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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS Eric Martsolf Interview: The loves and life of Brady Black, and where it's all headed!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/NBC

Courtesy/NBC

On-Air On-Soaps chatted with the talented Eric Martsolf of Days of our Lives to get his thoughts on the many women in the life of Salem’s misunderstood, charming, dangerous, and complicated sexy hero, Brady Black.

With the upcoming DAYS reboot set to launch on Monday September 26th, where does Brady fit into the equation, you may ask? We can tell you plenty! To kick things off, Eric has been paired with the one and only Sarah Brown, when Madison James hits Salem and the two of them take an instant liking to one another, and that’s putting it mildly!

But what about this week and next as they wrap some story points up with Brady and his other on-screen gals, Nicole and Chloe? Eric fills us in! And while Brady has gone from the ultimate Dudley-Do-Right to down right questionable, and sometimes vengeful, Martsolf tells us that the heart and soul of his character might bubble to the surface a bit more in the days ahead, but still keeping his loveable edge.  So here’s our one-one-one conversation with Mr. Martsolf about it all below!

What is going on with Brady? It gets so confusing! Where is he at with Nicole at this point? (Laughs)

ERIC: Who the hells knows! I don’t know.  (Laughs) Brady and Nicole go back and forth and back and forth, and the ping pong game never ends, and sure enough, they came to some very quick conclusion that they brought out the worst in each other.  But they seem to really enjoy drinking and having sex together, and as much as I personally believe that is all you need in a relationship,(laughs) apparently Brady and Nicole had some epiphany that when they get together bad things just seem to happen.  So they have this amicable understanding with each other that maybe they should cool things down a bit.  So that is what is going on with them. But meanwhile Brady is just focused on seeing Chloe come out of this coma, and that is what has engaged his heart lately.

Courtesy/NBC

Yes there is all of that. And, when I spoke with Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe) about her exit from the show, she was disappointed that the Brady/Chloe pairing between the two of you did not get explored until this very last beat of her story. Was that kind of weird?

ERIC: Yes. It was a giant mystery to us. Literally, in the same time frame that Nadia found out she was leaving the canvas, they started writing for Brady and Chloe. It just seemed a little late in the game to do it. But as far as the Broe fans are concerned, I think some of them felt …better late than never.

They have this bond that all of a sudden was there during Chloe’s crisis that was not played at all in recent years.

ERIC: It did make sense to me on one level. You do divorce someone and you have someone exit your life, they go off and you go off, and you live and you meet other people. But when you hear about something catastrophic that happens to that person, those feelings sometimes come back and you remember everything about this individual that you loved initially. And, no matter what broke you apart, there is always certain circumstances in life that can bring you back together. Chloe in this case thinks she is going to die, and it was never an issue before. It was never a possibility before to Brady that this girl could possibly be leaving the world.  So he shows up in a big way and can’t seem to leave her side.

Well, Eric, Brady seems to have this penchant for saving women…. a lot ! (Laughs)

ERIC: It is funny. I was reading the scripts the other day and the idea of Batman just flew over my head. Brady is kind of like a dark hero. He does really terrible things for really good reasons. I kind of like that comparison with him, because obviously Brady is showing a lot of his vulnerability and his heart right now, which we haven’t seen in awhile. I know you are familiar with the relaunch and the rebooting of DAYS where we are promising to bring more rainbows and sunshine to the show as opposed to all this darkness that the town has seem to be in for so long. I think that is part of the reboot that characters are again, showing some heart.

What evil or bad thing that Brady has done, do you feel are at the top of the list?

Courtesy/NBC

ERIC: The most disheartening one for me, personally, was Brady ripping his grandfather’s company out from under him.  That just seemed pretty rough around the edges of something to do! I don’t think Victor deserved that. But given where Brady’s head was at the time, it wasn’t shocking to me that he would do something like that … but betraying family, that is pretty low.  Another one was the brutalization of EJ.  That was pretty shocking! Brady was going to kill him and that is still a serious thing. We kind of get numb in soaps, with murder, and killing, and kidnapping, but these things are truly bad and terrible.

I think that is a really good point that you make. When you often watch GH or DAYS at some point we often almost on a daily basis see murder or kidnapping. So when viewers are fed that all the time, it actually doesn’t make it that exciting or interesting anymore.

ERIC: As a society we shouldn’t belittle these things. And at the same time, I think we have become a little lax on how some characters are forgiven for doing such things as well. I think more gravity has to be paid to these kinds of acts and things, because often people can rape one another on soaps, and then have a child together, and a year later be in love! It is a tough transition to make in my mind. So I think they are trying to throw in a little more reality into our program right now, and part of the reality is that there is also romance, bubblegum, and good times. It does not always have to be beatings and people being buried alive and such … even though I enjoy those things once in awhile. They have there place. (Laughs)

Yes! I always say, “A good burying alive is always good.” (Laughs)

ERIC: I did not mind it. It was probably the most fun summer, I ever had!

Photo Credit: © WireImage.com

Now coming up, we will see Brady being paired with Madison James and you are now playing opposite Sarah Brown (Madison). When I spoke with Sarah, she says she felt that the chemistry between the two of you on-screen was instant. Do you feel the viewers will feel that way too? What is your gut instinct on Brady/Madison, and you and Sarah on-screen?

