WAREHOUSE 13: EP Jack Kenny And Guest Brent Spiner Talk Season 4

Warehouse 13 kicked off season four season in grand style this past week with the introduction of a new character, Brother Adrian, who promises to play an important role in the Artie’s life for the foreseeable future. Artie made some tough choices in order to save the warehouse and his friends, and it appears Brother Adrian is not going to let him forget the gravity of those choices. Executive Producer Jack Kenny and guest star Brent Spiner, who portrays Brother Adrian, recently spoke with media reps and bloggers, sharing thoughts and insight into things to come.

Fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation will recall that this isn’t the first time Spiner has worked with Saul (Rubinek, who plays Artie). Rubinek once appeared opposite Spiner’s character Data in an episode of STTNG, and Spiner enjoyed working with him again. He quips “It was like swimming in a rainbow,” to which Mr. Kenny adds “I feel like that every day.” Spiner says “Saul is a fantastic actor, amazing talent,” and shares that their history goes back beyond Star Trek. “We did a play together in 1978 at the New York Shakespeare Festival.” When Kenny claims they were only 10 years old at that time, Spiner jokes that “Saul was 11, he’s a year older.” Kenny marveled at how well the two actors complement each other, saying “they would each say their lines with so much intensity that the other had to beat it.” Fans will have ample opportunity to enjoy that chemistry, as Brother Adrian is set to spend much of the season teasing and torturing our beloved Artie.

When asked how this story came about, and how Spiner ended up in the role, Kenny explains “We always like to have a big bad each season, and want to play with what that big bad is and what’s underneath it, and it’s never black and white.” “Everybody has their reasons for doing what they’re doing and Brother Adrian has his reasons for going after Artie, as we’ll see in the next episode.” When they were planning the story, Kenny went to Rubinek, because he’s friends with Spiner and asked how he would feel about doing scenes with him all season. Rubinek said “Oh my God, that would be my dream come true.” Spiner chimes in “And his dream did come true.” The rest is history, Kenny and Rubinek called and asked if he would be interested. Kenny further explains “Brother Adrian is a very powerful character and that’s another thing Brent brings to the table, a sense of power without having to twirl a mustache or flex a muscle.” Spiner reveals that the most complicated thing about portraying Brother Adrian is figuring out who he is. He never quite knew who he was until the episode after the one they were shooting came out. It’s a very tricky and complicated role.

When asked if there was a favorite scene this season they could talk about, Spiner says he has one but if he revealed it would spoil things. In fact, he says anything he says at this point, beyond what we’ve already seen, will spoil something. Kenny says episode 9 this season is a favorite of his, and there is another favorite scene in the episode that airs July 30th. In the season premiere, we saw Artie turn back time 24 hours, and we know we will see Brother Adrian again. Kenny says loves that first scene of his return. On the subject of how the role of Brother Adrian differs from other roles he’s played in the past, Spiner quips that he’s never played a man of the cloth before. Kenny chimes in that “also the money was better.”

Kenny did reveal some of the artifacts fans can look forward to this season, which is one of the fun aspects of the show. This season we will see an artifact that belonged to Lovecraft, more of the metronome, and an artifact that creates tornadoes. Also in the pipeline are Bobby Fischer’s marbles, Scott Joplin’s cigarette case, a return of the artifacts bad guy Sikes had in his airplane hangar last season, and the return of Lewis Carroll’s mirror. Kenny also adds, “In one episode there is an artifact that shows up inside someone that has to be dealt with and neutralized, and we will also witness the birth of an artifact.” This season will delve into the mythology behind the artifacts and how they are made. We will also learn more about the mysterious Mrs. Frederick (portrayed by the incredible C.C.H. Pounder).

In regards to the darker tone of the current story, and asked whether the show will still retain it’s humor, Kenny reassures that the fun and comedy will always be there. In fact, he says “that’s when comedy is most useful, when there is darkness.” He does add that there have to be consequences though, “Artie creating an evil that he has to live with all his days.” He says “there will still be plenty of romps, but at the same time we want it to land a little bit with these characters.” “They have to go through tribulations in order for us to continue to root for them.” Brent praises Kenny’s explanation, adding “And that’s why he runs this show, because he knows the answers. That was fantastic Jack!”

As to Brother Adrian’s stay on the show, it is currently scheduled to be completed in the first 10 episodes of the 20 episode season, which Kenny says he approaches as basically two separate 10 episode seasons. He does say that he won’t rule out Brother Adrian returning, though. Spiner is quick to retort “And I will not rule out coming back again, because I need a job.”

Warehouse 13 airs Monday’s at 9pm/8c on Syfy.