Carrie Brady is a fictional character from the
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...
soap opera
A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...
, ''
Days of Our Lives
''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that streams on the streaming service Peacock. The soap, which aired on the American television net ...
'', a long-running serial set in the fictional town of Salem, Illinois. Created by head writer
Margaret DePriest
Margaret DePriest (born April 19, 1931) is a retired American actress and daytime serial writer. She was nominated for 5 Daytime Emmy Award awards for her writing and in 1965 won an Obie Award for Best Actress for her performance in ''The Pl ...
, the role of Carrie has been most notably portrayed by
Christie Clark
Christie Mary Clark (born December 13, 1973) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Carrie Brady in '' Days of Our Lives''.
Early life
Clark was born in Los Angeles, California, on December 13, 1973, to Craig and Cathy Cla ...
, who took over the role in 1986 as a teenager. Clark remained with the series from April 1986 to January 1991 and from December 1992 to November 1999. She returned in 2005, leaving in October 2006, and returned in September 2011 as part of a reboot of the series.
Her return was short-lived as she left the show the following July. In September 2016, it was announced that Clark would again reprise her portrayal as Carrie in 2017.
Carrie, a lawyer, also returned for several weeks in early 2018 when her mother Anna was accused of the murder of
Andre DiMera. She returned in June 2019 for the funeral of
Caroline Brady
Caroline Brady is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'', a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional United States town of Salem. Matriarch of the series' Brady family, the character has been ...
(
Peggy McCay
Margaret Ann "Peggy" McCay (November 3, 1927 – October 7, 2018) was an American actress whose career began in 1949, and includes theatre, television, soap operas, and feature films. McCay may be best known for originating the roles of Vanessa ...
). In 2021, Carrie appeared in the spinoff series ''
Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem''.
Throughout the show, Carrie has been involved in classic soap opera storylines. Her romantic pairing with
Austin Reed (
Austin Peck
Austin Peck (born April 9, 1971) is an American actor. He is best known for his work in daytime soap operas.
Personal life
Peck was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved to San Francisco at age eight after his parents divorced. He briefly atten ...
,
Patrick Muldoon
Patrick Muldoon (born September 27, 1968) is an American actor, film producer, and musician.
Early life and education
Muldoon was born in San Pedro, California, the son of Deanna, a homemaker, and William Patrick Muldoon II, a personal injury ...
) led Austin and Carrie to becoming a well-known
supercouple
A supercouple or super couple (also known as a power couple) is a popular and/or wealthy pairing that intrigues and fascinates the public in an intense or obsessive fashion. The term originated in the United States, and it was coined in the earl ...
. She is the daughter of
Anna DiMera (
Leann Hunley
Leann Hunley (born February 25, 1955) is an American television actress. Although she has worked in numerous productions, she is perhaps best known for portraying Anna DiMera on NBC's ''Days of Our Lives'' and Dana Waring on the ABC primetime s ...
) and
Roman Brady
Roman Brady is a fictional character from the long-running NBC soap opera ''Days of Our Lives''. The role was originated in 1981 by Wayne Northrop, who played the role until 1984 and from 1991 to 1994, and is currently being portrayed by series ve ...
(at the time
Wayne Northrop
Wayne Alan Northrop (born April 12, 1947) is an American actor known for his parts in soap operas such as ''Dynasty'' and ''Days of Our Lives''.
Career
Northrop portrayed chauffeur Michael Culhane on ''Dynasty'' from the pilot episode, " Oil" (1 ...
, later
Josh Taylor Josh or Joshua Taylor may refer to:
* Josh Taylor (actor) (born 1943), American comedy and dramatic television actor
* Josh Taylor (baseball) (born 1993), American professional baseball pitcher
* Josh Taylor (boxer) (born 1991), Scottish profession ...
), though as a child she was mainly raised by
Marlena Evans
Marlena Evans is a fictional character on the NBC daytime drama, ''Days of Our Lives'', a long-running serial about working life in the fictional town of Salem. She has been played by actress Deidre Hall since 1976, but the character was absent fr ...
(
Deidre Hall
Deidre Ann Hall is an American actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Marlena Evans on NBC's daytime drama ''Days of Our Lives'', whom she has played for over 45 years.
Hall has won many awards for her portrayal of Marlena, including ...
) and
John Black (
Drake Hogestyn
Donald Drake Hogestyn () (born September 29, 1953) is an American actor best known for his long running role as John Black on the American soap opera '' Days of Our Lives''.
