Supercouples Sessions
Inside Abe & Paulina’s ‘Days of Our Lives’ Love Story With James Reynolds and Jackée Harry (VIDEO)
Days of Our Lives‘ Abe Carver (James Reynolds) and Paulina Price (Jackée Harry) will celebrate their third anniversary on the June 20 episode, and their alter egos are thrilled that their on-camera relationship is still going strong.
“They’re energetic, they’re dynamic, and they are different,” observes Reynolds of why this duo has struck a chord with the audience. “They aren’t a carbon copy of each other. They have different attitudes, different motivations and backgrounds. And I think that’s kind of the opposite attracts.”
For Harry, who hadn’t done a soap since she appeared as Lily Mason on Another World from 1983-1986, returning to daytime 35 years later was a challenge, so she appreciated being paired with Reynolds. “He’s smart, witty, clever, and warm and not fake,” she praises. “He really is what you see, which is great. And he took me right in. He taught me a few things. He doesn’t know it, but I watched him from day one, because people think soaps are easy—they’re not. And I watched his style and little tricks with the camera and his face and his movement. He brought me along, and he was welcoming.” Reynolds quips, “That’s why I keep her around.”
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The two quickly developed a strong bond, which helps bring their characters’ dynamic to life. “She’s very easy to work with,” Reynolds shares. “She’s a joy to work with and really just a highlight of my day when I’m looking at those scripts and I see ‘Paulina,’ I know I’m going to have a good day.”
The decision to have the characters marry on Juneteenth (June 19) carries particular significance for the actors. “I was very pleased,” says Reynolds. “I thought that showed a depth of understanding that the show had for African American history and American history. I never want to separate the two; I want to be very clear—they’re the exact same thing, especially in these times. I was so, so honored and pleased that we were able to represent what was a new national holiday, is still basically a new national holiday, and that the show bought into it, and every year we make multiple references to Juneteenth. Not just one.”
While the show has already packed a lot of drama into the Carvers’ romance, Harry has some ideas about other stories they can tackle. “I would love to see him try to cheat on me,” she muses. “I don’t want to him to really cheat, but to almost cheat and I catch him. But it can’t be anybody already on the show… Just a little chasing. Everybody can’t be happy… And maybe a little more mystery.”
But even if a third party was to try to come between them, the actors are confident this union is for the long haul. “I would say nothing can break them up,” declares Reynolds. “They have challenges, and they will have challenges because we both like our jobs, but no, there’s nothing. Because ultimately, they love each other, and they are devoted to each other, and they respect each other. And I think for those reasons, they’re there until the final door is closed, ’till the wheels fall off.”
In this installment of Supercouples Sessions, Harry and Reynolds look back on their characters’ courtship, talk about their favorite moments and storylines so far, share memories of the late Drake Hogestyn (John Black), and so much more.
Check out this fun video above, and be sure to stream Days of Our Lives on Peacock to see what’s ahead for this popular pair.
