Daytime fans met Amanda Baker on SOAPnet's GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT, but now she's changed coasts and soaps to play ALL MY CHILDREN's nuBabe.
Soap Opera Weekly: Congratulations on the role — you must be excited.
Amanda Baker: I'm very excited to switch locations, come to New York City and be able to work on ALL MY CHILDREN. I'm in my new apartment. I'm just trying to get everything settled.
Weekly: Fans most recently saw you as Jolene on NIGHT SHIFT. What were you doing before that?
Baker: I have done a TV-movie with Lacey Chabert, HELLO SISTER, GOODBYE LIFE. I got to work with her and Wendie Malick. I did a CBS TV movie (THE DEAD WILL TELL) alongside Anne Heche (ex-Marley, ANOTHER WORLD) and Eva Longoria (Gabrielle, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES). I did some guest-starring parts on ONE TREE HILL, and worked on an improv comedy show on the Oxygen network called CAMPUS LADIES. That was a blast.
Weekly: How did you get into acting?
Baker: Growing up, I was involved in artsy things. I always loved to sing and dance. The acting came about when I was in middle school. I started doing little musicals. Then, in high school, it started to flourish and I really knew that I had a love for it. After graduating from college I got serious about it and started doing it professionally.
Weekly: How did you prepare for the role? Did you watch Alexa Havins (ex-Babe)?
Baker: I did. What I'm going to bring to the character might be a little bit of a different take, but I definitely wanted to get the characteristics down and stay true to who Babe really is.
Weekly: Your first scene was with Bobbie Eakes (Krystal). How did that go?
Baker: Just wonderful. Bobbie Eakes is one of the nicest people I've ever met. She welcomed me, and before we actually got up to tape she came by and said, “If you ever need anything, please let me know.” I felt a true connection with her right off the bat. That was very helpful, knowing she's going to be playing my mom.
Weekly: How would you compare the daily grind of daytime to a weekly show like NIGHT SHIFT?
Baker: I've always liked having a fixed schedule, and daytime actually provides that for a lot of actors. You can work during the day and know you're going to be out by 8:30 at the latest.You get your script a week beforehand. NIGHT SHIFT was different because we shot all over the place. It was sporadic; the hours could be anywhere from 7 in the morning until 11 o'clock at night. We were there all day, which was also a lot of fun. We actually all would hang out together. We got to become really close really quickly. But I certainly don't mind having set times. I think I'm really going to love that.
Weekly: Babe's new love interest (Wes/Richie) started right before you did. Do you think it will be easier to start fresh with him than to continue to play Babe opposite a longtime character like Jamie?
Baker: Yeah, I think that it's really a good opportunity that I'm going to be able to work with another new actor on this show, Billy Miller (Wes/Richie), and develop that relationship. I know that Alexa worked with him a little bit when he first came on a few weeks ago, but I think it's going to be exciting to see where we can take the two characters together. I think that's going to be a fun journey.
