Weekly caught up with AS THE WORLD TURNS' Austin Peck (Brad) for a recent feature interview, and the Oakdale newcomer had so much to say, we couldn't fit it all into print — but we just had to share more with readers.
Soap Opera Weekly: So, how is it playing Brad?
Austin Peck: Brad's a fun guy. He's got a good heart. He's in the moment. He's been through so many jobs. He's really never lasted more than six months at any particular job. He ends up subliminally screwing it up, either leaving himself or getting fired because he's not into it. Oakdale Now is something where he's thinking, "Wow, I can really do this. I really like it." It's like someone who finally found a purpose, finally found a calling.
Weekly: Have you gotten much fan reaction yet?
Peck: I haven't seen anything yet. My mother watches the show and she's having fun. I've heard some comments here and there, but across the board I have no idea what people think.
Weekly: Well, he's definitely a bit of a wild card.
Peck: That's one of the reasons why he likes Vienna. Vienna and Brad are impossible together because they are too much alike. But, like I said, Brad's an in-the-moment type of guy.
Weekly: That's definitely a reversal from playing DAYS OF OUR LIVES' Austin.
Peck: Oh, I love it. It's so much fun. I'm just an actor doing whatever job actors do, but I've got bad sides to me and I've got good sides to me. Brad, the way he's written, is bringing humanity to some of the things that he says. He may be derogatory or may put his foot in his mouth, but his intent is never really to hurt. And there are times — especially when he is with Katie — that he does want to hurt, because she makes him so mad.
Weekly: Do you think that he and Katie have a future?
Peck: Things just started. Who knows what's going to happen? I could say, "Yes...."
Weekly: Mark Collier (ex-Mike) often referred to ATWT as being like college. Do you feel like you've been through soap school?
Peck: That's a good way of looking at it. I guess if he was going to college, then I'm in grad school because I already went to college [on DAYS].
Weekly: But you're definitely having a blast in Oakdale, right?
Peck: I get to come here, I get to act, and when I'm onstage it's no holds barred. If you say something or do something [in a scene] that pisses me off, I'm the first person that's going to shake your hand afterward. If I'm going to irritate you, if I'm going to push your buttons, I'm going to push your buttons out there, on the set. But as soon as it's over, hopefully they will shake my hand and we can laugh about it. It's my job as Brad to be as human as possible and to be as arrogant, cocky and provocative as possible. Hopefully the writer's job is to put obstacles in the way that show his vulnerability and his "child-likeness," which is what's fun about him. And humble him, because that's what life does to people. We'll see how long it takes Brad to pick up the signs. He may be one of those people who needs to hit a rock bottom.
