AllShiny
Sep 19, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
Well, I don't think anyone else has started a topic on
Castle yet - and I hope it's not too early for a mid-season (winter 2009) show. It looks kind of interesting, and it does have Nathan Fillion. Let's hope it's more successful than his last couple starring roles.
Castle is a 1 hour witty drama based on a famous crime and horror novelist who helps the NYPD homicide department solve crimes.
Richard Castle [Nathan Fillion], a rock star of the literary world, is suffering from a case of writers block after killing off the main character in his novels and is struggling to come up with a replacement.
Castle had grown weary of having it all, “fame, fans and females”, when he was approached by the attractive Detective Kate Beckett [Stana Katic] of the NYPD to help catch the copy-cat killer staging murders based on scenes from his novels.
Castle is not a traditional investigator and his approach to solving the crimes conflicts with Beckett’s conservative approach leading to much tension and a hint of romance.
Keeping Castle grounded are his mother [Susan Sullivan], teenage daughter Alexis [Molly C. Quinn], poker playing friends James Patterson, Sue Grafton, and Stephen King and his ex wife Gina [Monet Mazur] who is also his editor.
Ruben Santiago-Hudson will play the Police Chief.
Castle is inspired by shows like “Rockford Files” & “Moonlighting” that are lighthearted with romantic tension and unlike the dark procedurals prevalent today Castle invites the viewer to invest in the relationship of two people having fun together and engaging in witty banter.
Castle is directed by Rob Bowman whose credits include Day Break, Night Stalker and X-Files and is produced by Andrew Marlowe, Armyan Bernstein, Laurie Zaks and Rob Bowman.
Official Castle Website
firestarter
Sep 19, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
That sounds great. Let's hope Nathan has some luck with this one.
Are Patterson, Grafton and King going to actually be on the show?
While A Coyote
Sep 19, 2008 @ 5:18 pm
Sounds like KEEPING him involved is going to be a bit of a task though. I mean unless they take an entire season to catch the copy-cat killer and his weekly involvement with a crime o' the week keeps being a side-effect of that.
And "Detective Kate Beckett"? Holy "they must have used the standard TV character name generator", Batman!
Nathan Fillion seems like a weird fit for this show. I could see him as a hard-bitten PI, or as a straight-up cop, but neither of those are what they are doing. And the OTHER mainstay of modern "detective" shows are oddballs. And he doesn't work there either. It seems almost as if he's going to try and play a version of the rarely done "rich dude who investigates stuff out of boredom" role, with the "copy-cat killer" stuff to back that up, but then partnering him with a female cop (instead of a female PI, lets say) seems like it would make that even harder to write.
Split Ends
Sep 19, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
Having just watched NF play a goofy, neurotic gynecologist in Waitress, I think he could do author pretty well. Plus, I really liked him as a mostly adorkable Joey on One Life to Live. I've never seen Firefly, Serenity or Drive, so I've always missed the boat on Action!Nathan Fillion, well, except for the preacher guy on Buffy.
I'm pretty much at a limit for crime shows, but if this one is as odd as it sounds, I'm in. I second the question about Patterson, Grafton and King -- are they really going to appear?
cyberducks
Sep 19, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
This sounds kinda cool.
Plus, I have a lot of goodwill for Nathan Fillion and wish him to finally have a hit show.
Go, Nathan!
troycrazy8
Sep 19, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
I sing the name Nathan Fillion to the tune of the Hallelujah Chorus. Needless to say, I'll be watching this show.
While A Coyote
Sep 19, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
It would be funny if the hero of his fictional detective books was a police Captain named "Hammer".
AllShiny
Sep 20, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
Are Patterson, Grafton and King going to actually be on the show?
When I read that part, I pictured a reoccuring card game - maybe at the end of most episode - with the 4 of them playing. They could shoot the scenes for half a dozen episodes in less than a day, I'm sure. Even if it's periodic, it could be a neat hook.
It could be nice seeing NF play not quite so intense for a while. This certainly sounds like it could be fun.
firestarter
Sep 20, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
I sing the name Nathan Fillion to the tune of the Hallelujah Chorus.
Hee hee! Maybe that could be included in the next Dr. Horrible Sing-A-Long.
AllShiny
Sep 21, 2008 @ 9:27 am
Something interesting I found.
This has the actual plot of the pilot (which we may or may not see in this exact form), and what could be spoilers. Lots of very interesting info:
Futon Critic
Featherhat
Sep 21, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
Thanks for the review, seems fairly even handed. Doesn't sound too bad, kind of "Bones" crossed with "Californication" could be fun but completely awful if they got the balance wrong. What happens when the murders are solved though? Does he stick around because he feels like he's doing something with his life and "knows all the cliche ways to murder people" plus his female partner I'd imagine?
