GateWorld: What would be written in this chapter of the Book of David?
David Hewlett: So, run that by me again. I was too busy making jokes.
GW: [Laughter] What would be written in this chapter of the Book of David? The Stargate chapter? The association with the franchise as a whole?
DH: Well, I always felt like it was like I was like this little solitary nerd who was suddenly introduced to this whole fandom. This whole world of … the sort of “culture” of Stargate. I came in as a standalone nerd and I left as a part of this fantastic sort of community of Stargate fans, and the show as well. I mean, obviously.
But it’s such a unique experience. I mean, you can’t explain to people what it’s like. Especially with Atlantis because Atlantis was – I was saying today – Atlantis was kind of like the “Disney” of science fiction. It was the kind of show that you would sit down with the family and watch. And I always loved that. I always loved that you’d have grandparents and grandkids talking to you about the show. You’d have mothers and sons, and mothers and daughters. And there was this wonderful sense of family about the show.
GW: Not necessarily that it was always necessarily wholesome, but that it was safe.
DH: No, it wasn’t. I mean, well, it was …
GW: As far as family viewing.
DH: Yeah, there was probably too much violence for some people. But, even that … I mean, I feel like there were different levels for different people. You could take away from that show what you — the different age groups, I think, took away what they wanted from that show. Some people got more out of it. Some people got less out of it. Some people were more character oriented. Some people were more sci-fi oriented.
I’m very proud of the fact that we had a show that kids wanted to collect your figures, as well as the people who collected figures. You know? I mean, I really enjoy that aspect of it. That didn’t necessarily make it the sexiest show in the world. You know what I mean?
GW: Right.
DH: Or the most ground-breaking or the edgiest drama on television, or anything.
GW: [But] it resonates for a reason.
DH: Yeah. There was a heart. There was a heart to it that I loved. And that came from the writers. It came from the producers. It came from the cast. And the cast are all … they’re good people. And that’s rare these days. It’s hard to find, you know.
GW: Have you had a chance to watch Stargate Universe? Have you seen any of it?
DH: I watched a bit of the pilot, but I joke that I’m having a hard time watching other people have all the fun. You know? I did it for five years. I really enjoyed it. I miss it. I find it very hard to sit down and watch it now.
You know, it’s not my Stargate. And good for them! I mean, enjoy it. Go make the most of it. Those guys should. I mean, they’re all very talented. And they’re taking it a different direction, which is probably good. The show’s been on for what? Fifteen years or something now? They’ve gone in a different direction with it, but for me it’s not sour grapes. I just have my memories of Stargate, and my Stargate is Atlantis.
So, I may have started with SG-1, but my heart is in Atlantis. Yeah, that’s it. So that’s why. Maybe give it some time. Maybe I’ll be able to sit down. Maybe I’ll watch it with my kid.
GW: Where do you see yourself in the industry in the next few years? More directing? Writing?
DH: Definitely more directing and writing. I mean, I will always act. I love acting. Or I should say acting loves me. I don’t know. One of the two.
I really enjoy acting. But the work that I’m doing right now — I’m more willing to work towards directing and writing right now than acting. I should probably be doing more auditions than I’m doing, but I’m focusing on trying to get some of my own projects going.
And the directing stuff, I love. I mean, as a nerd there’s nothing like …
GW: A Dog’s Breakfast was phenomenal.
DH: Oh! Well, thank you! Well, that was a lot of fun. That was a lot of fun. I mean, I would love to do some more like that. But you know, to start paying some bills and stuff, I’ve gone and directed in Bulgaria and done a movie for SyFy there. And I think we’ve got another one in the books for that, as well.
But I’d like to shoot some stuff out here so I can bring the crew from A Dog’s Breakfast.
GW: Any other upcoming projects?
DH: We’ve got Morlocks coming out. We’ve got this evil snow monkey movie, whatever they decide to call it. I go down to edit that in couple of weeks, actually.
GW: Check your local listings?
DH: Check my local listings. And I’ll let people know. And I Twitter. So please, you know, if people wanna follow me on Twitter — that is the best way to keep in touch with me. And, you know, I like to answer people when I can and stuff. So if anyone wants to do that, I am easily findable. In fact, yeah. If you’re gonna post this, post the Twitter link as well so they can.
GW: Absolutely.
DH: People can keep in touch, you know. I follow GateWorld!
Interview by Chad Colvin
Transcription by UngoauldedUnas
neat interview, very cool
I really love David Hewlett and wish him much success! I liked his observations about SGA and it being something the entire family could watch and that it had “heart.” He’s kind of changed his views about SGU, I guess, since he’s now going to be in an episode. Which, good for him as far as his career goes, but I know I was disappointed when he announced that he was going to do it. Oh well. I’d love to hear more of his observations about the rest of the cast and crew, they always talk about him being grumpy… Read more »
Great interview. Glad to see David doing well. Nice to see that he misses the Stargate family. And I am now following him on Twitter as he suggested so all of us Stargate fans can stay plugged in.
A wonderfully funny guy. Eccentric as heck, but that’s a part of the charm. Follow him on twitter, and it’s great that the cast of SGA consider each other as family. Insane ribbing between Hewlett and Flanigan. Good to see that These guys are doing great projects and are not “starving artists” as some expected after the end of SGA. Great Draws at “Cons”. I’m sure other non SG1/SGA “actors” feels envious about the reception that SG1/SGA cast receives at places like the Dragon con.
He seems like such a fun, and funny, guy. I wish I had enjoyed Atlantis more so I could have seen more of him than his few appearances on SG1. As it is, I can’t wait to see him on SGU.
should have asked him why there was so much filler episodes in seasons 4 and 5. they could have ended atlantis and not have to worry about making movies to cap it off.
Great interview. David Hewlett is a very nice guy and great actor.
i miss atlantis so much.i have watched all 10 seasons of sg1 and i loved it but my heart was broken when atlantis went off.david just made the show for me.he’s great.love to all
I can’t say enough good things about David Hewlett. He impressed me with McKay, consistently acting out his many character flaws. And he inspired me with A Dog’s Breakfast, as I have an interest in filming. He is definitely someone I would appreciate meeting one day.
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I am a huge fan of David. I’ll watch what ever he’s involved in. I miss Atlantis!!!