While Private Eyes fans have waited years for Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson to become a couple on the show, the actors joked that the onscreen romance was a bit of an adjustment.
“I love Jason and I really couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime and that’s the truth. He’s always championed me. He’s awesome and he’s just been a great person to work with. I’m so happy to be able to work with him again,” Sampson, 48, exclusively told Us ahead of the Monday, October 5, premiere. “He’s hilarious. He’s so good at what he does and he loves what he does. So he’s been a wonderful person to be co-starring in a show with for so long.”
Taking their onscreen relationship from platonic to romantic, however, took some time.
“If I could not kiss him at work, I’d be very happy about that too,” Sampson quipped.
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Sampson, who plays Angie, clarified that she understands Priestley’s heartthrob status, adding, “I lived and died by Beverly Hills, 90210, However, when we started the original series and I had to be his boss, I had to literally check that at the door because I was like, ‘I cannot be a giggling schoolgirl and let this man intimidate me.’ And he’s not intimidating because he’s so kind. But I had to forget all of that and in working with him all the time, obviously I’m just like ‘He’s just Jason.’”
Priestley, 58, for his part, had similar praise for Sampson.
“I love Cindy. Whatever we’re doing together, I’m happy,” the actor, who plays Shade, noted. “She’s an incredibly talented performer and just a sweet, good person. Happy to spend time with her, no matter what we’re doing.”
He continued: “We’ve known each other and we’ve been friends for so long. For her, it was like kissing her brother, which is weird. But she seemed to get over it.”
Based on the novel of the same name by G.B. Joyce, Private Eyes featured Priestley and Sampson as two protagonist private investigators solving crimes in Toronto. The show ran in Canada for five seasons before it was canceled in 2021.
Five years later, Priestley and Sampson are reuniting for Private Eyes: West Coast, which picks up after Shade and Angie’s onscreen kiss.
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“Most of the fans really wanted them to get together so I feel like everyone’s going to be really excited to know that that’s the turn that it took,” Sampson gushed. “Obviously it was kind of funny because Jason and I are so close. We’re very, very close friends in real life. To be like married at work, I was like, ‘Oh gosh, here we go.’ But it was really easy. It was seamless.”
Priestley spoke to Us about what to expect in the new version of the show.
“A lot has happened and Shade and Angie are in very different places in their lives,” he teased to Us. “As we come into the show, Matt Shade is on a book tour and he’s written a book and leaning into his retirement in Victoria while being a full-time father.”
Priestley hinted at potential challenges, adding, “But being retired and Angie is grappling with having a one year old and the baby not needing her so much anymore. So how is she going to reintegrate into the world and society?”
He continued: “When the opportunity arises in the first episode for Shade and Angie to get back into the world of being PIs, she is very enthusiastic and wants to do it. Shade is a little more reserved. But because he’s a good supportive husband, he says, ‘Angie, if you want to do this, I guess we’re doing it.’ He gets on board pretty quick.”
Private Eyes: West Coast premieres on The CW Monday, October 5, at 8 p.m. ET.
