Johnny learning why he even exists on Days of Our Lives was heartbreaking, to say the least. He turned his back on EJ after learning what his dad did to his mom, Sami. His wife, Chanel, might not even be able to help soothe his rage, sadness, and disillusionment. Only a mother could come in and give Johnny the TLC and understanding that he needs, as well as explain things from her perspective. Alison Sweeney is riding back into action in Salem to be there for her son and recently opened up about how she approached the material.
She Recalled It All
Sweeney explained to TV Insider that she wasn’t fully prepared to tackle this storyline because it happened so long ago. “I liked the idea,” she said. “but it seemed to me that it was common knowledge. I never thought about the idea that, right, people wouldn’t have told Sami’s kids.” It only came about for Johnny (Carson Boatman) after Roman (Josh Taylor) accidentally let it slip, and Kate (Lauren Koslow) stepped in to tell him the whole story.
According to the outlet, Sami returns to Salem because a comatose EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) is in the hospital after someone shot him. Johnny is shocked to see her. Sweeney recalled playing out the original scenes and noted that it wasn’t difficult to jump back into all the emotions that swirled around 19 years ago. Although she remembered all the details of what led up to Sami and EJ’s fateful and horrifying tryst, she worried about doing this particular story justice.
READ THIS: Check out what’s coming up on DAYS.
Boatman Was Sweet
The actress explained, “I felt such a responsibility to honor the storyline.” Her fans have followed her across social media and still watch DAYS, so she feels very linked to them. Thinking back on the original tale, she remarked, “I remember what a huge uproar this storyline caused when it happened and how all the different fan bases felt about it.” Meanwhile, she hoped that her diligence in being respectful to a topic that’s sensitive on the show and in the real world would work out, explaining, “I hope I put our best foot forward in regard to the scene.”
READ THIS: Learn how Sweeney paid tribute to the late Drake Hogestyn (John).
The actress further noted that viewers will learn that Sami’s been in therapy, which Sweeney feels her character needs. And that will help her to deal with Johnny’s pain. She praised her on-screen son, calling him “Delightful,” and said she enjoyed sharing scenes with him. She noted that her return was “A lot of Sami monologuing to her son, so I had a lot of dialogue, and Carson was like, ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ He was very sweet.”
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