So, backstory time – I was doing a rewatch of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and it reminded me how utterly against-my-will charmed I was by Nathaniel. For those who haven’t watched the show, I really do highly recommend it. It’s great at taking these stock rom-com trope characters and adding layers and layers and layers to them, turning them into something more. And that’s coming from someone who kind of loves their stock rom-com characters. Nathaniel is the guy with more money than he knows what to do with, who slowly softens and realises what emotions are once Rebecca is in his life, and with a little help from those around him, too.
So I was thinking about how much I love Scott Michael Foster in this role, and how it would be great to see him in more stuff, and because they’re kind of constantly at the back of my mind, I started thinking about book adaptations, and an idea for a new blog series hit me: Book Casting. Basically, every so often I’m going to pick an actor I really like, and highlight a couple of book roles I think he/she/they would be perfect for. I’m sticking with 3 per actor. Hope you enjoy!
Scott Michael Foster
IMDB
Roles I Know Him For: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend – Nathaniel Plimpton III, Once Upon a Time – Kristoff, Not Dead Yet – James
Books
Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne
Adaptation Type: Film – Rom-Com
Role: Keith
Okay, so Keith isn’t the love interest in this – instead he’s more of an antagonist, a stable, solid but passionless man who is largely interested in taking over the business instead of caring about his lacklustre relationship with Violet. I’d love to see Foster in this sort of role, where he can really dig into the pettiness and act as more of a counterpoint to the ‘right’ guy.
Santa Maybe by Mary Jayne Baker
Adaptation Type: Film – Rom-Com
Role: Callum Ashley
Yes, I know this book is British, but I’m happy to trust in Foster to do a decent accent or just make the character American, because he was all I could picture for Callum when reading this. Callum is a less ruthless version of the rich love interest type than Nathanial, but like Nathanial (and Keith) he finds himself competing with a softer, poorer gentleman. Unlike Keith, however, and quite like Nathanial, his heart softens and he embraces the changes he’s been through, getting a HEA even if he doesn’t end up with Elodie.
Whispers in the Dark by Laurel Hightower
Adaptation Type: TV Series – Paranormal Crime
Role: Neal or Luke…
Yeah…I couldn’t quite pick between the two characters for this one, but either way it would be great to see Foster in a TV series again, but a darker one that gives a lot of opportunity for different things than I saw in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. He could easily play the FBI agent who Rose doesn’t quite know whether to trust, or her long-time partner on the force. And honestly, this would just make for a great limited series.
What do you think? Enjoyable series? Are you a fan of Scott Michael Foster, and would you want to see him in any particular book adaptions? Now, I’m off to have a think about who I can cast next…
Unwrapping Words 