Dr. Marlena EVANS CRAIG BRADY BLACK
A character time line.

Marlena is the current wife of John Black, ex-wife of Roman Brady and Don Craig. Marlena is the mother of Eric Roman and Samantha Jean Brady, Isabella Black and Don Craig Jr., who died of SIDS at three months. Marlena also recently miscarried a child by Roman Brady.

1976

First appeared on DAYS as one of three therapists Mickey Horton had while in Bayview Sanitarium. Therapists: 1. Laura Spencer Horton 2. Dr. Powell 3. Marlena Evans.

Treated Laura Horton for Postpartum Depression after the birth of Jennifer Rose Horton.

Dated Don Craig. Caught the bouquet at the wedding of Amanda Howard and Greg Peters.

1977

Samantha Evans, twin of Marlena, came to Salem. Samantha was a medical school dropout, she was addicted to drugs and alcohol, an aspiring actress, and impersonated Marlena. Samantha eventually had the real Marlena committed to Bayview Sanitarium.

Samantha's wrong doings were discovered and she went to Colorado to stay with the Evans family until her court hearing. After her hearing, Samantha was placed in Hillcrest Sanitarium in Colorado.

In December 1977, Marlena finally went to Colorado to visit Samantha. The sisters eventually reconciled.

1978

Don Craig and Marlena were engaged. Marlena left Don at the altar when his newly found daughter, Donna, threatened to jump from the hotel roof.

1979

Don & Marlena married on March 5th and honeymooned in California. While in CA, they visited Samantha (apparently released from the sanitarium) at her show's studio in Los Angeles.

Marlena became pregnant with Don's child.

Samantha developed severe kidney disease and had to undergo dialysis and finally a transplant.

1980

Politician, Kellam Chandler (Liz's father), came to Salem and set his sights on Marlena. He hired both Marlena and Don to work on his political campaign - although Marlena felt uneasy about it.

Marlena delivered her son, Don Jr./D.J., six weeks premature. Three months later, DJ died of SIDS. Don and Marlena grew distant and eventually divorced.

1981

Sometime later, Liz and Don had an affair. Kellam went to Marlena's gatehouse and she refused him sex, so he raped her. Josh Fallon had recently learned that Kellam had murdered his mother and followed him to Marlena's. Josh had a gun pointed at Kellam ready to kill him, but Tod Chandler intervened. During the struggle, Kellam was shot and killed. Tod told Don of Kellam's death & what had happened and all decided to keep Marlena's rape a secret.

During Marlena's radio show, she began to receive threatening phone calls from a mystery caller. She also began receiving strange letters and later, a woman was found strangled to death. Later, another woman was found strangled and Marlena received another letter. This letter said the woman's death was Marlena's fault. At first, Tod Chandler was Salem's main suspect. While Tod was in jail, Marlena continued to get the phone calls. Another woman was found murdered by strangulation. And, at Marlena's someone had left a doll with a broken neck hanging by a silk scarf from the curtain rod. So, Salem police sent officer Roman Brady over to protect Marlena. Roman camped overnight on Marlena's living room floor, thus beginning the Roman/Marlena romance.

1982

Don and Roman found Eugene Bradford's (Marlena's patient) apartment walls covered with news clippings of all the stranglings. At the same time, Eugene was kidnapping Marlena. Don and Roman rescued Marlena and Eugene confessed to the killings. However, the murders continued while Eugene was hospitalized in the psychiatric ward.

Lee Dumonde introduced Salem newcomer, Stefano DiMera, to Marlena as an old friend from Europe. Lee later told Marlena that Renee was her daughter by Stefano.

Marlena planned a trip to Mexico. Jake Kositcheck found out and managed to steal her apartment key from Gwen Davies (she was staying with Marlena). When Jake realized Marlena had not yet left for Mexico, he went to her apartment and strangled Samantha by mistake. Marlena had really gone to Colorado to visit her parents. When she returned home, Jake cornered her at gunpoint. Roman saw the happenings inside and rushed in to help Marlena. During the struggle Jake was shot and killed. Marlena went into shock. Roman was also grief-stricken as Jake was his first shooting as a cop.

Roman and Marlena went to Mazatlan but were emotionally unable to have the romantic trip they intended. Marlena felt guilty for the stranglings, especially Samantha's.

