We're not quite sure if Days of our Lives' Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian) is a magnet for trouble or if he purposefully seeks it out -- maybe a little bit of both -- but either way, he sure has a penchant for finding himself in dastardly situations. His present circumstances are no different, as he's currently navigating muddy waters with Nicole (Arianne Zucker) while being raked into the drama with Serena (Melissa Archer). But that's small beans compared to the trouble headed Daniel's way in the next couple of months. As Christian tells Soap Central, unexpected people show up at the doc's door, and "sh*t is going to go down."
soapcentral.com: So we have to delve headfirst into Daniel and Nicole here. Somehow, despite whatever problems they have and no matter what she does to upset him, he can't seem to completely forget about her. Will they ever finally just get it together?
Shawn Christian: As Daniel's track record proves, he has an affinity for trouble and troubled women -- bad girls, if you will. So that doesn't really frighten him. And Nicole keeps proving herself. It's interesting, though, for that character, for every two steps forward, she takes one step back. She's making progress, that's the essence of it. Earning trust from a woman like that, with a past like hers, is not easy. And Daniel's no saint; he's the other problem there, too, because he can't sit there and judge. He's not the moral authority.
soapcentral.com: He likes when she behaves, but do you think he secretly likes it when she misbehaves because it keeps it interesting?
Christian: Yeah! Listen, I think Daniel, since I've been on the show, Daniel has an affinity for living on the edge and for life-or-death situations. That's why he's a surgeon, it's why he surfed the world, why he saves people. Complacency -- coffee and tea -- does not help him and does not serve who he is as a person. He literally, for better or for worse, thrusts himself into life-or-death situations, almost in an anti-hero kind of way, because he doesn't always go about things in the best way. He doesn't sit on any moral high ground as a hero. But certainly in an anti-hero sort of way, he would try to do the right thing, as unconventional as it may be.
soapcentral.com: I imagine the new character that will come out of DAYS' Australian hunk search will spice things up even further. Alexander Bruszt won the role and is said to be working with Daniel a lot. What do you think of the show's decision to bring in a hot Aussie?
Shawn Christian: I think it's necessary. I think it's absolutely necessary to broaden the landscape of people on the show. Everyone talks about diversity, and that is cultural, sexual, international. We have an audience in Australia, we have an audience in Europe, we have an audience in South Africa, across the globe, and you should have those people who reflect that culture on the canvas. I think it's great. Without a doubt... to express that culture in a way that integrates with what we do in America.
soapcentral.com: Is Daniel going to be like, "Damn, this hot Australian is stealing my thunder!"
Christian: I don't know how Daniel will react, but as long as he can talk surgical speak, I'm sure he'll be all right in his book.
soapcentral.com: The show is approaching its 50th anniversary, and many people are heading back to the canvas, including Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe Lane). What do you think about the returns the show has announced thus far?
Christian: Listen, I think in a 50th year, you need to honor the past. It propels you into the future. Things like this are fantastic. When Daniel's door opens, shit is going to go down. And you don't know who's going to knock on the door. I just love that. I find it really entertaining. I always find different ways to answer the door. Of course, I don't know who it is, but I'm like, oh, my God, as much as I open the door to all of their faces, there should be a montage of like, "Hey, hi, whoa, hello!" [laughs]
Which surprise guests do you hope show up on Daniel's doorstep? Do you think Daniel and Nicole have it what it takes to become a happy couple, or do you think they should look elsewhere for romantic partners? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
