GateWorld: So, high points? Low points? Anything? “The Shrine?”
David Hewlett: Oh, “The Shrine’s” fantastic. “The Shrine” is like one of those great parts that you only get to do in sci-fi. It’s an imaginary disease, so you get to play all the sympathy and all the comedy and all of the confusion and pathos and, you know. Pathos, is that even the right word? I don’t want to use the wrong word.
But, basically, it’s one of those things that you can only do in sci-fi. Those kind of shows. And Brad Wright wrote it and was around a lot for the shooting. So, it was really fun just having him around again.
Yeah, really fun. Had – what’s her name – Kate, my sister. There’s too many sisters. I can’t get their names straight. But having Kate around was as well, was just a laugh. So, it was just a great show. It was a great show.
And you got to, sort of, show off a bit. And I think it was one of those great … The thing I liked about it was while it was a McKay episode, it was an episode that involved everybody. You know, he got to say goodbye to everybody. I just felt it was … in hindsight, it was sort of a rather fitting episode for the last season of the show.
GW: A criticism I think a lot of fans have lobbed at the fifth year and in regards to your character was the relationship with Keller.
DH: Mmm.
GW: Not the relationship itself, but that it seemed like it was almost kind of forced. Part of that being the timing and knowing that it was going to be wrapping at the end of the year.
DH: Well, actually, I think it’s just that …
GW: From a script and story standpoint could you see it moving forward that quickly? Or did it feel a little bit rushed to you?
DH: Well, it’s hard to say. I guess in hindsight, it was an addition. You know what I mean? It was a different. It was a change in direction for for McKay’s love life. It had been going off in a different direction for quite some time before that.
You know, if you’re going to have Jewel Staite on a show, you know, I’m more than happy to be the love interest for Jewel Staite. So, I never really had a problem with it! [Laughter] And, also, Jewel is just so … Jewel’s just funny. Jewel is one of the funniest, wickedly funny people I’ve ever met. I just worked with her husband in this film in Bulgaria. And the two of them are just a force to be reckoned with, because they are just two of the funniest, smartest, quick people that I’ve ever met.
There’s like – I said this about Chris Judge, as well – there’s a light. You know, some people walk into a room and they just light up a room. And those two are like that. Although, Jewel Staite’s kind of like an evil light. You know? She’s maybe sort of … yes, more like a wicked light than anything else.
So, I never had a problem because I enjoyed any of my scenes with her, because they were always fun. We always had a laugh about it. We’re very, very good at complaining, the two of us. You get the two of us together and we can bitch like no one else.
GW: [Laughter]
DH: So I really enjoyed the fact that our characters were together as much as they were. I think the relationship … it was rather abrupt, I would say in many ways, that relationship. But that said, because it allowed us to work together a lot I really enjoyed it.
GW: How did you feel about the dynamic change in the fifth year with Bob Picardo in the leadership role?
DH: Picardo. Picardo, I mean, that guy was …
GW: What did it bring that was different than the Torri and Amanda years, in your opinion?
DH: Well, I mean, it brought a bureaucracy. I mean, [Joe] Mallozzi and [Paul] Mullie – they like that. I think they like the idea that there’s a lot of red tape at the top of the Stargate food chain. And, you know, I think it’s something they bring into their shows – their episodes – a lot, as well as the I.O.A. What, is it the I.O.A.? See, I can never get the letters right. But, you know, all that kind of stuff.
And I think that what was nice was [that] it is kind of like it’s what McKay would have [been]. I think Picardo’s character is what McKay would have become, if he wasn’t a scientist. You know what I mean? He made up with sort of officiousness what he lacked in, you know. Like in “Vegas.” A bit like that, yeah. In a way.
Picardo’s just such a great actor. He brought so many great little charactery nuances to that role. You know, he was always really fun to watch, as well. I just did a film with him again in Bulgaria again. He’s just a great guy to have around.
Again, that cast – the biggest thing I miss from the show is the cast. You know? The cast and the crew. But specifically the cast, because you’re with them all the time.
NEXT: The end of the road for Stargate Atlantis
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!!!