CASTLE: Tamala Jones Teases ‘The Blue Butterfly’

After months of teasing, CASTLE’s noir episode finally airs tonight! Are you excited? (Should that be a rhetorical question?)

While you may have already seen the first 11 minutes of the episode and the steamy sneak peek ABC released, I went to Tamala Jones (Lanie) to see what she could share about the hour…

What can you tell me about the noir episode?
Tamala Jones: This is my favorite episode, that’s one thing. It’s just so good — the clothes, the costumes, the attitude all of us actors took on. It was just an amazing experience. And working with [director] Chuck Bowman was even more amazing.

Lanie plays a character named Betsy who is a chanteuse. She’s also friends with Dempsey’s girlfriend [who is the Beckett character in the flashbacks], and Dempsey is a gangster. And [Dempsey] is played by Mark Pellegrino who is just amazing. I can’t wait for you guys to see that.

The photos from the episode are absolutely stunning. The clothes look amazing!
TJ: it was definitely a wonderful experience, and I’m telling you, everyone just morphed into the 1940s. Once we put the clothes on and stepped into the room, the attitude just disappeared. It was wonderful.

And you get to sing, too!
TJ: That was fantastic! I’ve never sang in front of a group of people. I only sang really in the shower or in the car. But I found out that I actually do sound kind of nice. But I enjoyed it. I want to do more of that.

Did they ask you about your singing talents before they wrote that in? Or was it, “Here’s the script — and, oh, by the way, you’re singing”?
TJ: No, [CASTLE creator] Andrew [Marlowe] actually came into hair and makeup trailer one day and he asked, “Can you sing?” And I replied, “Yeah, in the shower.” And he laughed and he said, “Good, because we’re doing a film noir episode and you’re playing a Billie Holiday-esque character and you’re singing. Do you think you can handle that?” And that’s fine, because Billie Holiday is more mellow. If you asked me to do anything like Patti LaBelle, it would be a little more difficult. Billie Holiday was smooth enough for me, so I was very excited.

Good! What’s her relationship like with the 1947-era Esposito?
TJ: I don’t really know Esposito in the noir version. He is a part of the hit man and crew of Dempsey, the gangster. He’s one of his goons. I’m face-to-face with him in a scene, but not kissing!

Well, how is their relationship in the “real” CASTLE world? Are they getting closer to reuniting, or are they getting further apart?
TJ: No, I don’t think they’re getting further apart. I think that Andrew and the rest of the writers are in the room discovering where they want to take it. But I feel that where they left it with Ryan’s wedding episode, towards the end when he walks her to her seat, it’s a new beginning, a fresh start from where they were going in. Let’s slow it down a little bit. But we’ll see what Andrew comes up with.

Do you hope they reunite quickly or are you okay with them slowing things down?
TJ: As a fan of the show myself, I would love to see them back together. I love them. I love Esposito and Lanie dating and giving each other attitude or sneaking kisses at work. I think that’s really cool. But as a performer, I also know that you can’t give away too much too fast. We have to tease you guys a little bit. I think that’s what’s going on.

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CASTLE’s “The Blue Butterfly” airs tonight at 10 PM on ABC. For additional info, be sure to check out the official site.

Related:

Watch the First 11 Minutes of CASTLE’s “The Blue Butterfly” Now!
CASTLE Sneak Peek Video: ‘The Blue Butterfly’
CASTLE: GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Jason Thompson to Guest Star

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