As "One Tree Hill's" Tim Smith, Greensboro's Brett Claywell was a hilarious wannabe lady's man.

As Kyle Lewis on ABC's "One Life to Live," starting last year, he's at the center of one of daytime's most popular and groundbreaking love stories - one that happens to be between two men. The love story between Claywell (who is straight) and Scott Evans (who plays police officer Oliver Fish and is gay in real life) has been embraced by fans for its realism, which included a steamy love scene that aired in January. The pair is front and center during February sweeps.

We spoke to the N.C. State grad about his roots and being a part of the storyline.

Q. How'd you get into acting?

My mother started me in Greensboro's children's theater when I was very young.

Q. How did you end up on a soap?

I actually wasn't looking for a soap. I was originally hired for a different role (Schuyler Joplin, played by Scott Clifton). That role was a teacher with a drug problem, which really interested me. Then two days later I'm not that character anymore. But everything happened for a reason.

Q. Did you know you'd be playing a gay character?

I had no idea.

Q. Were you surprised or apprehensive?

It was definitely a revelation. It makes you look inside yourself. It took me a week to develop a firm understanding of what my beliefs are (in relation to the story) and I realized this is something I really believed in and this is a way for my beliefs to be heard.

Q. How was the love scene?

I had a love scene with Eliza Dushku earlier in the year (on "Dollhouse") and it was just as uncomfortable. It was a new experience for me and not something I had seen in my career path, but I think we did the scene justice.

Q. How is working in daytime different than doing, say, "One Tree Hill?"

On a prime-time show you may film eight pages a day. On this show we film 120. ... the equivalent of a feature film.

Q. You've received a lot of praise in the media for how realistic the story is.

We really made that effort in the very beginning. A lot of times on television when you see certain things portrayed in this community it's kind of overdone, not treated with the same kind of subtlety and sensitivity that a heterosexual relationship would be. I wanted Kyle to be the boy next door that happens to be gay.

Q. Do you think your characters will end up with Stacy's baby (which secretly belongs to Oliver)?

I know the conversation will be a big topic in the weeks to come.

By Courtney Devores
Special to the Observer