I admit that I am way behind in terms of some fandoms that exist out there in the entertainment universe, and while I am still discovering the world of Stargate, I realize there is a viable fan community in existence that is extremely passionate about the show and its cast. Paul McGillion is probably most recognized for his work on Stargate: Atlantis, but as I explained to my mother today, if there’s a show in Vancouver that has been filmed within the past twenty years or so, there’s a good chance Paul has made an appearance on that show at one time or another. I discovered Paul through the Hallmark network, and thankfully, he was gracious enough to not only chat with me a while back but to patiently wait for the interview to post. And the day for me to share him with my readers has finally arrived!
Credit: Copyright 2012 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Micholina Storer
RH: Paul, it is so great to get to chat with you! I’ve been following your work for quite some time now.
PM: Thank you for reaching out, Ruth, and thank you for your support.
I think it was Hallmark that introduced me to your work.
Yeah, I’ve been working with Hallmark for a long time now. And I’ve also heard many people speak fondly of you.
I’m so glad to hear that. So, Paul, how did you get started in acting?
Well, I was born in Scotland. I’m one of seven kids. When I came out, my mom looked at me, and she noticed I had a big head of hair. She remarked, “Look at him. He has a big head of hair. He looks like a wee Beatle. We’ll call him Paul.” So I’m one of seven kids of a very charismatic family. Lots of different personalities, but I’m the only actor in the family. Six boys, one girl. I think my love of acting and performing kind of started back then.
When I went to University, I did a minor in theater as well as a few other University degrees–a Bachelor from Brock University and a teaching degree as well. I started doing a lot of theater in Toronto and started filming TV there. Then I moved up to Vancouver in 1993. And I guess that’s how I got started.
Photo by Weitzel Studios
Your career is quite extensive. You’ve done quite a bit over the years, which I think is great.
Yes, thankfully!
Definitely. That’s what you want as a working actor.
I’ve been very fortunate, very lucky to play lots of different kinds of roles. I haven’t really been typecast, which is fantastic. And the best part is that I love it.
I know we definitely need to mention Stargate as that was a big show for you. I know there is still such a following for Stargate. I have seen a few episodes, but I somehow missed the whole Stargate phenomenon. I wasn’t into sci-fi back when it was first on.
You can’t watch everything, that’s for sure. But Stargate sure has an enormous fan base. And those fans are fantastic. It’s the gift that keeps giving. It was such a blessing to get that part. I was five seasons on Stargate.
As Dr. Carson Beckett
© 2006 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., MGM Television Entertainment and SCI FI Channel
Wow! According to what I see here, you were on sixty-two episodes.
Yeah, that sounds right.
I’ve talked to others who were a part of Stargate. Teryl Rothery and I have talked about the fandom and the show.
Yes, Teryl’s a good friend of mine.
Why do you think there is still such an incredible following for this show so many years after it ended?
Robert Picardo, Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell, Paul McGillion, Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, and Sharon Taylor in Stargate: Atlantis
Well, I think the interesting thing about Stargate and the draw is that it’s a show that families can watch together. I’ve been very fortunate to travel all over the world and meet so many fans at conventions, and that has allowed me to be able to watch families grow up together. They’ve watched and enjoyed the show together.
And the thing about sci-fi is that it’s complete escapism. I think nowadays, people really need that; they thirst for it. Stargate is one of the few shows families can sit down and watch together. That’s a very rare thing these days. So often, everybody does their own thing. But this is one of those shows that people will tell me then watch when they want to chill or just zone out.
With Stargate, the star of the show is the gate. Every episode, you go through the gate, and you find yourself in a different galaxy, a different planet, and something different happens every time. And I think fans really love that idea. I’d say that’s the common thread I find with people all over the world. They also meet a lot of their friends at these conventions. They travel all over the world, and they hook up there. Some people watch football, some people watch basketball, and some people watch sci-fi.
David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell, Paul McGillion, and Jason Momoa in Stargate: Atlantis
You know, I came to the genre of sci-fi late in the game. In fact, I only started watching because one of my actor friends had a big series. It was actually First Wave.
Oh yes, I did an episode of that!
From First Wave
Oh, I see that now. Sebastian Spence is one of my good friends.
Yeah, he’s a great guy. He’s a Newfoundlander. I did my education degree in Newfoundland.
Cool! Yeah, so I watched the show because I wanted to support him. And I really liked the show, and now sci-fi happens to be one of the genres I enjoy watching. Which is weird because I never thought I would.
© Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
It’s almost overwhelming because there are so many different episodes of Stargate. There’s like two hundred of SG-1, one hundred of Stargate: Atlantis. It’s kind of daunting to wonder whether you should even open this can of worms and watch!
I actually saw the pilot episode of SG-1 because I had a friend in it. I watched the opening scene, and he was killed.
Oh, excellent!! {laughs}
Right! Now as far as more major works, you were in Tomorrowland, a movie I have seen. A lot of Vancouver people were in that one.
Yeah, Brad Bird directed it. It was cool to be a part of that film. George Clooney was in it. It was fun to be a part of something like that.
Tomorrowland
I actually didn’t see the movie until after I interviewed Matthew MacCaull, and because he had a part in it–
Yes, he had a pretty big part in it.
I don’t know how I didn’t happen to hear about much when it came out. My daughter and I really loved it.
I know that it all depends on timing and when it comes out. With a movie like that, when it doesn’t pick up the first week, they drop off the advertising for it. And then all of a sudden, it’s on demand. It’s gone from the theater so fast in this day and age. Did your daughter happen to watch the movie Heartbeats that I did? I shot that one in India.
Heartbeats
No, I have not seen that one, nor has she.
It’s available on demand. It’s the same director as the Step Up movies and the Save the Last Dance movies–Duane Adler. It’s a lovely movie. I’m sure she would like it, and you probably would too. Daphne Zuniga plays my wife in it. Perfect for teenage girls.
I think you’re right. Thanks for mentioning it. She also loves Asian culture, so this sounds like something that might really interest her.
Heartbeats
It’s a beautiful movie and a beautiful story. We shot it in Mumbai and surrounding areas. I play a dad, and my daughter in the movie is a hip-hop dancer. She falls in love with a Bollywood wedding entertainer. Lots of romance and dance which I’d say is perfect for teenagers.
I’m definitely putting that on my list then. Over the past few years, you’ve gotten to do several Hallmark things, and that’s how I first noticed you. In fact, I believe I first noticed you in Signed, Sealed, Delivered. But I think I first learned your name in Ice Sculpture Christmas. Was Christmas Magic your first Hallmark movie by any chance?
Credit: Copyright 2012 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Christos Kalohoridis
I’m not certain. I’ve done many Hallmark movies over the years, and sometimes, I’m not certain about the names of them or the exact order. Christmas Magic was one of the early ones, I think, and it was with Lindy Booth. We shot that in Ontario. Then, as you mentioned, Ice Sculpture Christmas. And then there’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered. I think every Christmas I get phone calls about Christmas Magic and my other Christmas movies.
They definitely replay a lot of those movies every year on the Hallmark Channel.
If Christmas Magic was not my first Hallmark movie, I can say it was my first ever Christmas movie.
Rachel Boston, Paul McGillion Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Marcel Williams
I remember that and Ice Sculpture Christmas. I’m sure we’ll see those playing again this year.
This past season, I was in Time For Me To Come Home For Christmas.
Yes, and that one replayed again recently. Hallmark is showing Christmas movies all year in celebration of their tenth anniversary of Countdown To Christmas.
That’s good to know.
I truly enjoyed that movie. So glad you were a part of it.
Thank you.
Darrow & Darrow
One of the things Hallmark audiences probably know you from is Darrow & Darrow.
Yes! I love getting to do these Hallmark movies and series. I wish I had more time to watch them sometimes, but with having little kids at home and memorizing lines, sometimes I don’t get to see all these movies and shows. But Hallmark movies are always fun to do. Darrow & Darrow is just a wonderful series to be a part of.
Yes, I was so glad when your character came back! I had wondered if Coach Reed would just be a one-time thing. But when he came back, I was ecstatic!
Yes, and hopefully, it looks like he’ll come back again. Fingers crossed for more Darrow & Darrow. I can say it looks promising, so we’ll see. What did you think of the newest one in the series?
Darrow & Darrow
Darrow & Darrow: Body Of Evidence was really good. My mom and I had so much fun watching it. Though, I admit, that I was tipped off ahead of time as to who the killer was. But still, I have to admit, I thought I may have been told wrong because it just didn’t seem like that person was the killer as I watched it. It sure kept my mom guessing, however. And I questioned what I had been told it was so well done.
I’m so glad. And of course, our director, Mel Damski, is such a great guy. And Wendie Malick and I have so much fun together. We always have a blast on set together. In that most recent one, there’s a funny scene I have with Wendie in the restaurant, and I was so proud of that particular scene. Very funny, and I hope to be able to include that on my demo reel at some point.
