#freddieinterviews

Day of Days 2017 Interviews - Chandler, Freddie and Christopher 

It's double the trouble as Days of our Lives' Freddie Smith (Sonny Kiriakis) and Christopher Sean (Paul Narita) delve into the drama penned for Salem's upcoming dual wedding.

Days of our Lives viewers aren't going to know whether they should exclaim holy matrimony or holy cow during the show's double wedding involving Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith) and Paul Narita (Christopher Sean), and Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn) and Abigail Deveraux (Marci Miller). Head writer Ron Carlivati has penned an affair so intense, the actors are still reeling from filming. And both Smith and Sean share with soapcentral.com that the drama slated for the screen beginning Friday, September 29, will likely affect fans in just the same manner. In other words, buckle up, because it's going to be one hell of a ride.

soapcentral.com: Soap opera weddings are never boring, and we know this one will most definitely be exciting. What specifically about the next couple of days will make this can't miss television?

Freddie Smith: If I had to sum it all up, in the almost seven years that I've been working on this show, this sequence is up there in the top three just absolute, most fun, best everything, out the door just amazing content. And I think that everyone -- the cast, the crew -- everyone went all in. Even if you don't watch Days of our Lives or you haven't watched it in years, this is the episode to start watching again. It's about to get crazy. So yes, it's going to be a must-watch wedding. It's going to be insane.

Christopher Sean: I think everyone's performances were phenomenal. Everyone brought their A-game, and I think all the cast members that were involved in the wedding as well as the cast members that were watching the wedding in the pews, everyone was so involved. We had people coming up to us afterwards patting us on the backs for our performances. It was pretty awesome. And a lot of fun.

soapcentral.com: I feel like it would be easy to give a great performance if the writing is so good.

Sean: Oh, absolutely. I would say so. They always say no actor can give a great performance without a great script, and when Ron stepped on, he just brought it. And this is definitely some of the best work that I've done on the show in my three and half years.

Smith: Yeah, the writing was on point. Definitely. We had such a blast being able to work with that dialogue and those vows -- oh my gosh! It's just insane. It's easy to act when there's a good storyline and you can actually feel what's going on for real. When the actors are performing it at a 110% and the writing is 110%, it's very easy to become emotional; you're so immersed in the work.

soapcentral.com: Obviously everyone is clamoring to know who's going to crash this thing. You can't say, of course, but can you tease how each of your characters reacts to the chaos?

Smith: My reaction would give away who it is. I think it would be obvious if I shared the emotion of what Sonny feels when this person walks in.

soapcentral.com: No matter how it plays out, the return of Will is obviously going to put a wrench in things -- whether his return happens at the wedding or if it happens later. Can you each briefly touch on how Will's return might impact Paul and Sonny's connection?

Smith: It's not like Sonny and Will broke up and then he left town. This is his husband who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and he was murdered. So with him coming back, that's a whole different realm of emotions, and it's got to be dealt with, because there was definitely no closure. So it's going to be a really big thing for Christopher's character, how Paul will react in the sense of accepting Sonny's emotional roller coaster during this time.

Sean: Or not accepting!

soapcentral.com: Christopher, how aware is Paul when it comes to how important Will is to Sonny?

Sean: The writing is so good that it made Freddie and I both so uncomfortable with how honest these scenes become. These are true things that people actually talk about. I think I've had conversations like this, so I'm aware of the unease to know that you or your partner were in love with someone [else], and you have to talk about that person and try and be as truthful and honest as you can. It's a strange situation, and that's just it. The writing was just so phenomenal, it brought out some great performances in both of us.

soapcentral.com: Regardless of fan opinion or what might happen in the weeks ahead, how do you guys feel about which guy is truly right for your characters?

Smith: That one is a difficult one, because PaulSon has become a huge part of the story and people have fallen in love with them. I think Christopher and I as actors became extremely comfortable, and the characters became extremely comfortable and in love with each other. And I think that's what Christopher was touching on, too; when this happens, we just felt so good being together, that it's kind of weird that there might be a wedge between us. Because we didn't really have that many problems. So when this comes, it's like, well, I don't know! I'm actually happy I don't have to make the decision about [which guy Sonny will end up with]! Let the writers and whoever is in charge say, "These two are the two who are going to be together." Because I wouldn't know. It's a very, very interesting triangle to play. And I can't say, because I can't pull from real life. I haven't had someone I was married to be supposedly murdered and come back from the dead right before I was about to get married, so I don't know.

Sean: You haven't? That's strange. [Laughs]

Smith: That's what makes me rare, man! I might have to do some sort of method acting and like make this happen in the next few weeks! But all joking aside, Christopher really brought the heat. Like, holy cow. It is just absolutely phenomenal work.

