Hart Hanson Talks About Bones

by Lynn on June 20th, 2008

Recently, the b5media Channel Editor, Arieanna visited the Banff World Television Festival in Alberta. Among the speakers at the event was none other than Hart Hanson, Executive Producer Bones. She covered his talk in great detail over on our MediaScribbler blog, so I strongly suggest you head over there to read all about what he had to say.

[Photo: ianivarieanna]

Some of the more fascinating tidbits he revealed in the talk involve just how the show was cast. First, I was interested to find out that Eric Millegan was the first to be cast in the show, then the other “squints” TJ Thyne and Michaela Conlin. He said that he had a more difficult time finding the two leads.

He was looking for a young actress who would be believable as an scientist, but four days before shooting was to begin, she was still not cast. David Boreanaz was offered as a suggestion by the then head of FOX and Hart was instantly ready to sign him. But what about the femaile lead? Hart tells us:

“And in came Emily [Deschanel], who is tall, has a deep voice. She has gravity. And she was young, she was 30 at the time. And so you could believe in her as a scientist, which was kind of tough with some of the actresses we saw… and it turned out that she could be funny. And she looks like Grace Kelly.”

“David had another actress he liked, that he thought should be the lead. David’s a very strong-willed man. So he… I wouldn’t say sabotage… he challenged Emily to rise to the occasion by advancing on her.

David’s about 6′1″, and about 200 lbs of shoulders with pecs attached, and the ‘package’ and knees… very, very… he’s a guy… And he advanced on her in the network test. And Emily stepped into it. She stepped right toward him. And then they had one of the exchanges that we used in the pilot. And it was when even a thick-head like me went ‘whoa.’”

And suddenly, the show’s dynamics had changed. Originally, the female lead was supposed to work with various cops, not just Booth. He was originally only supposed to be in about half the season. But when the chemistry between the two actors was so clear, everything changed. It’s now mostly about the relationship between Booth & Bones. (Aren’t we all glad??)

You should read Arieanna’s account of this part of Hart’s talk, but surprisingly, before the writers’ strike abbreviated the season, Zack was supposed to be a victim of Gormagon, not his apprentice!!! WOW!! If we think it’s shocking the way the season ended, wouldn’t that have been much worse? (I look forward to your comments on that one!!)

And when asked to speak about the season 4 premiere that is currently shooting in London, Hart said this:

“The challenge was to create a seamless episode which would have a big fat seam in it… oh wait, I just said semen. I was trying not to say that.”

Having had the great fortune to be able to speak with Hart Hanson myself in the past, I can tell you that he is a delightful person. I wish I could have been there for the session, but thankfully, Arieanna did an amazing job of getting the scoop for us!

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