{"id":425943,"date":"2024-11-30T13:00:58","date_gmt":"2024-11-30T13:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=425943"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Murder-in-a-Small-Town-Boss-Gushes-About-James-Cromwell-s-Guest-Stint-Elevated-the-Whole-Feel-of-the-Show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Murder-in-a-Small-Town-Boss-Gushes-About-James-Cromwell-s-Guest-Stint-Elevated-the-Whole-Feel-of-the-Show\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Murder in a Small Town\u2019 Boss Gushes About James Cromwell\u2019s Guest Stint: \u2018Elevated the Whole Feel of the Show\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Murder in a Small\u00a0<\/em>Town<\/em><\/a> concluded its first season on Tuesday (November 26) with a dramatic two-parter that changed the game for the Fox drama in a big way. The show\u2019s success with audiences (earning big numbers for the network with Hulu streamers in particular) is owed, of course, to the unique chemistry between its two leads, Rossif Sutherland<\/a> and Kristin Kreuk<\/a>. But it certainly didn\u2019t hurt that right out of the gate, it featured legendary small-screen star James Cromwell<\/a> as the featured guest. In fact, according to executive producer Jeff Wachtel, it was Cromwell\u2019s casting that \u201celevated\u201d the series in an important way.<\/p>\n

In the pilot, Cromwell starred as George Wilcox, a beloved local and friend of Cassandra who reported finding his brother-in-law Carlyle dead in his home. Karl Alberg\u2019s investigative skills ultimately helped him determine that it was Wilcox who bludgeoned the man to death in a moment of furor after he badmouthed his late sister. They decided to show mercy to the man and allowed him to escape, despite knowing that he committed the bloody crime and was even destroying evidence right in front of them.<\/p>\n

The role was initially meant for the late, great Donald Sutherland<\/a>, who almost starred in a movie based on the same concept and was going to take on the role in the series<\/a> before falling ill. But when he was no longer available, the producers decided to dream big.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you make a wish list, you know you\u2019re not going to get them, but James Cromwell would be my choice,\u201d Wachtel remembered. Thanks to a connection with his agent, he was able to pitch the script to him but didn\u2019t hold his breath. \u201cI said, \u2018I know it\u2019s a Fox procedural. He\u2019s off Emmy nominations for<\/span> Succession<\/span><\/em><\/a>.\u2019 And she said, \u2018Well, he responds to material, so send it.\u2019 And we did, and it was a really good script, and the part is a really good part. And he said, \u2018Okay.’\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The get was so exciting that the network was willing to find some extra money to secure such a high-profile performer. \u201cI went to Fox, which has been a very good partner, and I said, \u2018We can get you to Cromwell for the pilot,\u2019 and they said, \u2018How much? We\u2019re in. We\u2019ll share. We\u2019ll split it with you.’\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"'Murder<\/a><\/p>\n
Related<\/div>\n

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\u201cI was so honored that James said, \u2018Yeah, this is something I want to do,’\u201d Wachtel added. \u201cI mean, this is a legendary 85-year-old actor who traveled from New York to an island off of Vancouver and, by the way, is a complete pro. He\u2019s schlepping that row boat shot. He was unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wachtel did admit that Cromwell\u2019s hiring did come with a very distinct type of rider: \u201cHis only request was that he needed an extra-large mattress because he\u2019s like 6\u20195\u2033,\u201d Wachtel explained. \u201cHe was amazing. And it was so good to have it early in the season because just watching him and Rossif together, it just elevated to the whole feel of the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murder in a Small Town<\/strong><\/em>, streaming, Hulu<\/strong><\/p>\n

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