News
Don Johnson Dishes His Return To Television & Leading Role In Soapy BLOOD & OIL!
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:
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?”
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.
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.
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!
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 ..
Actually, I am. I’ve missed seeing him in anything. Wouldn’t it be great if Kevin Costner was a guest star?
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.”
Oh yeah, remember The Long Hot Summer…Jesus! Jason Robarts , Ava Gardner
Sybil Shepard. Don Johnson playing Paul Newman’s character good lord.
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
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………………..
HE REALLY SAID…ITS A CUT ABOVE THAT??????? WOW..NO EGO PROBLEM THERE…..UNDERSTAND ITS THE REMAKE OF DALLAS…..WE WILL SEE…
yes judy – it is in the article ……………………
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….
i just finished watching it ( i record every thing ) and it definitely is a nighttime soap but that is just my opinion…………….
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.
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!
I recorded it. I’ll see if it’s any good. Loved him on MV!
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.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
Another face familiar to daytime fans has already boarded Ryan Murphy’s limited series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story which stars General Hospital favorite, Nicholas Chavez (Spencer Cassadine) in the role of Lyle.
Tanner Stine who played Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) and Steve’s (Stephen Nichols) son, Joey Johnson on Days of our Lives will also appear in the series.
In ‘Monsters’, look for Stine to portray the role of Perry Berman, who was Lyle and Erik’s friend and former tennis coach. In the story, Perry found himself at the epicenter of the murder mystery when he had accepted a phone call from Lyle shortly before the brutal murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez.
Other previously announced castings included: Cooper Koch (who plays Erik), Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny as parents Jose and Kitty Menendez, Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne, Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson, and Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth.
In the series, the two wealthy brothers stand trial for shooting their parents in Beverly Hills, amid claims of self-defense after years of abuse, while prosecutors alleged that greed was the motives for the killing. Lyle and Erik Menendez have been behind bars in California for more than three decades for the 1989 killing of their parents.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will debut later in 2024 on Netflix.
What do you think about Tanner Stine being part of the all-star cast for ‘Monsters’? Miss Joey on Days of our Lives? Comment below.
News
Soap Vet Christopher Cousins to The Young and the Restless
Looks like Ashley (Eileen Davidson) may get some much needed help, or assistance in shedding light on what caused her to have a massive personality split as her DID condition continues to spiral.
Casting news from The Young and the Restless has veteran actor, Christopher Cousins set to make his debut in the role of Alan Laurent, a psychiatrist and friend of Ashley’s from her time in Paris.
Look for Cousins to appear over multiple episodes beginning with the Tuesday, April 30th episode of the top-rated daytime drama series.
Christopher should look very familiar to soap fans having appeared on Another World, As the World Turns, One Life to Live in his most memorable role as Cain Rogan from 1991-2008, and most recently back in 2020 as Dr. Warren Kirk on General Hospital.
The actor has a long and extensive list of TV and motion pictures outside of the soaps as well, including: The Resident, UnREAL, Bosch, Vampire Diaries, to name but a few.
What do think about the casting of Christopher Cousins to be a part of Ashley’s DID storyline? Comment below.
General Hospital
More of the Story on ‘General Hospital’ Star Josh Kelly’s Latest Film Role in ‘The Workout’
We had previously shared that General Hospital’s Josh Kelly was taking three weeks away from his role of Cody Bell to a shoot a role in an upcoming movie entitled The Workout.
Josh originally revealed his role in the film during an episode of GH castmates, Steve Burton (Jason) and Bradford Anderson’s (Spinelli) podcast.
Now Deadline has filled in some of the blanks, and shared some intriguing intel on the premise of the film and its back-story. The film stars Kelly along with Peter Jae, and UFC Fighter, Ashlee Evans-Smith. Other cast members include The Bay’s Kristos Andrews.
In The Workout, two army rangers set out to create a workout video, but their plans are abruptly halted when a mob hit interrupts their filming. Tragically, one of the rangers loses his wife in the attack, sending him on a relentless mission to take down the mob and anyone who stands in his way.
The film from James Cullen Bressack, almost did not get financed. Apparently, ten days before his birthday, Bressack made a post on Instagram about the feature and production, casting, and financing came from the post … illustrating the power of social media. After the post gained traction, a producer provided financing and actors expressed interest in joining the project, leading to a quick production.
In a statement, Bressack shared, “As artists a painter paints, a musician makes music, a writer writes, but as filmmakers we have to ask permission to create. It’s time to change that narrative. This film spawned from a necessity to create. We create. We tell stories. We play pretend. I’m excited to take this journey. This is the truest form of collaboration and a community of friends coming together to make something fun. While our industry has had a rough time recently with strikes and a possible strike looming in the future, it’s nice to remind ourselves why we got into film to begin with. To have fun telling stories.”
No word yet on when The Workout will be released.
So, looking forward to seeing this collaborative effort featuring GH’s Josh Kelly? Comment below.
-
General HospitalApril 12, 2024
George Russo to Appear on General Hospital as Carmine Cerullo
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 13, 2024
Ron Carlivati Talks on Decision to Make Days of our Lives 15000th Episode About Doug’s Funeral, and Previews Chances for WGA Award
-
General HospitalApril 15, 2024
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
-
RecapsApril 14, 2024
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 14, 2024
Days of our Lives wins WGA Award for Daytime Drama Series
-
NewsApril 12, 2024
Y&R’s Hayley Erin Previews Her Role in Horror-Thriller ‘New Life’