Peter DeLuise is still best known for his work with Johnny Depp on 21 Jump Street. However, in the decades since 21 Jump Street went off the air, he has added countless movies and TV shows to his resume (including Peter DeLuise Hallmark movies). DeLuise walks readers through his career and provides rare behind-the-scenes stories for Stargate and When Calls the Heart fans. (And yes, Peter DeLuise would come back for a fourth Stargate.)
What shows has Peter DeLuise been on?
I started my career as an actor but over time I began to move toward directing as a more creative outlet. As an actor, I was a regular on 21 Jump Street and SeaQuest. As a Director, Writer and Producer, I worked on the Stargate franchise for over 10 years.
What does Peter DeLuise remember about working with Johnny Depp on 21 Jump Street?
Johnny was and is a very talented and sensitive actor. The reaction that he got from the public when 21 Jump Street was on the air was undeniable and he was a “stand out” from the start. I guess if someone is THAT skilled as an actor and THAT handsome it is not surprising when their career takes off.
Does Peter DeLuise have a TV mentor?
I have learned and continue to learn from everyone I work with. I watch as many movies and TV shows as I possibly can in an effort to study and learn from those as well. I am a huge fan of Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, Luc Besson, Jon Favreau and Ridley Scott to name a few.
Brad Wright, the showrunner of Stargate, has been my biggest mentor. Brad encouraged and cultivated me as a writer and producer for the show. I am eternally in his debt for the time and patience he shared with me.
What is one of Peter DeLuise’s favorite episodes that he directed?
There is an episode of Stargate SG-1 called “Urgo” in which my father, Dom, played the title role. That will forever be the highlight of my time on that show, followed only by the episode entitled “Wormhole X-Treme!” in which I got to play on camera with my brother, Michael DeLuise, and parody the show…
Oh, and of course, when I got to work with my other brother, David DeLuise, as “Pete the cop”, on his story arc on the show as well.
Do studio restrictions ever constrain Peter DeLuise’s directing style?
Directing TV can feel constrained because there is an established template from which you must not deviate. However, that does not stop me from trying to inject as much humanity and humor in to the material as I can.
What does Peter DeLuise think when people recognize him as a director (rather an an actor)?
I’m always shocked and flattered when people recognize or appreciate my work as a director. I think because I started as an actor I have insight in that area which helps elevate the material more than if I had started in another field. I am a firm believer that “character” and “story” are always the priority.
What does Peter DeLuise remember about directing his father on Stargate?
As I stated before, that was the highlight of my time on that show. I am SO proud of that episode.
The biggest challenge was making sure my dad had a comfortable chair to sit in on set, the rest was his sheer comedy genius. He improvised a large share of what ended up in the final episode.
My job was to keep him on camera and get out of his way… oh, and to try to stop the cast from cracking up and ruining takes.
Would Peter DeLuise return for a fourth Stargate series?
HELL YES!!! That show was the most creative and fun thing I have ever done with my clothes on!
How did Peter DeLuise get involved with When Calls the Heart?
I was working with Lori Loughlin on her Hallmark show called Garage Sale Mystery (Lori is AWESOME!).
We had had a great time together on that project, so she recommended me as a director for When Calls the Heart. I should probably get her a fruit basket for that.
How would Peter DeLuise resolve Stargate: Universe‘s ‘Destiny’ cliffhanger?
I reject the reality of your question and substitute my own. First of all, there are far better writers than I to pen the pilot of such a project; Brad Wright, Robert Cooper, Joe Mallozzi and Paul Mullie all come to mind.
Obviously whichever actor from whichever Stargate series that is not currently contractually engaged by another show, comes up with the genius idea of how to save the hibernating crew of the Destiny, the survivors of which are the cast members from “SGU Stargate Universe” that are not contractually engaged by another show… duh.
What actor does Peter DeLuise think was most talented implementing dialogue?
My Dad… Duh.
What does a TV director do?
The director is the Storyteller. The director controls the way the audience digests the story, through elements such as pace, tone, style, shot design, actor’s performances and editing just to name a few.
What can you say to fans of “When Calls the Heart” who are worried about the future of the series given developments in Season 5?
At the risk of stating the obvious: “without adversity there can be no drama. Without drama there can be no show.”
Further reading
- The Legacy of ‘Stargate: Atlantis’
- Martin Cummins Loves Working on ‘When Calls the Heart’
- Would Jewel Staite Return for Another ‘Stargate’?
- M*A*S*H: These Loretta Swit Stories Will Make You Cry
- Broadway Battle: Robert Picardo vs. Mark Hamill
Peter DeLuise resources
Peter DeLuise movies and TV shows
- 21 Jump Street
- 3rd Rock from the Sun
- All Summer Long
- Andromeda
- Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 Women
- Before I Say Goodbye
- Between the Sheets
- Bloodsuckers
- Booker
- Children of the Night
- Diff’rent Strokes
- Engaged to Kill
- Free Ride
- Friends
- Happy
- Heaven Help Us
- Highlander
- Hot Stuff
- It’s All about You
- Listen to Me
- Mostly Ghostly: One Night in Doom House
- Painkiller Jane
- Recipe for Love
- Rescue Me
- Robson Arms
- Sanctuary
- Seaquest 2032
- Smile of April
- Solarbabies
- Southern Heart
- Stargate: SG-1
- Stargate: Atlantis
- Stargate: Universe
- Street Justice
- Supernatural
- The Bar
- The Big Easy
- The Facts of Life
- The Hat Squad
- The Littlest Angel
- The Midnight Hour
- The Outer Limits
- The Shot
- The Silence of the Hams
- The Unauthorized Full House Story
- The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story
- To Love and Die
- V. I. P.
- Wait for Rain
- When Calls the Heart
- Winners Take All
- Yeti
Peter DeLuise Stargate episodes (director)
Stargate: SG-1
- 2001
- Absolute Power
- Affinity
- Allegiance
- Arthur’s Mantle
- Babylon
- Beneath the Surface
- Bounty
- Crossroads
- Death Knell
- Demons
- Descent
- Endgame
- Enemy Mine
- Evolution, Part 1
- Evolution, Part 2
- Family Ties
- Forever in a Day
- Fragile Balance
- Jolinar’s Memories
- Legacy
- Lifeboat
- Line in the Sand
- Metamorphosis
- Memento
- Memento Mori
- Moebius, Part 1
- Moebius, Part 2
- Momento Mori
- Nightwalkers
- Off the Grid
- Orpheus
- Point of View
- Prodigy
- Prototype
- Reckoning, Part 1
- Reckoning, Part 2
- Ripple Effect
- Rite of Passage
- Serpent’s Song
- Shadow Play
- Show and Tell
- Smoke and Mirrors
- Stronghold
- Tangent
- The Devil You Know
- The Fifth Man
- The First Ones
- The Other Side
- The Sentinel
- The Tomb
- The Warrior
- Threshold
- Urgo
- Window of Opportunity
- Wormhole X-Treme!
Stargate: Atlantis
- Condemned
- Duet
- Inferno
- The Defiant One
- The Gift
- The Intruder
Stargate: Universe
- Alliances
- Common Descent
- Darkness
- Light
- Sabotage
- Twin Destinies
3 replies on “10 Questions with Peter DeLuise”
PeterDeLuise is brilliant. I see a lot of his father in him. Not a lot to add to brilliance and talent. He is an Ace in directing.
Peter Deluise has come a long way from actor to director. I’m totally impressed by how he communicates the shows to audience that you actually believe what you are watching is true. Keep up the great work,
Hey Doug I’ve a question for u. Will there be a 21 jump street reunion with the original cast in the future