Sean: I think we all did. When Freddie starts to react amidst the chaos, everyone was like, "Whoa! Let's pull that back. But that was amazing!"

Smith: That's true. [Laughs] But overall, we just had a really great time. We can't wait for tomorrow to see everything unfold.

Enjoy this interview with Days of Our Lives‘ Freddie Smith and Christopher Sean.  With the upcoming and highly-anticipated wedding of their characters “Sonny Kiriakis” and “Paul Narita” airing on September 29th and October 2nd, OutTakeshad a special opportunity to chat with these two actors about their upcoming storylines and character insights.

OT:  So were the bachelor parties for Sonny and Paul as fun for you to tape as they were for us to watch?

Christopher:  Oh my God, we laughed so much!

Freddie:  It was good, despite all the heavy cigar smoke that everyone was blowing into my face!

OT:  We have seen some preview photos of the wedding scenes on social media.  How was the experience of filming those scenes?  Was it a long shoot?

Freddie:  It was.  In those kind of super emotional scenes, everyone has this unspoken energy about them, respecting where the actors are in their mindset.  We shot for about ten to twelve hours.  There wasn’t much goofing around because you are so submerged in that love and emotion throughout the day.  The same thing happens when taping funerals.  It is a different energy on the set; and you really have to commit to that emotion to pull off an organic scene.

Christopher:  All of the actors are aware that when you are doing an episode along these lines.  I had a four page monologue; Freddie had one also.  The other actors there know that that workload is intense; and they alsoknow if they screw us up, they’re not going to get off the set!

Freddie:  They are rooting for us as much as we are rooting for ourselves.

Freddie, we have already seen Chandler Massey air on DAYS as “Will”, showing up in fantasies and dreams.  How has it been working again with Chandler?

Freddie:  Really good!  There’s a natural nostalgic feeling there.  He was gone for a few years; and when he came back, it worked for me as both a person and as a character.  It was like a reunion show.  We started off with something and did something great; to relive that has been very cool.  Also there has been so much maturity with our characters.   Chandler and I are both three to four years older.  It’s been wonderful to reconnect.

Why do fans love Paul and Sonny?

Christopher:  It’s all Freddie really!

Freddie:  Get outta here…get outta here!

Christopher:  My thought would be it has to do with that first love…that person that they always think about.  Everyone can relate to that.  It’s an easy way to make people jump on board.

Freddie:  We just work well.  The connection of being the first love.  We felt that at the beginning; and then blended that with the new love of who we are today.

Any favorite PaulSon scenes or storylines that are your favorites?

Christopher:  Everything that has to do with Freddie I really like!  (laughs)  My favorite PaulSon scenes probably are the wedding scenes.  And what’s coming up in the next few months have probably been my favorites as well because of how honest and real the story is.  How do you play this situation honestly?  I love the way it all unfolds!

What advice would you give Paul and Sonny to help their marriage last (assuming they actually do get married)?

Freddie:  Stick to who they are as people.  They’re both very good people. They both make each other better.  As long as they continue with that trust and respect, they could make it for the long haul.

What would you like to see happen with Paul and Sonny?

Freddie:  Honestly it’s what’s happening now.  Everything was very comfortable when we got together.  Having some sort of challenge in the relationship is either going to break it or make it stronger.  The next two months are going to show that.  Are they meant to be or are they not?  Let’s see what happens.  What’s coming is perfect for their characters.

Be sure to catch the double wedding of “Sonny Kiriakis” and “Paul Narita” as well as “Chad Dimera” and “Abigail Deveraux” airing on September 29th and October 2nd.

It’s (double) wedding day in Salem! Days of our Lives is airing a packed two-day double wedding on September 29 and October 2 featuring Chad (Billy Flynn) and Abigail (Marci Miller) and Paul (Christopher Sean) and Sonny (Freddie Smith).

It’s first loves united for Paul and Sonny, affectionately known as PaulSon, who’s pre-Salem romance has taken center stage over the last year. Freddie Smith and Christopher Sean spoke with TV Source Magazine earlier today about their alter ego’s nuptials, fan appeal and a reveal that will shake PaulSon to their core!

Fans are super excited about Paul and Sonny’s wedding. How do you feel about Paul and Sonny’s journey from the beginning of their relationship to now?

Freddie Smith: I think we’re right on course. I think that they have grown and that they’re in love and this is the next step. I think there’s a lot of great moments, and one of them is when Paul gave Sonny his ring, which was like one of the most important things to him and it was kind of really sweet for him to give that to Sonny. Paul wasn’t a fan of marriage at first, so the fact that he’s come around because of love and he’s come out to the world, it’s been really beautiful. I’m excited for them to tie the knot.

How do you feel about Paul’s journey from when he first came to Salem to now?

