A Drew Story
Source: Charmed Magazine
Article By: Ian Spelling
Transcribed By: Drew Fuller Fan.com
Date: October/November 2006 [Issue #13]

As future Chris, Drew Fuller brought a mystery and allure to Charmed's sixth season that quickly established him as a real fan favorite. Here, the 26-year-old actor chats to Ian Spelling about his "fantastic" time on the show, which culminated in his appearance in Charmed's final ever episode.

I think this is episode number 23 for me," Drew Fuller marvels as he sits for a conversation on the set of what will be his last episode, 'Forever Charmed,' the series finale of Charmed. "I think, originally, when they brought me on it was for a four-episode guest star arc, but after the initial two they called me. I was actually in San Francisco, strangely enough. I was walking through a park with my then-girlfriend and they were like, "Ok, you've been picked up. They've turned you into a series-regular.' That was fantastic news, to be added to an established show."

It was back in season five, in the episode 'Oh My Goddess, Part 1,' that Fuller first played Chris Perry Halliwell. The character was introduced as a Whitelighter and eventually replaced Leo as the Whitelighter to Piper, Phoebe, and Paige. Over time, it became obvious that there was more to the telekinetic Chris than met the eye, as he kept the sisters somewhat at bay and did - or didn't - do things that prompted doubts about him and his motives. Chris was ultimately revealed to be the future son of Piper and Leo, and on hand to save his older brother Wyatt, but in the sixth season episode 'It's a Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad World Part 2,' Gideon [Gildart Jackson] killed Chris, paving the way for Piper to give birth to Baby Chris. Dead, of course, never means dead on Charmed, and Fuller returned as Chris in the seventh season hour 'Someone To Witch Over Me' and then again in 'Forever Charmed'.

Drew Calling

"Chris was a great character to play," Fuller enthuses. "I know he's been sporadic with his behavior, but he's had to dodge so many bullets in regards to trying to keep them in the dark about certain things, so he wouldn't change the future, but also trying to gain their trust. I think his motives have been consistent throughout, but things have happened on so many different scales and in so many different ways that people go, 'Oh, Chris is always changing.' He's just always having to manipulate the present to make sure that the outcome in the future stays the same. So it was kind of a big responsibility on his shoulders. When I was first doing interviews about it I was telling people that I wasn't sure if he was good or evil. See, the thing is, I knew he was good, but I wasn't allowed to share it at the time. I was always kind of in cahoots with Brad Kern. He always let me know what was going on. 'You are the son, but you can't tell them yet because there are a couple of things you need to sort out first.' That definitely helped me with the progression and arc of my character."

All of what's transpired with Chris makes sense now, in hindsight. At the time of Chris' demise, however even Fuller was confused and confounded. He'd been made a regular for season six and fully expected to be around again full-time in season seven. But during production on the episode 'Spin City,' Kern dropped the bombshell on Fuller that Future Chris had to die in order for Baby Chris to enter the picture. "It was unfortunate," Fuller says of his departure. "I loved being on the show. I loved working with the girls. I love work, bottom line. It was bittersweet. No one wants to be written out of such a tight-knit family. And it just happened. And you know what? I wasn't really familiar with the idea that I could come back. The big reason why I was originally written out was that Holly [Marie Combs] was pregnant at the time and that was going to be Baby Chris. It happened just kind of perfectly and it summed up the arc. When they did bring me back as this spiritual apparition for Leo in 'Someone To Witch Over Me,' that was like, really great closure. He was seeing an angel and it took shape of his son. I didn't know how it was ever going to happen again after that, but somehow they were able to do some more time-traveling and, great, here I am. It's exciting to see all my friends again."

The Long Goodbye

"The finale is really interesting," Fuller continues with a smile. "I come here, to the present, with my brother Wyatt [Wes Ramsey]. We're in the midst of fighting demons and we show up because Wyatt has lost his powers. He's one of the most powerful guys out there and he definitely needs help. We need help. So we cast a spell to take us to where we lost our powers and it brings us back to this time. So it's been good to see everyone again. It's kind of cool. It's not that much déjà vu for me, though, because I still talk to the girls. I'm always around the set because so many auditions and meetings happen here at Paramount. So I'll stop by and say 'Hi.' I keep in pretty good contact with everyone, whether it's email and iChat or just telephone calls or running into them at night."

So what's Fuller's read on everyone's mood and emotions as the clock ticks down to the last scene? "I think it's bittersweet," the actor replies. "I think it's time for everybody to move on. I think it's definitely run it's course. But at the same time this has been their family for eight years. So I think they're all grateful, because they've established this cult following that's going to transcend generations. But you know what? I think spiritually and professionally it's time for everyone to move on."

Milano, Combs and McGowan aren't the only ones with a cult following. Several of the actors on Charmed have become fan favorites. They're recognized on the street, sought out for convention appearances and have websites devoted to them. Fuller, to be sure, is one of those actors. "It's beautiful," he says with a big grin. "It's great. I couldn't be more grateful to have fans that follow me and follow my progress and pay close attention to my work. That's the most beautiful thing any actor could ask for. It makes me thrilled." Drew Fuller can next be seen in The Ultimate Gift.

Drew Confessions

Drew Fuller answers his Charmed critics... "I wrote on a fan site that I got a chance to work with these real actors in The Ultimate Gift and I think a bunch of Charmed fans flipped out because they were like, 'Oh, what? The girls aren't real actors?' I wanted to justify it. I was like, 'God, I hope they understand what I was saying, that I'm talking about people who are established.' James Garner is a legend. He's been acting for 60-something years. He's done everything. He's been nominated for every single type of award you can possibly imagine. It was just amazing to be around that. That's just a completely different type of actor. It doesn't take away from Alyssa, Holly and Rose. I think they're amazing in their own right. They're three of the most talented actresses I've ever worked with, but they don't have the experience yet of James Garner, so I can't compare them to James Garner because he's a legend. They're not legends yet," Fuller adds. "If I act with them when we're 80, great, the girls are legends. But until that time you reserve the title for people of that stature."

The Stuff Of Legend

Drew has been a busy boy recently... Between his most recent appearances on Charmed, Fuller has channeled his energies into several projects. He made a guest appearance on the cable television series Huff and also shot two movies. "One of the movies is called Dark Ride," Fuller says, referring to a picture that's also known as Final Contract: Death on Delivery. "It's this big action, kind of nonsense, absurd, Bourne Identity but not as cool film. I did it in Europe and it's going to be coming out here on television on TBS or Spike TV. It's all British actors and I was the only American. I was the lead in that. And I just finished this film with James Garner and Brian Dennehy that's called The Ultimate Gift, and that should be coming out this Thanksgiving. I play the lead, this character named Jason Stevens. It's a story about salvation and redemption and overcoming all odds. I'm the grandson of James Garner. They're both legends Garner and Dennehy. Dennehy has won Olivier Awards. His [performance in the stage production of] Death of a Salesman is a landmark performance. In generations to come people will say, 'Well, how did it compare to Dennehy's performance?' It was amazing to work with him."