Image Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.com; Andrew Eccles/ABCAnother skeleton is about to come tumbling out of Saul’s closet on Brothers & Sisters, and this one is fairly iconic: It’s Dr. Kildare himself, Richard Chamberlain!
The 76-year-old acting vet is joining the ABC drama for a multi-episode arc as “someone who comes back from Saul’s past and complicates things for him in ways he can’t expect,” reveals B&S showrunner David Marshall Grant.
The news comes as Chamberlain is enjoying a bit of a career renaissance. In addition to guest-starring on Leverage earlier this year, Mr. Miniseries (The Thorn Birds, Shogun) recently booked an arc on NBC’s Chuck. The latter gig finds him playing a ruthless international spy who becomes one of Operation Bartowski’s most dangerous foes yet.
Assuming Chamberlain is in fact playing a love interest for Saul (it’s possible they’re just pals!), this would be the second high profile romance for Ron Rifkin’s character this fall. In this Sunday’s episode, former 7th Heaven reverend Stephen Collins guest stars as an old acquaintance who makes a love connection with Saul.
Fantastic news. He’s awesome!
Who cool is this!
I don’t normally watch this show, but will tune in for RC.
Something tells me he’ll be playing the guy who Saul contracted HIV from. Or did he read that he died and that’s what made him take the test?
No, I don’t think the guy died. I do believe Saul read that the guy is living HIV positive.
Big sigh. Father Ralph de Bricassart. You were one sexy conflicted priest. Just saw the Thorn Birds about two weeks ago. It was airing on Lifetime Movie Channel in the morning. It was perfect because I watched a little before I had to go to work. Love Richard Chamberlain.
Always loved Father Ralph!!!
double sigh. I was surprised MA chose Kildare as the reference over Fr. Ralph. Rachel Ward was so lucky! Fr. Ralph at work and then Bryan at home! hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Loved that movie and Richard!!
Father RAlph…….hot, hot, hot
me too, love him love it loved thew whole thing and Rachel ward played such a tormented soul fantastic
Was it ever revealed whether Saul just found out he had HIV, or that he had actually been living with it secretly for years? I was always a little fuzzy on that point in last season’s finale.
I thought it was pretty obvious that he didn’t know he had HIV. He found out during the season finale.
Saul only found out he was HIV+ at the end of last season. He avoided getting tested for years out of fear and denial, etc etc
I love this show but the way he found out was so unrealistic. Really? They would tell him he’s HIV+ over a 5 second phone call? So excited about Richard Chamberlain though!
LOVE this news. LOVE Saul on B&S. Rifkin is a genuine actor’s actor. And props to the show for presenting relationships among older people. Despite what the suits say, men and women/gay and straight over 50 do have active vibrant personal lives!
That’s real life….not a TV show…I don’t care about anyone else’s sex life but, mine and I don’t share that! Give me a break!
If you don’t like hearing about tv character’s sex lives, 10pm tv may not be for you
Yeah but the problem is they made Saul gay. He dated women (like Holly), then started developing an attraction to men, before admitting TO HIMSELF, he was gay. Then at the end of last year they’re like ‘nah he was briefly gay and got HIV 30 years ago but brushed it off’ DUMB
Actually there’s were a couple of episodes early on that guest-starred Michael Nouri and it was obvious that he and Saul had a sexual relationship in their younger days but neither man could take the pressure of the times. Nouri’s character got married and had kids but came out after his kids were grown and he got divorced and he told Saul he was in a relationship. It was clear that Saul always knew he preferred men to women but was reluctant to be open about it.
Richard Chamberlain has been the quintessential romantic leading man for most of his life. That is pretty astounding for a “gay” man. From his acting “repertoire” we find some of the most loved and memorable characters of all time. He is greatly loved by men and women alike, and is not only a versatile actor but a genuinely kind man. I adored him as Dr. James Kildare, Father Ralph de Bricassart and John Blackthorne. Oh my, those were the days! I loved him then, and love him now. I wish him the very best!!
If you love RC get a copy of The Slipper & The Rose. It’s a musical version of Cinderella with RC as the singing and dancing Prince Charming. Magic.
Still good looking for 76 years old. Wow, a blast from my past. Looking forward to seeing him again.
Yes Templar,
The Slipper and The Rose is another of my Chamberlain favorites. Wasn’t he just absolutely gorgeous at that age,? and such a graceful dancer and wonderful singer. It has to be THE MOST enchanting Cinderella story EVER!! I actually thought the PRINCE was more sensational than CINDERELLA!! Sheer Magic indeed.
Yay, I love him. I have loved him since I saw the Thorne Birds. He’s such a fricken hottie.
Glad he’s getting some roles since he left his long-time partner in Hawaii to revive his career.
I am so excited to have him join the show, though I wish it were for longer than multi-episode.