Interview: Michael Easton, 'One Life to Live'

TVGuide.ca: It’s nice to finally speak to you. Todd and John are by far my favourite One Life to Live super-couple!
Michael Easton: Thanks. I love working with Trevor St. John [Todd]. The only problem we have when we work together is we can’t stop laughing. The first time we worked together was when Todd and John were looking for Marcie and Tommy. We were told we’d never work together again after that storyline, but when the scenes aired everyone loved them. Trevor and I had a lot of fun and hope their rivalry continues.

TVG: Are you happy that John’s lighter side is being explored through his romance with Blair? I loved the scene when Blair asked John if he owned anything that wasn’t black.
ME: Yes, I am! I’ve always tried to bring out John’s comedic side but the majority of the time it would have been inappropriate. I think comedy is important in daytime. I’ve been fortunate in my career to work opposite very funny actors. For instance, on Days of our Lives, I worked with Robert Mailhouse [ex-Brian] and Matthew Ashford [ex-Jack]. And of course, Tuc Watkins [ex-David] here on One Life to Live. Blair, David, and Todd are the perfect characters to help bring John out of his shell, so that’s why we’re seeing more life in John.

TVG: When Roger Howarth [Paul, As The World Turns] left as Todd, I immediately thought of you for the part because I was huge fan of yours when you played the breakout role of Caleb the vampire on Port Charles. I read recently One Life offered you either Todd or John. Can you explain why you chose McBain over Manning?
ME: You know, I’m not sure how true any of that is, Nelson. I don’t remember that ever being the case. Once, I was asked if I wanted to play an existing or new character, but they never mentioned Todd. As an actor, I would always err on the side of taking on a new character. And I think it worked out, because Trevor is perfect as Todd. I had known Roger in passing, but wasn’t so familiar with the role of Todd.

TVG: So your experience as Caleb on Port Charles must have been a positive one if it prompted you to stay in daytime. Let’s face it; you could have easily pursued prime time after Port Chuck was cancelled.
ME: I had so much fun playing Caleb. ABC was really good to me, and I wanted to move back to New York, so it all worked out perfectly. When I lived in L.A., I found that I was moving further up in the Hollywood Hills, and becoming disconnected from people. When it hit me I was becoming disengaged, I knew New York would get me back on the streets and interact with people. Before PC, I had been out of soaps for 10 years, so it was a great role to re-enter daytime with and the experience made me want to stay in soaps.

TVG: Confession time: I’m a closet John McBain fan. I know it’s popular to hate on John, but in the past year I’ve been really digging him.
ME: Listen, I don’t think I liked John in the beginning, either. He’s definitely the hardest character I’ve ever played. It took me a year or two for me even to remotely like him. [Conversely], Caleb was so interesting to play because he was this outpouring of emotion — almost like an open wound. Then you have John who is really guarded, so it was a huge departure for me. Everyone John’s loved has been killed, so he’s closed himself off emotionally.

TVG: John’s a very rare and unique breed of soap character. I hate when soap characters aren’t affected by the death of a loved one. When John’s lover Caitlin was murdered, it threw him — and rightfully so — off his axis. Usually in the soap world, characters mourn for a few scenes and then move on.
ME: Which is why John was unlikable for a while. I give the audience a lot of credit though for hanging in there and giving him a chance. Slowly people are warming up to him, and John’s [experiencing a rebirth of sorts now].

TVG: Of all the soap characters out there, I relate most to John. Five years ago, my lover died. All my friends worry about me because I haven’t been with anyone romantically since then. I think John and I are pretty loyal in that respect — although, unlike John, I have a great sense of humour. In this soap universe of ours, you lose your soulmate and another one pops up [hello: Bo Buchanan]. I’d like to think true love is rarer than most soap writers would have us believe. I also think it’s refreshing to watch a character who doesn’t suffer from verbal and emotional diarrhea like John.
ME: As an actor, it’s been fulfilling yet challenging to find other ways to express John’s pain and sadness. And you’re right — it’s been [groundbreaking] to play a character that never said, “I love you” for three years. And then when he did, John retracted it! Daytime writes these fantastic romantic male characters who are wealthy, but of course John’s the complete opposite of that ideal soap hero. It’s a difficult world for John to live in. He doesn’t have a lot to offer anyone. But I think the audience sympathizes with the character even if they may not like him so much. Though I hear from fans who are married to cops that John is a [realistic depiction].