The reviews on IMDb are mixed, some saying it works and some not, with someone saying it was almost "House" like, should be interesting at any rate.
Nathan Fillion wouldn't be someone I readily imagined in this knid of role but he is a decent actor and Stana Katic's ok. Do we have any more detailed info on when it airs at all?
Looking at Fillion's IMDb profile it seems he's a bit of a showkiller but I liked him in Waitress so I hope it works out ok. I'd say mid season wasn't a good omen but with the strike and the fact that 90% of ABC's new shows are midseason, it doesn't matter so much.
AllShiny
Sep 25, 2008 @ 10:38 am
Here's an interesting tidbit I found in a USAToday article about Emmy afterparties
link :
Fillion is set to start filming Castle, a new ABC series, starting in November. He plays Richard Castle, "a murder-mystery novelist who helps a homicide detective solve murders. And at the same time, she's a new character in his new series of books. It's Murder She Wrote meets Moonlighting and I'm Jessica Fletcher meets Bruce Willis."
This makes it sound like he uses the detective he's paired with to replace the character he killed off, and start a new series. I guess this explains - from his perspective anyway - why he still hangs around and helps out the detective after the initial (copy-cat) crime is solved. "Research" - a good excuse. Doesn't explain why the police would LET him, unless he has enough clout. Which is possible, I guess.
Edited to add: Also, notice this quote says "November" - whereas I thought it was "midseason" - as in January. November is better - for ME. But they may just have it wrong.
Featherhat
Sep 25, 2008 @ 11:42 am
I thought it meant they started filming in November, not that the show premiered then.
AllShiny
Sep 25, 2008 @ 11:52 am
Now that I read it again, you're probably right. I had just gotten the sense from earlier things that they were already filming - but that's probably just wrong.
Featherhat
Oct 14, 2008 @ 4:22 am
Just seen the trailer for this on youtube and it wasn't bad. Sort of a cross between Bones and a sanitised version of Californication.
Nathan Fillion appears decently charismatic in the role as a "rockstar crime writer" who has no idea abou real detective work. And Stana Katic like every other "tough and sassy" woman detective but seems fine. Not sure about the traditional UST though, have to wait to see the actual show. All in all nothing particularly ground breaking but looks as though it will be decent enough to pass an enjoyable hour as long.
AllShiny
Oct 14, 2008 @ 6:30 am
Just seen the trailer for this on youtube and it wasn't bad.
Link? For those of us who are youtube impaired.
Featherhat
Oct 14, 2008 @ 6:44 am
Sorry, forgot we are allowed to link to youtube now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voLQY3KyWRk
AllShiny
Oct 14, 2008 @ 6:51 am
Thanks!
Now I just have to wait until I get home from work to watch it. (What's with the Federal Government blocking all the really cool websites - except this one - from their employees...like we'd watch youtube all day...er, speaking of which, better get back to work...)
Just watched it. He's a bit of a jerk, isn't he? If it was anyone other than NF, it might wear real thin real quick. And who knows - it still might. But I think I'll risk it.
AllShiny
Nov 6, 2008 @ 10:28 am
Not such good news - ABC cut the order of episodes this year from 13 to 10.
Hollywood Reporter ArticleSources close to the network stress that the cutbacks are not for creative but for inventory reasons, as ABC has "Lost" as well as six new scripted series launching in midseason, "Castle," "Unusuals," hourlong "Cupid" and comedies "In the Motherhood," "Better Off Ted" and "The Goode Family."
I want to buy that...let's just hope this doesn't mean another shortlived, failed series for NF.
mandigirl
Nov 7, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
Well, ABC isn't really the first place I would look to for a crime procedural, but it seems light and funny enough to make a good fit. The trailer looked very decent (I'm surprised the full presentation hasn't leaked yet). And of course, Nathan Fillion is very charismatic. He was made to play the Richard Castle character. I'm not sure right now about the female lead-- I've never seen her before. Also, I can already tell I'm going to have to completely suspend my disbelief on the whole premise of the show. I'm not sure if they're any situations where the cops would allow a civilian to tag along on official police business indefinitely.
I want to buy that...
Move over-- I'm sitting right next to you in La la land. I too have a feeling this is spin, but I just don't want to hear it.
Featherhat
Nov 7, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
ABC has already told exsisting showrunners to cut back on their budgets, like, right now. So it doesn't surprise me that they are cutting down orders on shows that haven't aired yet and given the fact that they have several shows ready to go and state of this season generally I'm not that surprised. It probably is partly spin but they're doing it to all shows, not just Castle.
