DAYS: Interview with James Scott in CDN TV Guide...

[KLN]

James Scott: An ideal leading man

By Nelson Branco

After being unfairly ousted from 'All My Children', James Scott proves he may just be the most talented actor 'Days of Our Lives' has ever hired

Life has a funny way of working itself out, especially if you’re name is James Scott, who is the unofficial poster boy for the old adage “When one door closes, another one opens.”

After languishing on the backburner for the majority of his All My Children run as the vapid Ethan Cambias, Scott was fired when his character was killed off after a few co-stars demanded that the actor vanish off the canvas.

So a big “thank you” goes out to whoever was threatened by Scott, even if they do sound like bullies. After all, Scott’s guilty as charged. He’s sexy, tall, talented, charming, cultured, and sports the best stubble in daytime TV.

Today, Scott is wowing fans and critics as the latest DiMera spawn on Days of Our Lives — and having the time of his life. Arguably, Scott is the most talented leading man the NBC soap opera has ever employed. As the enigmatic EJ Wells, Scott brings class and confidence to a role that could have easily become a cardboard caricature.

Born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, the 28-year-old thespian began his career in the music industry before catching the acting bug. After studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Scott was a model before landing the role of the much-maligned Ethan Cambias on AMC in 2004.

Since then, Days fans have fallen under Scott’s spell — we’ve received more letters about Scott than any other soap star so far. We dished with the star about Days’ recent ratings woes, grooming, the controversial rape, and the popular EJ-Sami-Lucas love triangle.

TV Guide: This may be the understatement of the year — AMC loss was Days’ gain.

James Scott: Thank you. Let’s just say that I would have liked it if Ethan had an opportunity to shine, but there were other actors on the show who didn’t want that to happen. Things worked out the way they worked out and in retrospect, I’m very happy. I love being back in L.A. and this role.

TVG: After AMC, did you hit the audition circuit immediately?

JS: I took a little bit of time before I switched to Days. I did a pilot season in New York and that went very well. The opportunity for Days was perfect in many ways. I wanted to move back to Los Angeles, and the character of EJ spoke to me on various levels. I don’t think of daytime any less than any other genre, to be honest. As an actor, I prefer to be working.

TVG: You’re from England, where soaps are mainstream; is that why you don’t have any prejudice towards the medium?

JS: Interestingly enough the soap operas in England are far more popular than soap operas in America. Soaps like Coronation Street and East Enders often net 10 to 14 million viewers each day! That’s pretty impressive when you consider England’s population is less than that of the state of California.

TVG: What’s the difference between our soaps and the U.K.’s?

JS: If I had my way, the American soaps would move away from being so fantastical and move towards character-driven storylines based in reality.

It’s a shame, really.

TVG: Days has been slipping in the ratings recently. I question whether Hogan Sheffer is writing the show, because he’s renowned for his character-familial inspired storylines. Lately, Days feels more like a James Reilly disaster than a Sheffer masterpiece!

JS: The audience will tell you whether they like what’s going on or not. I cannot offer you a reason as to how Hogan was so successful with As the World Turns. I was familiar with his work, yet he appears to have gone in a different direction here at Days. It’s an interesting situation.

TVG: You’re only 28, yet you come across as an old soul — suave and confident. Or am I just being fooled by the English accent?!

JS: [Laughs.] Being English lends itself to being a little bit more sensible sometimes. It’s a little bit more composed that lends itself to being mature onscreen.

TVG: That disposition must come in handy when you get your Days script these days!

JS: In daytime, when you receive your script you must realize that it’s full of traps. It’s very easy for characters to fall into a rut. The first thing when I do when I look at a script is just work it out and fill in the blanks so it makes sense at least subtextually. It’s not always easy.

TVG: After EJ raped Sami, were you worried about your future on the soap? And why isn’t Days playing out the fallout of the rape?

JS: I would be lying if I said I didn’t worry about my future on the soap. I don’t think they handled the rape very well, and I’ll tell you why. EJ raped Sami, and then afterwards, he’s hanging out in her house — alone with her. It’s irresponsible on so many levels. However, had it been handled well, I think it would have been an interesting story choice. Now the story focus has shifted to her pregnancy and the classic soap story of paternity. Having said that, I chose to believe that EJ is in love with Samantha — he just can’t communicate it.

TVG: I do like the idea that the DiMeras and the Bradys may be tied biologically with this new baby. Now that Joe Mascolo [stefano] and Thaao Penghlis [Tony] are returning to the show, hopefully that’s why this feud really exists.

