Eric Brady - Casting

Casting

Actor Jensen Ackles stepped into the role of Eric on a contractual basis on July 28, 1997. In the summer of 2000, during an interview Soap Opera Digest, Ackles confirmed that he would soon exit from the series after obtaining a development deal with ABC. Ackles made his last appearance on July 31, 2000. In December 2000, it was reported that NBC had approached Ackles to reprise the role in early 2001, but he respectfully declined. Reports also surfaced that the producers considered actor Shane McDermott, who was previously known for his role as Scott Chandler on ABC's All My Children to take over the role, but executive producer Ken Corday immediately shot down the rumors, revealing that there were no plans to recast the role. In February 2011, Greg Vaughan, who was previously known for his roles as General Hospital's Lucky Spencer and The Young and the Restless's Diego Guittierez had turned a testing deal with Days of our Lives.

Vaughan was then announced to star alongside Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) in the Hallmark Channel movie, Two In! which fueled rumors that the series was interested in Vaughan once again, this time in the role of Eric Brady. In late June 2012, TV Guide's Nelson Branco confirmed in his publication, Soap Opera Uncensored that several sources has revealed Vaughan had signed on as Eric Brady, despite no confirmation from NBC. In early July, CBS Soaps In Depth confirmed that Vaughan was joining the cast, but his role had yet to be confirmed. The July 16 issue of Soap Opera Digest, it was finally confirmed that Vaughan had signed on as a recast of Eric Brady.

On August 8, 2012, Soap Opera Digest confirmed that Vaughan had officially begun taping in his role as Eric Brady. He made his first appearance on November 13, 2012. Vaughan's first air date was later confirmed as November 13, 2012.

Eric always appears to be the more level headed of the twins and usually tried to talk sense into his sister, Sami. At the time of Eric's departure in 2000, he is very confused about his life. Greg Vaughan revealed in an interview with CBS Soaps In Depth that "Eric had been at a place in his life where his relationships had all gone awry." Eric needs a more clear cut path for his life and goes off to a third world country to work as a photojournalist. The unstable environment triggers something in Eric and he enters the priesthood.