Bradford Anderson has been entertaining soap fans as the wonderfully quirky and lovable Damian Spinelli on GENERAL HOSPITAL for over four years. But get ready, because starting this Monday, February 14th, the actor is taking on a very new and exciting role a the web series, THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF CUPID AND EROS. Please enjoy this exclusive new interview with the beloved talent as he discusses his new role, and clues us into Spinelli's future on GH. WE LOVE SOAPS TV: It’s so great to speak with you again. I’d like to start our talk by asking you about your participation in this fascinating new web series, THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF CUPID AND EROS.
Bradford Anderson: It is the brainchild of my longtime friend and college roommate, Avi Glijansky. He and I have been attempting to work together for years and it never came to fruition. I finally had some time in my schedule and he was able to find a place for me in his web series so it all worked out.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Who is your character going to be?
Bradford Anderson: His name is Achilles. It’s funny because I was originally supposed to take part in the web series when it started a year ago in February. As you may remember, I was on the soap cruise last January and ruptured my Achilles tendon. When I found out the extent of my injury, I found out I could not participate in the web series or be of any use to him. He wrote me in later, and I think it was his intention to be cute using the name “Achilles.”
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: That sounds very appropriate!
Bradford Anderson: Appropriate in name only since I don’t think anyone can picture me as the greatest warrior of all time.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Well, the show does take a lot of Greek mythology and spin it into a 21st century context.
Bradford Anderson: There are a lot of characters from mythology that Cupid and Eros encounter. Cupid is still longing for Psyche. The God of Chaos come in, Apollo makes some appearances, but it is all with a modern take.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: The shows plays these figures somewhat against type. Cupid himself is very unlucky in love.
Bradford Anderson: And tall and lean, as opposed to cherub. There are some new ideas of what the gods look like.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Were you originally slated to play Cupid?
Bradford Anderson: That was the idea. But it all worked out. The guy playing him is named Josh Heine, and he is also a NYU alum. I didn’t know him in college but we come from the same stock. I’m not glad I ruptured my Achilles tendon, but I do think there was divine intervention somewhere. He is the perfect fit of Cupid. Better than I would have done. It all worked out for the best, even though there was some pain involved.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: What attracts you to doing continuing stories on the internet?
Bradford Anderson: It’s harder and harder these days to get your own work produced. The only way you can get funding these days is if you have a sure thing. It’s harder and harder to produce your own work because no one is investing in anything. The great thing about web series is that you have your own venue to share whatever you want to share. The quality of programming is just continuing to improve. You don’t need to find your own Weinstein to have it made.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Why would Spinelli fans want to watch THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF CUPID AND EROS?
Bradford Anderson: It’s a little off type for me [laughs]. The way Avi was talking about Achilles was as a decorated war veteran, but without the cheers and jeers of that experience. He’s certainly not as goofy as people are used to seeing me. I would love to say that I did months and months of character research, but I pretty much closed my eyes and went for it. It’s different from what I do on GH. There is a lot of fight choreography that I get to do. Granted, Spinelli has been in tussles, but this is different. Achilles is a little more soft spoken, a little more reserved, and dare I say confident. He is, after all, a demigod. So this is a different character from what they are used to seeing me play.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Audiences have gotten so used to seeing you in one specific way.
Bradford Anderson: It’s still me. It won’t be a complete departure.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: I think what’s also great about indie soaps is that daytime actors in long-term roles are getting to display more range.
Bradford Anderson: Absolutely. It’s more opportunity for more work, the more the better.
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF CUPID AND EROS - Episode 7-9 teaser from Avi Glijansky on Vimeo.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: How are things at GH? You recently passed four years of playing Damian Spinelli.
Bradford Anderson: I was talking to Ingo [Rademacher] yesterday. The way I phrased it is that I will be playing Damian for five years this coming fall. He just shook his head, I think I made him feel old or something [laughs]. It’s crazy how long it’s been, I fancied myself as the new guy for so long. There are so many more people that can fancy themselves as the new guy now. It continues to be the best job I’ve ever had. I know that when the time comes that the job ceases to exist for me, that it will have been the best job I ever had. I love it there. Of course, there have been ups and downs in terms of how much I’ve been able to work. Sometimes the story line has been there for me and sometimes it’s not been there as much.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: It seems this past year there has not been as much.
Bradford Anderson: Actually, in the last few months, ever since Brenda came back, there has been more for me than in the previous six months. 2010 was hard because I hurt myself. Then I took time off to get married. I wasn’t there as much, so they had to write me out of the canvas for awhile. Now that Brenda is back I’m working more. Granted, the story is more her-based than Spinelli-based. But it’s just nice to be in the building. Now with the new book coming up there has been more for me to do with him and Diane. Some of the fun stuff is coming back.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Tell me about the book.
Bradford Anderson: The book was penned by Carolyn Hennesy and is coming out in April on the Disney/Hyperion Publishing. I’ve read it, and it’s incredible. She does a nice job of capturing each and every character’s voice, not just Spinelli. It’s like watching a GH web series in your head with your favorite characters.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: The book is written from Spinelli’s perspective?
Bradford Anderson: It’s Damian Spinelli telling Diane stories. She’s writing them down. He calls her at night and says, “I need to tell you all these things about people you know.” So they meet up and he tells her all these stories. Most of it is him telling stories, but there are times she interjects, sometimes in disbelief, sometimes just making comments. You wouldn’t believe that Spinelli has had all these experiences he has had. Diane is skeptical to say the least. She comes to learn that Spinelli has had quite an existence, as has many characters in Port Charles. Things you haven’t seen on camera.
WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Do we learn a little more about his background?
Bradford Anderson: You could say that. Nothing is stated that would lead into actual GH story, like who is parents are. But all these stories in essence happened, whether you choose to believe they happened or not. They are fanciful stories about his experiences as an adult, not as a kid. You get to see your favorite characters doing really incredible things, some heartfelt things, but all with Carolyn Hennesy’s sharp wit and wonderful imagination. It’s a real ride.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Coming up in Part Two, Anderson shares his perspective on the "Spixie" phenomenon. Does Spinelli have a future with Maxie? Find out in Part Two! Until, catch up on the happenings in THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF CUPID AND EROS and watch on Valentine's Day (February 14) for Bradford's debut.
Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Therapist now accepting new clients in New York City. He is also the author of the popular book "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve," currently available at Amazon.com. For more information about scheduling an appointment, please email him at [email protected].
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