Memories From The Set: Matt Barr
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HARPER'S ISLAND
Barr's character, Christopher "Sully" Sullivan, made it to the finale of the CBS murder mystery before getting "literally stabbed in the back," Barr recalls. "I actually spent the whole season thinking that maybe I was the killer. They kept it a secret from everyone. It was such a fun show to do. ... Had that show come out today, I think it would be a massive hit. It was way ahead of its time. They should bring it back. Harper's Safari, maybe?"
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SLEEPY HOLLOW
The Fox drama marked Barr's first experience in the supernatural genre, including a memorable encounter with a succubus. "I remember sitting there being like, 'If only mom could see me now,'" Barr says with a laugh. He also recalls his character Nick Hawley's curious romantic dealings with the Mills sisters. "He was going to go after Abbie, but then they realized the chemistry Nick had with Jenny," he says. "It was one of those happy accidents, and I think they started leaning into that with the writing." If Nick had come back to town, Barr theorizes, "I think he and Jenny would have settled down with a couple of kids."
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HELLCATS
For the record, Barr is just as disappointed as the fans that The CW canceled this college cheerleading drama before his character, aspiring filmmaker Dan Patch, got to try on a uniform. "That would have been fun," he says. "I know there was talk of someone getting injured and Dan would have had to come in and save the day. I was ready to do a few backflips."
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ONE TREE HILL
Barr's stint as Ian Banks, who pretended to be the long-lost half-brother of Hilarie Burton's Peyton, culminated with him trying to kill her and Brooke (Sophia Bush) on prom night. "It was intense, but we had a lot of fun, too," he recalls. "I had to really commit to that character to sell it, so I sort of stayed in character most of the day. I'm glad the girls were so game to play. ... We also had some great stunt doubles. I like doing my own stuff, but when it came to rolling backwards down the stairs, I was like, 'OK, this is all John [Gilbert].'"
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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Guest-starring on Friday Night Lights, even for two episodes, was a dream come true for Barr, who basically lived the show growing up in Texas. "Ironically, I didn't play a football player on the show, and I remember my dad was disappointed I didn't get to put the pads on," he says. "But that was one of the best shows out there. We did a scene on top of a water tower one day, which was a highlight because Texas has such beautiful skyscapes. I'll never forget that day of filming."
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ER
Barr's first job is Los Angeles was a guest spot on a Season 10 episode of ER, an experience he calls "magical." He says, "I just remember being on the Warner Brothers lot all day, and it was like my dream had come true. I was pinching myself all day. I knew I had a long way to go in my career, but it's like it never got any better than that moment. I still feel that magic every time I walk onto that lot."