User:Nk3play2/Roman Brady

Roman Brady is a fictional character from the long running NBC soap opera, Days of our Lives. The role was originated in 1981 by Wayne Northrop and is currently being portrayed by series veteran, Josh Taylor who stepped into the role in 1997.

Creation and casting
Then head writer Pat Falken Smith -- who initially served as head writer of Days of Our Lives from 1975 to 1977 -- was rehired by NBC in September 1981 to help increase viewership. In an effort to lure in younger fans, Smith hired signed actor Wayne Northrop -- famous for his role of Michael Culhane on prime time drama Dynasty -- as Roman, the "blue-collar cop" from Tennessee. "I've discovered young girls like 35-year-old men with a deprecating manner" Smith said of the decision to use the much older Northrop to cater to younger viewers in 1982. It was actually Smith's then 15 year old daughter Kathy that was a fan of Northrop's character on Dynasty and suggested him for the role of Roman. Northrop signed on to play Roman in November 1981 and made his onscreen debut on December 8.

Characterization
Marla Hart of The Chicago Tribune described Northrop's Roman as "hard-boiled-but-capable-of-love" cop "armed with a shoulder holster and a sense a sense of humor." Hart further described Roman as a man "torn between moral restraint and wanting to seek to revenge against evil geniuses who conspired to bring him and his loved ones down."

Departure (1984)
"It was a choice I made because I had itchy feet" Northrop said of his departure from the series in 1984.

Northrop's Roman departed from the series on November 26, 1984.

The Pawn/Hogestyn recast (1985–86)
On November 27, 1985, the series introduced a character known as The Pawn The role was portrayed by Robert Poynton until January 20, 1986, though the character's face is wrapped in bandages. On January 23, 1986, Pawn's bandages are finally removed as Drake Hogestyn made his first appearance as John Black. In May 1986, Hogestyn's character of John is revealed to be Roman with extensive plastic surgery. However, in August 1991, John Black and Roman are proven to be two entirely different characters when Northrop returned as Roman on August 30, 1991. On July 18, 1997, Josh Taylor appeared in the role as a recast of Roman Brady. The casting was met criticism due to Taylor's previous portrayal of Chris Kositchek, one of Roman and Marlena's closest friends. Another retcon in 2005 allowed Northrop returned to the series as Marlena's first husband, Dr. Alex North. The producers used Northrop's history and scenes from his time as Roman to create the character. The storyline was also met with disapproval from longtime fans. In 2011, the casting ranked at #19 on We Love Soaps's list of the 25 Biggest Blunders In Daytime Soap Opera History.

Northrop's return and retcon (1991)
Northrop was rehired by the series in 1991 to reprise the role of Roman in an attempt to recapture that 'unique blue-collar appeal" of the working class hero and the attempt to appease longtime viewers who were exasperated by a slew of new faces.

Departure (1994)
However, the climate of daytime and the audience had changed with the younger characters mainly driving story. "Roman returned to Salem as a declawed indoor cat." Northrop made the decision to vacate the role again and filmed his final scenes in mid July 1994. Northrop made his last appearance as Roman Brady on August 2.

Josh Taylor recast (1997)
On July 18, 1997, Josh Taylor appeared in the role as a recast of Roman Brady.

Reception
While his appearance on Dynasty was filled with much less fan fare, the character of Roman was an instant hit with fans. Northrop was also voted best actor in February 1983 in soap magazines Daytime TV, Soap Opera Stars and Afternoon TV.