Eli Grant
Eli Grant is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Created by head writers Dena Higley and Ryan Quan, the role was originated by actor Lamon Archey in 2017. Eli is introduced as the previously unknown son of Valerie Grant fathered by the late David Banning. Through his father, Eli is a member of the Horton family, the central family within the series. Eli is embraced by the family, particularly his grandmother Julie Olson Williams which puts a strain on his budding romance with Gabi Hernandez.
Eli is notable for being the product of the very first interracial couple in the history of American daytime television as well as the first Black member of the Horton family. The casting of Lamon Archey was well received and the actor also garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of Eli. However, the reception to the writing for the character's introduction was less positive.
Storylines
Eli shocks his mother Valerie Grant when he crashes David Banning's funeral and reveals that he knows David is his father. An irate Eli reveals that he's known about his paternity since he applied to the FBI Academy and Val explains that David had commitment issues. Eli later forces Val to tell David's mother Julie Williams about him and he is relieved when the Hortons welcome him into the family but he struggles to forgive his mom. Eli's cousin Abigail sets him up on a failed blind date with Gabi Hernandez. Despite encouragement from Val's boyfriend Abe Carver and his daughter Lani, Eli struggles to trust Val. Eli later agrees to use his connections to help his cousin JJ Deveraux breakup the local mob war between the DiMera, Kiriakis and Hernandez families. Eli heads up the investigation which doesn't sit well with Lani. He also comforts Gabi as she struggles to get over Chad DiMera and grieves the loss of her dad when goes to prison. Despite warnings from Julie and Abigail, Eli is determined to continue seeing Gabi and wants to help her get over Chad. Eli serves as a federal liaison in a drug investigation when Lani is exposed to a synthetic drug and also helps Lani cope with her withdrawal syndrome in secret. After being ambushed with a breakfast date orchestrated by Abe and Gabi, Eli begins to understand Val's actions but he still needs time work through his feelings. Eli travels to Greece with Lani, JJ and Gabi to apprehend Deimos Kiriakis where he witnesses a close moment between Chad and Gabi and breaks up with her. On the way back to Salem, the plane crashes and the group is stranded along with Sonny Kiriakis his boyfriend Paul Narita. Eli disappears after he goes to radio for help and returns to reveal that Paul stabbed him. Sonny keeps Eli from killing Paul as they realize he has contracted jungle madness. Eli later serves as a listening ear when Lani has doubts about her relationship with JJ. At Paul's request, Eli agrees to kill him if he tries to harm anyone else but they are soon rescued. Back home Lani convinces Eli to reconcile with Val and he is surprised to learn that she and Julie have also called a truce. Julie then gifts Eli with the Martin House, which belonged to his great-grandfather and plans a welcome home party for everyone from the island. During the party, Eli comforts Lani after she witnesses a close moment between JJ and Gabi. They wake up together and learn that Deimos drugged the party guests and he has been murdered.Later, Eli and Lani arrest Gabi's brother Dario for hacking Countess Wilhelmina Cosmetics and running a counterfeit operation. However, they make enemies with Police Commissioner Raines when they shut him out of the case. Dario convinces Eli to grant him immunity and place him into the Witness Protection Program in exchange for giving up his partner. However, Eli's plan backfires when Dario disappears after a failed attempt on his life that lands Abigail in the hospital and Eli tells his aunt Hope Brady that Dario's partner is responsible for Abby's accident. Eli blindsides everyone including Lani and Valerie when he has Abe arrested for conspiring with Dario. Julie even threatens to take back the Martin House if Eli doesn't get Abe released. While Eli tries to keep his loved ones at bay, it is revealed that he and Abe are working together to bring down Dario's real accomplice, Commissioner Raines. Raines later kidnaps Gabi forcing Eli, Hope and Gabi's brother Rafe Hernandez to come to her rescue. Eli takes a risky shot to save Gabi and Raines is arrested. As Eli and Gabi rekindle their romance against Rafe's wishes, Eli gets fired for his actions. Fortunately, Abe recommends him to the Salem PD. Meanwhile, Eli is confronted by Sheila, an estranged friend from his past, whom he was responsible for sending to prison. Riddled with guilt, Eli agrees to help Sheila get out of town. Eli comforts Lani when her brother Theo gets shot in a confrontation with her cop boyfriend JJ. When Abe ask for his personal opinion, Eli reluctantly admits that he believes JJ could've handled the situation better. Gabi is irate at Eli for painting JJ as some trigger happy cop and he accuses Gabi of still pining for him. Eli admits that he is afraid to lose Gabi and they are more determined than ever to make their relationship work. After Gabi stands Eli up at the Horton Christmas party, Eli comforts a distraught Lani who reveals that she walked in on JJ and Gabi in bed.
