page_title: Ben Weston (Days of Our Lives)
section_title: Casting and creation
hierarchical_section_title: Ben Weston (Days of Our Lives) / Development / Casting and creation
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo of Justin Gaston, former Nashville Star contestant, "If I Can Dream" cast member, American Idol performer, and Miley Cyrus's ex-boyfriend, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana on February 20, 2010.
context_page_description: Ben Weston is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network, most notably portrayed by Robert Scott Wilson. The role was originated by Justin Gaston in 2014, as Ben Rogers, when the character was introduced as the new love interest of Abigail Deveraux, and was later revealed to be the estranged brother of Jordan Ridgeway.
  Soon after, Wilson was hired as a recast and the writers began exploring the character's dark past with the introduction of his abusive criminal father Clyde Weston. In 2015, the romantic triangle between Ben, Abigail and Chad DiMera culminates in Ben becoming a serial killer, known as the "Necktie Killer," claiming several victims, including legacy character Will Horton. Wilson vacated the role in late 2015 and would reprise the role for multiple guest stints. In 2016, he returned to the role to help facilitate the departure of Mansi as Abigail. Wilson returned again in 2017 when Will was reintroduced with former cast member Chandler Massey in the role. Wilson made a one-episode guest appearance on May 4, 2018, and returned to the show as a series regular on June 1 of the same year.
context_section_description: In the summer of 2013 Soap Opera Digest reported that the soap had put out two separate casting calls, one of which was for the role of Ben. In February 2014, it was reported that actor and country singer Justin Gaston, known for his appearance on the television series, Nashville Star had been cast in the contract role of Ben. Gaston filmed his first scenes in October 2013 and was slated to make his first appearance on February 26, 2014.
  During the week of April 7, 2014, rumors circulated that Gaston had been replaced by actor Robert Scott Wilson, with neither actor nor the show commented on the speculation. On April 14, 2014, Soap Opera Digest confirmed the rumor and reported that Gaston was indeed replaced by Wilson, known for being the first male model on The Price Is Right and his portrayal of Peter Cortlandt in the short-lived online reboot of the ABC soap, All My Children. Wilson commented on the news that he would soon depart from the game show, and thanked fans. The following day, Wilson confirmed his final appearance on The Price is Right as April 15, and assured fans that he was not leaving on bad terms but did not comment on his new gig at Days of Our Lives. Wilson made his debut on May 22, 2014. At the time, Wilson was testing for another project on Fox. When the project fell through, Wilson returned to Boston to visit his family for Christmas which is when he learned he got the job. "It came at a time when I didn't expect," Wilson told Soap Opera Digest. Ironically, Wilson had just purchased a brand new Mercedes Benz the week before booking the gig. "Fortune favors the bold" he said of his luck. He started filming on January 8, 2014, and had filmed twelve episodes by the end of February. Wilson accredited his landing the role to his time on All My Children and his former costar Jill Larson. Wilson also found common ground with former AMC alum, Chrishell Stause who played Ben's sister, Jordan and said Stause and [Kate] Mansi helped him make the transition. After landing the gig, Wilson learned he would also be working opposite [Kristian] Alfonso, another Boston native.
caption: Justin Gaston originated the role of Ben Rogers on February 26, 2014.
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