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Private Eyes is on its way to wrapping up its last case. The Canadian dramatic comedy is now in its fifth and final season, and stars Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson are feeling nostalgic. The pair, who play private investigators Matt Shade and Angie Everett, spoke to Postmedia News about their time on the show, sharing behind-the-scenes tidbits and imagining what could lie ahead for their characters after the screen fades to black.
Q What was it like on the last day of filming?
JP It was just like any other day. We didn’t know it was our last day.
CS We had no idea it was the last season of our show. Maybe that saved us from being sad the whole season, but it feels like we didn’t get to say a proper goodbye to everyone.
Q Did you happen to take anything from the set as a souvenir?
JP I didn’t get the chance. I’ve never had the opportunity to take souvenirs from a show I was working on.
CS It will be very sad when they tear down our sets, but for me all the memories are with the cast and crew of our show. Although I hope someone gets Angie’s red fridge — it’s so cool.
Q What will you miss most about working with your co-star?
JP I’ll miss Cindy’s sense of humour. We had a ton of fun shooting the show together.
CS I have spent five years working — and lots of eating — with Jason Priestley for months on end. I already miss him. I have learned so much from him — how to lead a show, direct, produce, keep calm under pressure. I will ultimately miss going to work and laughing all day with him. Best co-star ever.
Q What will you miss least? JP The uncomfortable sofa in my trailer!
CS I will not miss shooting outside at night in the middle of winter.
Q Do you have a favourite episode or scene from your time on the show?
JP I think the scene I directed where I made Cindy do the Edge-walk on the outside of the CN Tower. It looked really beautiful and Cindy, like Angie Everett, is afraid of heights.
CS My absolute favourite scene to film was the CN Tower Edge-walk. It was just Jason and me standing on the edge overlooking all of Toronto as the sun was setting. It was so beautiful and surreal. And the camera was in a helicopter, so it all felt very Mission: Impossible.
Q Which of the two of you was most likely to spend longer in hair and makeup? JP Ha ha! That’s tough — neither of us took very long.
CS OMG, definitely me. You wouldn’t think, eh? Ha.
Q Which of the two of you was most likely to raid craft services?
CS Usually both of us together. Jason used to staple all-dressed chips to my cast chair, so if you are specifically asking about junk food, that would be me.
JP Cindy. No question.
Q What are you excited for fans to see in this last season?
JP The whole season is a great one.
CS Angie and Shade are up to their usual antics, so I guess I’m excited for the finale. Our fans have been so invested from the start and I really hope they feel satisfied with the way the show ends.
Q Where do you hope your characters end up after the show? What do you envision for their future?
JP Wow, I don’t know. Shade is going to be an empty-nester soon, so the world is his oyster.
CS Well, I think they keep working as partners until they are old and grey, maybe move the agency down to the Caribbean. As for their relationship? Who knows?
Private Eyes airs Thursdays on Global, and also streams on Globaltv.com and STACKTV, available through Amazon
Prime Video Channels.