Getting to Know ATWT’s Ben Levin (Gabe) and Sarah Wilson (Liberty)
Oakdale’s teen scene has a couple of new faces with newcomers Ben Levin (Gabe) and Sarah Wilson (Liberty). Digest caught up with the duo — with bonus commentary from Mick Hazen (Parker) — about their new daytime home. 
Soap Opera Digest: Tell us a little bit about your backgrounds.
Ben Levin: I was born and raised in Manhattan. I did a lot of commercial work as a kid. Went to NYU and graduated and then I did just a handful of pilots that didn’t get picked up, some independent films that might not come out. This is the steadiest acting gig I’ve ever had. I auditioned for ALL MY CHILDREN one time, a similar character, kind of like a brooding dude. It’s a fun world. I like that it’s helped me get more comfortable. I play music. I play guitar. I’m into singer-songwriting, like urban folk acoustic. I also rap.
Sarah Wilson: I grew up in Virginia and then went to college at Northwestern in Chicago and I moved here a couple of years ago. I’ve done a couple little things. This is my first big gig, which is exciting. Everyone says it’s so hard and you really don’t realize how hard it is until you get there. I’m still getting the hang of it.
Digest: Being a recast can be tough. Have you received any response from fans, Sarah?
Wilson: I haven’t. My mother peruses the message boards and she says they’ve been saying nice things, so I hope that’s true. I know that nobody likes change.
Digest: I bet are you happy to finally not have to wear that knit hat anymore, though!
Wilson: I am! There’s all sorts of wigs and headbands and more wigs. I didn’t realize what I was getting into.
Mick Hazen: One day all of our hair looked the same. Literally!
Levin: Yeah! One day they gave me a wig that kind of looks like Parker’s hair.
Digest: Gabe’s fully entrenched in Oakdale now that it’s been revealed that Gabe is Craig’s son.
Levin: Yeah! I have to remember who everyone is and how I’m supposed to feel about them! I’m written into all these different storylines now.
Hazen: It’s actually one of the most difficult things, like one person is your distant cousin and especially for someone who’s just come on to the show, it’s extremely hard. I mean, I’m still discombobulated! Especially when it’s like a five-person scene. [Gabe’s] a total creeper! There are all these scenes where he’s just like lurking around!
Levin: It’s the most threatening person I’ve ever acted, also. I’m not a very confrontational person.
Hazen: He knows how to take a punch, though!
Levin: I do! And how to throw one! I love fighting with Mick. Those are my favorite days. I suffer for my art [laughs]!
Conversation
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