From the February 2, 2009 issue of CBS Soaps In Depth (pp. 10-11): Is A Young Hunk Preparing To Leave?Here is the scoop on whether Michael Graziadei (Daniel) is really planning to exit Genoa City and Y&R this spring.While word is going around that Y&R may need to look for yet another Daniel, it's not a given that his current portrayer is definitely going to leave when his contract expires. In fact, Graziadei's rep tells
Soaps In Depth, "At this moment, there is no truth to him not re-signing."
It's understandable that Graziadei may want to test the waters outside of Genoa City. In fact, the actor already is working on a semiregular basis in other genres. He recurs as drug dealer Eric on the CW's 90210 and gave a standout performance as a tormented killer last season on CRIMINAL MINDS. Graziadei also has an upcoming appearance on the ABC midseason replacement series CASTLE, which stars another actor who got his start on soaps, Nathan Fillion (ex-Joy, OLTL).
Graz--as the actor is known around the Y&R set--may be looking to stay available for other roles on a full-time basis and, in order to do that, he'd need to quit Y&R. Still, on any actor's mind right now is the possibility of a strike by the Screen Actors Guild. (Soap actors will continue to work, and be paid, if there's a SAG strike since their contract is with AFTRA, the American Federation Of Television And Radio Artists.) In this economy, he might be better off staying put on the show. "If SAG doesn't strike, he should go," theorizes one former agent familiar with both daytime and primetime. "[Graziadei] is not classic 'soap,' and he is young enough and talented enough to give it a shot in nighttime."
Y&R doesn't comment on actors' contracts or casting rumors.
The above article was typed up and posted at The Colonnade Room, with credit given to its source.
