‘Days of Our Lives’ Interview: Greg Vaughan Reveals That His Exit From DOOL ‘Will Rip Your Heart Out’

“Days of Our Lives” Greg Vaughan’s announcement that he was leaving the NBC soap opera sent shock waves all over social media. The fans were having a hard time coming to terms with his departure on the heels of losing fan favorite Peter Reckell. Greg sat down with Michael Goldberg from Serial Scoop and revealed that his exit ‘will rip your heart out.’

Greg is no longer on contract or filming with the NBC daytime drama He explained, “Well, the truth of the matter is, I’m not filming. I’ve actually wrapped up my storyline and am no longer contractually on the show anymore. However, the story is creatively going somewhere spectacular, in my opinion. All the pieces start slowing coming together, making a great storyline and show.”

Vaughan said that he was confident in saying that Eric’s story is NOT over yet. He explained,” I feel very comfortable with stating that my character Eric’s journey isn’t over. It just takes a direction that I think is going to be good for the character and the show. Like all dramas. For instance, some of my favorites are The Sopranos, 24, or even Dexter. Someone unimaginable has to die to keep us as the audience tuned in for more. I’m not saying Eric is or isn’t going to die, but he will go down a path taking him off the canvas. Because of his downward spiral affecting many, many other characters, intersecting stories within Salem, I think it is great story telling. Eric’s been an integral character and an important part of the show, and this is something that I think is a surprise to Eric’s character and the viewers which they will not see coming.”

Greg realizes that his fans aren’t going to be happy about his exit. He appreciates each one of his adoring fans who supported him throughout his “DOOL” journey. He said, “Words can’t express enough, my gratitude of love I have for every individual I’ve embraced along my career. Yes, they will be upset for obvious reasons, and I know that this news comes as a surprise. However, not just my fans, all our viewers are the greatest voice I think, so let their voices be heard. I’m only one of many who creatively come together to make this show (Days of Our Lives) successful and hopefully keep it on the air for many years coming, in which our viewers are why it’s still running. With that being said, there have been a lot of tough decisions made, executive decisions that come with the job.”

Greg explained that Eric was about to go down a very dark and dangerous path. He will be facing his addiction head on, and it is likely that a tragedy may strike before Eric is ready to put the bottle down. Greg said, “Alcohol is a serious addiction, and a dangerous path for many who battle this disease, but it’s something I learned a lot more about before going down this road with Eric. He is tragically becoming a lost soul and someone who has professed so much faith, is now drifting away to this self-medicating by way of alcohol, which is hard on so many levels. I can see people calling Eric a hypocrite, contradicting everything he has professed as a former priest. And that’s not something that I wanted to bring light to, but we’re all human, and I think that because of his convictions and feelings of huge responsibility, depression kicks in and starts the drinking in motion. He’s going to have so much weight on him that is so overwhelming that he’s going to be in complete turmoil. Only pushing him further down into the bottle, he will lose sight of who he is as a person, and his direction in life. It’s going to be big.”

Vaughan noted he had known that Eric was going to be written off canvas for some time. He explained,” I’ve known for quite a while. [Days] talked to me about my contract a month or two before the time of my contract renewal, simply to inform me, that I would not be contractually extended beyond the terms of years, but would be extended in order to take Eric off the canvas due to story content ahead.”

Greg noted that he thought the show has made a creative turn for the better. He said, “I’d like to think the right people are currently creatively making executive decisions for the show. It is on a big turn for the better. Everyone gives their heart and soul day in, and day out, and I have big love for the show, the fans who stand by Days and their stories. Eric’s not gone. He’s off the canvas, but that doesn’t mean you’re never going to see him again. It’s Days of Our Lives. And it’s never over in Salem. “

Is it likely Eric Brady will return at some point? The buzz on social media is that Eric Brady and Dr. Daniel Jonas [Shawn Christian] may be involved in a tragedy, possibly a drunk-driving accident? Greg Vaughan noted you could expect to see his emotional exit in mid-April.

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