conscious about being different because then you’re not creating. I was concerned about it in the beginning, but later I let it go. For those in the program, it’s one day at a time, but for me, it was one scene at a time. It was difficult because, like you said, Carly was so iconic — and Carly was the only professional role I’ve ever had. I was hired right out of Boston University so I haven’t created a lot of characters. Diane was new for me; and she was a little daunting, especially since World Turns/Y&R share a crossover audience.
Were you surprised you were let go just as the writing for the character was picking up steam?
No, and I’ll tell you why: I may not be a genius but I’m no Forrest Gump, either! It was very clear to me, even by week two, this was not a character anyone was particularly invested in. The second time Diane showed up and dropped her overcoat, I was like, “Oh, I see what’s going on here.” I wasn’t surprised. No, in fact, I was really let go, time-wise, I before all that fun, sparkly stuff with Michael Muhney’s Adam. I already knew I was on the way out shortly after working with Muhney.
Was it humbling being let go because, let’s face it, who fires Maura Freakin’ West? It was obviously a new situation for you…
You know what? Only a little. I don’t have a raging ego. It’s called show business for a reason. I don’t know why people make the decisions they make, but I was disappointed because I could have played anything they wanted me to play. I would’ve played the character any way they wanted, but I was disappointed to play a somewhat flat character. Now that changed, of course, after I was let go. But I did manage to have fun towards the end, especially with Adam. I thought there was a lot of potential between Diane and Adam. But that had a lot to do with Muhney more than anything. We played together. We added things like subtext and twinkles in our eyes. Michael’s very playful.
Ironically, it was obvious from the start that Muhney and you trusted each other as acting partners, even though Adam and Diane didn’t trust each other! I wish Y&R explored your damaged characters more before killing off Diane. I also loved that their relationship wasn’t romantic or sexual. In my opinion, they could have been a long-term pairing. Who else did you love working with on Y&R?
My favourite co-star was probably Muhney, mainly because that’s when the writing was good! If you write a storyline well, you enjoy anything, honestly. I enjoyed my scenes with Melody Thomas Scott. She was very gracious to me: present, kind, and good-hearted. I appreciated those brief moments. Of course, Mr. Peter Bergman. Everything they say about Peter is true: he truly is one of the greats. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to work with Jeanne Cooper. I would have really enjoyed that opportunity.
Do you still watch Y&R?
No, I don’t watch it.
Soap Opera Digest named you 2011’s worst recast. I’m naming you one of the biggest waste of talents. I prefer to think of you being miscast on Y&R. Are your feelings hurt? Or do you even read the soap press anymore?
I never read much press anyway. And not because I’m above it all — because I’m not. I appreciate what the soap world has offered me, but I’m so busy that I don’t have time to catch up. I read Dr. Seuss these days! Does it hurt my feelings? No. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. I like the way you worded it better, though. I think it was more of a case of an actress being wasted playing this part than being the worst recast. It’s also not that big of an insult to me because how many recasts are out there now? Especially when you consider there are hardly any shows on the air anymore!
True! You would’ve been perfect as Phyllis’s sister, Avery. Everyone on Twitter wants to know what your plans are for the future. Would you consider doing another soap? I’d love to see you opposite Maurice Benard on General Hospital. Are you auditioning? Or are you just Mountain Wife/Mother right now?
I am Mountain Wife right now. I have a lot of interests. I am an actress. I will never stop acting because I love acting. But this is a time in my life when I can really take a look in the mirror and ask myself, “OK, Maura, what now? Do you still get your rocks off doing this? Or is there another avenue you want to pursue?”
I don’t think soaps are dead. I believe they will be reborn. There will be serials airing during the day. They may not be the ones we’re watching right now and for all this time. We need to start over and erase the chalkboard. There will be daytime serials because this crap airing during the day is just awful. People want drama… even at 12:30 P.M.. GH is a great show. I have a picture of Anthony Geary handing me my Emmy Award in 2007! I love that show. I’m still in touch with Laura Wright; she’s a friend of mine. Listen, it’s hard to discuss hypothetical situations, but I can tell you this: I will be a lot more careful in what I chose to do next time! That I have learned…
Having watched your own show dismantled and cancelled, what did you think of ABC axing AMC and One Life? Also, what did you think of Prospect Park seemingly trying to save these shows on the web?
