As Fletcher herself would say, patience is a virtue worth waiting for. Well, at long last, the Fletcher team is excited to announce the release date of the B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye Season Three Outtake Reel!  Yes, just a scant year (to the day) of it’s original release date, the outtake reel will be available for your viewing pleasure at 10am (cst) on April 23rd, 2013.

We very much appreciate fan interest and patience for this hilarious reel. Little to say, it will be wicked awesome and well worth the wait. The reel has outtakes and laughs from all five episodes of season three. Who doesn’t like that?! As you can imagine compiling the outtakes from a seasons worth of footage was a lengthy process…as was editing it down to a length that both we, and the internet, were comfortable with. So, prepare yourself for half an hour of bloopers, laughs, and flubs featuring all your favourite Fletcher cast and crew.

Tuesday is but five days away…even less if you live in Australia! So, get excited, friends, because the S3 outtake reel is finally locked and loaded. Check back with us on Tuesday for all the laughs.

- Regan

One thing I have absolutely learned…making a web series is hard work! As a viewer, you just see the actors on the screen…but the show wouldn’t be possible without all the behind-the-scenes players. Apart from myself, there is a small but dedicated crew of people making this show happen. From our website and producer guru, Rochelle Dancel, to our wicked awesome make-up/hair designer and all-round wunderkind Rikki Zucker, to the amazing members of our crew holding boom mics and running cameras, Fletcher is a total team effort.

We also owe a huge thank you to all the funders who came forward to support us in making Season Three. Without them, there would not have been a third season. And a world without a third season of Fletcher, is a sad world indeed. In fact, we have been so busy making this final installment we have yet to send out our funder thank you gifts. Well, the postcards are all signed, and the t-shirts all set…so we will be getting them out in the next couple of weeks!

Don’t forget, we still have the Season Three Outtakes to post, and that will go up on May 1st. All hard work aside, it’s always nice to have a look back at how much fun we had making this show. Thanks for supporting us through the years, friends.

Locked and loaded!

- Regan

In 2008, Regan Latimer got her friends together to create three episodes for a web series competition on AfterEllen.com. Three seasons later, Regan reflects on how Fletcher has come of age.

So final episode coming up – how’re you feeling?
It’s very much a bittersweet moment. It feels really good to have brought the show to a conclusion, but I am definitely sad to say goodbye to these characters. It’s been a great experience though.

As an artist, how do you think you’ve developed since Season 1?
I certainly have brought more experience to the show for this final season. Season 1 was four years ago…a lot has happened for me professionally in that time, and I think that’s definitely reflected in the quality of Season 3.

What have you learnt since Season 1?
Webseries are hard work! I have learned so much during this series, it’s been very beneficial for me, experience-wise. I’ve not only increased my technical knowledge in the filming and post production area, but also my way around maintaining a website (after it’s wonderfully built by the talented Rochelle), and the producer responsibilities end of the show. It’s been a lot of work…but also a lot of fun.

I have also learned that fed actors, are generally happy actors!

Have you altered the way that you write or develop your story arcs since Season 1?
My creative process has remained relatively the same. From the inception of this show, I had already plotted out the overall arcs of the characters, so it’s really been a matter of filling in the rest. I’ve always been very happy with the creative development of each season. I’m pretty set in my creative ways.

Everyone – fans, cast, friends, family, bloggers – has had an opinion of what should happen to the characters. To what extent do you listen to everyone?
I listen to what everyone has to say…and then I do whatever I want. LOL. You can’t please everyone… it’s foolish to try.

This being the third season you’ve made, were there are any surprises for you when you came to film it? Honestly, I think I was rather surprised at how easily everyone fell right back into step…all the actors stepped right back into their characters like no time had passed. It was wonderful, consistent, and wicked awesome.

How would you say Fletcher has changed your life?
So many ways! Creatively it’s been a gift to be at the head of. I have met and worked with so many amazing people, not to mention our main cast and crew, who have been a blessing on this project. From our incredibly talented supporting cast, to the wonderful people who supported Fletcher through donating not only funds, but locations, and time…this series has been an amazing experience. I have also had the privilege of being apart of a burgeoning new industry that is growing by the minute. The number of web series out there now, compared to when we started Fletcher 4 years ago, is staggering. It’s a new community coming together and I feel lucky that Fletcher has enabled me to be a part of that.

