It’s a testament to the powers that be at Days of Our Lives that Johnny never knew the truth about how he came into the world. He recently learned that EJ forced Sami to have sex with him in exchange for saving Lucas’ life, and the result was young Johnny. Keeping that secret from someone for their whole life is incredible, and Carson Boatman recently reacted to the story that’s sent his character Johnny reeling.

He Didn’t Know That He Didn’t Know

Boatman had a chat with Soap Opera Digest about the latest nerve-wracking storyline. Because DAYS fans all knew how Johnny came into the world, Boatman assumed it was common knowledge. So when asked if he’d been hoping that Johnny would eventually learn the truth, he remarked, “I guess I kind of didn’t know that Johnny didn’t know until they told me he didn’t know.”

“It’s life-altering to find out that the only reason you’re in existence is because your dad raped your mom,” the actor stated, adding, “I mean, that will mess with your head.” However, he said he found doing the revelation scenes and Johnny’s subsequent confrontation with EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) both challenging and fun.

The Drama Was a Good Opportunity For Growth

Boatman also explained how those scenes changed him as a performer. “I think I grew as an actor doing that storyline because it took so much emotionally. There’s a lot of anger, a lot of hurt and pain.” He felt that actors are always hoping for that kind of emotional juiciness to play, and he wanted his performance in the scenes to move the viewers.

It was evident by the look on Johnny’s face when Kate (Lauren Koslow) broke the horrifying news to him that Boatman was all in. Johnny had already been angered that Arnold Feniger (Galen Gering) was back in town impersonating Rafe again. Johnny wanted to know that his dad EJ had nothing to do with the man who previously raped his mother, only to learn what EJ had done and had his whole world obliterated. “It was just a really fun opportunity to learn and grow as an actor,” he happily remarked.