Emmy-nominated actor Zach Tinker chatted about playing Sonny Kiriakis on “Days of Our Lives,” which recently has a new home on the streaming service Peacock.
“Being on Peacock is good,” he admitted. “Besides where you watch it, nothing has changed in terms of how we film the show. You don’t really feel the impact as an actor, only the platform where people watch it.”
“It is the way of the world right now, everything is moving to streaming. Network TV will always exist to some extent but it has been forced to evolve with everything. The show is just evolving with the times.”
Tinker is in the midst of an intense storyline, where his character was recently stabbed. “Playing Sonny feels very good,” he said. “I feel like he is mine now, which is a nice feeling to have. Any excuse to be in a coma for a few episodes is a good excuse for me.”
Sonny is the son of Justin Kiriakis, played by veteran actor Wally Kurth. “Wally is phenomenal, he is genuinely such a good human being, and he is so great. Wally is a consummate professional, for sure,” he said.
He praised Emmy winner Chandler Massey for playing his husband, Will, on the show. “I love Chandler so much,” he exclaimed.
In this storyline, he reunited with Emmy award-winning actor Greg Rikaart, who plays Leo Stark. (Ironically enough, Rikaart also played the uncle of his character Fenmore Baldwin when he was on “The Young and The Restless”). “It is always great working with Greg, he is a good friend of mine. Any chance to work with him is a welcomed opportunity,” he said.
Robert Scott Wilson also plays his brother, Alex Kiriakis on the show. “Rob is one of those charismatic dudes, who can just walk in a room and charm everyone. It’s always great working with him. I always have a blast with him. He is a good guy, he is a character, and it feels right having him as my big brother,” Tinker said.
‘Beyond Salem’ limited series
Tinker enjoyed being a part of the Peacock limited series “Beyond Salem” and “A Very Salem Christmas.” “I would love an excuse to do another one,” he said. “They are always such a blast. It is nice to get away from the status quo and do something a little bit different on a different storyline. I am hoping they do another one soon.”
When asked how he handles being dialogue-heavy on daytime TV, he said, “That’s one of the perks of being on a soap opera. I used to actually have a fair amount of trouble memorizing, where it wasn’t as easy for me to memorize things. I would have to spend a lot more time. As a result of being on ‘The Young and The Restless’ and ‘Days of our Lives,’ my brain has learned to retain that information much quicker. It has really been a huge gift in disguise. Quick memorization makes life a whole lot easier being an actor.”
‘Big Sky’
On being a part of “Big Sky,” he said, “It was great. Everyone in the cast is really amazing, it has so many talented people. While I can’t say too much, my character’s arc is not yet done. I think Season 3 is going to be the best season of ‘Big Sky’ yet and I am excited to see the fan reaction as the series continues.”
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Tinker said, “28 and Confused.”
His favorite mottos to live by include “be true to yourself,” “don’t be afraid to be yourself,” and “lead with your heart.”
New Jersey 2023 fan event
On April 15 and 16, 2023, Tinker will be a part of the “Beyond Salem” Star Struck fan event in Morristown, New Jersey. Tinker will be joined by many of his co-stars such as Billy Flynn, Robert Scott Wilson, Greg Rikaart, Thaao Penghlis, and Leann Hunley. “I am looking forward to that, even though that is quite a ways off,” Tinker said.
“I am very excited. Any chance to interact with the fan base and on top of that, travel, is a great excuse for me,” he added.
Spectrum fan events
Last year, Tinker was a part of the Spectrum Zoom virtual event, and more recently, their in-person fan event in Burbank, California, where the proceeds help the charitable organization True Colors United. They were produced by Spectrum Celebrity Events and hosted by Tony Moore of “Dishin’ Days.” “Those were great. Whenever I get to interact with the community, it’s a blast,” he said.
“When you are working on the show, you don’t really get to see the impact that you have, and it feels so silly, but when you get to see the fans and the joy that people derive from it and hear what the show means to people, then it puts it all in perspective,” he explained.
Dream Loud campaign
It was also a pleasant experience being a part of Brad Everett Young’s Dream Loud campaign, which works to help preserve art and music programs in schools. “Brad is great,” he exclaimed.
“Brad is someone that I know very well in this space, and he is always such a champion of the show and the people on the show. Everyone I know has shot photos with him. I feel he is very integral to the community, to be perfectly honest. Plus, Brad has more props than a TV set, he has Costco in his closet. He has a very unique and clear style.”
If he were to have any superpower, he revealed that it would be super strength, flight, and invulnerability.
When asked what topic his short film would be on (should he be able to write, direct and produce his own short movie), he noted that it would be on “self-discovery and acceptance.” “That’s where I am at in my life,” he admitted.
“The best writing is what is relevant and personal to you at the time. At 28 years old, I am starting to really come into my own, and I am figuring out who I am,” he added.
Success
Tinker equates the word success with “happiness” in life. “At the end of the day, it all boils down to happiness, that’s the core ingredient,” he said.
For his loyal fans, Tinker said, “I appreciate all of their support more than I can express. There is a lot of rejection and self-doubt in this industry, so having people tell you that you are doing a good job and that they really like you, is fuel to keep going. Their support really means a lot.”
To learn more about Emmy-nominated actor Zach Tinker, follow him on Instagram.
