Julian Richings' Death had one helluva introduction inSupernatural’s fifth season.
A passerby bumps into him and rudely tells him to watch where he’s going.
Death pauses and casually brushes his shoulder off before continuing on as if nothing happened.
Jack Rowand/The CW
Meanwhile, the man just collapses on the street.
A few scenes later, though, Gamble’s script threw a curveball at the audience.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: When you auditioned forSupernatural, did you know it was for the role of Death?
Jack Rowand/The CW
JULIAN RICHINGS:I had no idea.
You have to go straight from your shoot to Vancouver."
I said, “Oh, it’s that one!
Jack Rowand/The CW
It’s Pestilence right?”
And she said, “No.
So, it was a surprise to me even the character I was playing.
Katie Yu/The CW
So, doing that opening sequence was a real eye-opener.
What do you remember about shooting that?
It’s not often that I’ve had to do a montage like that.
It was very painstaking and very specific.
I knew that I was in the midst of something that was going to be really exciting.
But it was pretty clear it was going to be something special.
He said, “you’re free to drive, right?”
And I said, “Yeah.”
[I thought], “No problem.”
But of course, the thing handled like a boat.
I kind of jumped in with both feet.
How many takes did you have to do of you driving that Cadillac?
So as soon as they were happy that they got what they needed, we moved on.
[Laughs] It was the biggest unknown factor of that particular sequence.
I particularly love the beat when Death kills the rude man who bumped into him.
What did that beat convey to you about who you were playing?
Well, it was great.
I didn’t have to push the terror aspect of the Death character.
I could play and enjoy myself like a cat with a mouse.
All of the clues were there in that original montage.
It was in the script.
It was a very human relationship, almost like a stern uncle with his nephew.
There was a connection, so it took beyond it just being a stern bad guy.
It became a really interesting organic scene.
Were you surprised by the script’s playful take on this character?
Yes, I was and delighted.
How did you handle that aspect of the performance in this initial scene with the deep dish pizza?
[Laughs] Not very well.
You know, I think it was the first time I had ever had Chicago deep dish pizza.
It was really good.
It felt like a really appropriate dynamic.
But in terms of my mastery of props and managing the pizza, it was pretty hard.
I don’t think I touched pizza after that day probably for another couple of months.
It’s just so well-written that it was natural.
You went on to appear onSupernaturalseveral more times.
Is there one appearance that really sticks out in your mind?
I enjoyed all of them actually.
I can’t say that I have a favorite.
I remember with particular delight revealing the pickle chips.
That was very, very funny.
I’d never had them before, so that was a memorable episode.
Of course,Death’s deathwas particularly memorable as well.
It marked the end of a very interesting character arc, and an arc for the show, too.
That last sequence is very memorable and equally technical, actually.
The show has a new Death now, played by Lisa Berry.
Have you had a chance to meet her?
I’ve seen her in many things, and I followed her theatre career.
I really enjoy what she brings to Billie.
It goes back to what I was saying about the show.
I think she brings so much that’s so different [to the part] and it’s great.
Supernaturalairs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on The CW.
