Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle in Season 1
I’ve been thinking about something a lot lately as I watch one of my favorite tv shows, Castle. Has Nathan Fillion gained weight? And I know that it not the nicest thing to think out loud, here on my blog, but I notice if any actress gains weight, she is accused of pregnancies or eating disorders. And while, yes men can have eating disorders, I can’t actually ask: Is Nathan Fillion pregnant? Or maybe I can. I am going out on a limb and observing: he’s gained a little weight. Now, as I said earlier, I know that isn’t nice to say. But I’m saying it as someone who has gained weight and lost weight and gained weight and lost weight at least a few times in my adult life. And yes, that is what happens to most human beings, they gain weight when they are stressed then lose it when they find an even more stressful situation. Oh yes, there is eating right and exercise as well but sometimes those are boring. But here’s the thing: when you’re an actor and you’re being paid to look good, isn’t that really part of the job? If someone wanted to pay me to be on a TV show, you bet your ass I’d being exercising and eating (mostly) right. Because at the wrong angles and with bad lighting I think the camera can add more than 10 pounds.
Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle in Season 5
I just hate to see when my favorite TV stars let themselves go a little. Because part of the reason I tune in is to see them looking good. You wouldn’t expect a porn star to show up without her Brazilian wax. And no, I am not comparing TV stars to porn stars. I guess I expect my favorite show characters to consistently look great. Because they get paid a lot of money to look great. If they were CFOs they could be short, dumpy and frumpled and still do their jobs. But if you are supposed to be sexy and dashing in a show, and women are supposed to fall at your feet, then you’d probably better look your best. Unless they want to incorporate Castle’s eating into the narrative. Perhaps he’s depressed that Beckett has not responded properly to his declaration of love (which we all know she hasn’t). Or maybe he’s gotten so comfortable with her, he feels like he’s in some defacto marriage where both parties tend to gain a few pounds after they get married. But she doesn’t seem to be gaining weight.
When Marlon Brando looked good
So, what’s going on with Richard Castle/Nathan Fillion? I’d hate to see him go the way of Marlon Brando. Because I am fairly certain that is the road Brad Pitt is traveling down. As is Leonardo DiCaprio. And while I’m on this tangent, I’ve got to say: Robert Redford: what the hell? You might have looked great in the 1970s but by the late 1980s, going natural was very disappointing for even young female fans. You might call me superficial. Yes, I am when it comes to actors that start out looking great. And while I honestly don’t expect everyone to go out and get plastic surgery or their stomachs stapled, if you’re paid loads of money to look your best every week for part of the year, I do expect that.
When Marlon Brando didn't look so good
I am also somewhat disappointed when I see the change in Nathan’s appearance. I do know that he has recently experienced pain/trouble with his knee. I’m wondering if this could limit the amount of exercising he is able to do. I would hope that he could hire a personal trainer who could devise workouts, even with a sore knee. I do have to add that even with the extra pounds, Nathan Fillion is absolutely a gorgeous man!
I’m sure the knee pain would definitely limit the type of exercising he can do but I’m fairly certain a personal trainer could devise workouts in conjunction with a physical therapist.
You are a truly loyal fan! I suppose I’m a somewhat more fickle fan but I still think he’s great at being Richard Castle and he does a great job.
It’s ok for male actors to gain weight but not female. You’d have pictures of their big butt all over the magazines with all kinds of headlines. Yes Nathan has gained lots of weigh. This last episode he was Fat Elvis. Still like him. I sure miss Firefly.
You were being sarcastic, right? Fat Elvis! LOL. And no, not happy Fillion is letting himself go. His looks are part of his job. I’d be happy if he just looked like he did on Castle Season 1 or 2. I don’t think that’s unreasonable.
It seems like he has gained a LOT of weight. I feel like they are shooting him the same way they would film a pregnant actress. It is kind of bumming me out … Castle is supposed to be my film fantasy, not my real life over weight spouse. In the last episode he had man boobs peeking through his shirt. Sad face.
As some who is considered to be obese and handicapped, I find all this talk about him gaining a few pounds is just bs. He’s far from fat. Nice to see someone who is human and not photoshopped or thought to be perfect on TV. I read all the time comments (like Ricky Gervais just recently) on how people choose to be fat, sometimes it is very difficult to lose weight, I have struggled all my life from a chunky kid, keep ‘thin’ most of my adult life til now when I find myself retired and really overweight. Probaby menopause had something to do with it, but I do admit I don’t eat consistently well, I fall off the wagon. Not perfect.
oh and I agree i miss Firefly too.
I too miss Firefly, Joss Whedon is brilliant! Nathan Fillion is still charming and very attractive………he’s just not as “hot” as he was as Mal. I know the struggles of weight (most women do), hopefully Nathan won’t let it get out of control, for his health if for no other reason. I love the show!
Nathan Fillion stil looks hot evenif he has gaid a few pounds….
I agree. He is still hot. This makes him human.
Yes he’s gained weight (Fillion) but he is still hella HOT! I’d still do him lol.
He was so very hot without all the extra weight (season 1 &2). Now (as Richard Castle)
he is looking like a rich, handsome middle aged man chasing a younger, better looking woman. It takes away from the story a little bit (not too much). I love the show and I love him, but I really wish he would lose the weight. I also wish my handsome husband would lose his “middle age” weight.
He’s still super hot. I’d go out with him in a hot second if I ever had the chance.
Please Nathan, get om shape! Your young and handsome and here’s your chance to really hit it big! We Firefly devotees will never forget your hunky self so try and get back into shape so my fantasies won’t have to be shelved!
A long time fan!
Bottom line,,he is getting fat. I don’t care how much I like him, loved him on Firefly and Castle but I’m just not that interested in the show when he is obviously 25 to 35 pounds overweight. His face is fat, he has a double chin and they have to dress him in those big blazers and baggy shirts. Come on, Fillion. Stop eating, start exercising. You are a great actor and so handsome but your face is NOT the same with two chins.