JS: I agree. I also hope that we learn why EJ is the way he is. I’d prefer if EJ’s dark side was examined more. In my mind, he’s wrestling with his conscious but is trapped by circumstances – not wanting to disappoint his father, feeling he has to live up to something which is what the name entails, feeling a sense of responsibility to the legacy of his family or whatever it may be but really being conflicted at times. I certainly try to play that occasionally.

TVG: Although I enjoy the EJ-Sami coupling, I wouldn’t mind if EJ got some action on the side.

JS: I felt the relationship between EJ and Kate was very interesting and it disappointed me that they didn’t explore them further. Kate was the only person in town that EJ couldn’t bullnuts. I agree that EJ should be more sexual — I was thinking about this the other day. However, you know you’re a bad guy if you haven’t had a love scene in ages!

TVG: And with your stubble, it’s a shame EJ is being wasted.

JS: [Laughs.] It's still there. I got a bit of a trim yesterday because it was getting a bit shaggy. Part of me likes EJ being polished and part of me thinks he should be a bit down and dirty sometimes.

TVG: You remind me a lot of Rupert Everett. Have you heard that before?

JS: Yes. I’ve heard, ‘A young Rupert Everett with an edge.’ I took that as a huge compliment.

TVG: Have you thought of leaving the show to pursue other mediums?

JS: We shall see. I have not made the decision, in all honesty, as to whether I will continue to act when this job ends

[Ponz]

Wow. He's quite critical of Hogan here. I totally agree with him on the mishandling of the rape.

[DrewH]

Gotta love an honest actor. I'm glad James is so opinionated.

[PhoenixRising05]

He was quite critical and I can't say I blame him. The rape was mishandled and it's only now that we are starting to see signs of EJ's human side again. Hogan needs to take the blame for nearly taking EJ the route of a cartoonish villain. I am seeing signs of him coming out of that now and hope it continues. I think it will get better once the rest of his family joins him.

I think he is right that EJ loves Sami in his own way. I just think he doesn't know to handle it properly or how to hand the the missions he has had to deal with properly. Scott is great and so is EJ so hopefully we can return him to his glory because Scott is the only reason why the character hasn't beein ruined. Hope the writing keeps improving for him.

It's refreshing to see an honest actor and not one that is going to kiss up to the higher-ups.

[PSPCindy]

As always James is a very intersting read. His views always cause me to reconsider certain situations. It's nice to hear other perspectives.

I can agree that it's a shame EJ is not "getting busy", but on the show as a whole, there is a sad lack of romance.

Thanks so much for sharing this Kenny!

[Toups]

Great interview.

James Scott is one of the best male actors to join DAYS in a long time (the last one was Mark Valley.....12 years ago!).

I can't wait to see EJ interact with his father and brother.

[KevC1980]

I agree Toups..There may be fans that don't like EJ, or think he's too heavily involved in all the storylines..But there is no disputing the fact that James is extremely talented, and fits so well with the Days cast..I hope he's here for the long run..and i can't wait to see him with Stefano and Tony..

[Southofnowhere]

I never heard anything about "actors" on AMC getting Mr.Scott FIRED,i thought he was written out because Ethan SUCKED. Any truth to his statements or just sour grapes?

[Faulkner]

Wait, who wanted him off AMC?

I think he's great...very smart and sexy...but I wish his character wasn't written as such a two-dimensional smug bastard. One hopes that some interaction with his family will show a different side to him.

[Toups]

I wonder what AMC actors they are refering to....hmm.......

[billyjill]

Thanks for posting, some interesting comments in there, most that I agree with. Especially about this show's pervasive fantastical JER feel, wish that would just go.away.

[dragonflies]

No one was threatened by him, it's obvious they needed to free up money to bring back Cady, and James was a casualty of that. I am in no way saying it's Cady's fault.

He wasn't that great of an actor on AMC

I do think Days is a better fit for him though

I had respect for him but after that NOPE.

I guess it's true what was said before he was fired, that one of the actors was being basically a "brat"

[Ilovemydays]

I'm certain he was telling it as it was at AMC.

I think a guy can tell when he has A BIG OLE KNIFE IN HIS BACK!

[dragonflies]

Someone who was fired, speaking ill of a show, pardon me if I don't just take his word for it.

Cady had class, she didn't have to trash the show or the actors after she was fired.

[Ilovemydays]

I'm sorry but to suggest that they fired James to free up cash for Cady would make sense if they had also fired Alec Musser!

I think that guy is still pulling a paycheck over there.

Yep, they chose to dump newbie James and kept newbie Alec (same salary) and then they went on to add colby, Sean, and Sydney.