Soap Opera Digest: What do you want to say about your exit from the show in 2018?
Stephen Nichols: I’d like to deal with what’s current. That stuff is old news.
Digest: When did you learn you would be playing Stefano?
Nichols: After I signed on to return, I had a conversation with [Co-Executive Producer] Albert Alarr. He told me that I would be playing Stefano. That a chip containing Stefano’s essence had been implanted in Steve’s brain.
Digest: What was your initial reaction?
Nichols: WTF?!! Then my brain went immediately into hyperdrive considering how in the world I was going to do it.
Digest: How did you go about preparing for the role?
Nichols: I watched the master, Joe Mascolo. I got lots of videos of Stefano. Stefano in every mode: Manipulating, laughing, Stefano with the ladies, with his children and, of course, Stefano raging. I also looked at scenes with his interactions with characters I would be playing opposite. Also, Joe and I had worked together over the years.
Digest: Taking on the persona so memorably played by Joe Mascolo must have daunting. How did you approach it?
This story is from the December 16, 2019 edition of Soap Opera Digest.
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This story is from the December 16, 2019 edition of Soap Opera Digest.
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