What will you miss most about making Fletcher?
The people. Be it getting to hang out regularly with the amazing cast and crew, or reading fans emails, tweets, and messages… Fletcher has had an amazingly supportive group of people attached to it. That is what I will miss the most. And the food.

What would you like everyone to remember most about Fletcher? That it was a wicked awesome funny series and a pioneer in a brand new industry. That, and the tape recorder.

What’s next for you?
Lots of projects coming up. Several of which will appeal to our Fletcher fans, I’m sure. I’m looking forward to working with Rochelle Dancel again on an all new project. Stay tuned to our website for more info on that. I’m also excited to be working with the Luminato festival here in Toronto this Spring. Busy, busy!

Tune in on Tuesday, 17 April for the last ever web series episode of B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye – you won’t want to miss it!

Way back in 2008, Jenna debuted at the end of Season 1 in the case of ‘The Little Lost Lesbian: Run, Jenna, Run‘ for what should only have been a short story arc. Four years, lots of fan mail, numerous marriage proposals and two more seasons later, Fletcher favourite Vanessa Dunn reflects on web series heaven, the Fletcher Mums and being George’s rock.

What was it like stepping back into Jenna’s shoes after such a long break away from filming Season 2?
It was nice n’ easy. I had thought it might take a couple of takes to get back into the swing of things but really, as soon as the camera started rolling, Fletcher, George, and Jenna were all there.

How, if at all, do you feel your character has changed/grown over the course of the series?
You know, if there was an award for absolute consistency, it would go to Jenna. Jenna is what she is and has been from day one. Her relationship with George grew in the sense that they became more of a couple, more domesticated. But at the end of the day, while George was restless, never quite settling into the partnership, Jenna was a rock.

Jenna and George’s mothers became a law unto themselves by the time the show finished. How did you enjoy working with the Mums?
There is not a weak link on this show and certainly not an un-fun one! I love when “the mums”, Fletch, George and I all share scenes together. It becomes one big crazy circus of estrogen funny!

I am also of the thought that ‘the mums’ should get their own show. MUMS, perhaps?

What was your last day on Fletcher like?
The last day was actually bittersweet. It felt like releasing these characters into web series heaven is what needed to happen. The story sort of led us there. And I certanly see Lindy and Dana all the time (we are friends in real life). But knowing that Fletch and Jenna won’t engage in another non-sensical spat nor Jenna and George engage in their sweet flirty way is sad. Alas, LIFE.

So what’s next for you? Where else can we catch you?
I will be performing in a musical called Paper Laced with Gold at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto at the end of April. I am also collaborating with the artists Sean O’Neil and Liz Peterson on an untitled project that will be brought to stage this year. I have also completed my first short film screenplay which my dear friends, Michelle Mama and Stephanie Markowitz will direct and produce. I am set to play the lead (of course!).

My feminist art performance band, VAG HALEN, will be headlinging a show at the end of May. We are also set to play other dates this summer, including playing a fundraiser for Ms Sasha Von Bon Bon’s (who guest appeared this season as the french bartender with the great…assets) Summerworks show.

We might be coming to the end of our run, but we’ve always got room for some new talent. As Samantha Steele, Kimwun Perehinec has been making waves as the interesting spanner in the Fletcher-George works. We talked to Kimwun about joining the Fletcher family, working with her good friend, Lindy, and that make out scene.

Tell us a bit about your background? Is this your first web series?
Yes, this is my first web series – and it’s been a very entertaining experience to start with! I do more theatre than anything else, and have a theatre company called Studio 180 that I co-founded with four colleagues about 10 years ago (www.studio180theatre.com). We do socially relevant, issues-based plays – very often Canadian premieres of important international works – and have been fortunate to partner with great companies like Buddies in Bad Times, Mirvish Productions and Canadian Stage (our current play – Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris – is running through April as part of the Canadian Stage season… I’m in it. It’s SO MUCH fun.). Though I’ve done a bunch of TV gigs, at the moment you’d be most likely to catch me in a Lactaid commercial. Somehow I never actually see any of the commercials I’m in, but I hear it’s airing again.

Were you familiar with B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye the series before joining the cast?
Oh yes, of course. Lindy is a dear friend – haven’t seen her lately, though, wonder what she’s up to – and for some years now I’ve been making not-so-subtle efforts to coax her to coax Regan to write me in. Lindy and I met… um… when? Probably we really got to know each other when we both worked at TIFF and Lindy was my supervisor. She called me her bitch, which was fine because being her bitch mostly involved playing competitive Sudoku and deciding how we were going to dress to match for the coming work day. So, naturally, I watched her web series.

