Soap operas are known for their dramatic twists, shocking reveals, and larger-than-life characters. But sometimes, the most memorable moments aren’t scripted; they’re born from the creative genius of the actors themselves. This is precisely what happened with Louise Sorel’s portrayal of the infamous Vivian Alamain in Days of Our Lives.
Sorel recently revealed a behind-the-scenes secret about one of Vivian’s most iconic and chilling scenes, a moment that cemented her status as a soap opera legend and left audiences both horrified and captivated.
From Jig to Grief: A Spontaneous Masterpiece
The year was 1993. Vivian Alamain, the manipulative and unpredictable villainess, had just orchestrated a truly heinous act: burying her nemesis, Carly Manning (played by Crystal Chappell), alive in a coffin equipped with oxygen, lights, and a walkie-talkie.
(Source: Soap Opera Digest). While the initial plan might seem over-the-top even for a soap opera, what happened next was completely unscripted, born from Sorel’s own brilliant improvisation.
The original script called for Vivian to perform a jig—a lively folk dance—on Carly’s grave.
Now, imagine this: the queen of soap opera villainy doing a jig. It sounds… incongruous, doesn’t it? Louise Sorel clearly thought so too. “Excuse me,” she reportedly told the producer, “Vivian doesn’t jig. I don’t jig.” (Source: Soap Opera Digest). This bold rejection of the script sparked a creative firestorm.
Sorel took her lunch break, not to recharge, but to brainstorm a far more unsettling, yet compelling, alternative.
Ophelia’s Shadow: Shakespearean Inspiration in Salem
During her lunch break, Sorel had an epiphany inspired by a chilling scene from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Remembering Ophelia’s tragic fate and Hamlet’s callous words, “I loved you not,” Sorel crafted a scene that would forever redefine Vivian Alamain’s screen presence. (Source: Soap Opera Digest). Instead of a jig, she envisioned a slow, deliberate walk around Carly’s grave, a bouquet of flowers in hand.
She would methodically pull petals, repeating the haunting phrase, “She loves me. She loves me not,” a ritualistic act reflecting Vivian’s cruel, twisted nature. The scene culminates with Vivian collapsing onto the grave in a torrent of (fake) tears.
A Gamble That Paid Off: The Director’s Trust and the Audience’s Reaction
Unaware of Sorel’s improvisation, the director initially instructed the camera crew to maintain a wide shot, ensuring the entire scene was captured. (Source: Soap Opera Digest). This decision proved fortuitous, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the chilling intensity of Sorel’s performance.
The resulting scene was far from the lighthearted jig initially envisioned; instead, it was a masterpiece of understated horror, showcasing Vivian’s complex emotions—a blend of triumph, regret, and perhaps even a flicker of something akin to remorse. This moment transcended the typical soap opera tropes
, capturing a raw emotionality that resonated deeply with audiences.
Sorel’s willingness to take a risk and trust her instincts paid off handsomely. The producers, initially surprised, recognized the genius of her improvisation and allowed the scene to remain in its unscripted form.
It was a bold move that proved to be one of Vivian’s most memorable and defining moments, solidifying her place in soap opera history.
The Legacy of an Improvised Moment
Louise Sorel’s unscripted scene stands as a testament to the power of creative collaboration and the magic that can happen when actors are given the freedom to explore their characters.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best moments aren’t planned; they emerge organically from the heart and mind of a truly talented performer. The scene’s success also highlights the importance of trusting the instincts of your actors—a testament to the collaborative spirit of Days of Our Lives.
This unscripted moment transformed a potentially silly scene into a powerfully unsettling sequence, etching Vivian Alamain’s name into the annals of soap opera history. It’s a perfect example of how a simple improvisation can become a defining moment for a character, and a reminder that even in the seemingly predictable world of soap operas, true artistry can—and often does—thrive.