TVG: Who are you more like as a character, Tanner, Caleb or John?
ME: I’ll tell ‘ya, Tanner was so long ago I don’t even remember [working on Days]! I was only supposed to play Caleb for 10 weeks, but something strange and beautiful happened with the role. Caleb certainly resonated with me because it was a real departure for me as an actor. But I’m more like John. I’m quiet, reserved and a little damaged.

TVG: Who isn’t, right? Are you psyched about visiting Toronto [from Aug. 22-24] to promote your graphic novel, Soul Stealer at the Metro Convention Centre? You used to live here when you filmed Total Recall 2070 — I used to see you around town years ago.
ME: I lived in Toronto in 1998 or 1999 for one year for Total Recall 2070. Then in 2002 or 2003 I filmed Mutant X. My wife, Ginevra is from Toronto. So I come back quite often to visit my Italian in-laws, and the publisher of my book, DMF Comics is in Toronto. The Toronto comic book convention is one of the best [gatherings] because it’s non-profit and all the proceeds go to Sick Kids Hospital. When I lived in Toronto, I used to attend the convention long before I thought about writing this book.

TVG: A few years back you wrote a book of poetry titled Eighteen Straight Whiskeys and you’re also a photographer. What inspired you to delve into the world of graphic novels?
ME: I’ve been working on Soul Stealer on and off for the past six years now. It’s existed in various forms, but the bulk of the story came to me in a dream. I started writing it as a screenplay, but then I realized the graphic novel was a better medium for this story because your imagination can be limitless in that world. You’re not constricted by form or a timeframe. At that time, I discovered a great illustrator named Christopher Shy, and his drawings helped inspire me to turn the 20-page comic book into a 145-page novel. Now we’ve been signed to produce a second graphic novel, so it’s taken on a life of its own.

TVG: Congrats! The soap and comic book worlds aren’t so dissimilar. ME: Good point. Yeah, the commitment to the characters in both worlds is somewhat cult-like. They’re loyal audiences and, of course, many of the stories are continuing. Soap and graphic novel fans are much savvier than the powers-that-be give them credit for. They’re suspicious by nature and not easily marketed to. You can’t box these fans into a category. In fact, they’re both very insightful groups. I know that because I’m a huge comic book fan. That’s why I believe in doing these conventions because I enjoy connecting with my readers. And you better be genuine and honest with them and deliver the goods or else. And the daytime audience is the same, I think, when it comes to meeting their soap stars. I tend to not do very many soap appearances because I’m shy but I’ll do things like Super Soap Weekend. I don’t want to see another show cancelled like Port Charles. I try to get myself out as much as I can [and interface with fans]. It’s overwhelming for me because I’m insecure around large crowds.

TVG: I doubt you’ll ever overstay your welcome. Daytime needs more unique actors like you and Trevor.
ME: Thank you. I think Trevor is fascinating to watch. He certainly was robbed of an Emmy nomination during Todd’s execution storyline. I’m sure everyone who was nominated that year was worthy, but in daytime there’s a certain level of performance you need to reach to be recognized for an Emmy Award. But Trevor and I try to stay within the means and realities of the writing and characters and not [indulge in histrionics that usually merit nominations]. Which is why I don’t think it’s within my grasp to earn an Emmy nomination.

