Can’t get enough “Supernatural”? Well, “Supernatural” stars Richard Speight Jr. and Rob Benedict host the podcast “Supernatural: Then and Now.”
“It’s such a cool experience,” Speight said. “Though Rob and I were involved in the show … I didn’t watch every episode. It’s forced me to do exactly that and in order. Now, like a fan, I’m going step by step throughout the entire storyline of each character … giving it a real close look. It’s been fantastically educating, entertaining and illuminating because I can see the show through the eyes of a fan. Plus, we have a great time talking about it. Any time I work with Rob is a good time because nobody makes me laugh like that guy.”
When seeing himself on these episodes, Speight doesn’t second-guess his performances.
“Look, those things are frozen in a vacuum: You do ‘em, they’re on film, they’re captured, you’re not gonna change ‘em. It’s fun to go back and look at it like it’s a home movie,” he said. “There are a couple episodes where I had a lot of sympathy weight because my wife was pregnant, so that wasn’t my favorite thing to revisit, but it happens to the best of us. … You have to come to a zen place in your mind and heart about the work you’ve done in the past.”
Speight played Gabriel and Loki in the 13th season episode, “Unfinished Business,” which he also directed.
“Very few times does an actor get to direct himself kicking his own butt,” he recalled. “It was such an awesome experience and a challenge. I directed myself playing two characters who were dramatically different from each other. They had to interact and physically confront each other; it was amazing. That challenge was unique and special.”
Speight explained why podcasts hosted by a show’s cast are so popular.
“I think people love to hear from the people who made the show, be they crew or cast,” he said. “It’s just like how I used to watch the DVD commentary and listen to a director or writer talk about the experience of making a show or a movie. DVDs aren’t popular anymore, but podcasts are and can serve the same purpose.
They can be a peak behind the curtain to some of your favorite shows and movies as discussed by (the people) who were there to see it all come together.
It brings a unique perspective to it. For fans who love the show, you get to do a deep dive with the people who made the show, which makes it super unique and educational, aside from just entertaining.”