How did you come to be part of the Fletcher team?
Lindy and I kept cooking up stupid and hilarious ideas about characters I could play – for example, for a good long while I was convinced that I should parade around as B.J.’s doppelganger, driving her crazy, scooping her leads, stalking her, making moves on George, etc. B.J. would call me her “doppelganger,” and someone would say, “But you two look nothing alike,” and B.J. would answer, “Exactly.” I’m not sure what Lindy had to do on her end to convince Regan, but eventually, thank goodness, Regan took a chance and came up with her own – much improved – way to work me in, and I got to be a P.I., too. And still an imposter.

How would you describe your character, Sam Steele? Do you have any similarities with her?
Her name says a lot and she clearly named herself for the famous Remington, of the same surname. She’s direct, to the point, strong, confident, edgy, competitive, brazen and alliterative. She’s got sass and imagination – she likes to play a role (like me). She watches/reads all the crime fiction that has ever been, and eats up “real crime” TV shows. The chance to be a P.I. is a dream come true (I agree). She’s playful (like me), and not afraid to call things like she’s sees them, even if it sounds mean (unlike me, which makes things fun). She goes for what she wants and doesn’t apologize. These are qualities I can certainly admire but don’t necessarily put into the best practice.

What was it like working with your good friend, Lindy?
SO MUCH FUN. Dana too. Let’s not undervalue the fun times with Dana. They’re funny, creative people who are a pleasure to be around. Since Lindy and I are basically hilarious 100% of the time we’re around each other, and Lindy and Dana seem to share that dynamic, there was a lot of laughter. It was playtime.

What did you enjoy most about filming Fletcher? What was the vibe like on set?
Well, I said it was playtime but it was also a really productive, professional environment. I mean, the job is to play, but with focus and while keeping the project in mind. So that’s what we did. Everyone shared a fantastic sense of humour and a relaxed approach to getting the work done, which was very successful because the work really did get done! With pleasure. I got the distinct impression that everyone really wanted to be there and was giving it their all.

What was your favourite scene to shoot?
Um. Well not strictly because Lindy and I made out, but because it was ridiculously fun to throw each other around, the scene where Sam and B.J. get it on. Shut up, Lindy.

How did it feel coming to work with a cast that was already so close?
Great! Like walking into a family and being warmly welcomed. Good people attract good people, I think.

Quick fire round

East or west?
Both. I spend a lot of time and have lived at both ends. I know I’m an anomaly.

Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate.

Bath or shower?
Shower. I likes a bath, but who has the time?

Staying in or going out?
Staying in.

Heels or sneakers?
I wish I could say heels.

Tea or coffee?
Coffee.

Jeans or cocktail dress?
I wish I could say cocktail dress.

Beer or wine?
Depends on mood.

Burgers or fries?
Burgers.

Lip balm or lip gloss?
Balm. 100%.

And finally…
Lindy or Dana?
Are you for real? How can I answer that?

What was it like bringing Fletcher back after such a long break from filming Season 2?
It was great and pretty easy. I see Dana and Vanessa all the time so there was no loss of chemistry.

How, if at all, do you feel your character has changed/grown over the course of the series?
I don’t know if Fletcher grows as much as has short moments of acknowledging reality… but just in terms of her feelings for George. She remains highly immature in every other realm… and mostly in regards to her feelings for George.

How did you find working with the newer cast members of Season 3?
I have to say that everybody on Fletcher was fun to work with. We only ‘hire’ fun people because we certainly can’t pay them so might as well have a good time.

What was your favourite scene to film in Season 3? In the series overall?
The Roller Derby was fun for me because I got a half hour lesson in the rink. Overall, it might be a tie between the patio furniture and the undercover gym scene.

What was it like on the last day of filming Fletcher? How do you feel about the series coming to an end?
It’s pretty strange to finally be done Fletcher since it has been a big part of my life for 3 years. I am just riding on the hope that perhaps, one day, we can make it again for TV.

What other projects can Fletcher fans catch you in?
Other projects? Well, I am constantly doing live stuff around Toronto – standup, sketch etc… so there will be projects – nothing to announce yet, but watch this space!

