INTERVIEW: Jeff Eastin and Jeff King (Executive Producers) of White Collar
September 7th, 2010 by thetvchick
White Collar is one of those shows that’s just fun to watch. Built on the premise of ex-con working with the only FBI agent who successfully caught him, White Collar is about more than just the cases. Neal Caffrey and Peter Burke work together on FBI matters but there’s also an overarching mystery of who killed Kate (Neal’s former girlfriend) and what significance does the music box play in all of it. It’s action-packed and full of cliffhangers and drama that keep you on the edge of your seat. I recently had the chance to talk to the Executive Producers of the show at Comic Con. Jeff Eastin and Jeff King preview the second half of the season, the significance of the music box and whether we might see a future love interest for Neal.
Jeff Eastin: Prior to their announcement, we had already slated a flashback episode. You’ll see the first time Peter catches Neal. You’ll see Neal meet Mozzie. You’ll also see Neal meet Kate for the first time. People have asked me is Kate dead? That’s not the same question as will we ever see Kate again. We will see her; we’ll just see her in flashback episodes.
What’s the overarching theme for this season?
Eastin: Probably revenge…revenge versus justice, that’s been sort of the ongoing theme this season.
Will we ever see Neal without his tracking anklet on?
Eastin: For good? Well, that’s an interesting question. I would say after 100 episodes maybe. We’ll keep him with the anklet on for at least a couple of seasons.
Will there be a love interest in Neal’s future?
Eastin: The first half of the season is really about his pursuit of Kate’s killer. The second half of the season, he gets his life more back to normal and there may be some romantic entaglements.
How will the music box he and Kate were after feature in the rest of the season?
Eastin: Quite a bit. When we wrap up in the midseason finale, the music box will have played its part and we’ll see what secrets it contains.
Is there a significance to Claire de Lune, the song the music box plays?
King: No. [pause] Of course there is, but it’s not the song that’s significant.
Eastin: Think Close Encounters.
Has there been a dream heist you wanted to do on the show, but couldn’t pull off production-wise?
Eastin: Stuff on the water is our biggest challenge. It’s very expensive to shoot in boats.
King: But New York is surrounded by water so it’s incredibly compelling to write that into episodes. We’ve actually tried a couple of times to do episodes related to boats. What the show thrives on is its elegance. The city’s a character. The rhythm and the pace of the show is part of what makes it special.
Neal’s wardrobe has always been a big part of the show. Have any designers reached out to you?
Eastin: Quite a few. Right off the pilot, Sy Devore, the Devore company said we love the show. Who do we usually dress Neal in?
King: Thomas Pink is a popular one to use because of those classic lines and sylings, Tom Ford, also Valentino. The awful thing about Matt Bomer is he can’t wear clothes.
Have you had any interesting questions here from fans at Comic Con?
King: I’m curious if people wonder who blew up the plane. No one’s asked us that question. I can’t tell you that, because I don’t know. There’s a list of possible characters. What I can say is we may not have met that person yet.
The big mid-season finale of White Collar airs tonight at 9 pm on USA Network. I’m sure it’s going to be amazing! Also, White Collar: The Complete First Season is now available on DVD and Blu Ray.
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