French poet, journalist, and novelist Anatole France once said: “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” A person who epitomizes this wise quotation is actress and dancer Isabel Durant.
Durant portrays the new Claire Brady in Days of Our Lives. “It feels really great. This year has been a bit of a roller coaster but I have come to a place where I can play with her and get into the character a bit more, which is a really nice place to be,” she said.
“Days of Our Lives is such an iconic show. I am very honored to be a part of it,” she added.
She had nothing but kind words about her onscreen acting partner Mike Manning, who plays her love interest Charlie Dale. “Working with Mike Manning is just divine. He is such a generous actor and so kind. He is so intelligent with his work and we have so much fun. It has been such a wonderful ride with him,” he said.
Durant also praised actor Brandon Beemer, who plays Shawn Brady, her onscreen father in the daytime drama. “Brandon is so great. He is so fun to work with and he is such a pro. He makes you feel calm and safe, and it’s such a fun environment when you work with him. It’s really great,” she said.
When asked how she handles being dialogue-heavy on the show, she said, “It’s a bit of a muscle. It really is. When I first started, it was one of the things that I found the most daunting but the more I do it, the more the brain gets used to the style of dialogue. It’s a big mental game for me. It has been a great challenge.”
On her daily motivations as an actress and a dancer, she said, “I love stories and being creative. I love the process of creativity and I love everything about it. There are so many different facets to my creativity and so many different outlets that I haven’t yet explored. What motivates me is that exploration.”
“Acting is such a beautiful creative outlet, as is dancing, and dancing is something that I’ve done since I was two years old,” she added.
She described the film Life Itself, directed by Dan Fogelman, as a career-defining moment for her. “That was my first job here in America. I read the script and I felt so connected to it. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of. Dan Fogelman is a powerhouse director and storyteller. I was so passionate about this project,” she said.
Durant opened up about life during the quarantine. “While this can be a very trying time, it can be a really cathartic and inspirational time as well if you can remain open to it,” she said.
For young actors and dancers, she said, “Try to get to a place where you really believe in yourself and in your unique capabilities as a human being to tell stories.”
On the title of the current chapter of her life, Durant said, “The Awakening.” “I am allowing myself the time to reflect and there are a lot of dots that are being connected. I am understanding more about myself and my place in the world, and how I view life, and what I believe in. I am really loving this chapter,” she said.
If she weren’t in the entertainment world, she shared that she would have been a psychologist. “I love humans, and the human mind, and unpacking feelings. That is something I would really enjoy,” she said.
She defined the word success as “living in alignment with my true authentic self.”
Durant concluded by expressing her gratitude to the dedicated Days of Our Lives fans. “The fans have been so kind, welcoming, and supportive. I am thankful for their acceptance and support,” she said.
To learn more about multifaceted entertainer Isabel Durant, check out her website, and follow her on Instagram and on Twitter.
