Yahoo News Lucifer star Kevin Alejandro reacts to axing
Lucifer star Kevin Alejandro has revealed his surprise at Fox's cancellation of the show ahead of his 'lost episode' airing on Monday (May 28).
With the #SaveLucifer campaign in full swing, two bonus episodes that were meant to be for season four will air on Fox in the US next week, one of which – 'Once Upon a Time' – marks Alejandro's network TV directorial debut.
We've already examined the candidates of who can #SaveLucifer, so we thought we'd go directly to Alejandro to find out the inside story of the cancellation, whether he believes the show will return and what to expect from his 'lost episode'.
Were you surprised by FOX's decision to cancel the series?
"Honestly? YES. I think we were all a little surprised. We love being part of this Lucifer family. We knew we were on the bubble, but I know we all saw a little bit of a light at the end of the tunnel. Who knows? Maybe this IS the light? Maybe another platform will pick us up and let us tell the rest of the story? Or maybe this is the end?
"But either way, the world has felt the love our fans have for our show, and they have felt the love WE have for our show. It's not often in life we get the opportunity to do something we truly love with people we adore. Some people never get it. But you know what? We here at Lucifer DID get it, and that's the light I'll always see."
Did the size and scale of the reaction – and of the #SaveLucifer campaign – surprise you?
"I wouldn't necessarily say it surprised me. We talk to our fans every day. We know how involved they are in our story, so it didn't really surprise me. It humbled me. It is emotionally overwhelming how much love there is out there, and being on the receiving end of it is a blessing."
What do you think the odds are of the series returning in some form?
"I wish I had a crystal ball and a good answer for this question. I don't really know. All I do know is that everyone involved in making this show absolutely adores it. I know if there is any conversation to be had in getting a new platform, those conversations either have happened or are presently happening.
"The fact that no-one has told me 'NO, THERE IS NO CHANCE TO BE SAVED' is a really good thing in my opinion. In this business, no news is good news… I just hope, for our fans' sake, that someone gives us a shot to tell the rest of the story."
The Lucifer episode you directed airs on Monday – what can you reveal about the episode 'Once Upon a Time'?
"This episode was very exciting for me because it was sort of like a re-pilot. It's set in a 'what if' world. God poses the question, 'What if I never put Chloe in Lucifer's path, would their worlds still meet?' This episode explores that possibility."
The episode is set in an alternate world of sorts – did that give you even more licence to be creative?
"Because this episode is set in an alternate world, we were all excited to have the opportunity to turn things slightly upside down. I think it was a great episode to end the season on because we were all up to the challenge. All of a sudden the Lucifer 'rules' didn't really have to apply.
"It was a great challenge to find little things to change in this world, and still deliver the same quality of character and universe our fans know and love. I think it'll be a fun game for the audience to try and pinpoint all the little differences we were able to incorporate."
The episode features the voice of Neil Gaiman – did you work with Neil on his narration?
"Ugh, no, I wish! Unfortunately I wasn't able to be a part of that session. It was one of the last elements to be incorporated into the edit. Joe Henderson took the reigns on that segment. Instead I got to edit the episode to Joe's voice. It was lovely [laughs].
"Actually Joe has a really nice Voice Over voice, so is it wasn't difficult to tell our story in the edit room. Once the Neil Gaiman element was added to our final edit, it took the episode to [a] whole new level. I really think the fans are going to love it."
The original plan was to hold this episode back for season 4 – when Lucifer was cancelled, was there concern on your part that the episode might not air?
"Absolutely! I am extremely proud of this episode. We all worked very hard and shed a few tears together during the making of it. It would have been a little heartbreaking if we couldn't show the final efforts of our amazing cast and specially our magnificent crew. We bled together on this one."
This is your network TV directing debut. How long have you been wanting to turn your hand to directing?
"Directing started to become an obsession of mine about five years ago. Thankfully, my years spent on a set as an actor has helped guide my journey into this new adventure. Don't get me wrong, acting is still my first love, but directing has really dug its way into my soul."
Has working on any show in particular, or with any director in particular, helped you in your transition into directing?
"As I said earlier, being an actor on set has given me a lot of opportunity to nurture this part of creativity. I am fortunate to have people like Nathan Hope and Karen Gaviola take me seriously and allow me to follow them around while they directed their own episodes. For those of you who don't know them, Nathan was our Producing Director for season 1 and Karen was our Producing Director for season 2. They are two of my favorite directors, so a few of my choices came from 'what would they do?'
"I have to give a huge shout out to Eagle Egilsson as well. Eagle was universally one of our favourites. He never hesitated to answer any director questions I had.
"But honestly, my episode wouldn't have run as smooth had it not have been for Louis Shaw Milito. Louis – another one of our regular directors – came on board to help guide my first directorial experience. He bailed me out of many a pickle and I hope he reads this and knows how much I appreciate everything he did for me! He took my game to the next level."
If the series does not return, how do you feel about where Dan's story ended?
"I feel like Dan's story was just getting started. It would be exhilarating to see where it goes from here."
Had you had any discussions with showrunner Joe Henderson about where the story might go in a fourth season?
"I did have a conversation about that, and yes, our finale opened the doors to a whole new world. I'd say we were really going to go deep with Lucifer and Chloe, now that all the cards are up. Does knowing he is the actual devil bring them closer together or create an impasse between them? We were going to bring in a new character to help complicate things in Deckerstar Land even further.
"As for Dan specifically, he was really going to be wrestling with his demons the next season. Because, of course, he'll have a ton of anger in the wake of Charlotte's death. He'll find himself wondering if he's just been playing 'the good cop' and that maybe Pierce was right about him all along when he said, 'You're the corrupt cop'. Dan would have blamed Lucifer for Charlotte's death so the antagonism between them would have been heightened. Like I said, a whole new world…"
Whatever happens next, do you have a message for Lucifer fans who've supported the show for three seasons?
"No matter what happens, this show was and is for YOU. Thank you for your dedication and love. You are the best part of our show. I really hope you enjoy our two stand alone episodes Monday night, and tweet, tweet, tweet! People are listening."
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