As The World Turns

As The World Turns Interviews

John Lindstrom (Craig)

JON LINDSTROM didn't just have the daunting task of taking over the role of Craig; he also had the challenge of returning to the rigorous daytime schedule, having not acted in Daytime dramas since 2003. CBS.com caught up with Jon to discuss Craig, relocating to New York and the joys of the Nintendo Wii.

CBS.com: Were you looking to return to this genre?
JON LINDSTROM: You know interestingly enough I have not been. And I have been asked by my agent if I was interested in doing another soap and that was probably six months before this opportunity came up. Then over the summer, I was still living in Los Angeles, I got a call from a friend to do a play that he had written and I did the play for a few months and I had a great time doing it but it also reawoke my excitement to what soaps have always given me which is that sense of immediacy. I finished the run in the play and I picked up the phone and said to may agent, 'I've been thinking about what you asked and I think I'm open to that.' About a week later Chris Goutman [Executive Producer of ATWT] called and offered me the job.

CBS.com: Wow. That was fast.
JON LINDSTROM: There was something very kismet about the whole thing. I wasn't looking for it but I had also been thinking very seriously about moving to New York and this just really happened at the right time. I don't know if I would have been receptive to it if it had been two weeks before.

CBS.com: Do you miss the West Coast?
JON LINDSTROM: Not really. Even during the cold weather, no. I was raised in the Pacific Northwest. I was raised with cold winters and being in L.A. I've missed them and I love Los Angeles, but it's completely different. I've spent a long time there and I was more than ready for the change.

CBS.com: Were you familiar with New York?
JON LINDSTROM: I was familiar with it. I've been here several times before and I've spent extended times here before. I've always loved New York City. So I was familiar with it but I was also starting from scratch. All the people I knew here had moved, so my girlfriend came with me and we've really started with a blank page.

CBS.com: Did you have reservations about taking on such an established character?
JON LINDSTROM: I knew it had been a long standing very integral, tent-pole character that a couple of actors had played very successfully. I did feel a little bit of the pressure that some of those actors that step into the next James Bond role feel. I felt I needed to deliver what the character needs to deliver and somehow do it your own way. I know I've gotten fairly good at this acting thing, so I knew I could act it, but I was really just concerned with whether the viewers and fans of the show would accept me.

CBS.com: Have you had any fan feedback?
JON LINDSTROM: Yes. I've had great feedback. I'm sure there are a few people out there that only see that one actor they like most of all but for the most part the feedback been great. It's been a big boost to my enthusiasm.

CBS.com: How did you prepare for the role?
JON LINDSTROM: I read a huge book from the show which is basically all of Craig's history so yes I did read all of that. It was good for me because I needed to have an understanding of where this guy came from and kind of what drove his motor as it were. And I came out of it with that he really cares very passionately about people; he just goes a little too far because he does assume his way is the right way. He doesn't leave a lot of room for discourse.

CBS.com: Tell me about your first day on the set?
JON LINDSTROM: The cast here has been so welcoming. Julie Pinson [Janet] is an old friend of mine and she was working on my first day so I had that big hug to look forward to. Chris Goutman I knew and he was directing that day which I don't think was an accident; he's an excellent director by the way. The first day was really working with Roger Howarth (Paul) and Marie Wilson (Meg) and it's all kind of a blur but everyone welcomed me with open arms, of course what are they gonna do?

CBS.com: There's always hazing?
JON LINDSTROM: There could but I am a little older and I stand a little taller than most, well except for Austin Peck [Brad]. That guy is huge.

CBS.com: Has Austin played any pranks on you?
JON LINDSTROM: Not yet but his dressing room is right [near mine]. I'm expecting them any day.

CBS.com: Now it seems that Craig is really involved with everyone. Is there anyone you have yet to work with?
JON LINDSTROM: I want to work with everyone. I think Craig is the kind of guy who can mix with everyone. There are some of the kids that I would love to work with. I really want to work with Don Hastings. Scott Holmes I've worked with but I'd love to work with more. Other than that, I seem to cover the canvas very well. You know I would want to work with someone as long as it's logical and makes the story move forward.

CBS.com: What's on Craig's agenda?
JON LINDSTROM: His whole agenda is Johnny, getting his son back. Whether people want to believe that he has turned a new leaf, that he's making amends, he wants to rebuild those bridges that he burned with his family and people that he's been at odds with in the past, like Dusty and Jack. It's really going to be up to the viewer if they can accept that, and I like that aspect of Craig to be a little mysterious. I think there is a side of him that he needs to make amends for some of the mistakes he's made. Underneath that I think there is a drive to do and say what he needs to get one step closer to his son. Because Craig believes he knows what's right for everyone and what's right for him is to be with Johnny. See it all comes back to that; Craig is really a caring person.

CBS.com: Oh and I'm sure that's what the residents of Oakdale think.
JON LINDSTROM: Absolutely. [Laughs]. They believe every word out of his mouth.

CBS.com: You've written several screenplays; do you have time in between ATWT to continue to write?
JON LINDSTROM: I have two that are kind of being developed right now. It's really difficult to set aside the time right now. I'm thinking I may have to buy an extra laptop and stash it at the studio but so far I haven't had the time, the work load has been crazy. Craig is busy. I'm also in a new city so I'm really exploring.

CBS.com: What have you done so far in the city?
JON LINDSTROM: I've seen some theater, seen some movies. Trying out every single one of the restaurants in New York City.

CBS.com: How's that going?
JON LINDSTROM: I've been to about 28 of them; I have a little bit more to do. When I'm working four or five days a week I'm really at home learning lines, we really don't have as much time as we like to get out and enjoy the city.

CBS.com: Was it easy getting back into the swing of things, learning dialogue and such?
JON LINDSTROM: No. No it wasn't that easy. I hadn't done it since 2003, a lot of my friends, be they actors, writers, producers, have for the last several years told me that production budgets have gotten tighter and these conditions exists everywhere in the industry, not just daytime television. I have friends who create primetime series and they say the same thing, we have to make the show look good but at half the cost. I'm not sure if I appreciate what that meant because I've been freelance and so you do an independent movie and there's not much money, you do an episodic show on a network and you figure there's money but they aren't going to spend it on me. But I hadn't realized how severe some of the budget cutbacks have been, one of those is simply using less actors in each episode in order to save some money. What that means is you have to work that much more to fill the air time, but the benefit for me it gives you a broader range of things to play everyday. I get a wider range of emotions for an episode, for me it's really exciting. It wasn't easy to jump back and yes, I've been taking ginkgo-balboa everyday. But it's been great.

CBS.com: When you do have free time what do you like to do?
JON LINDSTROM: Well my girlfriend just bought me, Rock Band.

CBS.com: You have a Nintendo Wii?
JON LINDSTROM: I got a Wii. I love the Wii. It's so cool. I played drums for many years, so I've got the whole set up mic, drums, and guitar. We're rockin here at Casa de Lindstrom.

CBS.com: Are you still in a band?
JON LINDSTROM: I'm not in one now. When you get older things like that become less easy to pull off. It's hard to get everyone in one room to rehearsal.

CBS.com: What's coming up for Craig?
JON LINDSTROM: Well once he finds Johnny there's going to be a battle between him and Dusty, Lucy causes inadvertently and it's really about this and Craig needs to learn how to be a good father. Craig is getting involved with Carly and they were working together and things could get personal.