Get ready, Days of Our Lives fans, because the intense Tate and Sophia pregnancy storyline just got even more dramatic with the arrival of their baby! This journey has been a whirlwind, especially for actor Leo Howard, who plays Tate. He had to navigate a significant change partway through, as Rachel Boyd stepped into the role of Sophia, replacing Madelyn Kientz. Now, as the storyline reaches a major milestone with the baby’s birth, Howard is opening up about the challenges of adjusting to a new actress and her interpretation of the character amidst an already complex plot.

Howard admits that any cast change brings a different dynamic. He even drew parallels to his own experience taking over the role of Tate from Jamie Martin Mann. While he praised Kientz’s performance, he highlighted how Boyd has brought a “different type of vulnerability” to Sophia, which has significantly enhanced the storyline. He found the adjustment “very easy” and expressed immense gratitude for Boyd, stating she’s “crushing it” and brings “an immense amount of depth and uniqueness” to the character.

He pointed out that there’s a “totally different vibe” between the two versions of Sophia, partly due to Boyd’s portrayal and partly because new writers have reshaped the character. This newfound vulnerability in Sophia has made it easier for Tate to offer her earnest support throughout the pregnancy. Howard explained that working with Boyd, who so effectively portrays the “fear, vulnerability and just terror” of a young, pregnant woman, has evoked a deep sense of empathy in him as an actor. This, in turn, has made the entire situation “much more confusing for the audience and for me participating in it.”

According to Howard, Tate’s primary goal from the beginning has been to “keep everyone happy.” However, he’s also acutely aware that he’s “not ready to be a father,” and Sophia isn’t truly ready to be a mother either. This creates immense internal conflict for Tate. He’s been “walking on eggshells” around Sophia, trying to express his own opinions while remaining empathetic to her wishes. Ultimately, the decision about the baby rests with Sophia, as it’s “her body.” Tate’s cautious approach is particularly “interesting” because he’s so attuned to her feelings.

One crucial detail Tate was slow to grasp, however, was Sophia’s growing romantic feelings for him. It took his grandmother, Marlena, to point this out during a surprise birthday dinner Tate hosted for Sophia. Marlena suggested that Tate might be unintentionally giving Sophia false hope. Howard revealed that this was a huge “wake-up call” for Tate.

He explained that Tate’s desire to make everyone happy and cared for is both his strength and his weakness, often leading him to make decisions without fully considering their impact. Howard described it as a “great example of how you can have every good intention in the world, but in execution, it’s not helpful.” Tate was genuinely surprised to learn that Sophia might be developing feelings for him and misinterpreting his actions.

After this realization, Tate tried his best to prevent Sophia from growing more attached. But, as Howard noted, “As adult as Tate tries to seem and as much as he’s trying to take responsibility, he has no idea what he’s doing.” Tate, despite his good intentions, was fumbling through the situation, not knowing how to effectively back off. “Unfortunately, sometimes people’s feelings get twisted up in the matter,” Howard lamented.

Adding another layer of complexity to this already tangled web is Tate’s recent romantic reunion with Holly. Now that Sophia has given birth, if she decides to act on her deep-seated feelings for Tate, things could become incredibly complicated. Will Tate finally become more attuned to Sophia’s emotions this time around, especially with a baby now in the picture? Howard hinted at Tate’s current dismissive stance, saying, “Tate’s kind of passed it off like, ‘Well, it’s okay. I mean, I’m not starting a relationship with her… so I think it’s all right.’” However, he warned that “Sophia’s going to feel how she feels, and that may bite Tate or it may not.” The stage is set for an emotional showdown, and Tate might soon realize that his good intentions aren’t enough to prevent heartbreak.