DEAD BOY DETECTIVES follows the ghosts of Charles Rowland and Edwin Payne, who decided not to enter the afterlife and instead stay on Earth to investigate crimes involving the supernatural.

When “Dead Boy Detectives” was released, I had a serious case of cancelation fatigue. Shows I had loved - “Lockwood and Co,” “Paper Girls,” and “Harlan Coben’s Shelter” to name a few, were being released to great fanfare and being swiftly canceled after one season. Young adult, supernatural, fun and queer seemed to be a one season and done recipe curse, particularly on Netflix. Did I have the courage to start another series that might not get a proper sendoff like the others? I gave in and watched, and I’m so glad that I did.

When I finished “Dead Boy Detectives,” I couldn’t help but start the series immediately over, something I had not done since finishing the first season of “Heartstopper.” I was so moved and entertained by the story that I couldn’t wait to consume all the wonderful bits of the series all over again. Even now, months after its release, with fans still waiting and hoping for a 2nd season announcement, the show has stayed with me.

One of the absolute highlights of the show is George Rexstrew’s performance as Edwin. I absolutely adore him in this part. I also love the wonderful chemistry between the entire cast, but particularly that of George and his Dead Boy counterpart, Jayden Revri who plays Charles.

As happens when I love a show, I post and post and encourage everyone I know to watch, especially when a season renewal is on the bubble. My friend Glenn Payne, a wonderful writer/director himself and co-producer on my film “Wrath Mercy,” saw one of these posts and told me that his friend Richard Speight had directed an episode of “Dead Boy Detectives.” I knew Rich from his days on “Supernatural” and had loved him in “Driven,” which was directed by Glenn and written by and co-starring Casey Dillard.

When I found out that Speight had directed my favorite episode of the series, “The Case of the Very Long Stairway,” I knew I had to talk with him.

Rich and I had an absolutely wonderful conversation about so many things. He was incredibly open about his process directing his episode of “Dead Boy Detectives” as well as how he made the transition from actor to actor and director. We even talk a little bit at the end about a guilty pleasure TV series I loved back in the late 80s!

I hope you enjoy our full interview, only slightly edited in parts due to connection issues and clarity.

Part 1: Becoming a Director

In part 1 of the interview Rich and I speak about how he made the transition from actor to director, meeting Glenn for the first time, and working at Supernatural as an actor and director!

Part 2: Stepping into the tone of DBD

In part 2 of my interview with Rich, I gush about my love for “Dead Boy Detectives” and why I think I connected with it so much. I also ask Rich what it was like directing near the end of the season when there was already an established tone, set by pilot director, Lee Toland Krieger. He also shares with us a “Supernatural” connection with DBD showrunner and developer, Steve Yockey, who also wrote “The Case of the Very Long Stairway.”

Part 3: Going to Hell

In part 3, Rich and I go to HELL! In the show, Edwin (George Rexstrew) is taken to hell when he dies after his schoolmates summon a demon (spoiler alert) killing them all in the process! I talk to Rich about creating these incredible sections of Hell - making a very small set look enormous and very, very creepy and cool!

Part 4: Directing George & Jayden / Simon & Despair

As much as I love the entire season, I feel that Rich’s episode contains the best acting scenes in the show. In part 4 I ask Rich about whether or not him being an actor might have contributed to this. We also discuss how prepared Jayden and George were, which allowed Rich, with his own preparation, to meet them in the middle, allowing him to sculpt and create levels with them.

We also chat about one of my favorite scenes, the moment in hell when Edwin finds the boy, Simon (Gabriel Drake), who sent him to hell in the first place. Rich tells us that they actually added that scene later in the process, which also includes Despair (Donna Preston) from the Sandman series!

Part 5: On the Stairway

In part 5 I get to ask Rich about my favorite scene, an instantly iconic moment in queer television when Edwin admits his true feelings for Charles. The scene means so much to me, and I know it does to other LGBTQ+ people, which could be why I found myself stumbling over my words trying to ask Rich about it!

Rich talks about the scene from a perspective I hadn’t really thought as much about - what that moment meant for Charles to hear that his best friend is in love with him.

We also talk about the blocking in the scene as well as the beautiful thing that is George’s performance as Edwin. Rich explains the importance of embracing contrary instincts between a director and actor and how that can create the most wonderful performance when utilized in the right way.

Rich also discusses the universality of telling a friend you love them, only to find out they don’t feel the same way.

And at the end, I ask about season 2 - and no, Rich doesn’t know anything about it yet either!

BONUS: Freddy’s Nightmares

For a fun bonus, I ask Rich about acting in “Freddy’s Nightmares” when he was in college, a low budget TV series based on “A Nightmare on Elm St.”

Dead Boy Detectives Interview - Director Richard Speight, Jr.