TVG: You’ve been in daytime since 1989. Are you worried about the future of daytime TV?
ME: You know, we were talking about this the other day. Look at Gossip Girl, they are on the cover of every magazine in the country, but we [attract the same ratings] five days a week. It’s kind of interesting. I certainly think more people are watching soaps than the Nielsen’s suggest. Having said that, daytime needs to stop telling the same stories over and over again. We need to challenge our audience so we can engage them. Port Charles certainly did that. There's one good thing about facing cancellation and that's you tend to be riskier and more creative.

TVG: Are you psyched about the burgeoning Todd-Blair-John-Marty quadrangle? It’s quite the controversial and risky storyline.
ME: Yeah, but Susan Haskell, speaking of Toronto people, and Trevor are doing really interesting things with the story. Susan’s a fantastic actress. Hopefully, we’ll build towards something explosive with this group of characters. I wasn’t sure if I was happy about John and Blair’s romance, but [I’m reserving judgment until I see it play out]. I try not to ask a lot of questions. I don’t think I’ve ever had a meeting with Ron Carlivati about storyline. I never sat with Dena Higley nor Josh Griffith and Michael Malone. There was a story out there once that I liked to sit down with the writers all the time, but that’s not true. We’ll talk when we pass each other in the hallway, but that’s it.

TVG: Most fans still think John and Natalie are a couple! I don't think they got the memo.
ME: I know. And it’s been what — two years?

TVG: I’m a little worried about your chemistry with Susan Haskell. Have you worked with her yet?
ME: Not really. I’m excited to work with her, but we haven’t had an opportunity yet.

TVG: Do you have any other plans while you’re in Toronto? Is your wife coming with you?
ME: Actually, the weekend I’m there marks our anniversary of meeting in Toronto, so we’re going to [re-live] that night. We were also engaged in Toronto. I can’t wait to visit again, for sure. I have fond memories of Toronto and I love visiting there.

TVG: We’ll have to get you a key to the city, but don’t tell Susan.

In September, DMF Comics is releasing Soul Stealer, the first graphic novel by Michael Easton, which sold out after its first printing this past June. Peter Straub calls Easton’s opus, “one of the most sheerly beautiful comics I have ever seen.” The graphic novel, illustrated with lush drawings by artist Christopher Shy, was first released at the Wizard World Chicago Comicon in June 2008. The first printing sold out, and the book’s popularity continues to grow. Mr. Easton will be on hand to autograph copies of the book free of charge with admission to the convention. Soul Stealer explores a vivid, remarkably unique world drawn from the deepest recesses of the human imagination. It is a graphic tale of horror and fantasy that follows one man’s breathtaking journey through darkness, madness and ultimately hope.  Armed with the ability to bring back souls from the underworld, Kalan must now fight the most dangerous and potent forces the world has ever known, as he wanders the Earth – through the past and into the present – on his near impossible search for his one true love. New York Times No. 1 bestselling author Peter Straub wrote the forward to Soul Stealer. It is not their first collaboration. Easton and Straub also wrote the graphic novel The Green Woman for Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics. The Green Woman has been described as an “epic psychological horror story” and is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2009. The art is being done by award winning artist John Bolton.

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Nelson Branco is a Toronto freelance entertainment journalist, who regularly contributes to Hello! Canada, The National Post, The Los Angeles Times' theenvelope.com, TV Guide USA, tvguide.com, Inside Entertainment, OUT, and fab magazine, along with spearheading the soap coverage for TVGuide.ca's popular daytime TV hub. After graduating from Ryerson University in 1997, he moved from Toronto to New York in 1998 to take on the roles as senior news editor at Soap Opera Update. Branco first freelanced for Soap Opera Weekly as an intern in 1994, and after leaving Soap Update to help create and launch Bauer Publishing's In Touch Weekly in 2003, Branco continued to freelance occasionally for its sister publication, Soaps In Depth. Most recently, he helped create and launch Canada's first celebrity magazine, Weekly Scoop in 2005 as its news and entertainment director. Branco is also a contributor to a new TV show titled Planet Soap to air in Canada and America.

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