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Post by ghoulgirl on May 19, 2011 10:22:29 GMT -5
Galen Gering Reaches New Heights
Galen Gering has portrayed every woman’s prince charming as Days of our Lives' Rafe Hernandez since his debut on the show in 2008. As Salem’s FBI hero, he’s soared to fan favourite status over the past two years. The all-around good guy demeanour, chiseled body and good looks, keep the ladies salivating for more. When he’s not out saving the day, he’s steaming up the screen with powerhouse actress, Alison Sweeney.
Rafe’s recent turn to the dark side, via the doppelganger storyline, has allowed Galen to spread his wings. Fans love to hate the crude, rude dude, better known as “faux Rafe.” His underestimated talent has reached new heights through his dual role. The Soap Bubble recently chatted with Galen about doppelganger freight, the Rafe and EJ rivalry and his family ties to Alison Sweeney.
How did your role on Days of our Lives come about following the cancellation of Passions?
I was lucky enough to have worked with Gary Tomlin, who is our executive producer at Days now and was a director at Passions prior. He was one of the people, who basically thought of me and requested that I come in and meet with Ken Corday (producer of the show). I did a few readings for them and they liked it, so fortunately they hired me. They then created this role for me and the rest is history!
Since your start on Days, what has been the most significant difference between this show and your experience on Passions?
The most significant thing is the pace in which we move. More specifically, how fast we shoot scenes. I think that goes across the board for all soap operas, due to cost cutting over the years. Of course we had a recession and shows had to do a lot to make sure they stayed on the air. Days was no exception to that rule. In order to produce the 7.5 or 8 shows we do per week, we move alarmingly fast. That was probably the biggest difference; although I kind of like it sometimes. At Passions, we moved at a leisurely pace. We were able to do that. We had days where we’d start at 7:00 a.m. and finish at 10 or 12 at night. That of course wasn’t everyday, but at least once per week. At Days, the latest we’re in the studio is until 5:00p.m. There’s good with the bad and bad with the good. For the most part, I had a new cast. Of course I had, Eric Martsolf (Brady Black) and then Lindsey Hartley (played Arianna Hernandez) joined me, so that was definitely cool. We were all stepping into new waters with a new show. We were always there to support one another. Not to say the rest of the cast wasn’t supportive, because they have been and still are incredibly giving and nice. It’s been great. I’ve enjoyed my time immensely so far.
What do you find appealing about playing this character, the “original Rafe?”
The original recipe [laughs]. His loyalty is especially significant. I love that the guy is so willing to give up himself for the people that he loves. I think that is a great quality that I definitely aspire to have in real-life. He has all of that in spades. His loyalty and of course his looks [laughs]…no I’m kidding, his personality; he clearly has a lot of great qualities.
You’ve had heavy storyline recently. What was your initial reaction when you heard you’d be involved in a doppelganger storyline?
I was super excited and extremely flattered that the producers and writers felt I could handle such a thing. Especially because, like I said, we move at such a quick pace. You have one character and then you’re adding another and it’s a ton of work. Not only that, but you’re creating a new character and there wasn’t a lot of time for me to figure out who I wanted the guy to be and what I wanted him to be like. I was definitely excited but super nervous. I was slightly apprehensive about it, but way more excited than anything else. It’s been such a blast. For an actor, this is such a treat to be offered an opportunity to do something like this. I’m able to spread my wings and play something different. I’m able to play someone, who in large part contrasts the original character and it’s such a terrific opportunity.
With this doppelganger story, you’re able to play both the good and bad guy. How does it feel?
[Laughs]
It depends. The one thing about playing the good guy is the audience usually responds positively to you. When you’re playing the bad guy, there’s a lot of animosity involved. It’s an interesting contrast. It’s just been so much fun though. I can’t sit here and say I haven’t really enjoyed it. A lot of times when you’re playing the good guy, it’s pretty straight forward. He doesn’t really get many laughs or shock people. He’s just making sure everything is going to plan and protecting the people he loves. When I’m playing the bad guy, who knows what he’s going to do? He’s volatile. He keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. It’s expected for you to be unpredictable and wild and as an actor that is a huge gift. I feel like this role has really challenged me, made me spread my wings and reach outside of my comfort zone. You have to take chances with this guy. I certainly feel like I have done that.
What’s it like working alongside a powerhouse actress like Alison Sweeney who plays Sami Brady.
Oh wow, what a gift. She’s so great to work with. I knew her before when I was on Passions. Both Days and Passions would have a lot of events together, so we would see each other. We also hosted an event together in Nashville. I didn’t know her as I know her today and love her. To find professionalism and enthusiasm like this is so rare. Just today we were laughing so hard together and we had a ton of work to do, which we were really focussed on. She wears so many hats and handles it so well. When I came on the show, she was pregnant, working on The Biggest Loser and also on Days. I was like “Oh my god, how do you do all of this?” I’m so convinced she’s a robot [laughs]. That’s a whole other investigation.
Sami and Rafe have been through a lot together. Do you think ultimately they have what it takes to last long-term?
