By Jim Iaccino

 Matt Frewer is well known in the world of science fiction, from his days as the unforgettable Max Headroom in the 80’s, to memorable roles in Psi Factor, and in various Stephen King adaptations.  When SyFy aired it’s original series, Eureka, he was cast as Jim Taggert, the animal containment specialist.  Now, after a time away from the show, Taggert returns in the September 11, 2009 episode, where we find that he has been leading an experiment studying ice cores.  Frewer recently spoke to an assembled panel of online media members about his return to Eureka, and about his upcoming role as the White Knight in SyFy’s Alice.

Question> It’s good to have Taggart back. What was it like being directed by Joe Morton?

Matt>  Actually it was great. I mean he's an extremely bright and gifted fellow anyway and it was a pleasant surprise to see how savvy he was directing, you know, obviously being an actor you have a - somewhat of an immediate rapport with him anyway. And there was kind of a shorthand there. But on top of that the was just great fun. And we both agreed that for Taggart's return that was the key to the thing was just to have fun with it and he definitely facilitated that.

Question> Can you explain why Taggart is the project manager on the ice core thing? I thought he was the resident dog catcher, animal expert guy?

Matt>  Yeah, so did I. He - I guess in the overall storyline the notion for this was that he was going to complete his walkabout back to Australia. And the whole deal with Taggart is that he always gets waylaid somewhere interesting. And this was his next port of call was to do ice core samples - take ice core samples in the Arctic so there you have it.

Question> What can fans expect from Alice in December?

Matt>  Oh it's - well it's an updated version of the story. And much darker in tone than the - than Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. But visually it's amazing. And it's - it was great fun to do. And Nick Willing, the director, did a brilliant job on it. And I think it's - it's going to do really well. I have high hopes for that one.

Question> You were in Watchmen and you've been doing a lot of projects lately. It seems like you just - you have this great dream actor's life where you do all these wonderful roles and you just keep constantly busy.

Matt> Yeah, I'm very lucky that way, blessed in fact. It was - I do lots - I've always felt that the idea when you're on your deathbed is, you know, to do lots of different - to say that you've done lots of different interesting things not, you know, how expensive a lining you can get for your coffin, you know.

Question> Do you have any special secret besides being a talented actor?

Matt>  Oh God, I don't know. I mean, I've always sort of had this - this word lodged in my head, quicksilver. And I think it's wise not to pigeon-hole yourself because there's so many people that are willing to do it for you. So I - I like the feeling of being able to slip in and slip out of things and not be so cemented into one image or one role that you can't escape from it.

 I mean, that said the Max Headroom thing I was, you know, lucky in a way that the barrier of the rubber makeup provided a certain anonymity that I could hide.

Question> What did you think when they suddenly took this sort of flirtation you had with Jo and then revved it up and then and then whisked it away?

Matt>  It's sort of like real life I guess. I don't know. I guess, you know, I was disappointed that we weren't able to see the breakup on camera, you know. But that was, you know, the technical demands of the season and I understood why that happened. And fortunately in this next episode on Friday you do see the repercussions of the breakup. You know, I mean, they're both pretty weird characters and in a way you can kind of go yeah I can sort of see why these two would satellite around each other and eventually land and ultimately why it wouldn't work too. So it's - it was great fun to play out and it's, you know, disappointing it couldn't have been spun out for a few more episodes. But there we have it.

Question> Hi. I've been a fan of yours for a long time .I remember you in not only Max Headroom but a regular in PSI Factor plus all these new movies, Dawn of the Dead and Watchmen. I mean, apart from Jim Taggart's character in Eureka what one film or series did you really enjoy making?

Matt>  I don't know, there - I guess all these things are kind of like - they're like house guests and, you know, some are unwanted and you can, you know, and you're quite happy to show them the door and other ones you, you know, you really long for them to come back and you mean it when you say please, you know, please anytime, the door is always open. And I definitely felt that way about something I just completed, the White Knight on Alice. It's - for some reason that one really got under my skin.

Question> Cool. And is there a possibility you think that if the ratings really go through the roof that they might make more?

Matt>  Oh God, yeah, I mean, that would be fantastic. That would a wonderful thing to work on on a more long-term basis, absolutely. And, yeah, yeah, fingers crossed. I mean we live in hope, you know, we'll see how it does in December.

Question> Can we assume that you will be alive at the end of this episode with the possibility of maybe more?

Matt>  Well I'm definitely alive at the end and I guess my fate is in the writer's hands.

Question> That’s one of the reasons why I really tuned into Eureka from the start because I really didn't know too much about Collin Ferguson but I knew a lot about you and so that was one of the reasons. I really enjoyed your stint.

Matt>  Oh thank you very much, you're very kind, thank you.

Question> Okay. And I hope to see more of you in the future so take care of yourself.

Matt>  Me too. Thanks so much, thanks a lot.

Question> Your appearance on the preview at Comi-Con probably I think elicited the greatest response from the fans.

Matt>  Oh wow, that's good to hear. Thank you.

Question> So how many episodes are you planning to be on or is it just this one?

Matt>  Gosh, I don't know. I'm rather hoping that if the show the gets picked up then I'll be back for at least a couple more after this one and hopefully more. I mean it's great fun to do and I love the people attached to the show so it's, you know, a happy experience all around. So I just got to - I'm sort of in a wait and see mode.

Question> Is there any kind of resolution that might mean you wouldn’t come back?

Matt>  No. I mean it's pretty much business as usual once I’m back, you know, I mean after the kind of, you know, initial where have you been, oh I've missed you all we're pretty much right back into the flow of the character interaction. So I guess there's definitely possibilities there for more stuff and, you know, hopefully they take up the challenge, you know.

Question> But this is the only episode you filmed?

Matt>  This is the only one I filmed, yeah.

Question> I’ve got to ask, did you do this episode just to shut everybody up so they'd stop asking where's Taggart and when are you coming back?

Matt>  That's - yeah actually that wasn't my MO but if that's - if it's achieved that then it's worked.

Question> It’s got to make you feel wanted all the appreciation of everybody excited to see you on the thing.

Matt>  Well that's it, it's a double-edged sword isn't it - you can kind of leave them wanting more but if you leave them for too long then they just forget.

Question> The next question I had was about the White Knight character. What interests you about the character? Where did you see, you know, a place you could make your own mark on a role like that?

Matt>  That's a good question. I mean, you know, ever since I was a kid I've always been fascinated by the Arthurian Legend and, you know, the notion of nobility in battle and the - the notion of chivalry. And, you know, that's a - whether to not that's a dying theme in today's world.  And then the offer of the White Knight came along and the writing was just beautiful and it was something that I just leapt at. I mean, it was great fun to do. Nick Willing the director and writer did an immaculate job on it. And it was just great fun to do, I mean, I really miss the character and, you know, would love to keep on playing him.

Question> Was it your understanding that this could wind up being a series?

Matt>  Yeah, I think we're in a wait and see mode. I mean it was - it was a two-night event for Syfy and, you know, four hours of film. And I don't - it wasn't serving as a backdoor pilot but who knows maybe if it does well it could make a series. I mean, that would be fantastic if it did. It was great fun to do and like I said I'd love to do more of it.

Question> After watching PSI Factor and Taken where you played some interesting characters there I really wanted to know if you personally yourself believe in the paranormal or even aliens from outer space? What's your view?

Matt>  You know, I'm perhaps more from the show me state. I need to sort of to see it. That said I'd be foolish to think that we're the only ones in this vast universe. And but no I kind of need to see it. But like I say that said I do believe that there are intelligent beings out there I just haven't come face to face with them yet.