DAYS Character Spotlight: Jackson “Sonny” Kiriakis

Character Name: Jackson “Sonny” Kiriakis
Actor:  Freddie Smith
Occupation: Co-owner of TBD
Former Spouse: Will Horton

Jackson was born off-screen to Justin and Adrienne Kiriakis during their time living in Texas. He was the younger brother of their two adopted sons and did not live in Salem in an on-screen capacity until his college days after backpacking through Europe. By this point, he was openly gay, something his family accepted.

He became quick friends with Will Horton and they decided to start a sports website dedicated to Salem University’s sports teams. When they learned it had been hacked to use for illegal gambling use, they tried to shut the site down, but the hackers kidnapped friends Gabi and Melanie to try and stop them. They worked together to get the site back up until the hackers were caught and grew closer.

When the website ordeal ended, Sonny tried a different route and opened up a coffee shop he named Common Grounds. The coffee shop was supposed to be a place where people of all sexualities could feel comfortable, but Will did not feel comfortable there at first. Eventually, he came out to Sonny and Sonny realized he had developed feelings for Will and kissed him. Will rejected Sonny at first, but then the two started dating and even received the support of their families.

When Will and Sonny had a problem in their relationship, Will had a one-night stand with ex-girlfriend Gabi that resulted in a pregnancy. Gabi tried to pass the baby off as boyfriend Nick’s, who agreed to the plan and tried to get Will to sign over all parental rights. Gabi nearly married Nick until Chad announced at the ceremony Nick wasn’t the father.

Months later when stranded in the woods, Sonny ended up delivering Gabi’s baby. Gabi and baby Arianna moved in with Will and Sonny. There was more trouble when she rekindled her relationship with Nick. When Nick was allegedly killed, Sonny discovered Gabi, Sami, and Kate were all involved. However, Nick showed up at Arianna’s christening and Gabi insisted Nick had changed his dastardly ways.

Meanwhile, Sonny proposed to Will, who said no at first because he wanted a trouble-free marriage. His grandmother Marlena convinced him to accept and the two were married on April 3, 2014. In 2015, Sonny and Will’s marriage ended and he moved to Europe. Meanwhile, Will was murdered by Ben Weston AKA The Necktie Killer. Sonny returned to Salem for the funeral and left shortly afterward.

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