Oh, I hope so. I think it would be great to see how they function as a couple without all of these massive things happening. Without the kids being kidnapped and the doppelganger running around, it would be interesting to see. I know you need to have all of this stuff in a soap opera, but it would be interesting to see them as a normal couple and see if they have what it takes. Maybe they don’t even want to be together? Maybe they just need each other right now? Who knows? My belief is that they are great together. I think they are soul-mates. They compliment each other very well and support one another. They make each other laugh and have a lot of positive attributes that make them a good couple. I think they clearly have a very special chemistry together. I think they definitely have what it takes to last long-term. If they can get through what they’ve been through over the last few years and survive than why not, right?
You’ve have a dynamic rivalry with James Scott (EJ DiMera). How enjoyable are those heated fight scenes? Are you friends in real-life?
James is great. You just reminded me I need to send him an email [laughs]. He’s a very complex dude and I really love that about him. He’s very dedicated to his work, which I love as well. He really likes to mix things up and take chances. He’s never afraid to get in the ring and mash it up. I think that’s a great quality as an actor. He’s probably one of the most exceptional actors I know. He’s so comfortable being himself. By himself, I really mean the character he portrays. He never feels like he has to do something. As an actor we always feel like we have to show the audience we’re doing something and he never does that. He has this wonderful quality of not feeling like he has to do that, because he’s already doing that if that makes sense [Laughs]. I love doing scenes with him. There’s obviously an adversity there. For the record, none of that carries from the screen to off-screen. I have a great working relationship with him and a friendship as well.
Is the entire Days cast extremely close?
You know they really are! I think in this business, you’re closest with the people you most often work with. Since we work at such a frantic and hurried pace, a lot of times you can’t spend too much times with other actors because you’re in and you’re out. I will say Ali’s son Ben and my son Dylan, who are a year and a half apart, are great friends and really love each other. They are actually going to camp together this summer. I see her often because of the boys. Our houses are very close. I can see her house from mine. The whole cast is really close though. We do a lot of signings together. I just had a birthday party and a lot of the cast was over here. We all definitely hang out and don’t really get sick of each other.
What can fans expect over the next few weeks on Days of our Lives?
I think the fans will be pleased that the doppelganger/Rafe 2’s storyline is coming to a close. Nice guys will hopefully prevail. Rafe 2, EJ and Stefano DiMera will hopefully get what’s coming to them. At this rate, it should be a substantial amount considering what they’ve done. There are a lot of elements that fans love about the show. The Rafe and Sami relationship is a huge element and we’re really heading in a direction that they will hopefully enjoy. There are highs and lows of it. The fans have been tortured through some of the lows and we’ll have some of those highs coming.
Courtesy of Daytime Royalty
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Post by Trey on May 19, 2011 11:22:05 GMT -5
Good interview. Thanks for posting!
I can't wait to see some of the highs and payoffs of the show.
Though, it brings in so many more questions. Like if Stefano and EJ were really to go to jail, how would Kate try to get her hubby out?
Would Chad have to swallow his pride and admit to Abby she was right about his family? Or embrace the DiMera name through thick and thin?
And, what technicality will get EJ/Stefano off the hook?
Will Caroline be serving chowder or Wanchei at the celebration?
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Post by fluffysmom on May 19, 2011 11:22:26 GMT -5
Thanks for posting the article GG!
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Post by DancingDays on May 19, 2011 11:22:31 GMT -5
What a classy guy. I wish I could hang out on set for just a couple of days to see what it's like. I'd happily be an unpaid extra (heck, I'd even pay THEM to let me be an extra). But I'm sure they'd have to kick me off set when I attacked James or Galen or Eric.  |
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Post by fluffysmom on May 19, 2011 11:24:31 GMT -5
Good interview. Thanks for posting! I can't wait to see some of the highs and payoffs of the show. Though, it brings in so many more questions. Like if Stefano and EJ were really to go to jail, how would Kate try to get her hubby out? Would Chad have to swallow his pride and admit to Abby she was right about his family? Or embrace the DiMera name through thick and thin? And, what technicality will get EJ/Stefano off the hook? Will Caroline be serving chowder or Wanchei at the celebration? Trey that is too funny!! I think it will be Wanchei and chowder! Thanks for making me laugh so hard!! |
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Post by Trey on May 19, 2011 12:15:54 GMT -5
Any time, Fluffysmom...happy to return the favor  Galen is such a class act! |
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Post by rockfordfosgate on May 19, 2011 12:59:27 GMT -5
Every interview I read from Galen, I love him more and more.
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Post by mae00 on May 20, 2011 8:56:42 GMT -5
What a classy guy. I wish I could hang out on set for just a couple of days to see what it's like. I'd happily be an unpaid extra (heck, I'd even pay THEM to let me be an extra). But I'm sure they'd have to kick me off set when I attacked James or Galen or Eric. I'd be right there beside you on the Galen & Eric part DD!! You can have James |
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Post by DancingDays on May 20, 2011 9:06:26 GMT -5
What a classy guy. I wish I could hang out on set for just a couple of days to see what it's like. I'd happily be an unpaid extra (heck, I'd even pay THEM to let me be an extra). But I'm sure they'd have to kick me off set when I attacked James or Galen or Eric. I'd be right there beside you on the Galen & Eric part DD!! You can have James OK!!!!  |
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