After well over a year of watching the beloved “One Life To Live” sink into a convoluted mess, the last few months the soap has begun to show signs of life.

Credit that with the return of Josh Griffith and Michael Malone as head writers. The scribes are trying hard to return “One Life” to the days when it was must-see TV. Focusing on character driven plots, another goal they seem to be reaching for is returning favorite characters to the canvas who may have been gone a bit.

Enter Jason Shane Scott. Scott created the role of Will Rappaport, one of the most intense young men ever to call Llanview home. The actor departed the show back in 2001 but returns on Friday March 21^st for five episodes spread out over a ten day period.

In the story Will’s dad Sam has been shot and killed, mistakenly by his mother Lindsay. If there was ever a time for the prodigal son to return to town it’s now.

“He comes back for the funeral,” Scott states. “Besides that, he’s still the same person. He’s still kind of fiery and feisty.  His main concern when he comes back for the funeral is, obviously besides sadness over his father’s death, revenge.  He wants to know who did it. The main thing on his mind is getting who did it. That’s his main purpose for the few days he’s in town. While he’s there to mourn his father, he also wants justice. It’s that whole law background of his.”

In addition to trying to solve his dad’s murder, Will has some unfinished business with the former love of his life. Scott relished the scenes.

“He sees Jessica. We happen to meet up at Meagan’s grave, which is a spot for both of them which is pretty emotional.  Will actually goes there first before he goes anywhere else and she’s already there. We have some good scenes, nothing romantic is said. It’s about two people that really, really care about each other,” he says.

As Scott stepped back into his familiar role, one thing was a bit new-his former leading lady. Original Jessica, Erin Torpey left the show earlier this year. Bree Williamson stepped in. It could’ve been strange for the actor.

“Honestly, since I was away for so long and my first scenes were with her, it made it a lot easier. Since I had over a year in between, it almost felt right there was someone different (in the role). Bree’s really good and it kinda felt like we could just pick it up. She had been pretty informed of the background story. Obviously she hadn’t seen all the stuff that our characters had been through. They were able to tell her the big things, but I was able to tell her a lot of the small things,” he says.

The actor calls Bree “definitely” a good recast. He also enjoyed his time back in the daytime fold.

“It was fun,” he enthuses. “It was cool. Basically it was like seeing all my old friends. It’s a different atmosphere over there now with Frank (Valentini), the new executive producer. It’s a really good atmosphere, not that it wasn’t before. It was nice. I really realized how much I missed everyone.”

While this return is only for five episodes, Scott will be returning in April to film a few more episodes to air during May sweeps. Could a longer stay be in the works?

“They approached me about it. It’s something that I just cant make any decisions about right now. I’m always grateful that they are considering me still. It’s something I won’t be able to make a decision about anytime in the near future. I am going to do another episode or two then we’ll see,” he states.

Since his departure in 2001, Scott has stayed busy on the west coast.

“I did two movies. ‘Wolves of Wall Street’ and one called ‘Latter Days’. Basically, ‘Latter Days’ is a really small movie that should be coming out at the next Sundance a year from now. ‘Wolves of Wall Street’ should be coming out soon on video.

He continues, “I stayed really busy with other stuff. I got a screenplay option. I started writing.  I started producing.  My friends and I made a short film last summer. That’s probably going to go to festivals. I enjoy making movies. I think that’s just because that’s where it all started for me.  When I was young, that’s what I wanted to act in was movies.”

Born in Southern California, Scott excelled in sports in school.  In fact, the actor turned down numerous football scholarships to pursue his dream. It wasn’t the easiest decision. “I was just too afraid to admit it. It wasn’t until I was 18 that I decided to pursue acting. And I didn’t tell anyone about it. I just did it. That was the hardest thing,” he says.

Initially, Scott spent a few months in Europe modeling.  Then it was on to roles in movies and prime time. In 1998, “One Life To Live” came calling with the role of the Rappaport scion. Daytime has taught him quite a bit.

“I definitely appreciate daytime,” he states matter of factly. “The daytime experience shaped my life the most.  It’s still the main thing I’ve done. It shaped me the most and gave me three years in New York. Hopefully, I grew the most as an actor through daytime. I do know, although I would love to do a great primetime show, that movies is what I want to do in the future. But up to this point, daytime is obviously what I’ve learned the most from.”

In fact, Scott did miss his place in the soap world.

“I missed the immediate gratification of acting. Since I’ve been gone I’ve been able to do a few films and they still aren’t out yet. So I miss the immediate-you do it, it’s on air, people get to see your work and get to know your character. Off of daytime, you do something, especially movies, and then it’s gone. Then it comes back around and maybe some people see it, maybe they don’t. I know my mom misses it because she got to see me everyday,” he laughs.

Continuing, “You realize how big a daytime audience is.  It’s unbelievable. Even just going back for a few days and being around that atmosphere again, you really do realize it.”

Other projects have kept the actor busy since he left daytime, so it wasn’t easy to keep up with the show while he was away. “I caught up a lot when I went back,” he states. That hasn’t stopped Scott from having his own opinion about the state of daytime.

“I think daytime is a tricky thing because you have such a wide audience. That’s what I’ve learned. I’ve had little kids who were watching the show. There have been older people who’ve been watching for thirty years. Men in their fifties, women in their forties, college kids-all different types. I think it’s so hard to try to reach a certain group. In daytime, you need comfort ability, you need to know the people and their names but at the same time you need something new sometimes. Let’s put it this way, I don’t envy their job to please the demographics,” he explains.

If Scott were not an actor he’d definitely be some type of “entrepreneur.”

He does have a strong admiration for other actors, and cites Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, among others as his favorites. He strives to someday work with the best in Hollywood. “I would love to work with (director Martin) Scorcese,” he adds. “I have my list man.”

Scott also has a website devoted to his career. You can also write to the actor and he does personally answer his fan mail. “I have a hard time making a big deal about myself,” he says.

With lots of irons in the fire, Jason Shane Scott seems to be carving out quite a blossoming career in Hollywood. But the actor is not going to soon forget his daytime roots. Or his loyal fans.

“To the fans-thank you very much for the continuing support considering I was off the show for well over a year.  I hope they like my little five day run and they’ll be the first to know if I return for more.”

Check out Scott’s website at www.jasonshanescott.com.

At the website you will find an address to write to Jason as well.

We at Soaptown USA would like to thank Jason, for taking the time out of his schedule to chat with us and a BIG thanks to Deanna, Jasmine & Tara for making this interview happen.