Lisa Edelstein Talks Castle Making Nice With McCord (and Her Unimaginable House Exit)
McCastle, anyone?
Although Castle‘s titular novelist and his fiancée Kate’s D.C. partner didn’t get off on the best foot in the ABC drama’s Season 6 premiere, looming death has a way of changing things. Lisa Edelstein spoke with TVLine about her three-episode arc and how scene partner Stana Katic impressed her, as well as reflected on Dr. Cuddy’s unplanned House exit.
PHOTOS | Fall TV Spoiler Spectacular: Exclusive Scoop on Castle and 44 Other Returning Faves
TVLINE | Were you familiar at all with Castle going in?
I’d heard about it but I hadn’t watched it, so I watched a bunch of episodes when they called me. My mother’s a big fan, so I did it for my mother. [Laughs]
TVLINE | I saw the photos that you and Stana tweeted from the set. The two of you became fast friends.
She’s great. I really didn’t want to do an arc on a show without really investing as much as I could in it, or else it’s not worth it. You know what I mean? So I walked onto that show with a lot of ideas, really wanting to create a real character and a real world, and Stana was psyched, which was just great.
TVLINE | Yeah — she said the same thing to me about you.
That’s so nice. So nice. I really enjoyed working with her. Look, I was on her show, so it could go many different directions when you’re that particular. Especially since it was the first episode back and the whole crew was starting anew, and there I was jumping in side-by-side with her. I was really happy she was so gracious.
RELATED | Castle Season 6 Spoilers — Beckett Returns to New York City
TVLINE | McCord thus far has been a little exasperated with Mr. Castle. Is that going to change at all now that he’s, you know, on death’s doorstep, having been exposed to a chemical weapon?
Yeah, looming death, impending doom, it sort of changes the dynamic of things, and I think McCord allows for some leeway in terms of Castle’s participation [in the Valkyrie investigation]. Because how could you really say no to someone trying to stop themselves from dying?
TVLINE | Plus, he’s now like a piece of evidence.
And he’s a living, breathing piece of evidence — at least for another 24 hours!
TVLINE | Will this lead to any bonding between McCord and Beckett? I can imagine that Beckett might need someone to talk to about what she’s going through.
Yes — although neither one of these women are gabbers. And that’s what they like about each other. There is not a lot of requirement for warm, cushy conversation. They sort of both cut to the chase.
TVLINE | What about working with Nathan Fillion — how did you find him to be?
Hilarious. Just a good-natured fellow.
TVLINE | So it was kind of tough coming down hard on his character when you had to?
No, he can take it!
RELATED | Castle Creator Previews ‘Fun’ New Obstacles — Plus: Is a Wedding Coming?
TVLINE | Did you experience any déjà vu there on Castle – you know, a Monday night drama featuring a “Will they, wont they” couple that finally got together?
Right. Yes. It is a little bit like “something” [Laughs], but I can’t remember what…. It’s been so long.
TVLINE | Well, speaking of House: Before you ever got wind of the way things were going to go, did you ever think that, when that series finale ever rolled around, it would be “happily ever after” for Cuddy and House?
Never. I always thought they would get together at some point — and I thought they probably should have pushed it a little sooner. I think they dragged it on for too long. But I never thought it would work.
TVLINE | And the way that it ended up totally not working, with him driving his car into her dining room — was that something you ever imagined?
I don’t think it was something anybody imagined. It was not the intention of the showrunner [for that to be Cuddy’s final appearance]. Maybe they should have rethought that a little, but that’s all right. It’ll live on in our imaginations.
RELATED | House Boss Answers Burning Finale Qs, Addresses Cuddy, Foreman, Kutner Mysteries
TVLINE | Anything else you would like to say about your time on Castle?
I’m really happy I did it. I don’t know how many more times I could say, “Stop! Federal Agent! Drop your weapon!” in my life, but I did enjoy it.
TVLINE | And the door’s open for you to come back at some point, if needed?
Yes, they’ve always made that clear it’s just really a question of availability — and now I’m doing this new project [headlining Bravo’s The Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce pilot, from Buffy scribe Marti Noxon], which I’m so excited about.
TVLINE | Yes, that seems like a really good fit for you. Marti’s terrific.
It’s a really fun project. And it’s so smart. It’s so much the modern problem of dealing with life after divorce, and its funny and its dark and its sassy. Marti’s a great writer, so I’m thrilled.
Want more scoop on Castle, or for any other show? Email insideline@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.
Related stories
Once Upon a Time Stars Preview Pan-Demonium, the Punishing of Lost Boys, Baby Talk and More
ABC Cancels Lucky 7 After Only 2 Episodes, Scandal Encores to Fill Tuesday Void
Scoop: Spartacus Vet Among Trio Joining ABC's Limited Series The Black Box
Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
