, how great is that?" Gibbs filmed her first scenes in April 2021. Olivia was initially set to debut on August 17, 2021. However, Gibbs would actually appear a day earlier on August 16.

Introduction
Olivia "takes no guff from" from Paulina Carlivati stated. "She comes to school her. It's great to see Paulina on the other end of it for once." Olivia "was trying to keep her [Paulina] under control, trying to keep her from telling something she wanted desperately to tell and I couldn’t allow her to do it." However, "in this case, I don't want to control her" Gibbs said in character. Olivia needs to make sure Paulina keeps quiet, otherwise "it would destroy the family!" As far as Olivia is concerned, Paulina is "only thinking of herself. I have to constantly remind her that if she does reveal the secret, she's going to lose the people she loves!" However, once Paulina agrees to keep quiet, "there's a disaster" Gibbs said.

Carlivati actually wrote the scenes just before Harry's March 1, 2021 debut. According to co-executive producer Albert Alarr, Gibbs was "great" and told Carlivati "feel free to bring her back; she can do more." Gibbs initially filmed four episodes and said it was a "marvelous" experience. She hoped hoped to come back and to work with more of the cast. The actress told Richard Simms of Soaps.com that she would stay "as long as they'll have me."

November 17 through November 23, 2021.

Reception
Daytime Confidential's Carly Silver said "Legends are reuniting on Days of Our Lives!" Amy Mistretta said "Things in Salem are about to be 'movin’ on up!'" "Classic television fans are going to go wild" Kambra Clifford said of the news. Chris Eades of Soaps In Depth said "Another very familiar face is coming to Salem as Marla Gibbs has been cast on DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Olivia Price!" TV Insider's Paige Strout said "viewers are in for a treat" and that Gibbs and Harry's onscreen "reunion will certainly be a must-watch event." Strout felt it would provide "an exciting new storyline" as viewers did not know much about Paulina's mother. Lewis described Olivia as "a vital addition to several storylines" as the Price family's matriarch." Monsters and Critics's Rachelle Lewis revealed the role "will showcase her comedic talent." Jordan Simon and Jamila Lizete White agreed it would special for 227 fans. Of Gibbs's debut, Jillian Bowe said "The divas of 227 Lexington Place are back together again!" referencing the duo's iconic sitcom. She continued, "Don't miss out, child!"