Early life
Hogestyn was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he gradua ...
). Today, John and Marlena still view Carrie as if she were their daughter. Carrie is a member of the Brady family, one of the show's two core families, along with the Hortons. She has a long-standing rivalry with her sister
Sami Brady
Sami Brady is a fictional character from ''Days of Our Lives'', an American soap opera on the NBC network, portrayed by Alison Sweeney since 1993. The character is first seen as a newborn baby in the episode of October 16, 1984, in which mom Marle ...
(
Alison Sweeney
Alison Ann Sweeney (born September 19, 1976) is an American actress, reality show host, director and author. Sweeney is best known for her portrayal of Samantha "Sami" Brady on the NBC soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'', a role she played under co ...
), as Sami has routinely tried to steal Austin from Carrie. In 2011, Carrie and Sami started to get along better, but their closeness fell apart when Carrie fell in love with Sami's then-husband, Rafe Hernandez, in 2012. The affection was returned by Rafe.
Clark's portrayal of Carrie has seen Clark nominated for Outstanding Younger Actress at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 1997, and again in 1998. She won a Soap Opera Digest Award with co-star
Austin Peck
Austin Peck (born April 9, 1971) is an American actor. He is best known for his work in daytime soap operas.
Personal life
Peck was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved to San Francisco at age eight after his parents divorced. He briefly atten ...
for Hottest Romance in 1997. She was also nominated for Best Young Actress in a Daytime Drama at the Young Artist Awards in 1990, and nominated for Best Young Actress in a Daytime Drama at the Young Artist Awards in 1989.
Casting and creation
The role of Carrie was originated by child actress
Andrea Barber
Andrea Laura Barber (born July 3, 1976) is an American actress. She is known for playing Kimmy Gibbler in the ABC sitcom ''Full House'' and the Netflix sequel series '' Fuller House''.
Early life
Barber is the youngest of three children. She g ...
from August 4, 1982 to March 21, 1986.
She was succeeded by Clark, who was only twelve years old at the time, on April 14, 1986.
Clark remained with the serial until January 14, 1991, when producers wanted to age the character.
She went on to appear on other shows such as ''
General Hospital
''General Hospital'' (often abbreviated as ''GH'') is an American daytime television soap opera. It is listed in ''Guinness World Records'' as the list of longest-running television shows by category, longest-running American soap opera in pro ...
'', and appeared in movies such as
A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge.
Meanwhile, the show briefly re-cast Carrie with actress
Tracy Middendorf
Tracy Lynn Middendorf (born January 26, 1970) is an American television, movie, and stage actress. Middendorf's most notable roles were in the horror film ''Wes Craven's New Nightmare'', the MTV series '' Scream'', and the HBO series ''Boardwalk ...
from January 10, 1992 to December 14, 1992. Clark returned on December 18, 1992, after being asked by producers. In June 1999, it was reported by ''
Soap Opera Digest
''Soap Opera Digest'' is a weekly magazine covering American daytime soap operas. It features onscreen and offscreen news about the series, interviews with and articles about performers, storyline summaries and analysis, and related promotional in ...
'' that Clark would exit that fall, and she left on November 19, 1999.
In 2005, it was announced that Carrie and Austin would return to the series. Austin, played by
Austin Peck
Austin Peck (born April 9, 1971) is an American actor. He is best known for his work in daytime soap operas.
Personal life
Peck was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved to San Francisco at age eight after his parents divorced. He briefly atten ...
returned in July 2005 while Clark reprised the role as Carrie on December 2, 2005. Clark left the show a year later on October 26, 2006.
The matriarch of the show,
Alice Horton
Alice Horton is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'', portrayed by Frances Reid from the show's debut on November 8, 1965 until December 26, 2007.
In her role as matriarch of the Horton family, Alice's storylines focus ...
(
Frances Reid
Frances Reid (December 9, 1914 – February 3, 2010) was an American dramatic actress. Reid acted on television for nearly all of the second half of the 20th century. Her career continued into the early 2000s.
Although she starred in ma ...
), died in 2010. The show planned a two-week tribute and brought back longtime fan favorites to the show to pay their respects. Clark was included in the tribute and returned from June 23 to 28, 2010 as Carrie.
