Me Time

After A MuchNeeded Break, Arianne Zucker Is Having A Ball Being Back In Salem

- Janet Di Lauro

Nicole Walker fans might not want to hear this, but Arianne Zucker is in no rush to resurrect her tried-and-true DAYS alter ego anytime soon. Yes, poor Nicole “perished” in a warehouse fire last October. But it’s Salem, so chances are, it’s happening ... eventually. “I actually said at one point, ‘Does she have to come back?’ ” laughs Zucker, admitting that she’s reveling in the opportunity to play the wild, unbridled Kristen. “She can really say and do anything she wants, because she’s Kristen DiMera. The character is so extreme, so naughty, so nasty. Her brain is all over the map. Playing someone that’s so viciously delicious has been a lot of fun.”

Navigating Kristen’s path has given Zucker the kind of free acting rein she hasn’t had in years. “It was like the last time I came back to DAYS in 2008,” reflects the actress. “I had left for a short time and returned a little bit sassy. I had a dog, Pookie. I came back with this big coat on, and Victor was having a dinner party [that Nicole crashed]. It was one of my favorite scenes to play. It was such fun. I’m finding so much joy in what I’m doing now with Kristen. I just want to play something juicy all the time.”