From Day Player to Long-Running Character

[Soaplovers]

Days of our lives:

Diane Colville apparently was supposed to be a few episode red herring character..but once Genie Francis was signed to the show..her character got expanded into a larger role..though GF said 'I had no character...she was a work in progress her whole time on the show'.

[Contessa Donatella]

I know Genie has talked about basically all of the "not Laura" roles were cases where they wanted her for her name value but wouldn't actually write story for her. That must have been a royal pain in the toucas. I really liked Diana Colville, cub reporter. 

[P.J.]

The ones that stick with me are Ben Hendrickson and Trent Dawson. 

No one's mentioned Lauralee Bell yet? From summer nepo hire to the show's resident Mary Sue in no time flat.

[Contessa Donatella]

In daytime nepotism is practically a revered trope! 

[Forever8]

I also believe Amelia Marshall (Gilly Grant later Speakes) was an under five I believe on Guiding Light until they decided to do more with her.