Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

How to put a button, or a bow, on James Scott’s incredible eight year run as EJ DiMera on Days of our Lives is not an easy task.  But given the fact that over the course of his time on the NBC soap opera, we were able to chat on many occasions along the way, and bring to DAYS fans his thoughts on a myriad of storylines and events; including James’ well-deserved Daytime Emmy nominations, we couldn’t just let him say goodbye without us having one last conversation with the talented Brit.

So, let’s set the stage: As James’ fans know, he made the decision to depart Days of our Lives over a year ago, and stayed on till May of this year to play out the ending of EJ’s story.  DAYS tapes so far ahead that it wasn’t till the last two weeks of air shows that fans witnessed how EJ would exit the canvas … shot in cold blood by Clyde’s (James Reade) henchmen!  But with any major popular character on a daytime soap, you got to leave the door somewhat open in case there is the ultimate resurrection down the road. And in a shocking twist, and in a key scene, viewers now know that EJ may not have met his maker after all!

As James made his decision to step away from the grind of daytime, so too did his longtime co-star Alison Sweeney (Sami), who together formed one of the most talked about duos ever in soaps. Like em’ or hate em’, EJami was a force to be reckoned with, and so were their fans. With many controversial plot points along the way, EJami was often fodder for the soap opera “watercooler” moments of the day. Let’s face it, EJ wasn’t the most likeable guy, but somehow James Scott was able to make him the most popular!

So, how does James feel now that it has been several months since his final tape day? What happened when he shot his final scenes?  What did he think of the way EJ was written-off the canvas?  Would he ever consider returning to the role … or even doing another soap opera?  And, what did he think of some of the recently aired performances by those who circled EJ’s orbit?  James weighs-in on it all.  Finally, with one last look back, James reveals what some of his favorite EJ moments were over the years, as he now looks to the future and what lies ahead.  So, get ready to hopefully have a smile put on your face …  grab a hankie, or two … and read on!

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/NBC

At what point did you know they were going to murder EJ?  And how did you feel about the fact that they were murdering him … except then there was that little story beat where there was that injection by Kristen (Eileen Davidson) … which we will get to in a minute!

JAMES:

Initially, I was a little taken aback certainly, but that was just for a day or so, and then I realized they were wrapping up the storyline in an exiting, dramatic way, which of course, is what they need to do.  Ultimately, when I looked back on EJ’s relationship with Sami as a whole, it was very evident to me it was much more of a tragedy than a love story.  I think once I looked at it from that perspective, it made sense.

MICHAEL:

And they left the door open for a possible return in the future for the character, by implying that Kristen on Stefano’s (Joe Mascolo) orders, gave EJ some kind of drug that could revive him!

JAMES:

And they have left it open!  My body has yet to be discovered or something, I am not sure. (Laughs)  I certainly appreciate that.

MICHAEL:

The last scene that you actually filmed was with Billy Flynn (Chad), between EJ and Chad.  Was it emotional for you when it was time to wrap your eight year run?

JAMES:

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

To be honest with you, it was mixed emotions.  It was the end of the day, and we had to be done by 6PM, or we go over budget.  We put those scenes straight to tape with no rehearsal, and it was very stressful, and that was one of the reasons I needed a break from the show.  It was interesting to be doing that last scene on that day, which exemplified why I needed a break.  It was emotional, and it was difficult.  I am not an overtly sentimental person.  So, I was just looking forward to getting in my car and going home.  I had been killed-off that morning, and then did the scenes with Billy at the end of the day, and I think I shot three shows that day.  We had a lot of shows to get through by May 2nd, which was my last day.  So, it was tough for many reasons.

MICHAEL:

I thought you played the last minutes of EJ’s life so well, as he lies on the ground bleeding out as he draws his last breath.  And there was the big hankie moment, when EJ told Sami (Alison Sweeney) to look after the children!

JAMES:

I thought the writers did a lovely job in very few words getting out what needed to be said.  I think it was nice that they allowed EJ to understand that he was dying, and to be able to come from that place, and talk to Samantha that way and say those things about her and how it was all worth it, and how much he loved her and entrusting her to take on the responsibility of bringing up those children on her own.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/NBC

Let’s talk about the scenes in the morgue where Sami is crying and devastated over seeing a dead EJ.  What was that like for you while Alison was pouring her heart out?  