What was it like coming back to the role of George after such a long break from filming Season 2?
I was excited to come back to George after our hiatus! It was a long break…Over 2 years!!! The funny thing is that I see Lindy and Vanessa all the time, and would catch up with Regan and Rikki quite often too, so it was quite easy and fun to pick up where we left off, after years of doing other things and getting to know each other even better. The dynamics changed… in a good way!

How, if at all, do you feel your character has changed/grown over the course of the series?
George has grown a ton from the first episode… She’s gone through school, become an assistant PI, had her first serious relationship, let go of her crush on Fletch to pursue Jenna… Let go of her crush? Well, maybe not entirely!

The moms are hilarious. How is it working with them and with the other talented cast members of season 3?
Patricia and Maria are a riot… They work together so well and it’s always a laugh to work with them. They just have so much fun! Lindy, Karim and Vanessa are the best… I couldn’t imagine a better group to tell this story… I am a lucky duck indeed!

What was your favourite scene to film in Season 3? In the series overall?
In Season 3, The Spadina Chase scene. In the whole series… probably breaking into Tyler Yorks house in Season 1.

How was your last day on Fletcher?
We normally film out of sequence, but the last full scene I filmed for Fletcher was actually Georges last scene. It was really sad, knowing that it was the end. I love that character, and I have had a great experience. I wish that we had an open platform to keep it going! It’s hard to do the way we have been doing it. A lot of money and time go into making the series what it is and I can only imagine the stories we could have told with a proper budget and full time focus. I am so proud of what we were able to do with a committed team and support from our fans.

But I look forward to the day when there is a market for this type of story on network TV, and am focused on pushing the boundaries till that happens. Women need to let broadcasters know that we want to see our stories on mainstream television… most of the ads are geared towards us anyway!

As part of our fundraising activities, Debbie became the lucky winner of a small but perfectly formed role in Season 3 (you can catch her in last week’s episode). We caught up with her after her Fletcher debut.

Tell us a bit about yourself? Do you have an acting background, or was Fletcher your first role?
Well first of all, I’m hilarious. That’s what I like the most about myself. I’m also very humble. I work as a proofreader, copy editor and writer – and I love what I do! I also love opera, dance, musical theatre, knitting, crafting and reading grammar and editing books. (Losing the funny here, I think…)

Fletcher was my first speaking role. In 1989, I was an extra in a remake of the Stanwyck classic, Sorry, Wrong Number. Our remake starred Loni Anderson. My part involved sitting at a bar with other extras pretending to have drinks after work. Loni’s mark was right behind my chair so I spent most of my time turning in my seat and staring into her perfectly coiffed hair. She spent most of her time trying to ignore me.

How did you first discover B.J. Fletcher: Private Eye?
Regan told me about Fletcher a few years ago when we worked together at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. I think she was making Season 2 then. I started watching it stealth-like at my other job and had to keep from bursting out in loud guffaws.

What is your favourite moment/scene from Season 3? From the series?
My favourite scene in Season 3 so far – because it’s not over yet – is George and Fletcher sitting at the water talking about George moving to England. The acting is so well done. I almost cried when George told Fletcher she was leaving in two weeks. Poor Fletcher… I seriously wanted to hug her at that moment. I’m hoping my overall favourite scene is still to come – the scene where Fletcher and George finally confess their love for each other and get together. Fingers crossed this is how the show will end.

How did you feel when you first heard you’d won the walk-on-role in Season 3?
Thrilled then terrified. Trillified.

What was it like getting to work with Fletcher cast?
It was an absolute pleasure to work with the Fletcher cast. They were all so kind to me. I was intimidated because Lindy, Dana and Vanessa are professional actors with loads of experience and they didn’t know me from Eve. I mainly just tried my best not to be weird. That lasted until Take 2.

Do you have a favourite Fletcher character/cast member? Don’t worry, we won’t tell them.
Fletcher.

Were you nervous when it came time to film?
YES! I started getting a nervous when we were running lines.

Did you ever crack up during filming?
Knowing me, probably.

What was the vibe like on set?
It was relaxed, comfortable and very efficient. It was clear these people had worked together before.

We had a great time working with you  - we especially enjoyed your wicked sense of humour! Who are your comic heroines?
Bea Arthur, Bette Midler, Carol Burnett, Liza Minnelli (think Arthur), Barbra Streisand, Alice Ghostley… (I’m an old-school girl.)