Exclusive Interview: Soap Vet Sean Kanan and Wife Michele Tease Studio City

Studio City, the Amazon Prime series starring soap vet Sean Kanan, is back with new episodes. The former star of The Bold and The Beautiful and General Hospital plays soap hunk Sam Stevens and this is one series that daytime devotees will enjoy on several levels.

Sean Kanan On Digital Series

Soap Hub sat down with Kanan and his wife Michele Kanan, writer, Studio City, for a preview of the new episodes available now on Amazon Prime.

Soap Hub: Can you set up where Sam’s head is right now. What are his goals?
Sean Kanan: Sam has finished up his contract renegotiations with the show (Hearts on Fire) and he wants this audition for an action movie. That’s what Sam sees as a step up from his current career. Then, he finds out his nemesis Ronn [Moss; ex-Ridge, BB] is a producer of the movie.

We’re also continuing to tell the stories that have been set up in the first part [of the season]. Sam’s dealing with his relationship with Delilah (Juliet Vega), but the DNA tests haven’t come in yet so he’s not entirely on board yet with being a father. He also has his relationship with his father, Doc (Tristan Rogers), and his sister, Laurie (Sarah Brown). Doc wants to live his life on his terms.

Ronn is hilarious playing this version of himself; how did his being on the show come about?
Michele Kanan: First, I have to say that we had always planned on doing a second half to Season 1 but then COVID hit. We were going to push it and then do a BIG Season 2. We didn’t want to lose out on this year with the Daytime Emmys so, we collectively, Sean, Tim [Woodward, Jr., executive producer/director], and I sat down and said we have to just do this.

We had four days to shoot. We had an outline of what story points we needed to hit. It so happened that Ron Moss and Devin were back and begged them to come to the set. I knew if I had them on the set with Sean and Tim something amazing could happen. I said to [Ronn and Devin], ‘Okay, you’re going to play [versions of] yourselves.’

You have other BB pals in these episodes – Justin Torkildsen (ex-Rick) and Anna Maria Horsford (Vivienne). Did you reach out to people you knew who could come in to do it fast and well?
Sean: That’s the thing about daytime actors. You know that they’re used to working at a breakneck clip. They can handle it. The thing I was amazed at was how funny Ronn was. He is “scene-stealing-ly” funny.
Michele: Ronn was in this movie called Hard Ticket to Hawaii (1987) It’s one of my son’s favorite movies. He’s like you’ve got to watch it. It’s hilarious.

Speaking of funny, Sam is so proud that he was runner up for a soap opera award. Hilarious.
Sean: Actors get so much rejection. If Sam receives any kind of accolade, he’s going to let everybody know! I think that’s something that all actors can relate to.

What else can we look forward to this season with Sam?
Sean: He’s still a guy who is trying to figure it out himself. He’s not the self-actualized guy that I’m hoping he eventually becomes by the end of the series.

Another funny beat is when he’s working with Nick and Sam says, “Get me an apple box!” so he can be as tall as his scene partner.
Sean: Sam’s working with this young guy in heels. He’s no longer the young heartthrob on the show. He’s matriculated into a veteran leading man. With that comes certain perks. He’s more comfortable in his skin, but there are anxieties he’s facing, too. Phil Bruenn is brilliant in his portrayal of Nick, who plays Dr. Devyn Stryker (on Hearts on Fire). Nick is strutting his stuff; he wants to push Sam out of the meadow.

Sean Kanan and Michele Kanan are also executive producers on Studio City. The digital series is available on Amazon Prime now.