Interview: Kevin McNally
Those poor boys need all the help they can get. Even from a paranoid delusional like Frank
– Kevin McNally,
Kevin McNally is an English actor who was born in Bristol, UK. He appeared/been mentioned in six episodes of Supernatural as the character Frank Devereaux. Supernatural in the UK Interviews were conducted for the Supernatural in the U.K. page launch by Lucy (@SpnUK), Supernatural Wiki – ‘Supernatural in the UK’ page creator.
A brief word from Lucy (@SpnUK): I approached Jules at Super Wiki about starting up a page for the UK SPNFamily, covering anything UK related in the Supernatural fandom. It was immediately set up and I went about the daunting task of gathering relevant information for the page. When listing ideas, I thought about the British actors that have been on the show and how it would be great to have some of them answer questions, not just about Supernatural, but also about being a British actor on Supernatural/working abroad.
So I asked some of the UK fans which questions would like to ask, by posting on the Supernatural in the UK Facebook page that I had set up specifically to get the UK fans involved in gathering information. I had a great response and from that I compiled a list of questions to be e-mailed through to the very helpful British actors that had agreed to take part.
Below you will find the answers from Kevin McNally, the magnificent actor who plays Frank Devereaux on Supernatural.
Contents
UK Conventions / Fans
Lucy: You have recently attended a Supernatural Conventions in the UK. How did you find the response to you and your character from UK SPNFamily? Some guests said that UK SPNFamily are louder than fans at any other conventions, would you agree with this?
Kevin: The SPNFamily are certainly the loudest and most loyal I have come across on the circuit. There's never a dull moment at an SPN convention.
Lucy: Do British fans react differently to you than USA or other fans? Do you have any funny stories about meeting UK fans, either Supernatural fans or others?
Kevin: I've always found US fans to be very respectful and often quite reserved. Not so in the UK. They are fulsome in their enthusiasm for the show and don't mind letting you know it. Which is nice.
Lucy: What do you think of the way the SPNFamily have received you? Also the fan base's treatment of guest actors in general?
Kevin: I have been amazed to find out how accepted I was as a comparatively brief newcomer to the show. I have been made to feel very welcome. I think that's true for most guests.
Lucy: Do you think an established movie actor like yourself benefits in anyway by being in a TV series, especially if it's limited by genre?
Kevin: I don't see the genre as limiting. I love being involved in SPN as much as Pirates, Downton and my old connections to Doctor Who and the Bond franchise. The great thing about all these shows is that they are popular and watched by many. What more could an actor ask for.
Working/Living Abroad
Lucy: What’s it like being a British actor working in USA/Canada? Did the cast/crew make any stereotypical British judgments of you? For example that you only drink Tea or that you are best friends with the Royal family?
Kevin: If they did they were soon dissuaded. I don't drink tea and am lukewarm about royalty.
Lucy: What about any prejudice for being British while filming abroad?
Kevin: If there is I instantly become Irish.
Lucy: How does it differ working in a USA based series, as opposed to a UK one?
Kevin: I enjoy my work in the U.S. and Canada. This is where some of the best TV is being made and when I do TV I want it to be the best.
Lucy: How did you manage to adjust to living/working in the USA/Canada?
Kevin: It can be tough being away from my family. But they visit when they can and I go home when possible but on the other hand I am a travel Junkie and I like nothing better than being offered a new role in a new city in a new country.
Lucy: Did it take you long to learn the U.S. slang (trunk, diaper, pants, etc...) Do you still get caught out by it at all?
Kevin: I am pretty good at the different vocabulary but I can get caught out with stress and pronunciation some times. I had a bit of a problem as Frank with 'Teleporter,' I tended to say Tellyporter! The director asked me if it was a 'Frank thing,' I said no it was a 'Brit thing.'
Lucy: Do you have any British food or drink that you miss when working abroad? Or do you get it shipped out to you?
Kevin: I'm okay in LA because I can go the a shop in Santa Monica and get my HP sauce. I have not found a way to source Bovril yet!
Lucy: Where is your favourite place in the UK?
Kevin: My home in West London.
Lucy: Is there a big difference between US and UK humour? Do you find the British more sarcastic/cynical in our comedy than Americans/Canadians?
Kevin: What North American humour? You see, sarcastic. Actually my son and I drove across America last year and we found a station of Canadian comics who we listened too all the time. Our favourites are Jeremy Hotz and Norm Macdonald.
Supernatural Cast
Lucy: Can any of the supernatural cast imitate a convincing British accent? If yes who?
Kevin: They are all perfect. (What else could I say?)
Playing Frank
Lucy: Would you like to work back on Supernatural if they bring Frank back into it in season 9.
Kevin: I would look upon such a request very favourably.
Lucy: What do you think became of Frank Devereaux?
Kevin: It is my firm belief he is alive and well living in Tromsø.
Lucy: If he was still alive and not in hiding, do you think he would have been the Winchester's go-to person for help, depending on if the case needed it
Kevin: Of course. Those poor boys need all the help they can get. Even from a paranoid delusional like Frank.
Acknowledgements
- A huge thank you to Kevin McNally for taking the time to answer these questions, by the fans and for the fans. Thanks to all the fans that submitted questions for the Interview via the Supernatural in the UK Facebook Page.
- E-mail Interview by Lucy (@SpnUK), Supernatural Wiki – ‘Supernatural in the UK’ page creator.
- You can comment on this interview on the talk page for this entry, or to Lucy at @SpnUK.
- Please check out the Supernatural in the U.K. page for more information on SPN in the UK or join our Facebook page to help contribute.
- For inquiries about the Supernatural Wiki, you can contact Jules at admin@supernaturalwiki.com.
- E-mail Interview conducted Jul 2013; posted 25th July 2013.