JAMES:

You know, when you are in a situation like that, my only real concern is to be making sure that I am not interfering with the one person who is acting, which is Alison, who was carrying the whole show and doing all the work.  There certainly came a point when it was very clear that she was very focused.  There is certainly a responsibility, I feel, to be respectful of the other actor, and to make sure you are giving them whatever they need.  For me, it was processing what was going on around me, which in a way, was me processing leaving the show, ultimately.

MICHAEL:

Prior to your final episodes, EJ’s mother Susan Banks comes to Salem with a warning, and you worked opposite Eileen Davidson as your on-screen mother. Was it hard to keep a straight face during those scenes, because of how funny Eileen can be as Susan?

JAMES:

Courtesy/NBC

Could I keep a straight face?  Her commitment to that character is the only thing that allows that character to exist on the screen.  It’s true!  It is very difficult to play somebody who is sort of out there, because as an actor, when you read something like that, and I am speaking from my experience, it can be very difficult to commit to it.  But if you can commit to it completely, then the audience will go along with you.  But if you don’t believe the circumstances that your character is in, and you have any doubt, than immediately it becomes very campy.  Eileen was wonderful to watch.

MICHAEL:

EJ was so mean to her; he was embarrassed by his own mother!

JAMES:

He was embarrassed!  It’s interesting because EJ and Susan really don’t have a relationship and it hasn’t been alluded to on the show before. Therefore, it was very difficult to play it with a lot of warmth and sincerity on EJ’s part, because this is a lady who has been absent for most of his life … for as much as he can remember.  She has not been there for him and then Susan comes in and tries to make these seemingly very odd suggestions to him. So, I don’t think he took it seriously, and that was the way that I decided to play it.

MICHAEL:

Then, your final scene with Eileen was with her as Kristen injecting a syringe of “something” into EJ’s veins in the morgue.  What was the dynamic going on between the two of you while you filmed that pivotal moment?

JAMES:

That was right after Alison shot her big scenes, so I was just staying very still and letting everyone else do their thing.  The best way I could contribute was to be still and do nothing, and give the actor the space to do what they needed to do.  I had not read the script, so I did not know Alison’s lines.

Courtesy/NBC

MICHAEL:

You had been on DAYS for eight years.  So, did it feel like eight … or, did it feel like twenty?

JAMES:

In some ways it seemed like eight years, and eight years is a long time, but it went by very quickly.  It did not feel like eight years.  It’s interesting.  I was looking back at a photo recently that someone had posted.  I think it was the photo shoot they did when I first came on the show.  It’s funny!  It doesn’t feel like that long ago, but when you look back at the pictures, you think to yourself, “My goodness! I look so young! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Did you feel that the story of EJami had worn itself out?  Did you think at the time of your decision to depart the show, there were only so many stories you can tell with the duo?

JAMES:

In some ways I felt like it was a storyline that was running out of options, but that wasn’t the reason for my decision to leave, but maybe it was a part of my consideration for leaving.  I can certainly say that one of the reasons I told Ken Corday (executive producer, DAYS), a year ago today that I was leaving, was so that the writers had the opportunity to wrap that storyline.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/NBC

Speaking of story highlights: When you and Alison were pulling double duty playing the back in time love story of Santo DiMera and Colleen Brady, looking back at it, do you think it was a good story … or a ridiculous story?

JAMES:

I thought it was an original story and it was early on.  I thought it was interesting.  I liked it for those reasons.  It’s always fun to try something new, and to play a new character, and it’s fun to play another period. It’s something we hadn’t done before on the show, or since.  It was a unique challenge that Alison and I both enjoyed.

MICHAEL:

I thought Alison Sweeney did some of her finest work over the last few months of episodes, during Sami’s revenge plot on EJ for his affair with Abigail (Kate Mansi)!

JAMES:

She did!  I thought it was a wonderful twist that she married EJ, only to undo him!  When I read that I thought it was fantastic.  I liked it a lot.

MICHAEL:

When you look back at the journey you have taken on DAYS and with the character of EJ DiMera, would you ever have imagined the character would have become this popular?

JAMES:

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin Max Photos

Not at all!  I really didn’t think EJ was going to last very long on the show, especially after he shot John Black (Drake Hogestyn) and that whole incident with Sami in the car.  I thought his days were numbered, and that may have been the intention, I don’t know.

