Who Is Duke Lavery?

You ask, we answer! Since yesterday’s stunning revelation that Duke Lavery was the man behind Robin’s disappearance and kidnapping, fans have been clamoring to know: who’s Duke Lavery, and how is he connected to Anna’s past (as the doctor in the Swiss mental institution mentioned)?

Longtime viewers of the soap will recall that Duke (a character originated and now once again played by Ian Buchanan) is the Scottish rogue of a husband that Anna thought was dead! She’d met him back in 1986 and believed him to be a nightclub owner. It was later revealed that he was actually a mobster who was involved in a money-laundering scheme with Anna’s dirty co-police chief, Burt Ramsey (aka Mr. Big). Despite a series of roadblocks (including Robert’s bid to reclaim her heart), the very-much-in-love duo finally did make it down the aisle.

However, after testifying against the mob, Duke faked his death and entered Witness Protection. Shockingly, he later returned with a new face and a new name (the role was assumed by Greg Beecroft). Anna found out the truth from dying mob princess Olivia Jerome (who wanted Duke for herself); however, before Anna could be reunited with her husband, Olivia’s mobster brother, Julian, shot Duke! Anna was devastated when her great love died in her arms in 1990. So it was a stunner this week to find out that the man behind Robin’s ordeal (whom she knew as her stepfather) is not only alive, but has his original face back!

Of note, Buchanan had been airing as villain Ian McAllister on DAYS OF OUR LIVES until just last week, when his character was arrested for the kidnapping of Stefano. How might the return of Duke to the canvas affect Anna’s budding romance with Robert’s best friend, Luke? And why did he abduct Robin? Keep watching to find out!