Well, I think Darrow & Darrow is popular, and it would seem that Hallmark is really doing well with these mystery series, so we’ll hope for many more in the series. Hopefully, they will get more viewership and people will discover them if they haven’t already.
I hope so too. Kimberly Williams-Paisley was great, and so was Tom Cavanagh. He’s one of my closest friends. It’s fun to play on that show with him.
The Bletchley Circle
I notice you are in a series I have yet to see but have heard a lot about–The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco.
That’s right. This series is really well done. Michael MacLennan is the showrunner on it, and it’s based on a British series where the two lead characters go over the San Francisco and continue their journey through there. I have a really great character on that show in episodes three and four. All the episodes are two-parters, and there’s only eight episodes.
I’m familiar with the series, but I haven’t had the chance to watch it because it is streaming on BritBox, and I don’t have that service.
It might be headed elsewhere eventually.
I really hope so. We subscribe to so much, and there are times I just cannot afford a new subscription. But fingers crossed we can watch it somewhere else soon.
My parents really like The Bletchley Circle. I think your mom and dad might really like it too because it’s got that kind of appeal. And my character is just really interesting. It’s got the British appeal that’s for sure.
Any other roles you can tell us about?
The Flash
Yes, I have a lot of recurring roles this past year. I was in Newfoundland shooting Frontier. The third season is already out, and I am in three episodes of that. It’s on Netflix. I got to work with my friend, Jason Momoa, on that. It’s quite a dichotomy. It’s a completely different character than the one I play in The Bletchley Circle. It’s always fun for me to play completely contrasting characters.
The Flash
You’ve been on The Flash as well, right?
Yes, I am a recurring character on The Flash. If you’re not familiar with The Flash, I play a really funny character. I’ve got a prosthetic belly in it, so it’s a really quirky character. He’s Scottish, and he’s a bit of a con man. He’s sort of a private detective. My character did come back this season, so people can look that up. He works with Hartley Sawyer’s character. He’s his ex-partner. It’s always a fun character to play, and one of the last episodes I was in, Kevin Smith directed, so that was really fun.
I notice you’re also in Unspeakable which has already aired in Canada, but will be airing here on Sundance TV in April. I’m looking forward to watching it.
It is a wonderful mini-series based on true events, and I am so glad it’s getting out there. It was nice to be able to have a part on it. I was away shooting something else at the time they started, but then when I got back, the producers on it were able to work with me to be on that show after all. I always like being a part of anything like that because I think it’s really important that the social commentary comes out about those issues. I know they were covered up, but now we’ll get to see the real story. It’s a very interesting series. Great stuff in it, and great actors working on it. It’s got a cast of hundreds, and it was a very ambitious project too. It covers somewhere around thirty years or something like that. For costume and makeup and hair and all that, it was a really complicated shoot. I hope the viewers in the U.S. enjoy it as much as we in Canada did.
Back to Time For Me To Come Home For Christmas. For those who may have forgotten or haven’t seen it, what can you tell us about it?
Credit: Copyright 2012 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Micholina Storer
I play a friend of the family. The lead is played by Megan Park, and Josh Henderson is the other lead. I’m a family friend of theirs; I’m a banker. David Winning directed it, and he’s such a sweet guy. I love being in the Christmas movies because my whole family loves watching them.
It’s funny. When I go to conventions, people come up to me all the time and say, “Oh my gosh, I love your Christmas movies!” It’s amazing. People will come up to me at the airport and say, “Are you in that Christmas movie?” And I’m just like, “Oh my gosh, this is amazing!” It’s always such a pleasure to work on all these Hallmark movies. At the end of the day, I think there are some parallels between Hallmark and sci-fi. It reminds me of that genre. It’s a sort of escapism. People get their cup of tea or hot cocoa or whatever and have their dessert. They watch it, and while there might be a couple of tears shed, at the same time, it’s a movie that takes us away and gives us a happy ending. It’s really sweet and fun to be a part of these movies. Hallmark also has an amazing fan base.
And, of course, the big thing for Hallmark is their massive series, When Calls the Heart.
As Floyd Conklin, When Calls the Heart
Oh, yes, I was a part of that series too. If you go back to season two, you might remember the pretend preacher that came to town. It was such a fun part to play. And I have to say, I think it’s time for him to come back.
I bet the Hearties would love it. As long as the show gets picked up for season seven, let’s pitch that idea.
