Alan Dale talks about his role as Charles Widmore

In an interview with IGN, Alan Dale, the actor who played the mysterious Charles Widmore in the Lost season 2 finale answers some questions about his “guest appearance” and his possible future in Lost.

IGN TV: You also appeared on Lost last season, and that seemed like a character who could turn out to be very important to the backstory.

Dale: It’s funny you should say that, because my publicist rang me about it just after she saw it, because I didn’t tell anyone I was doing that. And she said she was very concerned, because how could I possibly do both [shows]? I don’t know the answer to that. I was delighted to be asked to do it. I loved the character; it was only one scene, but it was a really nice scene, and I agree with you. And Ian [Henry Ian Cusick, who plays Desmond], the guy I was working with, is a lovely guy, and I was thinking, it could well be… I might be able to do both. It’s not usual, but…

IGN TV: It’s the same network, so they could coordinate.

Dale: And not conflicting nights. So maybe, but I don’t know. I’d love to do that, but I’m sort of like flotsam and jetsam. I just go with the wind; where the wind blows.

IGN TV: Even before you appeared, they’d mentioned your character’s name.

Dale: I don’t really know. One thing that you will have noticed and I’ve noticed is when a show is successful, the producers sort of tend to think they’re bulletproof. So they sort of think that people will want to work with them and it won’t matter, they don’t have to tie anyone up [in a deal] or anything like that. So I would think they might have to write another person into that character; cast somebody else, or come to some sort of accommodation with these other people, which I don’t think, since they’re number 1 in the world, they really want to do. It’ll be interesting to see. I mean I loved to work on it. I watch the show, and Matthew Fox’s daughter and my son were in the same class at school together, five years ago. I got to know him a bit then and he’s a lovely guy. So I would like to, but whatever happens, happens.

IGN TV: I’m not sure if you know this, but the actress who plays Matthew Fox’s wife in the flashbacks on Lost [Julie Bowen] has appeared several times on the show, while also playing a lead on another ABC show, Boston Legal. They worked things out for her to periodically appear on Lost.

Dale: Ah, yeah. So the fact that they can… I would really love to, let me just say that. As far as I’m concerned, I would love to do that. Have the trips to Hawaii [where Lost films]… And as an actor, you know, I had too many years sitting around, wondering when the next job is coming. I love it; if there’s two, I’ll take both of them! [laughs]

I have to say that I am a bit concerned that it seems like there is no contract between Alan Dale and the Lost producers. As some of you might know, the actress who played the president on Prison Break, decided to jump over to a different show this season, creating what I would assume is major problems for the Prison Break writers. I just hope that the same won’t happen to Lost.

Charles Widmore appeared to be a very important character, and even if he will only show up in flashback episodes it wouldn’t be very fun if they had to hire another actor to play the part. At least Alan Dale would personally love to continue portraying Widmore, so hopefully things will work out.