ERIC: I am in agreement with Sarah. I was aware of her work, but not her on a personal level as person.  But I can say we have gelled. And when you put actors together, you either hit the races running or you fall.  We are really enjoying each other. I think our work ethic is the same. She came in guns loaded. Sarah knew what she wanted her character to wear, how she wanted her character to act, and who she was and her history. She had done her homework. I have been thinking about her character of Madison. And to me, she is like the love-child of Donald Trump and Sarah Jessica Parker. She is like this very strong, well-dressed, and sassy woman, with this ridiculous business sense and strength about her. This is our new head writers, Marlene and Darrell’s first character that they have actually created. I think they put a lot of thought into her, because we have not seen a woman like this hit the canvas in a long time.  We have our strong women in Salem, but this chick is tough. Sarah definitely had the cajones to bring this character to life. So I am really excited. I just texted her the other day. We shot some scenes and I don’t think I have ever done this in my ten years in daytime, but I texted, “Thank You. I love my co-star!” And she texted back, “Love you, too!” And it is just a wonderful little marriage we have going on together at work.

So, where you at all intimated because this was thee Sarah Brown, three-time Daytime Emmy winner, who is this balls to the wall actress? I mean, what did you initially think when you heard you would be working so much with her?

Courtesy/NBC

ERIC: The only comment that I had heard about her was “strong”. That is all I heard. So I did not know if that meant she had these incredible biceps as in the gym (laughs) or as in her personality. I was not intimated because I have been around soaps long enough to understand that we are all in this game together. Right now, there is a not a lot of room for grandstanding or trying to pull the weight of the show by yourself. We all understand that it has to be a team effort right now. Sarah had been open, giving, and working very hard to make not just Madison a success, but Brady and Madison a success. She wants this union to work and be strong. We are totally on the same page with that.

It would be so nice for you, because of all your hard work through the years to finally be part of a great soap supercouple. I mean, a paring that can endure and last and not flip-flop. Where there is an end game, where the two of them can go through all sorts of issues and conflicts, but in the end, you know they are meant to be with each other.

ERIC: You are saying that in a very nice way.  And, I am in agreement with you, Michael.  I want that staple too.  I want Brady to be able to dig his feet into something that is going to last and be strong. I am thankful to the production team at DAYS for bringing Sarah on and teaming her up with me, because she is a pro. And on-screen, it’s like instant oatmeal, man! (Laughs) There is water on the Quaker Oats and it’s ready to eat right away.  I just made an oatmeal analogy! (Laughs)

Are we going to see Brady being involved in lots of business machinations coming up in the reboot?

Courtesy/NBC

ERIC: Yes. The context of Brady and Madison’s relationship does deal directly with business. She is the head of a cosmetics company that Titan acquires. So they are going to find themselves at Titan Headquarters a lot.

Well, that means sex in the office, clearly!

ERIC: There is going to be a lot of fun stuff in the office. It is like Mad Men is coming to DAYS.  It is drama, short skirts, and power suits in the office. Just coming together, guns blazing, and I am telling you there is good stuff. Oh, and they finally built this incredible set for Brady Black’s office. I have my own set. I mean, I am arriving; I may even make it on a cover of a magazine for the first time.  That might happen!  So yeah … look out, because it is happening. (Laughs)

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I love it I love it I love it
Im so happy,I cant wait till 9-26,,, at 1pm,,, I got all 4 TVs set to tape,,,
and thank you soapnet,I can watch it 4 times in one day LOL
everyone is coming home that I love the most,,, just bring back Lucas and Tony…and I’ll be even more happy joy joy joy LUMI

I would love to see Brady and Melanie together! They could be the next super couple!!

Go, Eric, Go–Whoo, Whoo!! 🙂 🙂

love bricole they are endgame

I am excited to see the chemistry with Bradison! Brady is an awesome character but he was never allowed to do much when he came back played by Eric. He was put with Arianna and Nicole and that was it and they never really worked. I was a fan of Bricole but I can see why they are ending them, it was kind of forced. So was Arianna and Brady. I think Bradison will be more natural and Sarah Brown is amazing too. The s/l sounds great to me.

I love Eric M! I think he has done a great job with the Brady Black character since the minute he walked on the Days set! Eric and James are the reason I tune into Days!

Love this interview.,..thank you as always 😉

Oh yeah….also excited to see the Bradison chemistry! whooo hooo

I’m so excited.

Eric and Sarah are going to have incredible chemistry. DAYS will be able to appreciate Sarah’s talents as well.

thanks nice interview, love Eric, he is tops, i am biased towards him and Nicole but I dont get to make the choices. It may be good.. I am glad he is on Days, he and James keep me tuned in..

I want to see Brady and John together as father and son for the first time 🙂
and I want to see Stafano and John together again,Its going to be so good.
and thats a fact….

Sounds good. Love that they are going to have strong women, good romance, and interesting stories about business – throw in adventure, humor, heart, and fun – they have a soap you want to watch. Hope it is a seachange from what they have been doing this past year.

Thanks for the great interview but unsure how I feel about him and Maddison.

Love Eric as Brady Black. I am going to reserve judgement on him and Madison until I see this ‘chemistry’ for myself. I thought Brady and Nicole had great chemistry but I guess the new headwriters aren’t into them.

Love Brady Black. Do Not Like Madison James… at all!! I am no fan of Kate Roberts DiMiera, but I find myself rooting for Kate over Madison. Not sure what it is, but I don’t like her vibe. Brady and Nicole are wonderful together- I wish they would explore that in a romantic, tender way. Nicole and EJ together is dumb also. For the record, I’ve been watching Days since 1966.

Days Of Our Lives

‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast

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After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.

Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC

There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.

The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.

In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.

Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC

Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”

As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”

The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.

So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside

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The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!

After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.

So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.

Photo: JPI

FIERY FACE OFF

The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.

Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.

Photo: JPI

A BROKEN SOPHIA

Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”

Photo: JPI

A DEADLY TRAP

Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.

So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.

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Breaking News

Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role

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Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.

As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.

Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.

Photo: JPI

Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.

Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).

Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”

Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.

So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.

 

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