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Dana Sparks makes her long-anticipated return as Grace Bennett on Thursday, November 2. A lot has happened since Grace left Harmony, and her reaction to Ivy, Eve and Kay’s deception is sure to be Must See TV. Read on to catch up with Dana and her Tomato-Soup-Cake-Queen alter ego.

What have you been up to since fans last saw you on the show?
I’ve been building one house and remodeling another. Two cool projects that took more time and more money than they were supposed to! (Laughs) I did an episode of “The Lyon’s Den” (a primetime NBC drama that starred Rob Lowe) and I was supposed to be recurring, but it got canceled. So that was frustrating. I also did some traveling. Last June, I went to Italy, just like Grace. I loved the country. My husband and I stayed at our friend’s villa just outside of Florence for a few days. It was our 24th wedding anniversary. I can’t imagine what we’re gonna do next year! (Laughs)

Have you kept tabs on what’s been happening on the show?
Off and on. I’m confused about who some of the new people are. Every time I hear the name “Fancy” I laugh. (Laughs) But I used to play a character named Fanny, so that’s funny, too. I take hikes with Tracey (Ross; Eve), and I say, “Okay, what’s going on with the show?” (Jokes) I say, “Are you talking about me? I don’t care about anyone else’s story, I just want to know if they’re talking about Grace!” (Laughs)

So you still keep in touch with some of your co-stars.
Yes, Tracey and Kim (Johnston Ulrich; Ivy) are my best buds from the show. We try to keep in touch. Tracey lives in my neighborhood. Eva (Tamargo; Pilar) and I keep threatening each other, but we have yet to meet up! So I get updates. I watched the Bollywood fantasy. It was beautiful.

What was your first day back like?
I was nervous. I thought, “How am I going to remember my lines?” I had three big shows in a row, very emotional stuff. But it was all the same crew, all the same people. It was like I hadn’t left. It was great.

So what’s Grace been up to?
Well, none of the candles had been lit in Grace’s flat, so it couldn’t have been too romantic with David. (Laughs) I know she went to Italy. I imagine she’s been studying Italian, riding a vespa, wearing big sunglasses and saying, “Ciao!” (Laughs) I think maybe David was just a cover for her. She wanted a long vacation. Once hell opened in the closet, it was time to get out of town.

Are you excited to finally play out the Ivy/David story?
I am VERY happy about the reveal. I had hoped that it was going to come out and that I would get to play it. It was left on such an unresolved note. I never got to confront anybody. So it’s nice to have Grace come back stronger and wiser and more worldly. It’s fun to play.

What is Grace’s first thought when she hears what Ivy’s done?
I was really happy that her first reaction was so angry, just over the top angry. I was a little nervous because I thought they’re never going to be able to redeem Grace. I mean, she was swearing! (Laughs) She’s damning people, calling her daughter a “cancer!” She softens up a bit, but she’s still angry. I want to drive through the church in a car!

Will Grace ever be able to forgive Kay?
That’s tough. It’s harder when someone THAT close to you is THAT terrible to you. It’s a much more difficult thing to forgive.

Grace still hasn’t found out about Eve’s part in this... what do you think her reaction will be? I would think she’d feel sadder when it comes to Eve. Because you almost expect your child to lash out at you. But your friend...? And to not say anything, especially after her own stuff came out. Once Eve’s secret came out, why wouldn’t she say, “Hey, Grace, leave David! Come home! I have something to tell you!”?

Should Ivy fear for her life?
Boy, wouldn’t that be something? (Laughs) Just for Kim’s benefit, I hope not! We want to keep Ivy alive. She’s too good a character. I think Ivy should just worry a little bit. Maybe I’ll scar her! Throw a hot tomato soup cake on her face!

Where does Grace go from here?
She’s done with David. I think she just immediately wants to get back to Sam. She only chose David because of her religion, because she thought she was married to him. So it wasn’t her heart’s choice.

So she never really stopped loving Sam.
No, she couldn’t have possibly. How can you get over him? Look at him! (Laughs)