http://www.nbc.com/Passions/features/inter...stevenson.shtml

James Stevenson (Jared Casey)
“Passions” newcomer James Stevenson (Jared Casey) has experience with sex, love and secrets, which is a good foundation to have as Theresa’s new love interest. Can another man really get Theresa to forget about Ethan? If anyone can do it, it would be the charming and sexy Jared Casey, played by the equally charming and sexy James. Keep reading to get the scoop on James’ original passion, his take on Jared and his prior soap connection.

You’ve been taping scenes for a few weeks now. How would you rate your experience so far?
Overall it’s been like an 8. It’s a lot different from primetime. It’s a lot of work and it’s real quick. It’s like doing a movie in fast, fast forward. I’m having fun though. Everybody is just really nice, so I’m happy about that.

What was the audition process like?
It was pretty quick and painless. The casting director brought me over to the executive producer’s office during my reading, which is unusual. So I knew I must have done somewhat of a good job. I tested on-screen and then within a couple weeks I had the role. When I auditioned for my last show, I had to test 4 times. That was a long process.

Your last show was a UPN comedy, right?
Nope, it was a drama.

Oh, sorry.
No, that’s all right. That was the thing – nobody saw it! (Laughs) The pilot was first called “Wild Life,” then “Sex, Lies and Secrets” but that sounded too much like “Sex, Lies and Videotape,” so they changed it to “Sex, Love and Secrets.” “Wild Life” was ten times better, but for marketing purposes, they thought the new name would work better. Obviously, it didn’t work. The pilot was great though, and I worked with some great actors.

So “Passions” threw a lot of material at you from the very beginning. How do you memorize all those lines? Is it difficult?
It’s not too bad when it’s conversational. Yesterday, I taped scenes where I was going off and it was very quick. Even when you’re upset in real life, you start to lose your train of thought, so that was tough. Lindsay (Hartley; Theresa) just had these little interjections of “But – “ and “I need – “, so I basically had to do a monologue where my train of thought kept changing. That was extremely difficult. But you just have to break it down.

What’s your take on Jared?
Jared’s a cool character. He’s a lot of fun. I don’t know as much as I wish I did about him. He’s pretty suave. He’s the type of guy that you stand back and say, “Wow, I wish I was more like him.”

Jared is fond of teasing Theresa. Are you like that in real life?
Nah. I’m pretty laid-back.

Are you like Jared in other ways?
When I first met my girlfriend, I spit out a couple sentence fragments and then walked away because I couldn’t talk. So I’m not nearly as suave as that guy! Hopefully, playing Jared will help me learn. As far as having something in common, Jared’s well-traveled and I am as well. We’re both well-rounded. But I don’t have nearly as much day-to-day confidence as Jared Casey.

What’s been your favorite scene so far?
What we taped yesterday was a lot of fun (FYI the scenes air Friday, August 11). It was real drama, real-life kind of stuff.

Are you planning on watching your first air show?
Absolutely. Of course, I will pick myself apart. I know my little ticks and it helps to watch myself to become aware of them. The only reason I watch is to learn and hopefully grow. I’ll never be satisfied.

Had you heard of “Passions” before landing the role?
Oh, yeah. My girlfriend (Nadia Bjorlin, ex-Chloe, DAYS) was on “Days of Our Lives” so I knew all the people from “Days,” and she also knew a lot of people from “Passions.”

I read that you grew up on a small horse farm in Tolland, Connecticut. What was that like?
It’s chill. There wasn’t much there. I rode dirt bikes, rode horses, and played sports. That’s basically it, man. It was fun. I’m going back there for vacation. Nadia and I will go back there, visit my family. We’re having a party and then we’re gonna sit and do nothing.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I went to school originally for jazz music, singing. I enjoyed it a lot, but I’m a better actor than singer. I discovered that while I was in school. I did a play and fell in love with it. But I still write songs and play guitar and sing. My style of music is acoustic rock. Sort of like the lighter side of Dave Matthews. Other than my music, my spare time consists of the gym and work. And having a girlfriend

oh my damn. i heart this guy.

he's realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly cool.

i love acoustic music. would love to hear his stuff.

yay i'm glad he's having fun!!!

oh that stuff he's talking about filming yesterday (or whenever yest. was) must be that out of town bonnie and cylde stuff t and jared are doing...

cool. thanks john.

he's cute.

is it ok to be crushin' off of words?

I'm loving him......

He so damn charming. I really don't want to watch Passions again but he changing my mind.

*stillpissedhewasntrecastfox*

oh yes he's a cutie that totally has me watching tommorrow.