She popped up again on a phone call with Sami on February 9, 2011. In 2011, it was announced that Carrie and Austin (Austin played by Patrick Muldoon) and several other characters would return permanently. Clark and Muldoon appeared on September 26, 2011. Their return was brought about to please fans and, in an attempt, to lure old fans of the show back.
They remained with the show for less than a year as producers again were re-directing the show. Carrie and Austin last aired on July 24, 2012.
On September 15, 2016, it was announced that Clark would return as Carrie, alongside Peck as Austin, on January 11, 2017.
Clark and Peck departed on February 16, 2017.
Clark reappeared from February 1 to 12, 2018.
In 2019, Clark returned for the memorial of
Caroline Brady
Caroline Brady is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'', a long-running serial drama about working class life in the fictional United States town of Salem. Matriarch of the series' Brady family, the character has been ...
(
Peggy McCay
Margaret Ann "Peggy" McCay (November 3, 1927 – October 7, 2018) was an American actress whose career began in 1949, and includes theatre, television, soap operas, and feature films. McCay may be best known for originating the roles of Vanessa ...
), airing from June 20 to July 4 of the same year.
In September 2021, she appeared in the spinoff series ''
Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem''.
Storylines
1982–1999
Carrie is the daughter of
Roman Brady
Roman Brady is a fictional character from the long-running NBC soap opera ''Days of Our Lives''. The role was originated in 1981 by Wayne Northrop, who played the role until 1984 and from 1991 to 1994, and is currently being portrayed by series ve ...
and
Anna Fredericks
Anna DiMera is a fictional character on the NBC daytime drama, '' Days of Our Lives''. She was introduced as the estranged wife of Roman Brady and the biological mother of his daughter, Carrie Brady. Created by head writers, Margaret DePriest and ...
. Her mother leaves Roman while pregnant with Carrie, and Roman doesn't know his daughter exists until Anna returns with a four-year-old Carrie and leaves the girl in her father's and
Marlena Evans
Marlena Evans is a fictional character on the NBC daytime drama, ''Days of Our Lives'', a long-running serial about working life in the fictional town of Salem. She has been played by actress Deidre Hall since 1976, but the character was absent fr ...
's care.
As a child, Carrie is at one point kidnapped and held captive by
Stefano DiMera, who has kidnapped many members of the Brady family at various points. She also nearly drowns during a storm and falls into a coma after a car crash.
When
Austin Reed moves to Salem in July 1992, Carrie is attracted to him and also becomes the roommate and close friend of Austin's sister,
Billie Reed
Billie Reed is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'', created by writer Sheri Anderson and most prominently portrayed by Lisa Rinna.
Casting
The role of Billie Reed was originally played by Lisa Rinna on Sep ...
. Carrie and Austin begin dating, but Austin's career as a prizefighter causes some strain in their relationship. Carrie becomes a finalist in Bella magazine's "Face of the 90’s" modeling competition.
In December 1992, when Austin fails to throw a fight, Carrie accidentally becomes the victim of an acid attack that was intended for Austin. The incident causes serious scarring to her face. Roman, who does not like Austin, tells Carrie that if she breaks up with him, he will not pursue any charges against Austin stemming from his involvement with the underworld of boxing. Carrie also feels that Austin will no longer love her due to her scars. As a result of both factors, Carrie pushes Austin out of her life. This gives her sister
Sami Brady
Sami Brady is a fictional character from ''Days of Our Lives'', an American soap opera on the NBC network, portrayed by Alison Sweeney since 1993. The character is first seen as a newborn baby in the episode of October 16, 1984, in which mom Marle ...
, who is attracted to Austin, an opportunity to pursue a relationship with him. Sami teams up with
Lucas Roberts
Lucas Horton is a fictional character on the American daytime soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'', portrayed by Bryan Dattilo. Introduced in 1993 as Lucas Roberts, the military cadet son of businesswoman Kate Roberts, he later discovers he is th ...
, who is revealed to be Austin's half-brother. Lucas is attracted to Carrie and Sami is attracted to Austin, and hence Sami and Lucas scheme to keep Carrie and Austin from reuniting so that Lucas can be with Carrie and Sami can be with Austin. Meanwhile, Carrie has successful plastic surgery on her face and is willing to give her relationship with Austin another chance. During a romantic ski weekend in February 1994, Carrie loses her virginity to Austin, after almost being raped by Sami's boyfriend Alan, who goes on to rape Sami instead.