Toward the end of 1982, Daphne DiMera (Tony's mother) came to Salem. She planned to sue Stefano for palimony. A refusing Stefano sent her away. Daphne then told Marlena if she (Daphne) turned up dead, it would be at the hands of Stefano.

1983

Roman and Anna divorced and Roman and Marlena went to Mazatlan to celebrate. After Roman's divorce from Anna was finalized, he and Marlena planned their wedding. Alex Marshall (worked for Stefano) hired a hitman to kill Roman while at the tuxedo shop. Roman recognized the hood and he was killed. At the church, there was another threat on Roman's life. After the disruption the wedding finished. Marlena left on her honeymoon with her ex, Don Craig, disguised as Roman. And, Roman went underground in search of Stefano.

Roman found evidence of Stefano's criminal activity, but also learned that both Liz and Marlena had disappeared. Stefano was holding them captive at his mountain home hideout on Green Mountain. Roman and Abe managed to find them, but not before a pregnant Liz went into labor. Neil Curtis, who had now joined the rescue efforts, delivered Liz's baby with the help of Marlena. What Neil didn't know and Liz was unable to tell him - because she fell unconscious - was that the baby was really his. When Tony learned, he quickly divorced Liz. Stefano was captured and imprisoned where he suffered a massive stroke and "died."

Hope returned from boarding school and developed a fast crush for Roman. Hope was jealous of Marlena. Hope discovered Roman was going on a fishing trip, and with the help of her friend, Jane managed to delay Marlena. Hope was going to try and seduce Roman, but Marlena and Bo showed up. Loose cannon, Bo punched his brother, but denied his attraction to Hope.

Sandy and Marlena witnessed the murder of a lady named Daisy and were shocked to see Roman. Abe arrested Roman, but Roman insisted he was being framed. Marlena stood behind Roman despite the charges against him. Roman eventually escaped from jail with the help of Alice Horton and her famous doughnuts. Alice sent Roman a batch spiked with drugs that would simulate a heart attack.

1984

Roman, who was being framed for the murders, made it appear that he had been blown up inside an empty house. During his memorial service, he revealed himself to Marlena and several others. He hid in Eugene's basement to stay out of sight while he proved his innocence. When Eugene began having visions of his dead girlfriend Trista's ghost, Roman discovered they were actually computer generated projections and the entire house was wired.

At a charity event for the hospital, Stefano planned to have Andre (disguised as Roman) kill Marlena.

Marlena told Roman she was pregnant and Roman told her to leave Salem, but Stefano found out. Stefano managed to trick Marlena into staying. Stefano then made Roman watch a video monitor that showed Marlena in the penthouse with Tony. And, another monitor showed the real Tony in chains. Stefano "let" Roman escape knowing he would try to rescue Marlena. Roman released Tony and Anna.

Chaos ensued at the theater as Stefano was plotting to blow it up. The bomb was defused and Stefano got into his limo. Roman and police helicopters were hot on his trail when suddenly, Stefano's limo plunged into the icy Salem harbor. Stefano was not found.

Marlena gave birth to twins Eric and Samantha. One became ill and Roman's blood was needed for a transfusion. Afterward, Roman set off again in pursuit of Stefano.

Bo decided to help Roman with his mission. He saw Roman and Stefano struggling on a distant cliff. Bo ran to Roman's aide, but was too late. Roman had been shot and died in Bo's arms on the beach below. Bo ran off to find Stefano, but returned unsuccessful. When he got back to the beach, Roman's body was missing. Marlena was devastated.

1985

Megan Hathaway (Stefano's daughter) was killed by Larry Welch and Hope was being framed for the murder. Stefano blamed the Brady family for his daughter's death and took vengeance on Marlena. Stefano decided Marlena was a much better adversary than Roman. He almost kidnapped Marlena right from her shower. He told her she would be his wife and the twins would replace Megan as his children. Bo rescued the twins and raced back to the ice rink to stop Stefano. Marlena managed to shoot Stefano and he fell from a catwalk. Marlena was charged with Stefano's death. At her trial, two of Stefano's employees testified that he and Marlena were lovers. They said Marlena was angry that Stefano was going to Caracas without her. In a story-line twist, the prosecutor admitted Marlena's innocence and she was released.

