Soap Opera Digest: Let’s talk about
the DOOL App series. When were you
approached and what was your reaction?
Austin Peck: I had a great conversation
with Greg [Meng, co-executive producer].
This is something they’ve been working
on for some time. They finally pulled the
trigger and they gave me a call. I think
within the week, I was flying out to L.A.
We shot eight episodes. They told me
they wanted to insert me with Abigail
and Chad. When I got the script, it wasn’t
written normally like Austin. It had a lot of
humor to it. I was very excited.
Digest: You hadn’t worked with Kate Mansi
(Abigail) or Billy Flynn (Chad) before. What
was it like to have new co-stars?
Peck: I loved it. I think any actor likes
things to be mixed up a bit. The way it’s
always been for me, 90 percent of the
time, I’ve always been kind of attached at
the hip to other characters, and to kind of
be free of that was freeing. I definitely felt
like I ran with it. They gave me an oppor-
tunity to play in a way I never really got to
play at DAYS. Kate was, right off the bat,
totally game, and so was Billy. Billy was
kind of trying to figure me out the first day
or two. I mean, the things he did and how
we played off each other, I thought, was
great. I hope it translates as good as it felt.
It was special. They both are fabulous. We
had a good time.
Digest: What was your reaction when you
heard Carrie and Austin had split once
again?
Peck: Well, I was like, “Finally!” I don’t
think the character of Austin has ever fully
been explored. I think in the beginning,
they established him in a very good way
and then all of a sudden, for awhile, he
kind of was put into a very small room
and not allowed to do very much. Working
with Billy and Kate, I felt like I got to
explore a little bit more of Austin and what
was more possible as far as just his take on
things and maybe sense of humor and even
his selfishness. That was really fun.Digest: What was it like to be back on set
and see all of the people?
Peck: I did that back in 2016. It’s the same.
With our first scene with Kate, they moved
incredibly fast. I remember that back in- So the first scene we had they said,
“Oh, you want to tape the rehearsal?” I
was like, “Let me please at least get my
foot wet.” And they obliged me. It was like
old territory. It’s like riding a bike.
Digest: How was commuting from the East
Coast to film?
Peck: That ended up becoming perfect
because it was two birds with one stone. I
was already planning to come out to L.A.
because my son was graduating from the
eighth grade. I was only going be there for
two days and then I was going to pick up
my older son and then we were going to
come back east. So instead of me bringing
my older son Aidan back east, I just stayed
in L.A., which I think worked a lot better
because that way he didn’t have to deal
with the time change. I got to spend more
time with my younger son, Roman, who
was staying there because he was doing a
camp. I got to see them in L.A. and they
came to set, which they loved. It really
worked out nice.
Digest: You’re filming something now. How
has it been?
Peck: Great. I’m doing a recurring role on
CHICAGO FIRE. He’s a very interest-
ing character. His name is Chad. He’s a
character that brings some levity to a very
intensely driven show. The crew and the
cast couldn’t be better. It’s been a really
wonderful experience. I’m getting to play
a lot and spend some time in Chicago.
Digest: Are you pursuing other roles? Would
you return to DAYS?
Peck: I’m open to anything. I drive into
New York all the time to do auditions. The
answer is yes to all of the above.
Digest: Tell me what [wife] Terri’s [Conn, ex-
Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS et al] been up to.
Peck: She’s a host on QVC. Quality,
Value, Convenience. I know more about
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