After their one-night-stand, Eli is horrified to discover that Gabi kept JJ from committing suicide. He and Lani agree keep quiet about their tryst but news of Lani's pregnancy complicates things. Lani ask Eli to let her raise the baby with JJ but he is reluctant. Later, a guilt riddled Eli tells Gabi about the affair but she agrees to give him another chance, as long as he doesn't keep anymore secrets. When Gabi is put on trial for the murder of André DiMera, Lani and Eli's affair is exposed when she takes the witness stand. Upon discovering that Eli lied about the baby, Gabi dumps him. Lani initially tries to cut Eli out of the baby's life as it reminds her of the mistakes they've made. When Lani is diagnosed with Placenta previa, Eli promises to support her and the baby. In June 2018, Eli is devastated when Lani goes into premature labor and the baby is stillborn. Through their grief, Eli and he falls for her. When Lani delivers their son's death certificate, a distraught Eli kisses Lani and she rejects him.
Development
Creation and casting
In July 2016, it was reported that the serial had released a casting call for the role of "Levi". The recurring role, which could possibly become regular, was due to begin taping in late August and expected to begin appearing by early 2017.In December 2016, it was reported that Lamon Archey, known for his portrayal of Mason Wilder on The Young and the Restless had been cast in a role and would debut in early 2017. Archey had previously appeared on Days of Our Lives in an "under-five" role which he says lead to his casting on The Young and the Restless. Seaforth Hayes announced the casting on December 11, 2016, and revealed he would portray the role of Eli Grant. Archey's debut was slated for February 2017. "I was really looking to get back into a stable job where I could really sink my teeth into a character" the actor said in statement to Soap Opera Digest.
While Archey had recently appeared in episodes of 2 Broke Girls and Roadies, he craved the stability that came with a soap and he was "super-excited" to win the role of Eli. He wanted a role that he could make his own and Archey also revealed that Eli's story "hits close" to his own experiences. "Out of all the character DAYS has written for black males, it would be this one that I get." It was "destiny" he declared. Archey auditioned opposite his co-stars, Banus and Williams, and taped his first scenes the day after he got hired. The actor was relieved that most his audition material appeared in his first scripts so memorizing came easy. "It's taken forever!" Archey said of his debut as he had been filming for nearly six months. The actor reflected on his first day: "I was shaking in my boots. I was really nervous." He continued, "Now I'm much more comfortable and much more comfortable with the character. I understand a lot more about Eli, and I'm able to shape him in ways that blend with me."
