DAYS’ Tamara Braun Talks Daytime Emmys and Mike Manning

It’s déjà vu all over again for Days of our Lives star Tamara Braun. The actress, who won a Daytime Emmy for her role as Ava Vitali in 2009 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series is up again in the same category for the same role!

Catching Up With Tamara Braun

Braun’s actually looking to take home her third award, having won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for playing Dr. Kim Nero on General Hospital last year. Soap Hub recently chatted with Braun about this year’s nod and more.

Soap Hub: Congrats on your nomination! How’d you feel when DAYS invited you back — especially as Ava was dead!
Tamara Braun: I won my first Emmy in 2009. Ava was a dream to play then and it’s so wonderful to be playing her again. It felt great when DAYS called. I really enjoyed being on the show and am enjoying being on it again. It’s a positive work environment.

I’m always happy to get a call [to join a show]. It means you’re wanted and you get a chance to create. I was curious to know what was involved with the character when they did call. I was excited that she was going to be more layered as she was the first time around.

What’s on your reel?
It tells the story of Ava coming back from the dead. I actually say to Kayla after she says that Ava’s been alive and Joey [James Lastovic] has been in prison for no reason that coming back from the dead is hard — it’s not like on a soap opera. That may have made [voters] chuckle a bit. I put a variety of material on it. It’s the spice of life! There are some scenes that are playful, sassy, intense, and heartfelt. I mixed it up.

Who are you wearing?
Rita Vinieris. I pulled it off the rack and said, “Please, work!” I think it’s working!

What was it like working with Mike Manning (ex-Charlie)?
He’s fantastic I had such a great time working with him. The first day we worked together, we had to do two shows back-to-back. He was so open and so willing to go there with vulnerability, heart, and anger. We clicked.

There’s a familial quality between you two. I can’t put my finger on it.
Maybe that’s what translated? We spoke a lot. We’re only allowed to rehearse [digitally]. We talked about our characters, what happened to them, what their relationship was, and that created a connection between us as actors and as characters.

Would you like to see Mike come back as a twin or double?
Yes! I would love a little doppelganger, Charlie!

The 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards air tonight, Friday, June 25 on CBS at 8 p.m. The awards will stream on Paramount+ and CBS.com Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.