CASTLE: Lisa Edelstein Teases Her Arc
September 17, 2013 by Marisa Roffman
As has been mentioned before, there is very, very, very little that can be said about CASTLE’s premiere without spoiling too much of what goes down (not to mention ruin the two big cliffhangers the show has set up). But there’s also a fascinating new character, McCord (played by former HOUSE star Lisa Edelstein), who is joining the show for a multi-episode arc, and I really wanted to talk a little bit more about her.
So, thankfully, Edelstein was game to dodge the potential spoiler bombs with me and discuss joining the show, her character, and more…
What led you to CASTLE?
Lisa Edelstein: They called. The last couple of years have been very interesting, because I’ve been trying to be very picky about what I do, and sometimes it’s shows I’m not familiar with, so I have to ask around. So my mother is a huge fan. [Laughs] She was very insistent. This was a wonderful opportunity, and I’m so happy I did it.
It was so fun joining the cast for their first episode back of the season, because it felt like I was beginning everything with them, as opposed to jumping on in the middle when it’s like you’re jumping on to a moving train.
That’s great. I know you’re really limited in what you can say, but what can you tease about McCord and her relationship with Beckett and Castle?
LE: I really think McCord is a mentor to Beckett. They really like each other, there’s a mutual respect, but she challenges Beckett. She’s there to make Beckett better. She respects and admires Beckett, she sees a lot of potential in her. She wants to teach her how to be better, faster, stronger.
And Castle, is sort of the mystery, as to why he is anywhere that they are.
Which makes sense. To any outsider, it’s a strange dynamic.
LE: Yeah, McCord doesn’t know the show is called CASTLE. [Laughs] To McCord, the show might as well be called BECKETT.
Absolutely fair. You’re set for three episodes, correct?
LE: Yes.
Which one do you feel is your biggest hour?
LE: I think I’m in the first episode the most, but I think the last episode is the most important.
Do we get to learn more about McCord outside of her work life? Or is she mostly there to be a guidance for Beckett?
LE: The answer is yes to both questions. When you come on to someone else’s show, you’re there to service their storyline, that’s just the way it is. But we tried to fill out the character as much as possible given the time restrictions, without it becoming too heavy-handed. So I tried to make her as real, and a full human being as possible.
CASTLE creator Andrew Marlowe seemed very pleased with your character and what she brought to the show when he and I spoke. Has there been any discussion of possibly returning at some point, whether it’s later in the season or later in the series?
LE: Andrew had left that open. He had left that open-ended based on my availability. McCord doesn’t die. [Laughs] But it’s just a potential [to return], there’s no specific plans, and I don’t honestly know my availability due to my other work.
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Intrigued? Check back for more from Edelstein on her character after the premiere airs. (And you can see more CASTLE goodies in the meantime at the show’s official site.)
CASTLE’s sixth season premieres Monday, September 23rd at 10 PM on ABC.
Related:
CASTLE: Season 6 Cast Photos
CASTLE Season 6 Premiere: ‘Valkyrie’ You Ask, I Answer
CASTLE: Andrew Marlowe Teases the ‘Complicated’ Lanie and Esposito Relationship, Dad-to-Be Ryan, Guest Stars, and More
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Am I the only one who dislikes the tone of Ms Edelstein in this interview? I feel like we should thank her for gracing our show with her presence and live in prayer that she doesn’t have anything more important to do in the future to keep her from coming back to “BECKETT”.
I hope I am just reading the intent incorrectly on this. I am not a fan of the DC storyline in general. Even less so now.
@Jon: She just committed to another project — for her to falsely claim she was free to come back any time they called would be a disservice.
She’s excited about the show, but there’s also very little she can say about why she’s excited at this point. There’s more to come post-episode. 🙂
I love Lisa Edelstain interview..Love “Beckett” too 😀
😀 😀 So adorable. She just got a new fan. I hope she isn’t too busy with her new projects and is able to come back at some point.
Thank you for the interview! I cannot wait for Season 6, Sept. 23rd on ABC to come! Less than a week to go!
Very very excited to see Beckett, Castle, Lisa, Jocco, Seamus, Jon, Tamala, Martha, Molly & everybody invited to be guest stars to grace our tv screens!!!! Season 6 is going to be so awesome! I can feel it!
Thank you in advance to our dear dear cast, dedicated writers, talented directors & groovy crew for preparing this special season (& more seasons to come with fingers & toes crossed) for all of us to enjoy our Monday evenings once again!!!
Keep up the good work, guys! 🙂
@Marissa, thank you for your reply. I guess it was more in my interpretation than intent then.
Again, thank you.
I think some people are hyper-sensitive to the Beckett/DC angle, not that I necessarily blame them.
But by all TV journalist accounts, the premiere episode is pretty great, so I hope people can put their reservations aside and enjoy the first episode for the good television it allegedly is.
Looking forward to next week! And to finally getting some perspective on these three episodes, so people can talk freely about it. 😀
Too bad you didn’t ask her about her pilot for Bravo. 🙁
I loved the interview. I´ve been a fan of Lisa´s work since her House days and i´ve really enjoyed every of her roles. It is really exciting to see her on Castle. I´ve never watched the show before but i think it´s time to give it a chance.
What a great interview. It made me even more curious to see the premiere and the DC arc.
Lisa might be Castle’s best guest star yet. It sounds like Lisa is very respectful of the characters and storyline on the show and really gets what she’s there for.
I laughed at her suggestion to call the show “Beckett” imagining the leads bantering about it while she’d get pop corn. Such a fun cast!
Now bring on this new season and thanks for the Q&A.
Loved the interview. Lisa is my favourite actress and i am so happy for watch her again.
I’m sure McCord will be an amazing character and a great contribution to Beckett’s life.
” To McCord, the show might as well be called BECKETT.” Lol. To some of us fans too!
I have no clue who this lady is, so I don’t really care about her character. I’m just looking forward to watching Beckett’s brief journey in DC lead her back home to the NYPD.
Jon, I couldn’t agree more. Frankly, I can hardly wait until the end of the 3 arc so we won’t be graced with Ms Edelstein any longer. I noticed she didn’t mention that her new “project” was just a pilot which hasn’t been sold yet!
From reading the various Castle boards, she certainly appears to be the most divisive guest yet! Personally, I’m anxious to see Nathan, Stana, Martha, Alexis and the 12th precinct gang back, in action.
And despite Ms Edelstein’s wishes, the show is still called Castle!
Yeah is still called Castle but the show is still about Beckett 🙂
I so enjoy reading all the fan comments & collecting any scraps of news about the new season 6 which will be aired on Mon 23 which is in 4 days time. I on the other hand have to wait till about April before the it’s aired here in the UK. So please put out as much information so I can at least learn what is going on, I feel so left out but am getting on with the books! I adore the series and hope season 6 lives up to all our expectations.