Characterization
Personality
The initial casting call, described the character as a "gorgeous African American male in late 20s." He was described as "everything a woman could want." The casting notice described the character, then known as "Levi" as "funny, quick-witted, protective" and "intelligent." The character at times may come off "as edgy not angry." In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, Archey described Eli as a "very strong character." In an interview with TV Insider, Seaforth Hayes described Eli as "quite the hero." Archey later described Eli as a "confident guy." In an interview with Janet Di Lauro for Soap Opera Digest, Archey further described his father: "He's a good guy; strong and confident." According to Lamon Archey, Eli has a strong sense of "morals" because he was raised "right." The actor also described Eli as a "mamma's boy." Archey further stated that Eli is "as nice as he appears to be" but he is also very "headstrong." Eli is not some "pushover." Archey also described Eli as being both "compassionate" and a "gentleman." In a 2018 interview, Archey described Eli as "just good people." Even if it's to his own detriment, "if loves and cares about you, then he'll do anything for you."Lineage and backstory
It was later reported that the character of "Levi" was to be the son of Valerie Grant. Several publications speculated that the man's father would turn out to be Valerie's first love, David Banning — a member of the show's core family, the Horton family. Hope Campbell questioned the validity of the rumor considering Valerie and David had been apart for several years when the character was written out in the early 1980s. Campbell assumed that David and Valerie had rekindled their romance off screen. Daytime Confidential's Jamey Giddens agreed that an off-screen reunion would be the only way the character's existence would make sense. There was also some speculation among fans that Eli could be Valerie's son with Abe Carver whom Valerie had recently reconnected with. Eli is the first biracial character with a blood connection the show's original core family. According to Jamey Giddens, the series had once considered introducing a biracial son for Bill Horton, but the plot was scrapped.David and Valerie had reunited off screen but the relationship was still rocky and David would come in and out of her life often. Their final attempt at building a life together culminates in Valerie's pregnancy. Valerie chooses not tell David she is pregnant and raises Eli as the son of her best friend Terence who passes away when Eli is six years old. In an interview with SoapHub, Lamon Archey gave some insight into Eli's backstory. For the most part, it is just Eli and his mom—and Terence up until his death. There isn't any extended family, specifically grandparents, for Eli to interact with. Eli longs to have a "father figure." He is "hurt" that he had to experience all the usual father-son things without a father, like sports. With his mother always working, Eli spends a lot of time on his own and describes himself as latchkey kid. As a teenager, he befriends Sheila and her brother Russell. They are the best of friends and often get in trouble for petty crimes such as shop lifting and vandalism. Their behavior leads to Eli getting in trouble with the police and Valerie orders Eli to stay away from his friends. When Eli and Valerie are about to move, Eli discovers that Sheila and Russell have started selling drugs. As a rookie in the FBI, Eli goes undercover to investigate a drug kingpin in Chicago and runs into his old friends. Using their friendship, Eli brings bust up the drug ring sending Russell and Sheila to prison, where Russell dies.
Introduction (2017)
Once Valerie returns to Salem, the decades old secret begins to unravel. Throughout late 2016, the writers slowly begin laying the ground work for Eli's arrival. As Valerie reconnects with the people of Salem, she runs into Julie which leads to David being mentioned frequently for the first time in decades. When Julie discovers Valerie has a grown son – it puts Val on edge. On February 23, 2017, Eli unexpectedly crashes David's funeral and shocks Valerie when he announces: "I came to bury my father." According to Archey, it doesn't take much for FBI agent Eli to figure out that his mother is hiding something, especially because she has been lying about her whereabouts. "It's a pretty big heartfelt moment" Archey said of Eli's confrontation about her lying. Before he can tell Julie the truth, he has to cope with the news himself. Archey explained, "There's an uncertainty of not knowing if it's ok to go to Julie." He doesn't know how she will react.Despite his trepidation, Eli forces Valerie to tell Julie the truth or else he will do it himself. According to Archey, Eli knows "It needs to come out." Eli puts his mom "on the spot" and forces her hand. Eli isn't prepared for Julie's reaction but he "sympathizes with her." Because they both have lost David and are learning this "huge" secret, it allows them to bond. Archey viewed the revelation about his paternity as a "brighter side" to losing David. For Eli, connecting with Julie means getting "something he didn't have" before. Despite the truth coming out, Eli is still "uneasy" because he doesn't know what comes next. Janet Di Lauro said the scenes are "pivotal" for the character of Eli and for Archey as the actor. The plot hits very close to home for Lamon Archey. It mirrors Archey's personal experiences because he only met his own father three times before he died. "I flew out to attend his funeral and kind of went through the same thing that Eli" Archey revealed to Soap Opera Digest. He continued, "Trust me, when I was reading the script, it was shocking… I was able to tap back into the experiences I had gone through." Fortunately for Eli, the Hortons welcome Eli with open arms. And according to Hayes, "Julie is entranced" by her grandson. And "He really likes Julie too." Eli is very excited when he is welcomed into the family – it feels "official" for him now, Archey said. "He's very interested in finding out more" about David's side of the family and though it is what he wants, the situation is a bit "overwhelming." In the meantime, Eli still wants nothing to do with his mother. Archey said Eli's debut was one of his favorite plots to play out specifically because of how much he could relate to it.
