Exclusive: 'Fringe' producer promises a Peter-Olivia romance

By Korbi Ghosh

April 24, 2009 3:18 PM

"Fringe" has been compared to "X-Files" because of its freaky cases and the hot chemistry between its two lead characters. And since the show's premiere, fans have been asking if Peter & Olivia will follow in the footsteps of Mulder and Scully, taking their relationship to the next level.

Anna Torv (Olivia) told me it's probably too soon for them to explore a Peter-Olivia pairing. "I think that's a question for season three," she said. "[Right now] they are all just trying to find their space with each other."

When I posed the question to Joshua Jackson (Peter), he told me he doesn't know if Peter and Olivia will ever get to that romantic point, despite the fact that his flirtation -- or whatever you want to call it -- with Olivia's sister is coming to an end. "I don't think our show is built for [the will-they-won't-they storyline]. It's not 'X-Files.' Because you have a three-way [partnership], I see it more as a family than as [Peter and Olivia having] a romantic relationship, with a dad [tagging along]."

Good thing Anna and Josh have no idea what they're talking about.

"They are actors, they don't know what's coming up," executive producer and show runner Jeff Pinkner said jokingly when I informed him of his actor's opinions. Thing is, I don't think he was really joking.

Pinkner asked what we would like to see happen with P&O and I told him that I don't mind waiting for the relationship to progress as long as I know it'll eventually happen. I said that lately it seems -- with storylines such as Peter's interest in Olivia's sis -- like the writers are trying to back away from a possible P-O pairing, and I added that if that's the case, they should try to avoid giving the fans any more false hope for the future.

And I don't know, I guess Jeff liked my rant, 'cause he then revealed to me -- in no uncertain terms -- that Peter and Olivia will get together. It'll probably just be at a glacial pace...

So, yeah, thoughts?

-Reporting by Marisa Roffman

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in FOX, Fringe, Scoops, Spoilers

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| Comments (20)

20 Comments

If it's done correctly, I'm okay with it. And it IS possible to do it in a good/right way.

CandyMaize | April 24, 2009 3:34 PM

I don't like romance mixed with my SciFi, but I guess they're trying to pull in the chick-demographic but it will kill the show in the end. It didn't help X-Files and it won't help Fringe.

Eludium-Q36 | April 24, 2009 10:03 PM

Ewww - Peter is an amoral, selfless jerk who is just in it because he is curious about the events and his possible relevance. Olivia is a totally committed, honest, selfless person who is in it to unravel the mystery and save people - totally professional. She should stay away from him with a ten foot pole. She already was burned by someone with questionable alliances. Keep shipping off this show.

Marenamoo | April 25, 2009 6:45 AM

Why do all the shows feel the need to 'hook up' their main characters just because their attractive?

I find that very annoying in all of TV. Why can't they just solve the cases from week to week and NOT have sex?

Now there's a novel idea. Two people working closely together who don't have sex but just do the work. Who'd have thunk it?

Apres Ski | April 25, 2009 12:37 PM

Cool. I like the Peter&Olivia chemistry and hope they do get together but not anytime soon. It's too early. Joshua Jackson's opinion about them being a family and that dynamic is cool

Kelly | April 25, 2009 2:41 PM

While I agree that Olivia could use some romance in her life, I don't really see it with Peter. In fact he's not much of a character at all. He would be better than living dead guy though. She seemed to have the most chemistry with that agent from Germany.

johnd | April 25, 2009 9:11 PM

Thanks again for the Fringe scoop! Personally I love the idea of a Peter-Olivia romance. I just don't want it happen just yet. I want to see the slow build-up, so that when it happens the audience will be cheering for it. If they start throwing in the little flirtations now, it'll be a big payoff when it actually happens in Season 2 or 3.

Ashley | April 27, 2009 9:13 AM

i don't see where that one person's animosity towards peter comes from. the guy clearly cares about olivia (more than she seems to care about him). i have no idea how he can be seen as selfish. he's put himself in a great deal of danger for her and her cause; no one does that because they have a fleeting curiosity about the outcome of something. to me it almost seems as if olivia just charms peter in order to get things from him---his "amoral" connections don't seem to bother her at all, as she's always using him for those very things.

i personally don't like the idea of them together. she's just a bland and boring character. i see more "hot chemistry" between a lamp and a table. maybe the show'll change my mind; probably not, though, as i don't think i'll be back for season two.

washington | April 30, 2009 2:10 PM

If they're gonna do it make it quick like ripping off a band-aid. Don't drag out the inevitable.

Corey | April 30, 2009 6:24 PM

Yes, i hope there will be a romance between olivia and petter.I think they complete eachother

vanicane | May 4, 2009 12:20 AM