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It's always such a pleasure to chat with Shawn Christian (Dr. Daniel, Days of our Lives). I remember the first time we met. It was some time ago.  He had recently located to Los Angeles from New York after leaving the role of Mike Kaznoff on As the World Turns. We choose the popular Swingers Diner in Hollywood and afterward, Christian posed for several photos outside in the neighborhood.

I couldn't help but come away thinking –

all gorgeousness aside – what a great guy he was.

That was then. This is now, and Christian is still as charming and accommodating as ever. As you enjoy some of those Swingers Diner photos, read on to see how he feels about his role on the rebooted Days of our Lives and why he so enjoys playing a doctor on TV.

SOAPDOM: Now that the Days reboot is in full swing, how are you acclimating to the new regime, the changes, and the storytelling?

SHAWN CHRISTIAN: I am excited about the unknown.

SOAPDOM: What would you like to see for your character?

CHRISTIAN: I really don't know. I am grateful to be a part of the reboot. Cos there have been so many changes. Jennifer and Daniel is a wonderful story. They are part of the history of the show. To be brought on at first as a peripheral character, but then to stay and be included is a blessing.

SOAPDOM: What would you like to see happen for Daniel down the line?

CHRISTIAN: Mystery and maham. I don't ask for much. I truly prefer anything outside of the box. There are so many beautiful, handsome men on the show, so I see Daniel as a 'character.' You can afford to push him out of the box, and take the show out of the linear past. Now that I am Maggie's son, I have some roots to the show and that's terrific. I like that about the character. You can push him to the fringe but he is still part of the show.

SOAPDOM: Now that spring is in the air, will Daniel's fancy turn to more romance?

CHRISTIAN:  I am sure there is some romance in store for Daniel. I don't know what it is, but if I am seen with a woman, there is bound to be some kind of trouble. Who, where, when or how I don't have answers to, but I am sure something will come up for Daniel.

SOAPDOM: You're not a real doctor, but you play one on TV. What's the good part about playing one of Salem's physicians?

CHRISTIAN: I like playing a doctor because it gets me involved with every character. It's very plausible for me to be engaged with any character. If you have to come to see me, it is probably for something dramatic. And I like that.

SOAPDOM: Your current storyline has you working with a number of talented and strong women on Days. How have you been handling all that girl power?

CHRISTIAN:  I am blessed with every actress. There are truly different aspects of every character that I find fascinating -- from Kate to Chloe to Nicole to my mother to my daughter. They really are loaded with different aspects. If you just put all those characters on canvas right now, they really invoke something different in me. I am blessed in this storyline. I know it isn't always pretty or come in a pretty package, but there is something endearing about each of them that I have been able to experience, and that's why I've enjoyed playing this role so much.

SOAPDOM: We all know that the daytime soap opera industry has gotten a few hard knocks over the last few years. But Days of our Lives is still up and running and thinking creatively about how to stay on the air. What are your thoughts about the changing climate in the daytime drama industry?

CHRISTIAN: The fact is the climate is changing not only for daytime but also for nighttime and film. How we see films and what films we want to see. From DreamWorks to Sony to Universal, the climate is completely changed. The one thing you can count on is really good dramatic or comedic story. That's what is so great about soap operas. Soaps tell a dramatic tale --which could even be implausible, but if it relates to people today then it's relevant. Whether it's in a soap, prime time, or a film. If it is relatable people can connect with it. If it's not relatable then it's not connected.

I thanked Christian for his insights and we wrapped things up with his shout out to fans:

"Thank you for sticking with me and by me for all these years.," he said. "I appreciate it. From yesterday to today and tomorrow. So thank you!"

Follow Christian on Twitter @ShawnC4Real

 

 

 

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