Although Carrie and Austin are a couple, Sami continues to try to break them up and pursue Austin herself. Sami even wrongly blames Carrie for the rape Sami suffered from Alan. In March 1995, Sami drugs Austin and in his delusional state, he believes Carrie is there with him and Sami sleeps with him. Nevertheless, Carrie and Austin stay together and begin planning their wedding. However, Sami stops the ceremony by revealing that she is pregnant with Austin’s child. At the time, Sami believes that Austin was the father, but she later learns that Lucas is the true father. When she finds this out, she continues to conceal the truth from everyone, even Lucas, for several years. Since Austin believes the baby is his, he feels he had no choice but to build a life with Sami and baby
Will
Will may refer to:
Common meanings
* Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death
* Will (philosophy), or willpower
* Will (sociology)
* Will, volition (psychology)
* Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will
...
instead of marrying Carrie. However, Austin continues to be in love with Carrie. Unfortunately, the kidnapping of Will by Sami's deranged neighbor caused a situation where Sami and Austin, in order to regain custody of Will from the French couple to whom he had been sold, are forced to marry in France to satisfy the authorities there.
Carrie, meanwhile, becomes good friends with
Mike Horton. She also uncovers information that proves Austin is not Will's father. When Austin and Sami plan to marry in America, Carrie interrupts the wedding ceremony by revealing that Lucas, not Austin, is Will's father, and that Sami knew for a while. Austin marries Carrie instead. Sometime later, Austin becomes increasingly concerned about baby Will's well-being due to Lucas' drinking problem. Austin begins spending more time around Will, and hence more time around Sami, much to Sami's delight and Carrie's dismay. With Austin not being home as much as he spends time with Will, Carrie begins working more hours at the hospital in which she is employed. Over time, Mike develops feelings for her, and they slowly grow closer together. Carrie and Mike eventually have an affair, and Austin and Carrie divorce. Austin leaves Salem. Carrie accepts Mike's marriage proposal, literally riding off into the sunset, and they move to
Israel
Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...
together. That Christmas, Carrie is shown to have an ornament with her name right next to Mike's ornament on the Horton family Christmas tree. At some point in the following off-screen years, they split up (but it's implied upon Carrie's return that they stayed friends).
2005–2006
A few years later, Carrie returns to the U.S. and settles in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
where she is CEO of a company called ''High Style''. Carrie tells no one she is back in America, but she is discovered by Lucas, who was attempting to take over High Style, not knowing it was headed by Carrie. He halts his takeover attempt and convinces Carrie to return to Salem as his feelings for her are reignited. Carrie returns to town and is surprised to see Austin in Salem as well. Although things look positive for Austin and Carrie's future, her sister Sami sees otherwise and, once again, schemes to break them apart and keep Austin for herself. First, she is able to have Austin and his company buy out Carrie's company High Style, Austin not being aware that Carrie has any association with the small business. Carrie, feeling betrayed that Austin took over her company, grows closer to Austin's half brother Lucas. Sami, meanwhile, catches Dr.
Lexie Carver
Lexie Carver is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera, ''Days of Our Lives'', created by head writer Leah Laiman. The role has been played most notably by actress Renée Jones, who appeared in the role from 1993 until departing in 2012. She ...
having an affair with detective Tek Kramer. To ensure that Carrie will no longer want to be with Austin, Sami threatens to tell Lexie's husband Abe about Tek, unless Lexie helps her. Doctor Lexie Carver is blackmailed into telling Carrie untrue information: that Austin and Carrie both share very rare genetic markers and if they ever had children, the child will suffer extreme birth defects that could result in the baby's death.
Due to this bogus news from Lexie, Carrie decides it's best to move on with Lucas. Since she and Austin could never have children, she becomes engaged to Lucas.
She soon believes she is pregnant thanks to a false pregnancy test, leading her and Lucas to rush their wedding date. Carrie finds out she is actually not pregnant and still has feelings for Austin. Carrie and Austin make love on the roof of their apartment building, although Carrie is engaged to Lucas and Austin is engaged to Sami. Austin does not marry Sami and Carrie shows signs of relief. Prior to the ceremony, Carrie expresses to Marlena that she is still in love with Austin. Although she cares about Lucas, she is not in love with him. After she secretly meets with Austin on the roof of their building to make love, Lucas, with the help of new neighbor E.J., catches them. After a bitter tirade from Lucas, Carrie is kicked out of the apartment she and Lucas share. Soon after, Carrie hands Lucas annulment papers and he signs them. However, minutes later, the Gloved Hand slides a note under Sami's apartment door, and Lucas, Carrie, and Austin discover the truth behind Sami's blackmailing of Dr. Lexie Carver to keep Carrie and Austin apart. After Sami finally admits the truth about her misdeeds, a furious Carrie attacks her. The two sisters fight, and afterwards Carrie tells her half-sister that she will tell everyone in Salem what Sami did.
