Freddie Smith Talks "Days of Our Lives" Going Gay... and Why There Will Be No "Sill"

Daytime dramas may be facing tough times, but the 45-year old NBC soap Days of Our Lives is taking steps to remain relevant and attract new viewers. They're generating some major buzz by turning to an underrepresented group – the gays.

This summer saw college-aged Sonny Kiriakis (played by Freddie Smith) pop up in the fictional town of Salem. The character is out and unapologetic about his orientation, and he's been busy befriending (and battling homophobia with) some of the younger set on the show.

While Sonny did have to tell some family members and residents that he was gay, the show let Sonny be a self-assured, confident young man who wasn’t about let anyone’s issue with his sexuality push him back in the closet.

The story coming up for goody-two-shoes Will Horton (Chandler Massey), however, is going to be fueled with much more angst and drama. Will apparently still needs to figure out that there’s a reason why his girlfriend doesn’t really get his motor running.

Could Will (pictured left) come to his senses and make a play for Sonny? Or will his gaze land on one of Salem’s other hunky residents (Eric Martsolf and Shawn Christian in a gay love triangle? SIGN. US. UP.)

While the show has so far been keeping a lid on the particulars of Will’s story (including not letting Massey talk to the press for now), AfterElton.com, video camera in hand, was able to grab some time with Smith on the Days set in Burbank last week.

The actor told us what he could about Will and Sonny's upcoming storylines. He also shared what it means to him as an actor to land memorable gay roles back to back. (Smith appeared last season in five episodes of 90210 as a love interest for Trevor Donovan’s Teddy.)

But most importantly, the actor shares his thoughts on whether the town of Salem might ever get a gay bar – a place where the boys can go for an appletini after their latest blackmail scheme!

Check it out in the two part video interview below.

Days Of Our Lives airs on NBC daytime every Monday-Friday. Check local listings for times in your area.