On April 12th,House returns with “Lockdown”, the first brand new episode after a three week break. The episode is noteworthy not only for its premise (Princeton-Plainsboro goes on lockdown after a newborn is discovered missing) but also that it is the first time its star gets to wear the director’s hat. Through the years, Hugh Laurie has proven he is a man of many talents, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the seemingly daunting task of directing a show as complex as House.
According to Olivia Wilde, who plays 13 on the show, he handles it just fine. “Having Hugh direct this episode is a dream come true for most of us,” she says. “And I’m not exaggerating." She goes on to say that the cast and crew have been after Laurie to direct for some time. “He is a natural leader and we know he always has the best ideas.”
But Laurie insists he’s a meddler, “always leaning over, giving instructions”, which, he insists, became so annoying for the people running the show, they finally said, “Okay, you drive. See how you like it.”
Laurie actually has directed a few projects prior to House, although not very many: some commercials and a few episodes of his 1990s Britcom, Fortysomething (in which he actually did direct himself). But this was a more massive undertaking. “It’s a very big show, it’s a big operation.”
The episode itself is an ambitious one for the medical show. It is divided into five different stories happening simultaneously. “I’m only in one of them,” Laurie says. “So I had two very intense days when I was acting and directing. I was directing myself. The rest of the time I was able to wear my own clothes, which I greatly enjoy.”
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Article comments
1 - Donna
I have been eagerly awaiting this episode since it was announced Hugh Laurie was directing it and David Strathairn was guest starring. Two very amazing actors who always give high quality performances whether their roles are large or small. This Monday's [H]ouse episode is 'must see T.V' for me and my tivo will be set to record!
2 - Grace
Can't wait!! I adore Hugh Laurie!
3 - Melissa
Feels like we've gone way too long without a House episode! Can't wait to see this.
Barbara, Hugh also apparently directed some scenes for "Maybe Baby", the Ben Elton movie he starred in. If you listen to the DVD commentary (Hugh and Ben), they discuss the fact that in an ironic coincidence Ben's wife had a baby during shooting. While Ben was away, Hugh stepped in as director.
4 - Mindy Peterman
Melissa: Thanks for the clarification. Oh,and I'm not Barbara (although she was my editor for this article).
5 - Melissa
And you're not Barbara! Whoops! Sorry! Just followed the link from Barbara's tweet, so just assumed...
6 - Mindy Peterman
Melissa: No problem :)
7 - agig112
Fortysomething is 2003, not 1990s.