Photo: NBC
This past weekend my fellow New Orleanians were gaga over Mardi Gras being in full swing. I was most definitely indulging in the festivities. But it was not the high point of my weekend (not even close). That belonged to Mr. Tyler Christopher. We had the chance to speak to the Dark Prince of Port Charles (Nikolas Cassadine) and Salem’s newest Dark Prince (Stefan O. DiMera).
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. The day we spoke to Tyler, it was my eldest son’s last parade as a high school marching band member. As all parents know multi-tasking is essential to successful parenting. So, about two hours before my son’s step off time (that’s Mardi Gras lingo for the beginning of a parade), I was parked in my car, along the parade route, on the phone with one of my soap idols. I live! Tyler and I talked General Hospital, Days of our Lives, his new “hat” and him returning to daytime. We know technically he hasn’t left yet. But we are getting a head start.
We always like to get some background from an actor on how they got started in acting. Tyler was no different. We expected the usual responses; school plays, modeling, commercials, etc. But Tyler’s response to how he got started was a bit unique. “I was a typical guy in L.A. with a duffel bag with no money with nothing but a dream and got lucky.” Now we appreciate Tyler’s humble response. But something tells us Mr. Christopher has never been a “typical guy”. And we know with absolute certainty it was alot more than luck that has accompanied Tyler on his road to success. That Mr. Christopher is extremely talented.
When we asked Tyler what he was doing for those couple of years in between leaving Ohio with his duffel bag and his big break; that response was a bit more “common”. He was waiting tables, bartending, etc, and obviously auditioning.
Tyler initially auditioned with General Hospital for the role of Stone Cates. He didn’t get that role because the soap gawds knew where his destiny lay. Six months later Nikolas Mikhail Stavrosovich Cassadine was born.
We could have talked to Tyler forever about the escapades of the Cassadine Prince. It wasn’t easy to, albeit we resisted. Still we made sure to convey our adoration for The Prince. We had to mention how much we wished we could have had more of “NAVA” (Nikolas & Ava). Do you all remember when Ava took those selfies of her and Nikolas on that plane? That was the exact moment we fell in love with them.
We missed Tyler something terrible when he was absent from our TV screens. We were elated when the news broke that he was headed to Salem and would be reunited with Ron Carlivati (ex-writer for GH) and two of his former GH co-stars, Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans.
Tyler, the veteran, had a smooth transition working on the set of another soap. His experience was an asset for him especially with Days’ production schedule. “It’s very quick and very fast. I was used to it. But Days works extremely fast. It’s insane. If you are not prepared for it, you can’t do it. It’s going to be difficult for you as an actor.”
It was clearly not difficult for Tyler. Days knew he was more than up to the task and threw him in the deep side of the pool. Tyler came in and almost instantaneously Stefan was immersed in the heavy rotation DID story with Chad and Abby. Tyler had nothing but great things to say about Billy Flynn and Marci Miller. “They are great. Billy and I are still friends. We talk even to this day. I adore Marci. She had an impossible task playing multiple characters all at once. And to do it at that speed. She crushed it. I hope she is rewarded for it this year.”
We know Marci left Days and Kate Mansi returned. Tyler observed Kate brought a different but an equally compelling dynamic to set when she returned as Abby. “It was a joy to work with both talented actresses.”
Tyler has also had the pleasure to play opposite of two other talented actresses at Days; Camila Banus and Nadia Bjorlin. Us DiMera stans have been in our feels watching Stefan and Chloe bond over the DiMera chess board. And Gabi and Stefan have been heating up the DiMera living room. The day Stefan tied Gabi up, much more than that fire poker was lit. Tyler recognized the red-hot vibe between Stefan and Gabi. He described it as “crazy, electric, great and awesome.” Indeed.
Tyler will exit on screen soon. Tyler wasn’t able to give us his final air date. But it is expected within the next couple weeks. And although we are so sorry to see him go, Tyler and Stefan are holding nothing back. Especially these last couple weeks; Tyler is leaving it all out there. Tyler with Nadia and Camila have laid the foundation for the triangle (Stefan, Gabi, Chloe) to watch.
Since leaving Days Tyler has donned a new hat. He’s producing and working on independent films. His Sci-Fi film, F.R.E.D.I is currently streaming on Netflix. In the movie, Tyler plays Randy Nash. Randy’s son, James Nash, finds a lost robot that belongs to the government. James befriends the robot with artificial intelligence that has been used as a weapon that the government wants back.
Tyler just finish wrapping up work on the film, Max Winslow and the House of Secrets. Tyler was mum about providing additional details on the project, for now.
He wasn’t mum when we asked him if he was open to returning to Port Charles. “I haven’t talked with General Hospital about returning. But I’d be open to it of course if they would be. I love Nikolas Cassadine and would love to bring him back.”
It’s unofficially been reported that Stefan O. DiMera’s character was a victim of Days recent casting cuts. But what does that mean that Stefan or Tyler could never return to Salem? We all know never say never in soapland. Tyler knows it too. He wouldn’t say never. “Soaps have a revolving door. It’s always been that way. People come and go.”
GH, Days, etc, Tyler is and will remain open to returning to daytime “That’s my jam. That’s been my jam for over 20 years.” Laughter.
Tyler you are our jam also!
Tyler’s message to his fans; “I love everyone. I miss everyone. I’m always open to coming back to daytime. I will never close that door.”
Tyler misses us as much as we are about to miss him.
We will savor the next couple weeks. And we are hopeful to see Tyler again, soon.
Thanks so much, Tyler!
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