Days of Our Lives celebrated Christmas 2021 (remember, a whole different year in Salem) by welcoming Tony and Anna back into the DiMera fold. Likewise, the soap decided to ring in the new year with a special guest star in the form of Sonny Kiriakis, and his portrayer Freddie Smith.
Freddie Smith Takes You Behind The Scenes
But the brief, and thoroughly enjoyable, reprisal was not without its complications. The actor, last seen in Salem on September 1 of this year, had recently made a 40-hour cross-country drive to Florida, where he and fiancée Alyssa Tabit now reside, so the soaps original plan, an in-person appearance during the Christmas season, wasn’t feasible.
But Smith had an idea all his own. As he explains in a special, self-produced behind the scenes video, it was his suggestion that Sonny appears via Zoom. And while the idea was a hit with the DAYS production team, there were a great many logistics that needed to be ironed out.
First and foremost, where to film the scenes? As can be seen in Smith’s video, the options varied from his new abode’s living room to its upstairs office and its kitchen. With the living room chosen, now it was a matter of the costume Smith would don and the grooming he should endure. While Sonny has always adopted a clean-shaven look with appropriately slicked backed hair, Smith had grown out both his beard and his locks.
By late October, Smith had been mailed Sonny appropriate attire: a black button-down shirt, and a purple suit jacket, the actor’s favorite piece. Also accompanying the wardrobe was a tin box stuffed full of past New Year’s resolutions, necessary props for the upcoming scenes.
Come November 10, it was time to primp, dress, go through one final rehearsal, and commit the script to film. According to the actor, the entire experience, “felt like coming home again.”
Make sure to check out Smith’s full video that documents his adventures in bringing Sonny back to life via Zoom. The informative recording also lets fans in on a number of the actor’s secrets, including the very special item he “forgot” to return prior to his exit! Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.
Behind the scenes of preparing and filming Sonny Zooming into Salem!!
👉 https://t.co/WGsa7QKNnK pic.twitter.com/w9q7v0kB40— freddie smith (@freddiemsmith) December 30, 2020
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