Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress Leann Hunley is returning to DAYS for a few episodes as Anna DiMera. The show has been keeping her return a secret, and shockingly enough, Anna will be revealed as Sydney's kidnapper. Anna was the woman who was pushing Sydney in her stroller on Thursday, December 10, then we saw the back of Anna on Friday, December 11. Viewers will get to see her face again on Friday, December 18.

As the actress explains to Digest, "It was one of those, 'Would you be interested in coming back for a few days and then we'll see what happens.'" So Leann could possibly stay on for longer than a few episodes at this point.

Fans recall that Leann portrayed Anna Fredericks Brady DiMera from 1982 until 1986, then returned in June of 2007 after a twenty-one year absence. Anna was reunited with her true love Tony and had a brief advertising competition storyline with him in early 2008. Many fans felt cheated that same year when Tony and Anna got married and had their honeymoon - offscreen. Tony and Anna had a brief storyline together during the hospital seventh floor lockdown in August of 2008, but Anna was barely seen afterwards. Leann was unfortunately let go earlier this year and was last seen as Anna DiMera on the April 2, 2009 episode when Anna showed up at the DiMera mansion and slapped Stefano after Tony's death.

How do you feel about Sydney's kidnapper being Anna? Many fans are shocked, but it's definitely an interesting twist. Anna is the last person many of us would've suspected. Welcome back Anna!

Pictured: Leann Hunley as Anna DiMera

Mitchell Haaseth / Copyright 2008 NBC Universal

Former DAYS star Ashley Benson (ex-Abby) is joining the cast of the ABC Family pilot Pretty Little Liars, according to The Hollywood Reporter and her official website. The show is based on author Sara Shepard's teen series of novels, which revolve around four teenage girls who receive mysterious text messages. Ashley plays the role of Hannah. The former DAYS star posted on her official forum November 23 that she would be filming the pilot in Vancouver, Canada for three weeks.

Melrose Place alum Laura Leighton plays the role of Hannah's mother. Shay Mitchell, Jean Louisa Kelly and Nia Peeples also star in Pretty Little Liars.

DAYS fans recall that Ashley portrayed Abigail "Abby" Devereaux, Jack and Jennifer's daughter, from November 2004 until May 2007, when her character departed for London to be with her parents.

Ashley has been quite busy since leaving DAYS. She starred in the 2007 film Bring It On: In It to Win It. Last year she played the role of mean-spirited cheerleader Brooke in the Lifetime Original Movie Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal. The actress recently played the role of Mia Torcoletti in the ABC series Eastwick, which was cancelled last month.

Best of luck to Ashley in her new role on Pretty Little Liars!

Pictured: Ashley Benson (ex-Abby Devereaux)

Frazer Harrison / 2009 Getty Images

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that the role of Will Horton is being recast. Dylan Patton, who has portrayed Will since February of this year, has been let go and is being replaced by Chandler Massey. An insider tells Digest that "They needed to make a change with the story coming up."

Dylan Patton is the fifth actor to play Will Horton, Lucas and Sami's son. Will went by the surname of Roberts until Lucas changed his last name to Horton in order to distance himself from his meddling mother Kate. Will was born in 1995, and aged to a 16-year-old earlier this year when he returned home from Switzerland.

Chandler Massey has guest-starred on Army Wives and One Tree Hill. No official word as to when his first airdate as Will Horton will be.

I'm sad to see Dylan Patton go as Will, but I trust that The Powers That Be made this recast decision for the right reasons. I did have the pleasure of meeting Dylan at the 'Day of Days' fan event in November, and he was a very nice young man. Best of luck to Dylan in his future endeavors.

Pictured: Dylan Patton as Will Horton

Mitchell Haaseth / Copyright 2009 NBC Universal

What a year it's been in Salem, with beloved favorites leaving the show, Grace's death, baby-switching drama, murderous plots, and old favorites returning. I must admit that I was not at all crazy about this baby-switching storyline from the beginning, but it undoubtedly gave some top performers on DAYS to showcase some Emmy-worthy scenes. During this whole saga, all the actors involved in this storyline have been top-notch, but James Scott and Arianne Zucker (E.J. and Nicole) are the two who particularly stand out as best actor and best actress in my mind for 2009. (Read more).

Pictured: Arianne Zucker and James Scott as Nicole and E.J.

Trae Patton / Copyright 2009 NBC Universal