MICHAEL:

When you started on the show as race car driver EJ Wells, did you know from the very first day that EJ was going to turn out to be a DiMera?  Did you have any idea what that meant, or the context of, being part of that family in Salem?

JAMES:

I knew from my first day that I was going to be part of this DiMera family, which I knew nothing about.  When I got the job I asked, if I should do some research into the show, and the character.  The note I got from then producer Steve Wyman was: that this character was essentially coming in blind.  Therefore, I should not do any research, or spend time finding out about anything else that happened.  Then, on the first day when they told me I was a DiMera, I really didn’t understand the relevance of it, but it turned out to be quite an exciting thing!

MICHAEL:

How would you feel if DAYS recast the role of EJ DiMera, if you were never to return to play the part again? Daytime soaps these days have been known to recast many major roles.

JAMES:

I would want them to do whatever is best for the show.  And if they were going to recast me, the only thing that I ask is that they make it somebody good! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Would you hope that DAYS would ask you first if you wanted to reprise the role, before just moving on to another actor if they decided it was time to bring the character of EJ back?

JAMES:

Courtesy/ASweeneyFacebook

That is up to them.  I hope that they would, and if they were considering bringing the character back, I suppose it would be nice if they would at least call and gave me the opportunity to politely decline, or accept, depending on where I was and what I wanted to do.  I am absolutely not saying, “Never say, never.”  This is just not where I wish to be at the moment, but certainly overall it was a great privilege being on that show.  As much as I complained about finding it difficult with the workload and needing a break, and those things are true, that is not to say that I didn’t have wonderful time there.  I enjoyed it so much.  I loved working with people I got to work with, and even the people I didn’t get to work with very often.  DAYS has a great cast.

MICHAEL:

You mentioned in some articles that one of your favorite storylines during your time as EJ was the baby Sydney and Grace story, and working with Arianne Zucker (Nicole) and Alison.  Anything else stand out in your mind?

JAMES:

I liked when I first came on the show and EJ was sort of dark and nefarious.  Any time he was up to no good, I was having a good time.

MICHAEL:

Now that you are a“name” in daytime, if another daytime soap came calling, and asked you to join their show in a new role, would you consider it?  Or, are you saying to yourself, “I don’t want to work this hard again!”?

JAMES:

Photo Credit:Tracey Morris

I certainly am not afraid of hard work.  Hard work is only hard if you are not passionate about what you are doing.  I felt over the last couple of years for me that I didn’t feel my work was as good as it had been. I can remember the time I would get my scripts and spent the entire weekend breaking them down and playing with them, and putting a lot of work into them, trying to bring the character to life, and to make interesting choices.  It was one of the things to me that told me that I needed to change things up a little bit, because to me, I felt the passion was lacking from some of my performances.  I don’t know whether that came across to the audience, but it certainly came across to me that something needed to change.  So to go back to your original question: it would have to be taken on a case by case basis.  I can tell you that none of the other soaps have reached out to me, but if they did, I would certainly listen to what they had to say, and we would go from there.  I can’t speculate on what they would say, therefore it’s hard to give an answer to exactly how I would respond.

MICHAEL:

You, my friend, have some of the most passionate, ardent, and loyal fans I have ever seen. They are amazing group of people, and they have been with you, and for you, every step of the way.   I have been in the soap biz for a lot of years, and I have to say, they are pretty impressive.  What would you like to say to your fans?

JAMES:

I have been incredibly lucky to have tremendous support from so many people consistently, and EJ has been a hard character to like sometimes. But they are an amazing group, and not only have they supported me directly, and made their support known to the show, and have had a very positive impact of my presence on the show, but outside of the show, they have raised thousands of dollars for a variety of good causes in my name.  I hear a lot from fans that through watching the show, and these storylines, they have formed relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime, and that is certainly gratifying to hear.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ASweeneyFacebook

Did you have a moment with Alison Sweeney, when the two of you finished up your final scenes, where you got to give each other a hug and kiss and tell each other it was a job “well done”, and share some heartfelt goodbyes?

JAMES:

Yes, there was.  We had that moment.  Alison was there waiting for me upstairs when I shot my last scene with Billy Flynn, and we had a conversation almost like that.  It was nice.  It was a very pleasant way to leave.

MICHAEL:

Will you stay in touch with Alison?

