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Don Johnson Dishes His Return To Television & Leading Role In Soapy BLOOD & OIL!

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

From his previous popular TV roles and star turns as a South Florida detective Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice and a San Francisco investigator in Nash Bridges, Don Johnson is doing an about face in his return to primetime in his juicy new role in ABC’s new soap opera, Blood & Oil! Johnson also serves as one of the executive producers of the show.

In the series which premieres this Sunday night September 27th at 9PMET, Johnson plays Hap Briggs, the oil baron at the center of the fictional Bakken Shale, a boomtown of Rock Springs, North Dakot.  And as you would expect from that premise, Hap is not the nicest guy on the planet.  The series also stars: Chace Crawford as Billy Lefever, Rebecca Rittenhouse as Cody Lefever, Scott Michael Foster as Wick  Briggs, and former Revenge star Amber Valletta as Carla Briggs.

The comparisons to the iconic primetime soap opera Dallas are already being bantered about.  But can Blood & Oil separate itself from that iconic soap classic?  Will it have traction with the viewing audience?

On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Johnson at the recent ABC TCA Summer Press Tour, as he shared a myriad of thoughts including: what to expect when the series begins its run, why he decided to take on the role of Hap Briggs, what does he think about the series be labeled a “soap opera” and more.   Here’s what Don had to say:

Courtesy.ABC

If he considers Blood & Oil a soap opera:   It’s a cut above that.  I certainly think in people’s minds it’s going to fall into that category.  But this is more like a sweeping epic novel that has some soapy moments.  You know I loved the show, Bloodlines.  And it was not considered a soap, but was sort of soapy, and sort of novelistic in its approach. That is what my aspiration is for Blood & Oil.

If this is the juiciest role of his career:  You know, I have had a lot of juicy roles.  But this is so much fun, because I’m not playing the good guy, and playing the good guy can get pretty boring, because you’re range is not that much.  However, when you get to play a character like this – you get to go all over the place.  And a lot of times in the middle of a scene that is written kind of innocuously or sort of neutral, I will say, “Well, what if he is sinister here … maybe he has a sense of humor … or what if we know don’t know what he is doing?”

Courtesy/ABC

How much villainy should we expect Hap Griggs to get into: He’s a billionaire!  So, he’s probably capable of doing whatever it takes to remain the king! When you get the biggest oil boom in the world, and the largest oil find in the world, and I get to play the big cheese … watch out! You know, I get to do a big romp with the seven deadly sins!

Who did Don emulate to come up with this rich guy characters:  I have patterned this character after an amalgamation of a few billionaires I know.  I can’t tell you who they are!  I gotta protect the guilty! (Laughs)

When fans turn into Blood & Oil, what can they expect to see:  The show is about a family, greed and the biggest oil discovery of mankind, and about this character who is larger than life named Hap Griggs, who I get to play.  He is a man that is driven by a sense of destiny to make America energy independent, and that it’s his calling to do it!  Nothing is going to stand in his way to see that done. And if that ain’t enough to get you in there and interested in watching, I don’t know what is! (Laughs)

What is most exciting for Don returning to a network television series:  You now what is exciting to me at this time?  It’s the opportunity to be in touch with my fans in a more personal and direct way.  That was never available to me before, and with social media and with the way that we are encouraged to involve and engage with our fans, that is very exciting for me.  I’m embracing that.

Courtesy/ABC

On having a career that has spanned several decades:  Television is king right now.  I enjoy the opportunity to be in this world. My goodness!  How lucky am I to be relevant after all these years!  One time I was playing golf with Kevin Costner in Aspen.  I said to him, “Wow, Kevin! Look at that.  Look at how beautiful this is and where we are!”  Kevin said to me: “Yeah, except for a right decision here and there, it could very well have been ‘Kevin and Don’s pool service.’”

Shooting on location, and the backdrop of the show: We are shooting in Park City Utah, and not North Dakota.  We wanted to have the scope and the size of the show reflect in the photography, and illustrate the enormity of what is going on up here.  And not unlike, Miami Vice where we created sort of a fantasy world, we are doing something here where you don’t have to think fantasy world, and where the power of being energy independent is the driving force in this story.

Courtesy/ABC

His thought’s on his Blood & Oil leading lady, Amber Valletta:  Amber Valletta doesn’t really have to say anything. All you have to do is look at her.  She happens to be a fine actress and she can deliver.  When she is on the screen, they don’t even know I’m there!

So, will you be checking out Don Johnson in his new role on Blood & Oil on Sunday night? Do you think it can become the next big primetime soap?

Are you happy to see Don back in a starring role in a nighttime series? Share your thoughts in the comment below!

 

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su0000
Guest
su0000

Don Johnson is tried and true, he will deliver..
thing is; in the trailers his southern accent is very heavy, even in TX is not that heavy lol
Blood & oil looks really good, I’m in ..

Trapper
Guest
Trapper

Actually, I am. I’ve missed seeing him in anything. Wouldn’t it be great if Kevin Costner was a guest star?

Timmm
Guest
Timmm

Don Johnson has been doing the talk show circuit to promote B&O. He looks fantastic! I was a huge fan of “Nash Bridges” and this looks to be just as good but totally different! He is very excited for people to see this and cannot say enough about how talented the cast is. I hope Michael Fairman includes updates and stories on this primetime soap like he has for “Nashville.”

