EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Chris L. McKenna on 'Taste,' 'Blind Pass,' 'Runaway,' and Working with the Other Joey Buchanan, Nathan Fillion (Part 2 of 2)

Chris McKenna. Photo Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/
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Serial Scoop recently caught up with actor, Chris L Mckenna, who has become an instant fan favorite this year in the role of Detective Mark Harding on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restles.  In Part 1 of our interview, McKenna shared his thoughts on playing Y&R's hard-nosed cop, and revisited his time as Joey Buchanan in One Life to Live.  In Part 2 of our exclusive interview below, the talented actor discusses working with Nathan Fillion, the actor who replaced him as Joey, and offers an update on recent projects including the play "Taste," as well as films Blind Pass and Off the Grid.

SERIAL SCOOP: When you started your career there were still soaps shooting in New York City. What do you think the impact is to actors of not having those soap jobs anymore?
CHRIS L. MCKENNA: That’s interesting. The soaps have been the only steady job in the industry. Granted, you’re not guaranteed to be on there forever; but it’s the only show without a hiatus, and there is nothing else like that. You lose a lot of opportunities as an actor with those shows not being there. I don’t know the climate in New York because I’ve been living in Los Angeles now for 17 years. I think it affects them more, because we have more opportunities in Los Angeles than New York. It’s a shame. When you’re a working actor, that’s a big loss of jobs and opportunities and creativity. It’s really sad to see.

SERIAL SCOOP: Actors used to be able to do the soaps during the day and then pursue their passion for theatre at night.
CHRIS L. MCKENNA: Right. I remember Erika Slezak (Viki Buchanan on One Life to Live) having one of the only jobs where she could take some time off. She had a steady job and could spend time with her family, and know she had a job to come back to. It's completely different now.