I don’t like seeing anyone, ever, ever, ever, out of a job. It’s terrible. There are a lot of people on these shows — people who aren’t lead actors — who aren’t able to stock away money. They’re grinding away — and they’ve lost their fucking job! That makes me very sad. That’s my answer to that. I really believe these shows, which have been on the air for so long, need to be scrapped so we can start over. I don’t mean to sound harsh but it might be OK if we do that. Prospect Park? I don’t know much about it. Online shows scare me because we’re union actors and I don’t know if we’re protected. Some of these online productions don’t pay their actors… they just get lunch! [Laughs] Our union doesn’t like that. There has to be some kind of protection for us. It seems like it’s the wild, wild west right now.
What did you think of World Turns being released on DVD?
It makes me happy! Of course, it’s easy for me to say because I was on the show for so long, but World Turns was really the best of the genre. What happened in that studio with those actors was the best. For fans who want to re-live it, now they can!
Hogan Sheffer wrote amazing stuff for you on World Turns. Was he another reason why you agreed to join Y&R since he’s a co-head writer over there?
Yeah. That was part of it, sure.
Did you run into your former boss, Christopher Goutman, at Y&R when he directed?
Yeah, I did. He directed me I think in one or two episodes.
Was it a little weird?
Yeah, it was a little weird. Chris is a great director. I appreciated having him there because he’s not going to make you look bad. He sees everything especially all the little details.
I agree with you! I just think he needs to stay away from the writing! [Laughs]!
[Laughs]
I remember your arrival in Oakdale. I was like, “Who the hell is this amazing actress — and how dare she steal the show in her first scene!” You were a force of nature, much like Lisa was in the early days of World Turns. I always remark you are not from this era. You’d make a great silent movie actress. Did you watch soaps before you were cast as Carly? Also, did you ever think you’d be a soap star?
Actually, I watched World Turns as a youngster in junior high school. I remember watching my husband and Martha Byrne! And no, I never thought I’d be on a soap. I was sort of a snobby stage actress at the time. I was trained in the theatre studying the works of Shakespeare, Molière, and Noel Coward. I studied at a really good conservatory, but I took the job right out of college…
Thank God!
And what I discovered rather quickly — despite my disdain for soaps; remember, I was rather young at the time —was that Shakespeare was the original soap opera writer! Rather quickly, I realized the soap medium was everything I was training for — and that I loved the soap art form. To be able to have a family, a home, make a good living, take a character on a real journey was a real gift – and still be able to act every single day! When it’s produced, written, and performed well there is nothing like a great soap. It’s wonderful and it?
??s just as good anything on TV. Well, with the exception of American Horror Story because that’s there’s nothing like that on TV!
I love it, too! Jessica Lange is the best thing on TV right now.
I agree. She’s going to win the Golden Globe Award. Remember her in Frances?
Omigod, yes! You kind of remind me of Jessica.
Thank you!
Speaking of your handsome and super talented hubby, Mr. Scott DeFreitas, did you have to pinch yourself when you married him? [Joking] I mean, you take stalking to a whole new level having watched him on TV!
[Laughs] When I first met him, I was married to my college sweetheart. I had my first son with my first husband so we were just pals. When I returned to the show after my brief hiatus, I was single and that’s when we really hit it off. It was as close as love at first sight, I think, as it can exist. And it’s still like that. I hate to be one of those people, but we’ve been married for 12 years next month, and we’re absolutely still crazy in love. There is no one in the world who can make me feel this way.
Does he have a gay brother?! Where do you keep your two Emmys?
On a shelf. My house is very small but there are in the dining