What is it they say about saving the best for last?
With the 200th episode of Supernatural only minutes away on the East Coast, we’re sharing our 200th Episode Party red carpet interview with Mark Sheppard, who plays “Crowley” on the show. But first, good news and bad news. The bad news is we didn’t get this one on camera. The good news is the entire thing is transcribed below!
Our questions to Mr. Sheppard are posted in bold; his answers are not. Be sure to watch the episode tonight, and check our Supernatural hub and our YouTube page for more Supernatural interviews!
KSITETV’s CRAIG BYRNE: Often times when we’ve talked before you’ve been very hesitant to give away spoilers. Can you talk about that philosophy?
SHEPPARD: I think it’s a bit selfish on my part. It probably stems from being on Battlestar, and knowing the end of the series six months before anybody else gets to see it. It’s a sacred thing. We’re the keepers of the story. It’s like telling the punchline of a joke. You just don’t do it. It’s not done. It’s bad form.
Between Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, and Supernatural, you’ve been in some very iconic series.
And I’ve lied about my appearances in every single one of them!
What is it about Supernatural that stands out?
I’ve said it over and over again. You either care about the Winchester brothers, or you don’t. If you care about the Winchester brothers, this is a great show.
What about if you care about Crowley?
Crowley, I’ve been lucky enough to say, is a big part of this show, but if you don’t care about the brothers, it means nothing. Jensen and Jared bring that much to these characters, and have constantly been growing an audience. 13, 14, 15 year old girls… there’s no way they were watching it during Season 1, but with the advent of the changing content delivery, and the way that things happen, now you’ve got kids that come and binge-watch five seasons. It’s unheard of. It was never going to be that way.
When you first played the role of Crowley, did you expect to be playing him so many years later?
No. As Sera kindly says over and over again, I was just there as a guest star. So I’ve overstayed my welcome.
Is there a particular thing that Crowley has been able to say that amused the heck out of you?
Always. The moose references have always made me laugh. But I have a fabulous group of writers that I can tell enjoy writing for Crowley, because they give me so many wonderful things to say. I get so excited picking up a new script and seeing just how rude I’m going to be for the next episode.
Who do you think is Crowley’s favorite character to be rude to?
That I happen to be rude to would have to be Sam. Because the moose reference is still the best thing that ever happened.
Does Crowley have a favorite Sam Winchester haircut?
They all look the same to me. He’s so far up there, you can’t see it most of the time.
What was your first impression of Jensen and Jared, and how have they changed over the years?
They’re gentlemen. They’ve always been gentlemen. Kind, considerate, caring, good actors. Jensen is a fantastic director. I don’t know, man. I’ve been working on a lot of shows, and I’ve had a lot of fantastic experiences. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the best people on television, and they continue that tradition, and they’ve made the last five years, for me, extremely joyous, and so much fun.
Did Supernatural change your life or career in any way?
Yeah, very much so. I was kind of ‘that guy’ for a long time, as my dad is as well. Kind of ‘that guy.’ And I am certain that Supernatural has pushed me further forward in the genre than ever before. It’s a glorious gift. I’ve gotta thank that man – Mr. Kripke was very instrumental in that. And of course, Ben Edlund, and Bob, and everybody. It’s a fantastic group of people.
Are the writers collaborative in talking with you about Crowley, or would you rather not know where he’s going?
They write, I speak. But there’s a wonderful trust. They are very good at their jobs. It’s not my job to dictate anything; it’s not what I want to do. They’re the keepers of story; they’re the keepers of the canon. They’re the keepers of the whole story. And they have an uncanny way of finding things for me to do, that just make me giggle deliciously. There’s the occasional time that they’ve graced me with the ability to change a few things, or move a few things online, but, you know, but in whole and in part, the most fun is cracking up a new script and seeing which group of writers have decided to write for me this time.
“Fan Fiction” airs at 9PM tonight on The CW.