AllShiny
Nov 10, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
I'm just praying they do enough advertising to get people's attention. Nathan Fillion is so charismatic - but that doesn't mean anything if noone gives it a chance!
And what timeslot are they going to put this into? I hope it's not up against something with a similar potential audience - Bones, for instance. Or Chuck. I think people who like those shows (not just ME) would probably like this one too. If the tone of the preview is anything to go by.
AllShiny
Dec 3, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
To answer my own question -
It looks like Castle will be on Monday nights at 10:00, starting March 9th. Could be worse, I guess.
Schedule
rove3
Dec 4, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
Since ABC just cancelled Eli Stone on me I'm not even sure I want to risk watching another new show, getting attached to it only to have them yank it (much as I love NF). Once LOST is done i think I'll just stick to cable and leave the big three (ABC, NBC, CBS) to figure out whether they're winding their butts or scratching their watches.
nirveli9
Jan 14, 2009 @ 1:07 pm
So i watched the trailer on youtube and being a kind of crazy firefly fan...i was pretty happy when NF was wearing a brown coat.
AllShiny
Jan 14, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
I missed that!
Have you noticed - this show has been getting a lot of mention (including on TWoP) when they mention new shows - it's one of them most mentioned. Mostly because of Nathan Fillion. I wonder if that will be enough to get the show reviewed here? It's more formula than they usually go for, but never underestimate the power of lustful hormones.
And let's hope the network supports it, that there's lots of publicity (and many NF appearances on the chat shows, and other media).
lilith1930
Jan 14, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
I'm really looking forward to this and hope it's a big success for him - I want nothing but good things for his career.
andi pandi
Jan 14, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
Oh, Nathan, you sexy thing. I will watch this. I don't have hopes for it lasting, but the retro feel (a writer, you say?) and witty dialogue may pull it in. Reminds me banter-wise of Bones, but less repressed. A little Spenser for Hire-ish. A little Remington Steele-ish (unqualified character playing a detective).
Hmmm.
AllShiny
Jan 17, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
Variety has an article about ABC's prospects for the rest of the season, and the folks there seem to think that Castle is the best bet of ABC's new shows. They point out that Dancing With The Stars will be it's lead-in - which I can certainly live with, and that it's lighter tone might peal away people tired of CSI:Miami (I already pealed myself away from that show a while ago, even though I watch the other CSIs).
Here's hoping!
myintermail
Jan 17, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Among the new shows they are trying to replace with Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money, Castle is the only show I'm willing to give a chance. Maybe because of the unconventional crime solving style, akin to Pushing Daisies.
I've only seen Nathan Fillon in "Desperate Housewives" as Adam Mayfair for only one season. As for Stana, she's in "Heroes" as Hana Gitelman for only one episode. (Fuck you, Heroes for wasting such a good character in graphic novels)
Don't get me wrong but... isn't that "whatever I write becomes a reality" premise is slightly overused nowadays? Think Brandon Fraser's "Inkheart" with a slight twist.
AllShiny
Jan 18, 2009 @ 7:58 am
I think it's only the pilot episode - if they catch the serial killer, if not, it might be a reoccuring story, like Red John on the Mentalist. It's not a supernatural "what I write happens" - just a copy-cat of sorts. They did a story sort of like that on NCIS (with McGee, who writes pulp crime novels).
(You know, you could get the idea from the above paragraph that I watch WAY too much TV...which is pretty much true...)
According to the preview on Youtube, Castle is Steven King-like famous, and gets all buddy buddy with the cop higher-ups, and pursuades them to let him tag along (ride along) with Stana's character to get background for a new series he's writing.
BTW - I hadn't really seen Stana before, until this last Librarian movie with Noah Wiley. I kind of liked her - though I can see this character will be VERY different.
myintermail
Jan 18, 2009 @ 11:24 am
Ah, got it. So I assume the mysterious serial killer must be a great fan of Castle's books to replicate exactly how he wrote it.
About the news of them cutting the season short, seems like the ABC monkeys have yet to learn the lesson they had 2 years ago: Short seasons = fanbase harder to build = low ratings. Or they are setting this up to fail new shows as well (Which is even dumber)
Nonetheless, I have to check it out to get more of an idea of the premise.
AllShiny
Jan 19, 2009 @ 8:30 am
Maybe he's a fan. Maybe a fanenemy. The preview info has said that Castle just killed off the main character/detective from his long running series. That could've pissed off his slightly bent "fan". It also occured to me that the killer might/could go after Castle in the same way that lead character was killed, to give it a scary climax. But that's totally a guess, based on nothing but my own lame imagination.
