Days of our Lives viewers now know that Ava Vitali isn't dead like many in Salem believe her to be, as Tamara Braun stepped back into the role at the end of last week. But the character's "non-death" might not be the only surprise that the mob princess has in store.
In an interview about her return to DAYS, Braun shares that part of the reason that she welcomed a return to the role of Ava is the possibility of bringing more of the character's colors to the screen -- i.e., exploring other sides to Ava than just the "all bad" side.
"I've always really loved the energy there," the actress tells Soap Opera Digest of returning to the show that she called home in 2008 and again from 2015 to 2016. "I find that there's just a lot of positivity and joy with the people that I worked with, so that's always a plus and a motivating factor. And I love Ava Vitali! I loved her the most the first time around, because she was really fleshed out and interesting and wild, and we found many levels to her. If I'm honest, the last time, I think she was just bad -- all bad -- and it made it difficult to redeem [her]."
Fortunately, Braun says that the powers that be at DAYS may be open to giving Ava a few more of those levels that she had back in the mid-2000s. You know, before she lost everything that ever mattered to her and became hellbent on torturing Steve (Stephen Nichols) and Kayla (Mary Beth Evans).
"I loved Ava incarnation number one, for sure," Braun says. "And the opportunity to play with her with them knowing my feelings and me stressing what I loved [about] her the first time around and hoping that they could implement some of that was a factor, as well, in my wanting to come back."
Time will tell just what Ava has up her sleeves this time around -- and just how bad it's gonna be for Steve and Kayla -- but the actress does confirm that she's been working with Nichols and Evans quite a lot.
"Seeing Stephen and Mary Beth again was just so great," she enthuses. "Getting to work with the two of them is always a draw because I love them as people. They are incredible human beings, and to get to work with good people who bring good energy and everybody works together -- there's nothing better."
For Braun's full return interview, check out Soap Opera Digest.
How do you feel about having Tamara Braun back on the canvas as DAYS' Ava? What do you hope the writers have in store for the character this time around? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
