{alltv} Is Days of Our Lives' Mike Horton a V Alien?

Actor Roark Critchlow, who was half of Days of Our Lives super couple Mike and Carrie in the 90's, pops us as an FBI big shot in the second and third episodes of ABC's new sci-fi hit, V, airing November 10 and 17. As the saga unfolds, Elizabeth Mitchell's Erica Evans begins to suspect that her boss, Paul Kendrick (Roark's character), may be a reptilian alien. Is he? Roark's not saying, but he does sound off on working with Elizabeth, his experience on Battlestar Galactica, his friendship with Supernatural's Jensen Ackles, the firing of his former Days' co-stars Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn and if he'd ever return to Salem.

Hey Roark. What a great surprise to see you on V.
I am a child of the 80's so I was a fan of the first V go-around.

How did the role come about?
I auditioned for the pilot as Marcus, the second in command V leader.

Anna's bitch, basically?
(Laughs). Yes. I guess I'm glad I didn't get that part now. But I guess I was on their radar after my little arc on Battlestar Galactica in their final season, so this came up. It's a nice transition to playing the guy behind the desk. I consider myself to be an 'aging pretty boy,' so I think I have moved past that to an authoritative figure. The guy who's the boss, but still young and active enough to go out into the field.

What do you know about this character?
Kendrick is assistant director of the FBI. He's relatively tough and likes to play by the rules. After Elizabeth's character discovers that her partner is a V, she wonders 'who else'? And there's reasons for me to be distrustful of her. I could definitely turn out to be a V, but that's not resolved in the two episodes I've shot so far.

Do you know?
I do not. While Erica is questioning my genus, there may be another question brought up.

You're not in the fourth episode that airs before the series goes on hiatus and returns in March. Should we be worried about that?
No, not at all. The office with my character's name on it is a fixed set. It's a recurring role. I'm definitely there. I don't expect to be written into a lead role, but it's something that could develop.

You still do have those leading man looks. And since Elizabeth's Erica is being coupled with a priest, is there any talk of Erica and Kendrick becoming involved romantically?
Only between me and my friends. And Elizabeth and I have maybe joked about it.

You appeared on another remake of a classic sci-fi series when you guest-starred on Battlestar Galactica last year just before it concluded.
I was on two episodes as in a strangely pivotal, surreal way. As I came to understand it, through some anomaly in the space/time continuum, I played Starbuck's father and was brought forward and backwards in time to be with her at a point when she was hugely conflicted. I played the last known piano known in the universe, in the Galactica bar, where she opened up about her dad.

It seems like you've transitioned from the soap world to the sci-fi universe. Any similarities?
There's definitely a dedicated audience for each.

You were on Days of Our Lives from 1994-99. It's been ten years. Did they try to get you back when they brought Christie Clark back as Carrie in 2006?
Nope. That never came up. I did Passions and The Bold and the Beautiful for a bit, but Days has never come a-callin'. I still stay in touch with Christie and Drake Hogestyn.

You were on Days with Jensen Ackles, who like you has jumped to sci-fi TV. He's shooting Supernatural up in Vancouver where V shoots.
Jensen is one of the better people I've known. And I watch him on Supernatural. He's so funny. We used to hook up for a beer every now and then. But I will hunt him down when production on V starts up again in January.

When's the last time you tuned in to Days?
A while ago. It was a good thing, but I have three kids and I don't even watch much primetime TV. And I know Days too well – it's not going to surprise me.

But were you shocked that Days dumped Deidre Hall (Marlena) and Drake Hogestyn (John)?
I try to look at things from a production standpoint, and if they have created a core of younger cast members with a loyal following who does not care about John and Marlena that it sort of makes sense. Do they want to continue serving the older audience? People are passing away so you've got to let the show grow.

There's a lot of speculation that the show only has a couple years left. If they asked you to come back with Christie Clark to send Mike and Carrie off into the sunset before the final grain of sand drops from the hourglass, would you?
If I'm not working on V or something else, I'd do a week. Heck ya. That would be fine.

Anything else you want to tell your fans?
Just thanks for following me and please watch V!