Watcher19
Jan 19, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
It's good that they are giving Stephen King a mention since it sounds like they are stealing a good portion of their ideas from "Misery."
Featherhat
Jan 20, 2009 @ 5:46 am
About the news of them cutting the season short, seems like the ABC monkeys have yet to learn the lesson they had 2 years ago: Short seasons = fanbase harder to build = low ratings. Or they are setting this up to fail new shows as well (Which is even dumber)
I think it was more about cost than anything else, it's not like they decided it was a better strategy to have less shows. They cut the number of shows from every mid season show, not just Castle. Besides if it doesn't have decent ratings within the first few episodes it will probably get cancelled anyway so it doesn't matter if it has 10 or 13.
AllShiny
Jan 21, 2009 @ 6:55 am
It's good that they are giving Stephen King a mention since it sounds like they are stealing a good portion of their ideas from "Misery."
Stephen King may actually get a re-occuring cameo, if I remember correctly. I read somewhere that Castle has a weekly card game with other (real) mystery writers - I think Sue Grafton and Dan Patterson may also have been on the list...I don't know if they'll show it just in the pilot, or if it will be an ongoing thing (I certainly hope so).
andi pandi
Jan 27, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
I read that also, that would be a fun gag.
ParadiseFound
Feb 12, 2009 @ 10:37 am
I love NF and I'm excited for this show. The previews really give it a "Moonlighting" feel as it was mentioned earlier on the first page of this topic. I LOVED LOVED LOVED "Moonlighting" back in the day and I could see this show becoming popular if they sell it to the right market. It is being HEAVILY promoted by ABC right now during afternoon soaps so you can see who they are trying to get interested in this show. Also, NF used to be on ABC on One Life to Live soap so maybe they figure they can pull his fans from there in as well.
AllShiny
Feb 12, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
Speaking of the card game bit -
here's the link to a clip that has Castle playing a card game with James Patterson & Stephen J. Cannell and talking about his "idea" for a new story, though I suspect he's actually running by them what's actually happening, since it's the premise of the show.
I wonder if that's what's going to be the running thing - him running supposed "story ideas" by famous mystery writers in his card game, and getting ideas about whatever real mystery he's working on (or supposedly "observing") with the police.
Cynthia187
Feb 12, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
Do I trust ABC enough to get sucked in by another show? *sigh*. ABC has really screwed me over the past few years. But I'm not butthurt enough to not give this show a try.
AllShiny
Feb 12, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
I don't know if I trust them or not - and having fewer episodes to be able to hook viewers with makes me nervous. But at LEAST they're advertising the heck out of this show! And they didn't put it up against American Idol or one of the good CSIs.
AllShiny
Feb 18, 2009 @ 11:17 am
Here's a little snippet saying that Castle is one of the bright spots of the second (spring) season.
Castle, ABC
Nathan Fillion stars in this mystery/comedy as a famous author who switches from inventing murders to investigating them.
Having watched CBS and Fox prosper with such sort-of-romantic, star-driven mysteries as "The Mentalist" and "Bones," ABC gets in the game with "Castle." They've certainly hired the right star for the task in Nathan Fillion, who seems set to move past his "Firefly" cult status to mass appeal. Throw in an excellent partner in Stana Katic as the cop who has to put up with Castle's amateur sleuthing and you have the makings of an entertaining weekly diversion.
To be sure, if what you want from TV is originality and innovation, you should look elsewhere: "Castle" is the electronic equivalent of comfort food. But these days, who couldn't use a little comfort?
Most of the things I've been reading seem to be positive about the show. Saying it's not ground breaking, but in the vein of The Mentalist and Bones - two shows I happen to love. Personally, I'm all about comfort food.
And while the folks here at TWOP, on the main page, seem to be interested...not much interest yet here on the forum. But I'm starting to get excited. Especially after seeing the card game scene (link posted above). It seems to have potential.
AllShiny
Feb 22, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
OK, so I'm like the party guest who keeps up a running monologue and doesn't take the hint that nobody else is interested in the topic. Well, maybe once the show starts.
From a
Tampa Bay Online article about Stephen J. Cannell that confirms that the other two poker-playing buddies of Castle's (along with Cannell and James Patterson, as seen in the link above) are Sue Grafton and Stephen King. A brief quote:
Debuting March 9, it stars Nathan Fillion as Rick Castle, a crime-solving crime novelist who sometimes gets help from his poker-playing buddies, played by real crime novelists James Patterson, Sue Grafton, Stephen King and Cannell.
