On the Set: Castle'
Sure, there are plenty of procedural shows already on TV, but there's a new one that's got us setting our DVRs already. And not just because it stars two of our favorite under-sung actors, Nathan Fillion ('Firefly,' 'Desperate Housewives') and Stana Katic (bit parts in 'The Shield,' 'The Closer,' '24' and so on) ... well, maybe that's a lot of it.
But the concept's got us intrigued as well -- imagine a crime novelist helping the cops solve crimes. Now make that writer an absolute rock star ladies' man and make the lead detective a sassy, smart woman who can give him a run for his money ... and be his new muse. That, in a nutshell, is 'Castle,' ABC's new cop drama with a twist (premieres Mon., March 9, 10PM ET).
AOL TV got the inside scoop on the show, straight from the stars themselves, when we visited the 'Castle' set in Hollywood. Keep clicking to see the 14 things we learned and go behind the scenes with Fillion, Katic and more. -- By Maggie Furlong
ABC
Meet Castle
"I wish I could come up with a more sophisticated word for 'fun.' But in Richard Castle, I see a guy who is having fun everyday," says star Nathan Fillion. "Every day is like a field trip to him. That's a little bit like my life is. I mean, I was going to be a high school teacher up in the frozen tundra of Canada, teaching drama. And it's like I've won the lottery. I feel excited about my life -- and that's Richard Castle."
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ABC
Meet Castle's Pad
"Isn't it regackulous?" agrees Stana Katic when we gush about the gorgeous set that is Rick Castle's New York loft. "We come here to take naps. [Gestures like she's on the phone], 'Where are you at?' 'I'm in Rick Castle's pad.' [Laughs] I get introduced to his place later on, around episode 4. 'Nice place,' she says. 'Kind of like seeing the bat cave for the first time.' [Laughs]"
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ABC
Clearly Canadian
Both Fillion and Katic are Canadian, but is there a Canadian club in Hollywood we don't know about? "There is exactly that -- it's a secret fraternity of Canadian people in Hollywood," Fillion jokes. "Now it's hard to find us because we blend. It's even kind of hard to find each other. But there's a handshake ... it includes a chest bump and a couple of hip knocks."
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ABC
Who You Callin' 'Ugly'?
Castle has made Stage 11 at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood its home -- at more than 16,000 square feet, it's the largest sound stage on the lot. Another big ABC show, 'Ugly Betty,' used to tape here before its production moved to New York City.
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ABC
Novel Mysteries
"Nathan was commenting on some subtle things that I've been doing, throughout the course of the episodes," teases co-star Seamus Dever, who plays Det. Kevin Ryan. "For people watching out there, I want them to try to pick up on it as well. I've left little clues. There's something that I do that people may notice or they might not. It's something to do with Castle's books ... but I don't want to give away everything!"
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ABC
Great Inspirations
Writer-creator Andrew W. Marlowe -- who's written screenplays like 'Air Force One' -- explains his inspiration for 'Castle': "I love procedurals, but I really miss the kinds of procedurals I grew up with -- like 'Moonlighting,' where the character relationship was just as important as the case that they were solving. You think back and you remember those great character moments but sometimes you don't remember the case. I don't remember any of the 'Columbo' cases, but I do remember him going, 'Just one more thing ...' [Laughs]"
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ABC
TV or Not TV
Fillion isn't wary about doing another TV show: "You know when I did daytime, I did a series for three years, and I did a sitcom for two and a half -- I've had this interesting feeling of a long-running program, and then I've had this interesting feeling of being cancelled after a week. It's always a bit of a crapshoot. You don't know what's going to happen -- all you can do is go in every day, do the best job you possibly can ... and hope that if it does get cancelled, you'll get a movie out of it! Which can happen, apparently. [Laughs]"
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ABC
Researching the Classics
"Andrew Marlowe has created a piece that's a bit of a tipping of the hat to classic pieces like 'His Girl Friday,' 'The Thin Man,' 'The Philadelphia Story.' All of that has a fantastic sense of wit and rhythm," explains Katic. "Of course it's a modern version of that. And then we infused it with some of the reality -- I met with detectives in the 9th precinct in New York City and I met with detectives out here [in L.A.], just to kind of get a feel for what their life is like. And Nathan got a chance to sit down with fabulous mystery writers and novelists in a great poker scene we did as well."
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ABC
A Woman's Touch
Castle shares his New York City loft with his precocious daughter, Alexis (played by Molly Quinn), and his mother, Martha Rodgers (played by Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Susan Sullivan). So it's no wonder that there are feminine touches everywhere, from the bouquets of white lilies, tulips and orchids to the bowls of fresh fruit and knick-knacks on tabletops throughout the house.
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ABC
Reader Comments (14)
JoyousOne at 1:19AM on Mar 18th 2009
I enjoyed the new show on ABC "Castle" - refreshingly different and entertaining. I think the main characters so far are a good match, it was fast-paced, interesting and made me think back to the old "Moonlighting" show. Of course I'm only taking one show at a time and not really thinking of it as a series as anything I've liked these past couple of years has been yanked off the air no matter how good they turned out to be. I'm just going to enjoy each show as they are presented. But .. I think you may have a good one here to keep for a while. I'm an avid reader of mysteries, etc. and so do enjoy the mix here too.
blackartist at 3:25AM on Mar 10th 2009
Overall the show is great. It is no doubt dynamic, fast-paced & interesting. The cast for the show is also good & well thought out chosen.
In short this is the best show i have seen so far.
Peggy at 7:23AM on Mar 27th 2009
Fantastic show please let it be on the fall line up its different and great
geo at 11:01PM on Mar 31st 2009
anyone have idea what phone castle is using+
Carol Knoles at 4:13AM on May 7th 2009
My favorite new show this season is Castle. It's smart, and funny and very entertaining. It brought me back to ABC from Cable and hoped that the show would continue. Tonight I scanned for a description of the season ender and it was shown as the series and well as season ender. Please tell me the show will go on. I'll very disappointed if it doesn't continue.
Tracy at 1:41PM on May 20th 2009
I love this show! Great chemistry between the stars. http://www.tomkshoes.com
terbear1956 at 5:16PM on May 19th 2009
"Castle" is the best new show on tv since "Law and Order." I love Castle and Detective Beckett. They are awesome together, and they are the best two characters on tv to come along in ages. And what's even better, I just read that they are coming back for another season. Hats off to ABC!!
Chanda at 6:35PM on May 20th 2009
It is so nice not to see alot of swearing in a show. It is not only refreshing but, Very delightful and he isn't bad to look at either.
jump higher fast at 3:13AM on May 26th 2009
Well I like this Castle scene.
Lynne Gilkes at 10:29PM on Jun 1st 2009
Great show. As others have already said, "Great chemistry between the actors". Sure hope this continues.