Relationship with Gabi Hernandez
Early reports hinted that Eli would be romantically linked to Gabi Hernandez. It is later revealed that Eli's cousin Abigail Deveraux orchestrates the pairing to keep Gabi away from her husband – Chad DiMera. At the time, Gabi, Abby and Chad are involved in a slowly developed romantic triangle. Coryon Gray considered Eli to be a convenient departure from the plot which he felt was not working. Despite warnings from Julie and even Abigail, Eli is not fazed by Gabi's past. "He's got no problem with it" Archey remarked. However, Eli keeps the information in the back of his mind just in case. Eli believes that he can help Gabi get over Chad. Eli is attracted to the "sweet girl" that Gabi and because she is hurting, there is an element of protectiveness on Eli's part. But Eli is determined to take his relationship with Gabi slowly. According to Archey, Eli is attracted to every part of Gabi. "From the first time they met, he was very intrigued by her." Archey praised his co-star Camila Banus for being "very bubbly" and "easy to work with." He continued, "She knows what she's doing and makes the job easier for me." Eli and Gabi's romance falls apart when he cheats on her. When asked about the two potentially reuniting, Archey said they had been through too much.Relationship with Lani Price
At the same time, Eli bonds with his colleague Lani Price whom he initially clashes with. Coryon Gray said "Eli seems to understand Lani a lot" and said their interactions put their personalities on display. Gray noted that the writers "are using Eli to help build" Lani up as a character. The duo's friendship ultimately culminates in mistaken one-night-stand on Christmas Eve. Archey said Eli views their tryst as a "mistake" that occurs "out of anger in the moment." The fling results in Lani giving birth to a stillborn son. In regards to a potential romance, Archey insisted that Eli and Lani are "so focused on losing the child" at the time that they can't "think about anything past that."Baby David (2018)
Lani reluctantly tells Eli she is carrying his child in February 2018. The mere thought of being a father is "extremely important to Eli." Because of Eli's own history, Archey felt it'd be important for Eli to be a part of his own child's life every step of the way. Once the secret is exposed, it becomes "second nature" and Eli "dives in quickly." Archey saw it as the character's attempt to "make up for time that he wasn't involved in the pregnancy and the things that he's missed with her." The high risk pregnancy leaves Eli "frightened, as any new parent would be." When Lani goes into premature labor, Eli is concerned but "he's got to be strong for Lani and have a positive mindset about it." He does have a little bit of hope due to Doctor Kayla Brady's positive prognosis. Eli is "thrown off" when the Hortons offer their support. According to Archey, because Eli is not accustomed to dealing with a big family, all the extra support is "very foreign to him." When the baby ultimately dies, Eli is "shocked and caught off-guard" because he has already decided "in his mind that everything would turn out okay." As the baby's father and because "they've been trying to go through this process together," Eli insist that be the one to tell Lani about their son's stillbirth."I wasn't sure where they were going to take " Archey said. He and Stowers were informed of the decision to kill off the baby about two weeks before filming the scenes. Archey explained the baby didn't seem real to Eli at the time. "When they first talked about that, Lani wasn't even showing. There was nothing in front of him that said 'I'm getting ready to be a dad' except for words." Archey worked with producer Albert Alarr and decided he could not ignore that Eli initially rejected the baby in an effort to save his relationship with Gabi. "I couldn't act like that never happened. I kept that as part of his journey." While Archey himself is a father of 3, the actor admitted he had to "dig a little deeper" in his portrayal of Eli's grief because he bonded with children after birth. "I didn't have that connection right away." He did not get to work with the baby that appeared in Lani's dream sequences, the actor explained that just seeing the child helped him connect to the material. "When I saw that baby I almost started crying myself. There’s so much going on in that span of time when we shot those scenes. It brought up emotions for me."