"It's just a cameo, but it's a lot of fun, and the series is being compared to 'The Rockford Files,' which is always flattering," says Cannell, who was in Tampa recently to speak at the Tampa Friends of the Library's Four Seasons Luncheon.
kimmako
Feb 22, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
No, Allshiny, I'm interested. When does this air, anyway?
Sue Grafton is a lovely person - at least that time that I met her at a book signing. It would be so cool to have a rotating group of mystery writers pop in for cameos.
Edited to say that I should have read the other posts more closely. Mea culpa. However, following the links made it easy for this lazy person, so thanks! And Greg's mom from Dharma and Greg will be Castle's mom! yay!
AllShiny
Feb 22, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
Monday, March 9th - two weeks from tomorrow - at 10:00 PM EDT (that's right - daylight savings time starts the weekend before, if you can believe that). On ABC. You can see some previews (they've got some interviews with the stars up now) at the
official site.
It's on after Dancing With the Stars, so that's got to be good for it's chances, right?
Here's the schedule from the official site:
Episode 1 - The Pilot - March 9, 2009
Mystery, Horror Novelist Richard Castle is questioned by police after two murders bear a strong resemblance to the murders in his novels. Later, Castle finds himself helping to investigate the crime displaying a unique insight into the true motivation of the killer.On the home front, Castle’s mother has moved in with him and his daughter Alexis. Both are concerned that he hasn’t been writing for some time and his publisher (and ex-wife) is putting on the pressure for his next novel.Episode 2 - Hell Hath No Fury - March 16, 2009
When a body is found wrapped in a rug on the sidewalk, Castle and Beckett’s investigation takes them deep into the cutthroat world of New York City politics. As the new partners dig beneath the surface of the case, they discover a world of high-priced escorts, arrogant tycoons, and corrupt private investigators along with the true cost of betrayal.Episode 3 - Nanny McDead - March 23, 2009
Episode 4 - Hedge Fund Homeboys - March 30, 2009
Episode 5 - A Chill Goes Through Her Veins - April 6, 2009
Episode 6 - Home is Where the Heart Stops - April 13, 2009
Castle and Beckett are stumped by a series of cases involving home invasion jewel heists and murders..Episode 7 - Always Buy Retail - April 20, 2009
Episode 8 - Ghosts - April 21 2009
Castle helps the detectives search for the murderer of a environmental activist bomber who was found drowned in a tub of motor oil.Episode 9 - Little Girl Lost - Air Date: April 28, 2009
Castle continues to help solve the murder of an environmental activist bomber.Episode 10 - A Death in the Family - Air Date: TBA
ByTheWay
Feb 22, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
LT
Feb 23, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Thank you all for the links. Getting me very hyped for the show.
not much interest yet here on the forum. But I'm starting to get excited.
I knew the show was coming (always keep up on the Fillion sitings) but since I don't watch anything (anymore) on ABC I had no idea it was coming up until I saw an ad on ESPN. I don't know how much I can get my hopes up but it is certainly falling into a time of the year when all my shows have had their season finales--the downside of primarily watching basic cable original series. (And, hey, if I turn on the TV just a few minutes early to see how my forum-name namesake did on DWTS, that's not so bad either.)
BrainyBlonde
Feb 23, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
I'm excited to the point of squeeing about this show. I adore Nathan Fillion and am thrilled to finally see him get a star vehicle on a major network. And I love the premise of Castle since I'm both a novelist and a big fan of male/female crime-solving teams, going all the way back to Moonlighting and Remington Steele. I wasn't sure about the actress playing Beckett at first, but after watching the clips and behind-the-scenes stuff, I've warmed up to her. She seems like a good foil for Nathan. Although we haven't seen much of Castle's other relationships w/women (his teenage daughter, his ex-wife/editor, his Broadway diva mother) in the promos/clips, I'm very interested to see his interactions with all of them. Roll on, March 9th!
AllShiny
Feb 23, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Don't forget Sue Grafton! (OK, only limited scenes - still.)
Actually, that clip with of the poker game, with the "other" writers showed a different, more serious side to his character, and it's really what made me start getting excited, because it showed more than just the mouthy character he was with Beckett.
But it certainly does seem to have that Moonlighting/Remington Steele dynamic to it. I really hope this is a hit (quality and ratings wise).
TVMommy
Feb 24, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
Count me among the excited! I just found out about this show this evening and promptly scrawled "CASTLE!" across my calendar for the 9th. For me, it doesn't get much better than NF so I'm sure I'll be highly entertained if not completely blown away. High hopes here.
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