Jane
Guest
Jane

Oh yeah, remember The Long Hot Summer…Jesus! Jason Robarts , Ava Gardner
Sybil Shepard. Don Johnson playing Paul Newman’s character good lord.

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

I’m so… looking forward to Don Johnson turn’

he can put that Miami Vice on the shelf and waste that

he has a brooding sensuality… and machismo

his command parlay

elm51
Guest
elm51

when asked if he considers blood & oil a soap opera his response was “it’s a cut above that” – hmm what does that remark mean – i took it as throwing shade against our beloved soaps & i am appalled he would even fix his lips to even say something like that………

this is just my opinion………………..

JUDY
Guest
JUDY

HE REALLY SAID…ITS A CUT ABOVE THAT??????? WOW..NO EGO PROBLEM THERE…..UNDERSTAND ITS THE REMAKE OF DALLAS…..WE WILL SEE…

elm51
Guest
elm51

yes judy – it is in the article ……………………

JUDY
Guest
JUDY

OH YES…I READ IT TOO IN THE ARTICLE,BUT I MEANT HE REALLY SAID THAT!!!!! watched for aqbout 45 minutes last nite…..Sure wasnt a cut above soap operas in my book….

elm51
Guest
elm51

i just finished watching it ( i record every thing ) and it definitely is a nighttime soap but that is just my opinion…………….

Sammie Jo
Guest
Sammie Jo

It’s far above Dallas and him saying it was a cut above has nothing to do with HIS ego, he didn’t say HE was a cut above, he said the show was, that means the writing.

Timmm
Guest
Timmm

I saw an interview with him and he said basically the same thing but he wasnt dissing daytime. He only meant that B&O was not like Dallas which was more like a daytime soap. Don Johnson is a good guy, his ego as he admitted was left behind in Miami back in the 80’s!

Mo
Guest
Mo

I recorded it. I’ll see if it’s any good. Loved him on MV!

Sammie Jo
Guest
Sammie Jo

I loved this show, I think it will far surpass Dallas, Dynasty and any other nighttime soap. It’s a soap to me.
Don Johnson looks amazing!
The characters all seem to have the right chemistry, I was thrilled to see Barry Corbin. He’s a great actor.

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In story, Malcolm returns to Genoa City to connect with his daughter Lily (Christel Khalil) and nephews: Devon (Bryton James) and Nate(Sean Dominic).

Viewers last saw Moore in to his old stomping grounds, when he appeared back in 2019 during Y&R’s tribute episodes to the late Kristoff St. John, who played Moore’s onscreen big brother, Neil Winters.

Since leaving Y&R, Shemar has starred on Criminal Minds, the aforementioned S.W.A.T. as well as numerous primetime and movie roles.

One thing that can be said about Moore – he always returned and remembered his daytime roots and start at Y&R.

So, excited to see Shemar back as Malcolm if even for a special guest appearance? Comment below.

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During his segment, Tamron surprised Maurice with an emotional reunion with his daughter Heather who has been in the U.S. Air Force on the east coast.  Benard had not seen her since October of last year.

Tamron’s set-up of the Benard surprise happened when she discussed his family and in particular, his daughter, Heather Andresen, who is his wife Paula Benard’s half-sister.  Hall said when her picture came on the screen, “This is her. You haven’t seen her in awhile.” But, Benard cut her off knowing exactly what was coming next and said, “Oh, don’t do that.”

Maurice legally adopted Heather when she was 15. So when Hall said, “You’re not the only one who made a special trip today. She wanted to be here … because I know it was rough getting on that plane and coming here,” Maurice was struggling to hold it together.

Tamron was referencing Maurice’s fear of flying, and in particular flying solo, which is what he had to do for this publicity tour in New York.  Next, Tamron brought out, “Airman First Class Heather Andresen.”

Benard and Heather embraced, as Maurice continued to get emotional and told Heather how proud of her he was.

You can watch the very touching moment below.

Then let us know, what did you think of Tamron’s surprise for Maurice? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, the beloved Garland died from a heart attack at her home in Sherman Oaks, California on Monday and passed away at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank.

In a message to his cast and crew on Tuesday, GH executive producer, Frank Valentini shared: “It is with a sadness (and utter disbelief) that I must share the passing of our beloved producer, Nneka Garland. Universally adored by everyone at GH, Nneka brought out the best in all of us. Her endless patience and incredible empathy made her the person we went to for advice, a hug or just to see her beautiful reassuring smile. In big and small ways, her kindness touched and enriched each of us. Nneka’s tireless efforts during Emmy season, the pandemic’s pressures and the day-to-day challenges of our shooting schedule never rattled or upset her.  She’d just shrug and say, ‘We’ll make it work, babe.’ And she did, always. Her absence will leave a hole in our lives — one that can only be filled by reflecting on all the wonderful memories that we’ve shared with her.”

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Interestingly, Nneka’s half-brother was the late rap artist, Tupac Shakur.

Nneka is survived by her father, William; her brothers Landon and Malik; and her sisters Tekerra and Leslie.

Share your condolences and remembrances for Nneka Garland in the comment section below, but first check out our latest interview with GH’s Josh Swickard (Chase) and Laura Wright (Carly), where we discuss GH’s 60th anniversary shows, plus their reactions to Nneka’s sudden passing.

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