After Roman's presumed death, Marlena began to date Salem police chief, Richard Cates. Cates was an old friend of Roman's. Richard turned out to be crooked. He was eventually killed and Marlena took his son, Kevin, into her home and care.

1986

Enter The Pawn. A mysterious man in bandages that is discovered by Steve "Patch" Johnson. After a few weeks, The Pawn removed his bandages and came up with the name John Black. He took a job at University Hospital in security and befriended Dr. Marlena Evans. Marlena tried to help John regain his memory through hypnosis. John recalled a place called the Lafferty farmhouse. John's familiarity with that Stefano outpost made some speculate that John was really Stefano. Marlena thought this too, once she saw his Phoenix tattoo. Later, after seeing before-and-after surgery photos she began to think John could possibly be the presumed dead Roman. Although John had no memory of his past, he knew he loved Marlena, seemed to have some memories of her, and believed she was his wife. But, Roman's daughter, Carrie, had a hard time accepting this identity because he looked so different from what she remembered him to be. When Carrie saw John and Marlena together romantically, she ran out of the house and was hit by a car. She was in a coma for several weeks until John/Roman talked her out of it. The two bonded afterward.

Sometime later, Marlena was kidnapped by Orpheus (Roman's former ISA partner). He took her to Stockholm where the ISA eventually found her. This infuriated Orpheus and he planned further revenge. At year end, Orpheus planted a bomb in the Roman Brady home. Roman watched in horror as the house exploded with Marlena inside. Marlena was presumed dead and a memorial was held shortly before Christmas.

1987

Roman mourned Marlena's death. However, she was still alive and being held prisoner on an island caring for Orpheus's children. Roman followed Olivia, Orpheus's sister-in-law to his island. Orpheus found out and sent Marlena to the island airport with his men. Roman got to the airport and watched as the plane Marlena was aboard exploded in the air. No body was found. Roman and Orpheus struggled and Olivia, now in love with Roman, intervened and took the bullet meant for Roman. Roman then shot and killed Orpheus.

1988

Toward the end of the year, Roman began to suspect Marlena may still be alive. Roman thought Stefano was behind all the mystery. After falling for more of Stefano's games, Roman and the rest of the Brady's left Stefano's island and Roman finally accepted Marlena's death.

1989

Roman decided to move on with his life and marry Diana Coleville. The wedding was postponed for two reasons. One, there was no death certificate for Marlena and two, Roman needed to be with his mother, Caroline, who had just suffered a heart attack.

1991

Isabella Toscano and Roman (Roman II if you will) started a romantic relationship. Then, after a five year absence, the presumed dead Marlena reemerged. Roman II discovered she had been held captive on an island and victim of an induced coma. Meanwhile, Roman I was being held captive in a jungle prison and was being shown videotapes of Marlena with Roman II. Roman I eventually escaped his prison and was roaming the island. While in search of identical Mexican medallions, Marlena and Roman II wound up in the very location where Roman I was being held. They eventually ran into one another.

Isabella, in love with Roman II, thought Victor Kiriakis to be behind the scheme, as Kiriakis had threatened to destroy her happiness before. Isabella's Roman II was revealed to actually be the brainwashed John Black.

1992

Roman went undercover yet again but couldn't stand the separation from Marlena and revealed himself to her. Marlena was furious at Roman for risking his life, but soon gave into their passion for each other. Roman and Marlena were finally reunited and Roman's undercover operation complete. Now, the couple had to deal with rapidly maturing Carrie. Carrie was a bit hot-to-trot. Once, at gunpoint, John had to order the teen out of the bed of Lawrence Alamain. John managed to get there just before the two had the chance to make love. Shortly afterward, Carrie developed a crush on troublemaker Jesse Lombard. And, against Romans approval moved in with him.

Meanwhile, Marlena began to council Roger Lombard, the drunk driver who hit Kimberly and father of Jesse. Stella Lombard, Roger's wife, became jealous of Marlena's beauty and intelligence. At first Stella tried to impersonate Marlena. Then, when she found a portrait Roger had painted of Marlena she was convinced they were having an affair. At a dinner party, Stella slipped Marlena a mickey causing her to appear a drunken fool.

