Ryan Gosling, Soap Opera Fan?
Ryan Gosling at the "Project Hail Mary" New York Premiere held at Josie Robertson Plaza on March 18, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)
Ryan Gosling recently shared that iconic soap actress Deidre Hall was his “OG acting inspo.”
The admission came while the Canadian actor was promoting his latest movie, Project Hail Mary on the podcast Happy, Sad, Confused. Gosling told host Josh Horowitz that when he was growing up, he would pretend to be sick so he could stay home from school and watch TV. (The faking-sick trick is the hallmark of the childhood soap fan, not that we’re speaking from experience or anything.)
One of his favourite shows to watch back then? Days of Our Lives.
The actor went on to praise the often-unsung work ethic of soap actors, who not only have to perform pages of dialogue daily, but who also have to commit to giving the audience what they want: Emmy-worthy performances in comically absurd storylines that hit the sweet spot between camp and canon.
“Soap actors don’t get the love they deserve,” he told Horowitz.
Gosling singled out Days’ actress Deirdre Hall for her performances over the years, particularly the commitment the actress, who has been playing the long-suffering Dr. Marlena Evans since 1976, has shown to portraying her character’s demonic possession.
“It was an incredible acting class,” Gosling said. “I remember thinking like, god, Deirdre Hall is a great actress because she’s having to act possessed right now and that seems like a lot to ask of her.”
A facility for playing a credible Satanic vessel and a tolerance for wearing creepy green contact lenses is a necessary part of the soap actor’s toolkit—even decades later.
Gosling told Horowitz he was delighted to find that Hall was once again in demon mode.
“Just recently it was on TV, and she was possessed again,” Gosling shared.
Yes, yes, she is. It’s the third time the star has been host to a demon and Days fans couldn’t be happier.
The invite
After Gosling’s affection for Hall went online, the actress responded with a video invitation for the star to visit the Days of Our Lives set.
“No one will be possessed,” she said, adding “and if they are, I’ll keep an eye on you.”
Gosling responded with his own video acceptance, offering an “enthusiastic yes.” And telling her he is excited to thank her “in person for being his OG acting inspiration.”
It's not yet clear if Gosling will simply visit the set of the show, now in its 61st season, or if he’ll appear onscreen. Regardless, we're excited—and so is Gosling's partner, Eva Mendes.
“Cannot wait for the RG collab I never knew I needed,” she wrote on Instagram, alongside a post of Hall in her demonic possession era. Same, Eva, same.
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Flannery Dean is a writer based in Hamilton, Ont. She’s written for The Narwhal, the Globe and Mail and The Guardian.
