Cherie Jimenez on the New Gabi on DAYS

It is a whole new Gabi that has been released from prison on Days Of Our Lives , and not just because the role has been recast with Cherie Jimenez ! Spending over half a year behind bars will change a person.

“The Gabi that gets out of jail is a changed Gabi in that she has just gone through an incredibly difficult time of being away from her daughter and Stefan, specifically,” Jimenez told Soap Opera Digest . “That has changed her in so many ways. It’s allowed her to see what’s really important and to wade through all the bull[crap].

“She wants to make the most of the time that she has now to really be with the man she loves,” she continued, “and to have these relationships in her life that she really cares about and to grow these relationships because there has been so much time wasted.”

When previous portrayer Camila Banus left DAYS , Gabi was sent to prison for the murder of Li Shin when Stefan and Rafe couldn’t find any evidence to clear her name. Now that she’s a free woman, she’s eager to see her daughter, Arianna, and spend some quality time with her handsome hubby.

“She also wants to get back into business,” Jimenez previewed, “start focusing on getting herself back into the world of who she is, and kind of building her world back up again.”

Stefan and Gabi made a formidable team before, so expect more of the same now that they’ve been reunited. DiMera — and the rest of Salem — had better watch out!