Stella later kidnapped Marlena and threw her in the boiler room of an abandoned warehouse and kept her there for over a month. Stella knew the warehouse was scheduled for demolition and booked a flight to Arizona. At the last minute, Stella changed her mind and decided to call police. Just before Stella could make the call, the phone booth she was in was hit by a truck and she was killed. John, however, had found clues to Marlena's whereabouts. He arrived at the warehouse just as it exploded and became trapped inside with her. Abe rescued them. Marlena's feelings for John had now begun to resurface, but she managed to control her desires.

1993

When Marlena vowed to stay with Roman, John began to pick up with assistant DA, Rebecca Morrison. Both John and Marlena struggled to repress their true feelings for each other. So, John decided to leave Salem. Marlena went to say her final goodbye to John and they fell into each other's arms and made love. Afterward, Marlena went home and walked in on her surprise anniversary party held for her by Roman. Shortly thereafter, John walked through the door and announced that he would be staying in Salem.

Marlena soon learned she was pregnant, but was unsure if Roman or John was the father. While contemplating abortion, Marlena was mugged and wound up in the hospital where her pregnancy was announced. Roman was thrilled and asked a happy John to be godfather.

This is about the time Sami started to become one of the biggest challenges Roman and Marlena would ever face. She was hot after sister Carrie's boyfriend Austin Reed. She was hanging around a lot with scheming Lucas Roberts. And, Sami was struggling with a weight problem which resulted in Bulimia. Sami eventually discovered the affair between John and Marlena when she saw them together.

At the Horton Cabin, John and new friend Kristen delivered Marlena's premature baby girl. A suspicious Sami (also a candy striper at the hospital) snuck into the hospital's computer files and discovered John to be the father. Sami decided to alter the blood tests in order to keep the paternity a secret. Sami was making plans to get rid of baby Isabella and put her up for adoption. On the day of Kristen and Tony's wedding, Sami kidnapped baby Belle. This caused Kristen to leave Tony at the altar. Kristen insisted on helping John find the baby girl first. John and Kristen did eventually find Belle and were shocked to discover Sami was the kidnapper. But all was well, temporarily, when John hand delivered Belle to Marlena during the Christmas Eve mass.

1994

Stefano got his hands on Belle's DNA sample so now he had proof of the paternity. Marlena wanted to confess to Roman but John and Sami stopped her. However, during Belle's christening, Stefano intimidated Marlena into confessing in front of the entire congregation, that she had slept with another man. Roman then realized that man was John and it was the root of all of Sami's recent emotional problems. Stefano did not like Kristen's relationship with John and wanted her to marry Tony. So, in order to taint John in Kristen's mind, he revealed that John was the father of Marlena's child. Sami confessed to switching the blood test results in the hospital computer. Marlena, shamed and humiliated, took Belle and moved in with Alice Horton. Roman filed for divorce.

Later, Stefano tricked Marlena into coming to Maison Blanche where he was brainwashing and holding John prisoner. Stefano then forced Marlena to call Roman and tell him she was there with John. An upset Roman eventually rescued them, but did not want Marlena.

Once back in Salem, Stefano snuck into Marlena's penthouse and altered her armoire. He had made it into a secret entrance from a neighboring unit. Using mind altering drugs, Stefano snuck in with Marlena and took her on nightly adventures, some fictional some fact.

1995

Marlena became quite different. She saw a beast in her room and claimed she felt evil all around her. She eventually became possessed. AKA "The Desecrator." Fr. Francis convinced Fr. John Black that in order to save Marlena's spirit they would have to perform an exorcism. After several months Marlena and Salem were finally free from the devil. John was released from his vows as a priest. Kristen was sick of Tony's deception and got an annulment, now free to move on with John. John felt he was somewhat responsible for Marlena's possession. He felt he had led her astray by sleeping with her while she was still married to Roman. John and Kristen slowly resumed their relationship but John realized he still had strong feelings for Marlena and this strained things with Kristen even more.

Out of her guilt for the terrible happenings that went on while she was possessed, Marlena began to help Stefano with his recovery. Stefano had lost his memory after a demon threw him from the penthouse balcony. Marlena moved into Stefano's penthouse, but kept their relationship strictly professional.

History of Marlena Evans to be continued...