JPI
Father Doesn’t Know Best: Carson Boatman (Johnny) is enjoying playing out his character learning the horrifying truth about his dad EJ (Dan Feuerriegel, c.).
Johnny’s world was upended when he uncovered horrifying news: He was conceived when EJ raped Sami. After overhearing something that piqued his curiosity, he pressed for more details and learned the ugly truth. Carson Boatman spoke to Soap Opera Digest about the powerful Days of our Lives story he calls “an actor’s dream” and how it quite likely has changed his character’s life forever.
Soap Opera Digest: Were you aware of this crucial part of Johnny’s past or did you find out about it when you read it in the script?
Carson Boatman: I did know about it.
Digest: Was it something you had hoped Johnny would eventually learn and that you would get to play out?
Boatman: It never crossed my mind, because it’s such common knowledge among viewers and just the history of the show. So I guess I kind of didn’t know that Johnny didn’t know, until they told me he didn’t know.
Digest: How has this revelation changed Johnny at his core?
Boatman: It’s life-altering to find out that the only reason you’re in existence is because your dad raped your mom. I mean, that will mess with your head. It was really fun and really challenging to play. I think I grew as an actor doing that storyline, because it took so much emotionally. There’s a lot of anger, a lot of hurt and pain. It’s an actor’s dream to get to go in there, really do the hard work, and put up, hopefully, some moving performances. It was just a really fun opportunity to learn and grow as an actor.
Digest: The show previewed this storyline in the video that was released during last year’s Day of DAYS event; specifically the scene where Johnny confronts his father about raping his mother. What can you share about playing those intense moments opposite Dan Feuerriegel (EJ)?
Boatman: Right after Johnny found out, he went straight from the pub over to the mansion and decked EJ. Dan is an incredible actor, and I love doing scenes with him. He’s just fun to work with, and we trust each other a lot. So it’s never nerve-racking. It’s an interesting rift to watch play out.
Digest: Given the enormity of these scenes and everything this confrontation meant for your characters, did you and Dan talk about how you wanted to approach them beforehand? Did the two of you rehearse them more than normal?
Boatman: We spent a lot of time on them, because there were a lot of words. We spent a lot more time than usual on these scenes outside of work, just running them and running them. We wanted to get them down really close to word perfect, so that we could just focus on the performance when it came time to do it.
Digest: How do you feel the scenes turned out? Were you and Dan pleased with them afterward?
Boatman: I hope they turned out great. You know, it’s a really hard question to answer as an actor. You’re never fully happy, I don’t think, with your performance. So you just kind of have to wait and see.
Digest: What has this revelation coming to light done to EJ and Johnny’s relationship?
Boatman: It’s destroyed it. Johnny has become very resentful of his father. And it’s what makes Johnny question his own ability to become a father, now knowing the truth of who his father really is.
Digest: Obviously, Chanel will be a rock for Johnny through this. How does she comfort and support him through this terrible time in his life?
Boatman: I mean, what — what can you do? She just has to be there, kind of let him vent, and tell him he’s okay and that it’s not his fault.
JPI
Taking it on the chin: Johnny (Carson Boatman) lashes out at EJ (Dan Feuerriegel).
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