Soap Opera Digest: Nice to hear from you, Michael!
Michael Swan: I’m sure readers are asking, “Is he still alive [laughs]?”
Digest: Hardly! You’re busier than ever. Tell us about your new project, HILTON HEAD ISLAND.
Swan: Well, it takes place on Hilton Head Island [South Carolina], hence the title. It’s about a family dynasty, of which I play the patriarch [Daniel]. Donna Mills [ex-Madeline, GH; ex-Abby, KNOTS LANDING et al] plays my wife [Victoria]. My best friend on the show, who is also a pastor, is played by Wink Martindale [ex-Rev. Brown, B&B]. He and I hit it off right away. I’ve admired him in things he had on the air when I was a kid, and he’d say, “Oh, you weren’t such a kid [laughs]!” Crystal Hunt [ex-Stacy, OLTL et al] plays one of my daughters, and Antonio Sabato, Jr. [ex-Jagger, GH] plays one of my sons, who has a chip on his shoulder and is a very ambitious fellow. So, there’s a lot of intrigue.
Digest: Where can viewers catch it?
Swan: The first season is slated for 22 episodes but we’re not finished filming yet. In fact, I have to go back to Hilton Head next week for the next round. It will be available on Pure Flix, which is the Christian version of Netflix, and I believe they’re looking for a release date sometime this summer.
Digest: You’ve also done a few movies since we last spoke to you.
Swan: I’m actually going up to Santa Cruz for the premiere of Hope Dances. I had done a picture a few years ago called I Love Your Moves, and I played a famous retired Russian ballroom dancer, and so the guy who wrote Hope Dances saw that and said, “I’ve got my ballet instructor,” because in this, I play a famous old Russian ballet instructor. It’s a very touching story about kids in ballet facing adversity. And I’m waiting to start Heaven With A Gun with Paul Le Mat next. I love doing the Western thing.
Digest: How was your experience on THE BAY as Buck in 2012?
Swan: I had a small role in that. When it was still in its first season, they needed a guy to play the owner of a motel. I got to see some old friends who were in the cast, and I hear they’ve been doing very well.
Digest: Speaking of your soap pals, who have you kept in touch with?
Swan: I talk to a lot of people on Facebook. I see Martha Byrne [ex-Lily, ATWT] when she comes out to the West Coast. Me, Kin Shriner [Scott, GH], Martha and Maura West [Ava, GH; ex-Carly, ATWT] try to have little reunions now and then. It’s always great to see them. Maura is still a phenomenon! What a career she has had, wow. The last time we went to dinner, Bill Fichtner [ex-Josh, ATWT] showed up. Ellen Dolan [ex-Margo, ATWT] and Kim Zimmer [ex-Reva, GL] showed up. It was great! We had a wonderful evening. That happens maybe once a year or so.
Digest: The last time we talked to your B&B daughter, Bobbie Eakes (ex-Macy), she just raved about you.
Swan: We’re best buds. She’s terrific, and what a great singer and performer and entertainer she is!
Digest: What are your most vivid memories of working with the late Darlene Conley (ex-Sally)?
Swan: I have so many great memories of Darlene. The story I tell most often is that she loved to play tricks on me. The best trick she ever pulled was when she would take me to the Hollywood Bowl. She had great box seats and we’d drink wine and eat and have a great time. Once, she said, “Come to the Bowl. Diana Krall is performing.” I said, “Great! I love her.” We get there and I see on the bill that Diana Krall is the opening act for none other than Tony Bennett! That was just the greatest. I couldn’t believe it! That’s just the kind of person she was. She had a heart of gold. I loved her, and Bobbie loved her, too.
JPI
Digest: Where do you think Adam and Duncan are these days?
Swan: Adam is fishing somewhere off the coast of Portugal, and Duncan is still in Scotland, where he will remain forever.
Digest: Do you still get recognized by ATWT fans for Duncan?
Swan: It’s so funny you asked; I had a bunch of people over on Memorial Day and met a couple of gals that were like, “Oh, my gosh, you were Duncan!” and they made me put on Duncan and Jessica scenes! Somebody on YouTube has put together all of these Duncan and Jessica stories, and Duncan and Shannon stories, and edited it all together. So for about an hour, we were watching old Duncan and Jessica scenes. [Tamara Tunie, ex-Jessica] was brilliant. I must say, that was good stuff. Good old Doug Marland [late ATWT head writer]. I was surprised how well it held up. It was fun to go back and see it.
Digest: Would you ever return to daytime?
Swan: I always took Lucille Ball’s advice: Never turn down work. So, if somebody calls me up and if I’m available, I’ll be there.
