Young and the Restlessstar Eric Braeden had some strong words about the way the industry treats soap stars, and his comments were warranted. Braeden is best known as the soap’s Victor Newman, a role he has played for 45 years, making him one of thelongest-runningYoung & The Restlesscast members- and one of the longest-running actors on daytime, period.
Newman is one of the most popular characters in the series despite being a ruthless villain. Braeden’s character has been involved in manyfavorite soap opera tropesover the years, and he has made a career out of playing Victor Newman.
However, he newSoapypodcast (viaPeople) how, when he shared with co-stars on a previous film that he was working on a soap opera, they were judgmental. He added that it’s “a stupid prejudice, based on absolute ignorance.” Braeden also pushes back on the idea that soap operas should be a “training ground” for other roles.
He’s right: we don’t give soap opera actors nearly enough credit.
Soap Opera Shooting Schedules Are Insanely Grueling
Actors Often Work 12+ Hours/Day to Get Multiple Episodes Out
The work is often fast-paced —there isn’t time to do multiple takes of a scene to experiment with different ways of delivering the lines,and actors may be expected to film scenes from several episodes in one day. Typically, an a soap opera actor will work 12 or more hours on a given day.
Soap operas also shoot year-round rather than taking an end-of-season break or midseason hiatus. Actors can take vacations, of course, and there are weeks when the studio is dark so that everyone gets a break from the demanding schedule. However, thesebreaks from work are shorter in duration than those on primetime shows because of the broadcast schedule.
Unsurprisingly, given this grueling schedule, many actors burn out and leave their roles after a few years. It is as impressive as it is rare for someone to remain in the same role for over four decades, as Braeden has done, andactors who do it year after year deserve admiration and gratitude for their hard work.
Soap Opera Actors Do Incredible Work With Sometimes Cheesy Scripts
No Matter How Ridiculous The Material, Actors Must Convince The Audience It’s Real
Soap operas run on their own internal logic, which often has nothing to do with reality, and some of the stories are ridiculous. For example,Days of Our Lives' wildest stories include Devil possession or people being brainwashed into thinking they’re someone else.
Soaps may also include over-the-top emotional reactions or behavior,such as kidnapping a romantic rival, breaking up over a ridiculous misunderstanding, or getting into a physical fight at a wedding. It is not easy to play these beats as if they are real, especially if the actor disagrees with their character’s choices or thinks the story is silly.
Many actors give detailed psychological explanations for their character behavior in interviews with outlets such asSoap Opera Digest, demonstrating how much thought they put into every scene they play.
However, soap actors are professionals, and they put their own opinions aside to sell the story to the audience. Many actors give detailed psychological explanations for their character behavior in interviews with outlets such asSoap Opera Digest, demonstrating how much thought they put into every scene they play.
There’s A Reason Soaps Have Been On For Over Half A Century
They Are Far More Than Simple Entertainment
Soap operas have been popular for more than half a century for a variety of reasons. Although the stereotype is that only bored housewives watch them, the reality is that they tap into emotions that many people relate to. For some people,soap operas are their biggest connection to other human beings.For others, it’s simply a fun bit of escapism from everyday life.
These shows air five days a week, focusing on characters who are fighting for love and justice. For some audiences, watching soaps is like visiting with family, andthe death of some soap characters can be as upsetting as losing a real-life relative.It’s the immersive and ongoing storylines that pull people in.
Soap actors have also been involved in groundbreaking stories that help lead the discussion about important social issues.
Soap actors have also been involved in groundbreaking stories that help lead the discussion about important social issues. For example,Days of Our Lives'1987 story about Jack raping Kayla was the first time daytime acknowledged that a woman has a right to say no to sex with her husband.
Likewise, shows likeThe Young and the Restlessfeature same-sex couples with storylines and romances as fleshed out as any. And the most recent new soap,Beyond the Gates, is the first one to focus on a predominantly Black cast in decades, with the wealthy denizens of the show offering a different spin than what we normally see.
Actors should be commended for helping bring these important stories to life. Unfortunately, they are often looked down upon for acting in a so-called cheap genre whenit is clear soap operas are just as legitimate an art form as other TV shows.
Long-Running Soap Opera Characters Are As Iconic As Any In Pop Culture
Yet They Are Not Given The Same Respect
Long-running soap opera characters are well-known pop culture icons. Characters such asDays of Our Lives' Stefano DiMera orThe Young & The Restless' Victor Newman are recognizable even to audiences who aren’t all that familiar with the showsthey came from. Their pop culture influence is noted, with them being referenced in novels and some characters' names being synonymous with personality types.
It is time to give soap actors the same respect as those on other shows.
The way soap opera characters such as the oneThe Young And The Restless’Eric Braeden plays have become part of pop culture is not any different than the way fans recognize long-running prime-time characters such asLaw & Order: SVU’s Olivia Benson. She’s celebrated, but soap characters are overlooked. It’s time to give soap actors the same respect as those on other shows.
