Last week, I chatted with Tamala Jones who plays Castle’s Lanie Parish. Although she started off as Beckett’s no-nonsense forensics gal pal in season one, she eventually grew into a relationship with Esposito and showed vulnerability in season four after Beckett’s shooting. We discussed Castle’s current season, Lanie’s development as a character, and Tamala’s future projects.
As you can tell from the promo image above, she sounds like she looks: all smiles, sunshine, and sweetness. As an African-American woman, I’m happy to see her on the television screen and hope that she continues her acting progress. This season provided additional development regarding Jones’ smart-talking forensics specialist character, Lanie, on Castle. In addition to her forensics certainty, the watching audience learns that Lanie’s cranky during double-shifts. Plus, we see her outside the crime scene and the crime lab assisting Beckett on a head crime for the first time in “Head Case.”
The one thing I never expected in Castle included the Lanie and Esposito (Jon Huertas) relationship. Jon Huertas catalyzed it through a huge twitter campaign. Once the on-screen romance started, I found myself invested. They almost served as the anti-Castle/Beckett (you know, the one couple that could profess their feelings for each other), which was Jon’s intention. According to Tamala, Esposito is the traditionalist who wouldn’t mind marrying his gal Friday, but free spirit Lanie currently has the problem with walking down the aisle. But that doesn’t mean Lanie wants to let go. For Lanie, they’re “taking time off” but for Esposito they’re breaking up. Tamala hinted you’ll see the two undergo a lot, especially Lanie as the green-eyed monster. Tamala views the relationship as very similar to “real life situations.” While the relationship lightened both Lanie and Esposito, Tamala pointed out that this season focused on bringing more characters to the forefront including Ryan and Alexis.
Considering most of the characters have undergone their solo episodes, I asked if a future show surrounding Lanie’s past would hit the screen soon. Tamala revealed that Andrew Marlowe mentioned the possibility to her. I enjoy Lanie’s sass and her deadpan delivery. I loved her recent retort to Castle, a writer without any medical background, for questioning her medical judgment. However, when providing the episode to flesh Lanie out, Tamala stated Andrew is really “taking his time” because there’s only one chance to get it right. But people want to learn more about why Lanie remains externally closed and emotionally tough. Tamala suggested issues to Andrew surrounding an absentee father or a past marriage for Lanie, which I would love to see. She and Stana Katic also hope to see more of Lanie and Beckett bonding.
Although no one’s a fan of Iron Gates’ iron will, I feel Lanie’s no-nonsense attitude would mesh well with Gates’ personality. Tamala agreed. Although they haven’t shot any episodes together yet, she’d love a scene where Lanie reveals that Gates is a kitten when stroked the right way.
Overall, I currently enjoy Castle’s fourth season, especially the occasional breaks from levity. During the darker episodes, the directors seemingly experiment more with camera shots which gives the show a cinematic feel. Ryan’s lost gun, Beckett’s shooting, the captain’s death, and last week’s Dog Day Afternoon episode, all show an increasing attempt to branch out by the production and writing staff. When I enthused my enjoyment, Tamala mentioned she’d pass it on. “I think that the writers and Andrew have done an excellent job to make it a little darker.” Luckily, “we still have a funny time.”
I also learned a couple new things about Tamala. Did you know that her career started with a guest spot on California Dreams? She remembers feeling excited about the show and attending her first wrap party with them. However, she continues to build her acting vitae, despite her Castle success with a romantic comedy, 35 and Ticking, in 2011; an independent film, Things Never Said (written and directed by V co-executive producer and Castle supervising producer, Charles Murray) for 2012; and a one-woman show containing multiple characters which she demonstrated for me.
So, keep watching out for Castle and for Tamala Jones. Both keep surprising their audience in delicious ways!
Check back later for the transcript and the rest of the audio clips!
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Nov 08, 2011 @ 13:00 EST5EDT
