When DAYS contacted you, were you told what Rory would be up to? “No. When I get the call, I’m not totally sure what I’ll be doing, or who I’ll be working with, until I get the script. This time, I read through the script and thought, ‘Wow, Rory’s with Rafe and Hope!’ Galen [Gering] and Kristian [Alfonso] are awesome. It was super-easy to work with them. Rory is doing work in the field for Rafe and Hope. I’ve enjoyed seeing the storylines develop over time, all the way back to the drug fallout with JJ [in 2013]. It was fun when they started having my character branch out a little bit. I remember once Rory delivered pizzas. I was excited to work with Missy [Reeves, Jennifer], Shawn [Christian, ex-Daniel], and all the people in that episode. Getting to have those small private moments with different characters in Salem is fun.”
What was your reaction when DAYS called? “I was so excited! I have never been under a long-term contract. When I first started on DAYS, I thought it was for three episodes, so it’s always been a surprise when I get the call to come back and play Rory.”
What was it like to return after being away? “At this point, it feels like going home. I’ve been going back sporadically to DAYS longer than the four years I spent in college. It’s a super-comforting feeling. Everybody comes and goes, and comes back. The crew is always amazing. I feel like I get to go back and see old friends. It’s such a treat.”
The last time you were back, you had comedic scenes as Ciara’s blind date. What were those like? “That was a really crazy time for me. I was in the middle of a tour with my band, and it worked out that we were playing in Los Angeles on the same day I came in to do those scenes. The night before, I got picked up from Bakersfield by my parents and I slept on their sofa. They live right down the street from the studio. Vivian [Jovanni, ex-Ciara] was cool. I remember being really hungry, so having Rory gobble down all the burritos and smoothies was great. I was happy just to get a good meal!”
How do you imagine Rory spends his time when we’re not seeing him in Salem? “I like to think that when he’s not on the show, Rory is road-tripping, and maybe every now and then, finding a girlfriend. My guess is that he’s pretty good at playing video games [laughs].”
