On this week’s episode of Soapy, Days of Our Lives star Robert Scott Wilson opens up about one of the most shocking character arcs in modern daytime — and how it changed his career. From playing the Necktie Serial Killer Ben Weston to finding redemption and stepping into a brand-new role as Alex Kiriakis, Wilson’s journey through Salem has been anything but predictable.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Scott Wilson reveals how Ben Weston’s killer twist nearly ended his role.
- .The Necktie Serial Killer arc evolved into a redemption story rooted in trauma.
- DAYS planned Wilson’s return early, leading to his new role as Alex Kiriakis
From Game Show Model to Soap Stardom
On Soapy, hosted by The Bold and the Beautiful’s Rebecca Budig (Taylor) and DAYS co-star Greg Rikaart (Leo), Wilson looked back at his unconventional rise — from becoming the first male model on The Price Is Right to landing a role on All My Children as Pete, before arriving in Salem. Once cast as Ben Rogers (originally played by Justin Gaston), the character quickly evolved — and not in the way fans expected.
The Moment Everything Changed
Wilson recalled how Ben Weston’s storyline took a shocking turn into darkness: “I read the initial breakdown for this character, and it went in complete different direction for Ben Weston. I was happy to be there. I loved working, but I couldn’t really sink in yet, and I really didn’t sink into that role for over a year.
“And unfortunately, when it really started to click, they ended up writing tremendous for me, and that carried for a very long time, and that is when they turned him heel,” continued Wilson. “You know, all of a sudden, I found out I’m the killer. I took that very personally because I was like, ‘Man, I’m doing everything I can here. Not only am I taking out all these beloved characters that other people like, but now my ass is on the line.'”
As the infamous Necktie Serial Killer, Ben’s actions rocked Salem — and Wilson knew the role could cost him his job. “So if this door is shutting in my face, at least I have to make sure that they remember who they shut it on. If I can just create something that can be remembered rather than just a bad thing … because nobody wants to be killed off, and nobody wants to be the killer doing it.
“You’re taking jobs, and your own is ending,” explained the actor. “So, if we can ground this in a place as honest as possible and try to find a reason behind it and ground it in love and, and whatever it is that can make this digestible and work, I think there’s a really great opportunity.”
Finding Humanity in a Villain
What could have been a short-lived villain arc turned into something much deeper. Wilson began exploring Ben’s trauma — including his abusive father, James Read’s Clyde, and his sister Jordan, played by Chrishell Stause.
“I started seeing it differently and opening my eyes to a different part of him and kind of digging into the trauma that he had gone through. I thought about all the story that we had touched on a little bit between the relationship with his sister [Jordan], who was abused, his father [Clyde], who abused him, and all these things that made him kind of this caged beast as mysterious and quiet and calm as he was perceived when he first showed to town. The reason for that is because he is hiding. He’s hiding something. What a time to let it all be revealed when that door is closing on him, And as bad as it was, it, it opened up a lot of doors.”
Eventually, the story demanded consequences. Wilson shared how the then-producer Albert Alarr broke the news. “Albert Alarr was our producer at the time, and he called me up into that office. He’s like, ‘Rob, you know, we love you. We had this storyline, and it makes sense (to write him off). I really did love the people I worked with, and it really did hurt me to think about, this coming to a close.”
But even as Ben faced justice, the show wasn’t ready to let Wilson go. “Before we were even done, the discussions began, that we’re going to figure out a way to get you back,” recounted Rob. “We’re going to do this, we’re going to do that, but you’ve killed like six people, you got to go away for a little while.”
Wilson didn’t shy away from listing Ben’s shocking crimes — including the murders of fan-favorite characters like Will Horton (Chandler Massey), Paige Larson (True O’Brien), and Serena Mason (Melissa Archer).
A Rare Soap Reinvention
Few actors get the opportunity Wilson has had — to play both a notorious villain and a fully redeemed hero, and then transition into an entirely new role on the same show. His journey from Ben Weston (2014–2022) to Alex Kiriakis marks one of the most unique character evolutions in daytime history — and a testament to how soaps can reinvent both characters and the actors who portray them.
One thing is certain: DAYS viewers were lucky that the powers that be kept Wilson around, because he has provided countless hours of emotional performances. Would you like to see Ben return and Wilson pull double duty? If you would like to know other fun facts, check out other things you may not have known about the actor.
