Jason Thompson on Playing Doctor
Soap Opera Weekly: What has been the biggest challenge for you?
Jason Thompson: The speed we work at. The first couple of weeks I was like, “What’s going on?” It was just unbelievable. And hats off to the producers and the writers, but they just threw me in. Jill (Farren Phelps, executive producer) said, “Okay, you’ve basically got 13 weeks to show if you can [do it].” I understand that. They had to test me a little bit. They threw me in, and I held on and did what I could.
Weekly: You certainly hit the ground running. Sometimes they introduce characters slowly.
Thompson: Yeah. I fell into a good situation working with Kimberly (McCullough, Robin) right off the bat. She’s so fun and great to work with. And then being rooted with Rick (Springfield, Noah) — I don’t have to tell anybody what he means to the show. I got to work with a lot of people [during] the epidemic stuff.
Weekly: When you first started, what was the character description?
Thompson: They really didn’t tell me much. I didn’t find out until the day I was screen-testing that the character was Rick Springfield’s son. They didn’t say much about Patrick or who his love interest would be. I knew he was a doctor. I didn’t know much until I got the job and sat down with one of our main writers. She gave me a background of him.
Weekly: Was your reaction pretty wild when you found out you were playing Rick Springfield’s son?
Thompson: It was. That’s odd — and cool. I just fixed my hair a bit to look like him. We definitely look a little bit alike, and he’s great. He brings an energy to the scenes. It works so well with the two of us. He’s a very busy man. If he’s not here he’s touring and doing all that stuff.
Weekly: What about the old favorites? How is working with them?
Thompson: I basically try to watch and learn. They know what they’re doing and they’re so good at it. It’s humbling to be in scenes with them.
Weekly: Have you chatted them up about the old days?
Thompson: Tristan (Rogers, Robert) had some stories, and Kimberly was around back then. She was a little girl, but they’ll bring things up and I sit back and listen. They’re great people.
Weekly: Did you watch any soaps prior to this job?
Thompson: Yeah. I didn’t necessarily watch them all the time, but obviously I’ve heard of them. Galen (Gering; Luis, PASSIONS) is a friend of mine. I’ve known Josh Duhamel (ex-Leo, ALL MY CHILDREN) for a while and Eric Winter (ex-Rex, DAYS OF OUR LIVES), so I knew [soaps] were out there. I just didn’t watch them.
Weekly: What has been the reaction of your family?
Thompson: They’re excited. My parents have seen me struggle. They’re happy that I have a job now and they don’t have to worry about me eating rice and tuna every night. I can afford groceries now! My grandparents are big THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS fans. They love that show. I don’t know if I can get them away from Y&R!
Note: For more with GH’s newest heartthrob, check out his feature in Soap Opera Weekly‘s GH Collector’s issue on sale this week.
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