Bryan Dattilo (NBC)
Wonder who Bryan Dattilo is talking about? We caught up with him just before his much-anticipated return to "DOOL" to find out about the future of Lumi, his response to Will's sexuality and Lucas' love for his kids.
Soaps.com: How were you approached about returning to "DOOL?"
Bryan: My manager had hinted to stay sharp, stay ready and stay in shape just in case. And I kept saying "I'm ready, I'm ready," and they said you never know. I didn't really think it was going to be a possibility because I had been back and forth so many times and the show seemed to be stable where it was, the characters and the storylines. So I was just doing my construction thing, hoping I wouldn't have to do that, and they mentioned that if it would be possible I would come back recharged, ready to go and they wouldn't be disappointed. Eventually they said, alright, come back and show us what you got. And I was really happy. In the past the job was so challenging and draining at times I kind of got burnt out on it and maybe took advantage of it a little. Being back now, it is just night and day. A couple of years outside that environment and life is very real and very hard at times. So to have that kind of blessing and not take full advantage of it was just a waste. It has been great being back and really fun seeing everybody.
Soaps.com: Do you think the storylines are in a right place for Lucas to come back?
Bryan: I think a lot of characters could use a little Lucas in their lives. Sami being one of them, Kate needs a little backup and I can always tap into a half-sibling storyline with Billie and Austin and Carrie and the history there. The history with Nicole and the challenge with the DiMeras again and all of the different options that my character can go in, being a Horton and having all the family. It is a lot you could plug me into and I think the writers have done a really good job spreading me out since I have been back and put me with a lot of different people.
Soaps.com: There are plenty of Sami and Lucas fans out there. What are the chances of them getting back together?
Bryan: You never know with Lumi, when it is going to surface and how it is going to happen or if they both see it at the same time. Usually one is interested when the other one isn't. With them you never know because they have this strong history, basically grew up together and are basically each other's first love. Even though Lucas thought it was Carrie he really wanted Sami. He just didn't know it. He has been away from her and he comes back realizing that the connection they had might still be there a little. He is coming back for Will and Allie and Sami as a friend. But there is also all this sexual tension in the air. They could break a bed at any time. She has a lot of guys, so he always has adversaries to conquer to get her. But who knows? You have to tune in.
Soaps.com: What can you tell us about Lucas' return?
Bryan: I believe I can say he comes back with a fiancée from Hong Kong and people react differently. Some people are happy, some people aren't. Some people hide the fact that they aren't, some hide the fact that they are. But he comes back a little more mature, a little stronger, a little more independent. But he comes back wanting to be a dad and realizing that he has spent enough time away without being a dad. That is a big priority for Lucas. That is the one thing I had a hard time with. Even though Allie came to live with him for a while in Hong Kong, he wouldn't just leave his kids. He is a stand-up dad. It is good to kind of have that again.
Soaps.com: Will Lucas have any idea Will is gay, or that he is being blackmailed into working for EJ?
Bryan: Well, he doesn't like that he is working for EJ right off the bat. He is not aware of his son's preference yet. But certain things transpire that alert him, he becomes enlightened by his recent choices. And I really got to thank the writers for handling it really well because he is there for his son no matter what, and that would be the way I want to play it. I don't want Lucas to be a bigot or prejudiced in any way. We have filmed enough scenes that we have tap danced around the issue. Chandler is such a great actor, there are so many levels to play with him. He is a great listener and always knows his lines, comes in ready to go, so that has been really fun.
Soaps.com: Will Lucas still be working for Kate?
Bryan: He always has this Hearth and Home thing, but in Salem you never know. Nothing is for sure, nothing is forever. So I think you can't get too comfortable where you are. The blindsides come from other people and there are a lot of people in that business world storyline who have a lot to battle with as far as Mad World Cosmetics and Stefano and Madison. And Ian and all his history and Stefano being tied into it. You have all these corporations being fought over and all these teams are building up and I think Lucas kind of plugs in really good with that.
Soaps.com: Have you started working with Lisa Rinna yet?
Bryan: I haven't had many scenes with Lisa. I have had scenes with Austin, and I have had scenes with Carrie. I haven't had too many with Billie. I just know she is back and that we have seen each other. We had one little encounter with mom and that was kind of cool. I have had a little more with Austin, a lot with Sami, a lot with Will.
Soaps.com: Can you tell us about the work you did before returning?
Bryan: When I was off I was doing construction, fabric installation and repair at Sony Studios, which is in Culver City, but with people I used to work with. So I would see executives who used to be at NBC while on my job at Sony and they would ask what film I was working on, or what TV show. And I would say, "I am rebuilding the Burt Lancaster Theater, we are building some walls." So I would get there at about 5.00 AM, work until 2.00 PM or 3.00 PM in the afternoon and be home with my son when he got home from school to do homework and do the dad thing. It was really humbling. I did a lot of hard work, but it just made me appreciate what I had before that much more.
If you missed it check out our James Reynolds Interview.
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- Hollie Deese
