I’ve never been to Newfoundland before, but as I step into Mahony & Sons on a brisk October evening and survey a packed house of jovial folk drinking pints at wooden tables, I imagine for a moment that I’m in an old neighbourhood pub in St. John’s instead of a new-ish one at the base of Canada Place.
It’s an appropriate locale for the evening’s festivities: Four of the stars of Republic of Doyle – CBC’s hit action-comedy about a St. John’s private investigator and his charmingly dysfunctional family – will answer fan questions, screen a blooper reel, and preview their sixth and final season.
It’s the second of several stops across the country for the actors, and takes place on the eve of the season premiere.
As the fans sip lager and wait for the main event, I slip into a warm booth with the actors: Allan Hawco, who stars as Jake Doyle and co-created the series; Sean McGinley, (Jake’s dad, Mal); Lynda Boyd (Mal’s wife, Rose), and Marthe Bernard (Jake’s niece, Tinny).
Hawco looks the same as he does on the show – the same black leather jacket, the same twinkle in his eyes – except for the facial hair. He’s sporting a very un-Jake mustache. It’s a big topic of conversation amongst the fans; later, during the Q&A, Hawco attributes it to his current gig (Paul Gross’ Hyena Road).
Hawco is Newfoundland born and bred, and Republic of Doyle was originally intended to be a love letter to his home province.
“We just wanted to open a window into Newfoundland for the rest of this country and have Newfoundlanders respect what we were doing and respect the province,” says Hawco. “I think we achieved that, and I think it’s safe to say that because they’ve had our backs from the get-go, and I think the rest of the country seemed to get on board, too.”
“We won the trust of the audience early on because there’s a certain honesty and integrity to the show, and the way these guys have decided to close the show bears the same honesty and integrity,” says McGinley, far more soft-spoken in real life than his cantankerous on-screen alter ego.
The series has been a solid hit for the CBC, and it’s bowing out of its own accord.
“Creatively, we were reaching our peak, and we didn’t want to go out when we’re past that peak,” says Hawco.
But it’s a story they might be revisiting in due course.
“We wanted to leave some room open for the potential of some films,” he adds.
Season 6 will address the multitude of bombs dropped in the previous season’s finale, according to Hawco.
When the fifth season ended, “the arse is completely out of ‘er [Google confirms that this is a Newfoundland expression], for everyone in every way,” says Hawco. “Jake’s daughter rips them off, Jake’s going to jail, Leslie could be dead, the business is about to go under, everybody’s on edge.
“It’s a fun, long journey out of that hole throughout the whole season for everybody.”
A couple of weeks have passed since they filmed the final episode, and the shock – as Bernard calls it – is still fresh. “I think it’s a shock to your system when you’ve been doing something for so long and you know that it’s not going to happen again,” says Bernard. “I think even your body feels it.”
She turns to Hawco. “You hugged me and you held on a little bit longer than usual, and that’s when I broke down and started crying,” she says.
For a moment, the mood is somber.
“That makes me want to cry right now,” he replies after a pause.
Clearly the Doyle cast became a close-knit family both onscreen and off, and there’s much they’ll miss about their show: The mix of action, comedy, and drama; the guest-stars-of-the-week, which included Shannon Tweed, Victor Garber, Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle, and Russell Crowe (yes, THAT Russell Crowe); the passionate fans from sea to shining sea; Jake’s beloved 1968 GTO, now in storage with its doubles as it awaits word regarding the movie; and each other.
One thing Vancouverite Boyd won’t miss, however, is filming at the mercy of Newfoundland’s temperamental weather.
“A lot of times in Newfoundland, it’s either really super hot and humid, or you’re getting blown ashore, Billy,” she laughs. “Getting from your trailer into your studio on one of those days when the wind is 75 kilometers – well, it was a challenge.”
Republic of Doyle airs Wednesdays at 9pm on CBC.