JAMES:

Alison and me, in all the time we have been on the show together, never really hung out in our personal lives.  Our relationship has always been on the show, and I don’t expect that it will change.

MICHAEL:

Did you take away any memento from the set, even though you are not a sentimental guy?

JAMES:

I think I kept the last script that I shot and it’s covered in blood! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/GlamourMag

With all your talents, what’s next? You are in a very enviable position right now to just go out and enjoy life!

JAMES:

I am very lucky.  I am just about to go away to the Philippines to meet my sister there, and then I am heading over to Nepal. Then, the plan is to take the train from Nepal to India and then into Poona, where I will spend some time in an Ashram there. Finally, I will head to Sri Lanka, and then into Southeast Asia.  I will be back in Los Angeles sometime in early January to prepare for pilot season.

MICHAEL:

Speaking of pilot season, what kind of role would you like to do, if you got cast?

JAMES:

If I could pick any role, it would be something completely different than EJ and he would not be English.  I am working on my American accent and I have that almost down, which is very important for pilot season.

MICHAEL:

Is there a show on primetime television that you would love to be on?

JAMES:

Courtesy/IMDB Photo: Dana Patrick

I like Vikings, and I like Boardwalk Empire, although that is coming to end. Again, I like period pieces involving very unique characters that take place in interesting points of history and mankind … and that is very different than what I have been doing.

MICHAEL:

But the question is, do you still feel you have been bit by the acting bug?  Does it fulfill you … or… can you do other things and be just fine?

JAMES:

I can do other things and be fine.  Somebody once gave me a great compliment, and said, “Acting is what you have been doing for a living, but really what you are is a storyteller.”  I thought about it quite a bit, and thought about different careers in my life.  One of the things I enjoy is telling stories and that could be from an acting perspective, or that could be from a photography perspective.  I have also been writing some projects as well.  I am not quite sure where things will go next.  I certainly very much enjoy acting, but I am open to anything really.  I think it’s important when you have those moments in life when you are not attached to something, and you are not quite sure what the next phase of your journey is going to look like, that you don’t pigeon-hole yourself.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/NBC

How was working with Billy Flynn (Chad) as your younger on-screen brother?  Billy told me he wished he had the opportunity to work with you more, but you were on your way out, as he was on his way in.

JAMES:

I like Billy Flynn a lot.  He reminds me of EJ when he first came to the show.  I think he is a very strong actor.  I worked with him just a little bit.  I was impressed by him, and I felt he made very interesting choices. You know, I have seen a lot of actors come and go from DAYS, and I think Billy is one of the most interestingly dynamic actors that I have seen in a long time on the show.  Billy is a very active actor, and he is always doing things as an actor in the scenes. He is on his game, and I think he is a great asset to the show.

MICHAEL:

You also had amazing on-screen chemistry with Eileen Davidson when she plays EJ’s half-sis Kristen.  Did you think the two of you had that chemistry? Eileen says you did!

JAMES:

Photo Credit: Hutchins Photo.com

I certainly thought we had on-screen chemistry … and there was certainly a point, and I did not know if I did it overtly or not, but we had a couple of scenes where I teased a bit of the sexual chemistry.  I thought it was fun to do, why not?  (Laughs)  Eileen is wonderful and fantastic. I hope they keep bringing her back to DAYS.  I think she is a great asset for the show to have.

MICHAEL:

Did you also have the opportunity to say goodbye to Kate Mansi (Abigail) before you left? What did you think of her performances?

JAMES:

I did say goodbye to Kate.  She is another young actress who from the time she has been on the show, I feel has grown tremendously.  I felt that the predicament that she was placed in, where we had the storyline of the affair, was very difficult and very challenging.  I thought she grew as an actor and as artist over that period.  I saw her do what I think was her best work that she has done on the show.

MICHAEL:

And then we had EJ’s children, especially little Johnny played by twins, Aaron and Griffin Kunitz, who so loved you!  Was that tough to say goodbye to them?

JAMES:

Courtesy/NBC

That was tough, too.  I will miss working with them a lot, and it was certainly difficult to say goodbye. They were on the show along time.  They made me some drawings and some goodbye cards that I also kept.

MICHAEL:

Next year, DAYS will be celebrating their 50th anniversary! Could you foresee EJ popping up for a shocking visit during it?

JAMES:

I have a funny feeling it would be more trouble than it is worth! But, I will be there in a flashback! (Laughs)