HOLLYWOOD—On February 3, Daytime star Matthew Ashford will make his long-awaited debut on Gregori Martin’s “The Bay.” Just this week the series was nominated along with “Empire,” “Venice,” “Desire” and “Deceit” for an Indie Intertube Award. Hot on the heels of that great news, Ashford appears next month in the role of Steven Jensen, the man who may have raped matriarch Sara Garrett, played by Mary Beth Evans. Though Steven has been to jail and is recently released for the crime, his portrayer, actor Matthew Ashford, says, not so quick. “Tommy, I’m not trying to say Steven is innocent, what I am saying is that it’s very unclear at this point in the writing. We know of hundreds of people if not thousands who have been released from prison because of the help from The Innocence Project. So maybe Steven is guilty, but there is a possibility that he’s innocent. You’ll have to watch and see where it goes. It’s wide open right now and this show has such great potential,” said Ashford.

Acclaimed Actor Matthew Ashford As Steven

Ashford is perhaps best known for his role in NBC’s “Days of Our Lives” as Jack Deveraux, but he’s also starred in “Dharma and Greg,” “Charmed,” “Quantum Leap,” “Burke’s Law,” and soaps “One Life to Live,” “General Hospital” and “Search for Tomorrow.” Matthew is a respected actor, who is also known in the industry as one of the true creative geniuses of this era. His work both on and off-screen is compared to that of Orson Welles, who was equally respected for being so diverse in his knowledge of acting, directing and producing, that he was misunderstood by many in his era, but today is considered a maverick, a genius and a giant in entertainment. Like Welles, Ashford has written, produced and acted in some groundbreaking projects. “Thank you for the compliment and the comparison Tommy. I love it that I am also on the producing end of ‘The Bay,’ and not just playing Steven. This is a new genre, which I believe is the future. It’s not if, but when shows will be produced to air online. Gregori [Martin] is sharp, he does it all. From casting, producing, writing, and don’t forget, the show is his creation. I’m happy that he’s open to actors like Lane [Davies] Charlie [Shaughnessy], Mary Beth [Evans] and others, who have a background in the continuing drama genre to add our ideas and opinions. It’s rare to have this option, but it often works best to have a diverse group of opinions instead of just one.”

Lane Davies, Mary Beth Evans and Ashford

“I am excited to delve into the story around Steven being accused of raping Sara, and meeting the product of the alleged rape, his adult son Brian, played by Dylan Bruce. I am careful to actually say whether Steven did what he’s been accused of or not, because there are always two sides to every story. And this show is ripe with possibility,” said Ashford. “I also enjoy playing a role like I have never played before. He [Steven] is certainly a rich character, that has great potential. After all, if he is a rapist, then he’s convinced himself otherwise, and if he was falsely accused, what does that mean for not only him but all of the characters involved?”

Ashford and Evans have such great chemistry on screen. Evans spoke very glowingly in her previous interview with us about the potential storylines that are possible with Ashford’s entrance in the series. “Matt is really a great actor, and he loves bringing so much to every role he plays. It’s going to be exciting. The show is getting better by each webisode,” said Mary Beth Evans.

Better by each webisode is an understatement. With acclaimed actor Matthew Ashford joining “The Bay” in such an intriguing role, the series is bound to engage the viewers even more. Gregori Martin’s choice to cast Ashford, and to offer him producing credit is one of those benchmark moments when a series catapults itself into a level that can become a superior moment in a show. Imagine “Dynasty” in 1980, it was a great series, then in came Joan Collins as Alexis Carrington. That’s what is in play with Ashford as Steven’s arrival to “The Bay.”

Matthew Ashford has just completed “The Unlikely’s,” “Catch of a Lifetime” and “Fuzz Track City.” Part two of this interview will run next week in this paper. “The Bay” can be seen at thebaytheseries.com/.

Photographs are Courtesy: Lany Films