Christopher Sean: I think Paul’s journey from being closeted to coming out and then finally being able to accept himself and then being lucky enough to be with the person that he’s loved from the beginning – his first and true love – I think that’s just…how can you ask for a better journey? I’m really excited for tomorrow’s episode because Freddie knocks it out of the park, and [Billy] and [Marci] look so beautiful. And I really loved the work that I put out there. I think everyone will really enjoy what we did.

I think they will too. One of our readers commented how pleased they were with Paul interacting more with his family since Ron Carlivati took over as head writer, and one of our columnists praised the scenes where Paul approached John and Marlena for help with his vows. How did you feel being able to work with Drake Hogestyn and Deidre Hall for something that was so important to your character, and given their importance to the show?

Sean: I spent hours in the dressing room with Drake. We just sit and talk and we have so much fun. He tells so many stories and I love them. He really has become like a father figure to me on and off set. I’ll text him at baseball games ‘Hey man, I wish you were here,’ and he’ll respond, ‘Go get em, Narita’ joking with me [laughs]. And Deidre, I mean, she’s the queen. So to be working with legends it’s just…amazing. To see them and watch them have flash backs and recollect their career, it was pretty amazing. To be able to be lucky enough to be able to take from their vows and to apply to my own, to be inspired from their vows – John and Marlena – it was very cool. Another iconic moment in my career.

What’s one of your favorite things about working with Freddie? Sean: Freddie, himself, is inspirational. Working with Freddie, I’m so comfortable in our professionalism. I’m so comfortable with him as a person that I can just be me and it’s great. Like, I show up to set and I can be silly, I can be in a bad mood – whatever mood I’m in – he works with and he molds and he always guides me to be the best me that day because he’s just so good at acting. So there’s nothing wrong with working with Freddie.

Smith: Oh wow [laughs]. Keep going!

Sean: [Laughs]

Freddie, what’s your favorite things about working with Christopher? Smith: I mean it’s the same. It’s a two-way road there. The moment he screen-tested and just how kind and genuine he was, all the way through our journey together. And like Christopher mentioned, in the three and a half years maybe that we’ve been working together, our friendship has grown. And it wasn’t like we like made a mission to put in work on the characters, or the work on Christopher and Freddie. Like it just kind of happened organically. I think before we knew it we looked back one day and go “Damn, like Paul and Sonny are just an amazing couple.” And Christopher and I, the things that we share in our dressing rooms together, you know we trust each other and we get each other’s advice and we just have a really great relationship. Like, Christopher is going to be an absolute lifetime friend and he’s just one of the most genuine, big-hearted people that I just respect and he’s the greatest guy. So, I’m very blessed to get to work with him. He challenges me and makes me a better actor.

Why do you think Paul and Sonny have resonated with fans the way they have?

Smith: I think it’s just right. I don’t even know how to describe it. Because it came out of nowhere. I feel like there was so much off the cusp of [Will and Sonny], you know? We made such a big splash, we made history with this amazing true love story. And then with Will being murdered and Sonny going back to his first love, it was that transition that was ‘what’s going to happen’ and it was just a smash hit. Like PaulSon is awesome. It’s great to watch you know. I think the chemistry is there and they just work well together.

Last week there were scenes that aired with you and Billy Flynn where Sonny recounted his guilt over Will’s death. “If only” he had just been there, “if only” he had returned the call. How was that for you? I mean, it was a really emotional scene and I thought you did great work in it. Does that come naturally for you now or do you still have to get yourself in the zone to hit those emotional moments?

Smith: I think it’s 50-50. I think a lot of it has to do with you know these characters so well that I think that naturally helps. If it was just a random audition scene I think more homework would have had to go into it because I don’t know the relationship and history. So, I think being able to live in this character for so many years helps. I think the mood that you just happened to organically be in that day plays a role into it, and then the other percentage is really understanding and putting yourself in the position of just how much guilt he had. So, I think it’s 33 percent. All three categories kinda go into making an emotional performance. If it happens to be a huge bawling scene where you’re full of tears, then it’s more, for me, like 75 percent of having to dig in and pull from something that makes me sad to get there. But everything else since to be 33-33-33.

What can you tease, if any, about the bombshell dropped at the wedding and how it will impact Paul and Sonny going forward?

Smith: It’s definitely going to turn them upside down. It’s hard to touch on emotionally what Sonny feels because I feel like it’s a giveaway of the emotion, but it’s definitely going to turn things around and it’s going to challenge the relationship. That’s where we’re really going to see the strength of PaulSon. Is this going to bond them for life or is it going to break them apart?

Sean: To tease, I can say Paul will never…aw, man how do I tease this? It’s shocking news that shakes the foundation of Paulson [laughs]. I don’t know what to say!