Later, Carrie runs into Dr. Lexie Carver and reveals to her that she knows all about the bogus information Lexie was giving her due to Sami's blackmailing. Lexie tries to plead her case and apologize, but Carrie doesn't care and promises to pay Lexie back by reporting her to the hospital board and the
AMA, upon which Lexie is subsequently fired. During dinner one night, Austin suggests to Carrie that they move to
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
, where he can work at the Mythic Communications division there and Carrie can reclaim High Style, her former company. Carrie agrees on one condition—that they get married first.
The two immediately go to the
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace (JP) is a judicial officer of a lower or ''puisne'' court, elected or appointed by means of a commission ( letters patent) to keep the peace. In past centuries the term commissioner of the peace was often used with the sa ...
with their signed marriage license and get married, but not before getting briefly interrupted by a drunk Sami; and Carrie disowning her. After saying their goodbyes to John, Kate, Marlena and Roman, Austin and Carrie take a plane and leave Salem.
2010–2012
In June 2010, Carrie returns for the death and funeral of
Alice Horton
Alice Horton is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'', portrayed by Frances Reid from the show's debut on November 8, 1965 until December 26, 2007.
In her role as matriarch of the Horton family, Alice's storylines focus ...
. Whilst there, she reconciles with Sami. Carrie is seen again the following February during a phone call with Sami.
In September 2011, Carrie and Austin return to Salem for the tribute to the Horton Center. Carrie mentioned that she had become a lawyer after her company, ''Highstyle'', which was division of the now defunct Mythic Communications, was forced to close down. Carrie then takes a job, as John's defense attorney. She works with brother-in-law Rafe to help find evidence that can exonerate John from the charges against him. In December, John is set free and is cleared of all charges. Carrie and Rafe continue to work together, eventually opening their own law/detective firm. Carrie and Rafe grow closer and are caught kissing by Sami and Austin. Carrie tells Rafe that she is in love with him and had separated from Austin, only to reunite following
Abigail
Abigail () was an Israelite woman in the Hebrew Bible married to Nabal; she married the future King David after Nabal's death ( 1 Samuel ). Abigail was David's second wife, after Saul and Ahinoam's daughter, Michal, whom Saul later married ...
's confession that she did not truly sleep with Austin. Despite their reunion, Carrie can't shake her feelings of love towards Rafe.
After the lives of Marlena, John, Hope and Bo are threatened by Stefano, Carrie and Rafe are become trapped inside of the safe house, which is alarmed with a bomb. While inside, she and Rafe confess their love for each other, nearly having sex, Rafe admits that EJ is the father of Nicole's child, not him. After they are safe from harm, Carrie begins to feel weak and sick. She confesses to Marlena that she was late, which arose suspicions of a possible pregnancy. After taking a take home test, it confirms her suspicion. A suspicious Austin sees the test and assumes it is his baby. Austin is thrilled about the news, but Carrie isn't as much since she loves Rafe. Rafe tells Carrie that she belongs with Austin and her child, and that they won't work out. Carrie decides to return to Switzerland with Austin, and says an emotional farewell to Rafe. Before leaving, Carrie urges Rafe to reconcile with Sami, knowing that they still love each other deep down.
In 2014, Carrie supports Sami and Kate's decision to control DiMera's company.
Reception
The role has garnered attention for Clark, who was nominated for Outstanding Younger Actress at the Daytime Emmy's in 1997, and again in 1998.
She won a Soap Opera Digest Award with Peck for Hottest Romance in 1997. She was also nominated for Best Young Actress in a Daytime Drama at the Young Artist Awards in 1990, and Nominated for Best Young Actress in a Daytime Drama at the Young Artist Awards in 1989.
References
External links
Carrie at soapcentral.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brady, Carrie
Days of Our Lives characters
Female characters in television
Fictional models
Fictional lawyers
Television characters introduced in 1982