Absolutely. My character could have gone through some redemption during his time away, and now he is back. It was so much fun to be on that show. Mike Rohl directed the episode I was on, and he also directed me in The Bletchley Circle. And Kavan Smith is a really good friend of mine. He’s got a great part on it now, so it would be fun to get to work with him. The fan base for that show is incredible. I think it’s one of the network’s staples.
I would agree with you.
From Confined (where he also played a detective)
Oh, and one thing else to watch for this summer. I just wrapped Pitcture Perfect Mysteries starring Alexa and Carlos PenaVega and directed by Ron Oliver. I play a really great part in that one, and I hope you and all the Hallmark fans really enjoy it. I play Detective Nick Carlisle.
I am so excited for this new mystery series! Glad you’re in it, Paul. I understand you also teach acting?
I have in the past. I do some private coaching, but my primary focus right now is on acting. I’ve taught at the Vancouver Film School in the past. I am also focused on raising my own children as well.
In honor of Hallmark’s Tenth Countdown To Christmas anniversary, are there any Christmas traditions that you like to practice?
Every Christmas Eve, we watch the original A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim. His performance of Scrooge is my favorite performance of that character. And of course, I love It’s A Wonderful Life too. We watch that on Christmas Day. This most recent Christmas, we actually went away for Christmas to Mexico, and I hadn’t been away for Christmas before. My family is in Ontario, close to Niagara on the lake. Have you ever been to Niagara?
San Diego Comic Con
No, I have not. It’s one place I plan on going, but it hasn’t happened yet.
It’s like a Christmas card. It’s a historic town. In the summertime, it’s got all sorts of shopping and horse-drawn carriages. But in the wintertime, it’s just stunning. It’s right on Lake Ontario. So we also go to midnight mass. And of course, I love watching The Grinch too.
My favorite version of The Grinch is still the original one that was on TV.
Yeah, I hear you. There was a new version out this past Christmas.
Stargate Convention with friends
Yes, that’s right. I’m sure it’s great, but I’m still partial to the original.
I understand. I won’t watch any other versions of A Christmas Carol. We all have our favorites, and for me, Alastair Sim is it. It always makes me feel so good at the end, and his performance is just absolutely unbelievable. As an actor, to watch the humanity in his character is amazing.
Speaking of Christmas movies, I was at a convention a short while back at the end of last year, and it just so happened that a cast member from The Grinch with Jim Carrey, Mindy Sterling, was there. She was in Austin Powers too. I saw her taking pictures with fans, and I thought about how my kids would love that. Because my kids love that one too.
I think my daughter is partial to that version too. Thank you for sharing so much, Paul, it was so great chatting with you.
Thank you, Ruth, it was a pleasure chatting with you. Very excited for all the stuff happening this year. And thanks to all the fans for their continued support.
In so many ways, chatting with Paul is truly like conversing with one of the most down-to-earth, unassuming, “normal” guys around, and if it weren’t for the fact that you know he’s this amazing actor with a mammoth career, he might be overlooked by a casual viewer. Paul is the very epitome of the old Hollywood ideal of a “character actor.” Being a student of classic Hollywood myself, I adore the fact that back in the day, we were regularly treated to so many entertaining actors whose names we never may have known (it wasn’t as easy to research that info as it is today), but we were instantly delighted to witness their characters on-screen. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we can thoroughly luxuriate not only in the talent and skillset that Paul possesses and exhibits in spades, but we can also come to know his name and even meet and visit with him at conventions all over the world. While he will forever be associated with the Stargate franchise, thanks to Hallmark’s love affair with and loyalty to him, an entirely new sector of the population can discover and rediscover the wonder that is Paul McGillion.
While we await the premiere of Picture Perfect Mysteries this summer on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries network, I encourage all of my readers to take a moment and visit Paul’s links below and perhaps even consider following him and/or checking out his previous and current works. I, for one, am exhilarated to see Unspeakable next month, and I’ve placed Heartbeats near the top of my watch list as well. Even though I am not a longtime sci-fi aficionado and I am not familiar with Paul’s works from way back, I appreciate the fact that Paul was willing to talk with me and truly connect with me (and even make recommendations!). I cannot tell you how much respect I have for Paul and his commitment to the craft over the years. He has never sought stardom nor celebrity status. Instead, he has invested his time in portraying a broad assortment of diverse roles while ensuring that his priorities and values are consistently intact. He is one of the easiest people on the planet with whom to have an engaging conversation (he actually listens and interacts–that makes my task so simple). I hope that all of my readers will make it a point to support this gentleman in all his upcoming works, and here’s to many more charming, humorous, heartfelt scenes between Coach Reed and Joanna in Darrow & Darrow for countless years to come!
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