Once We Were Spacemen

Episode 19: “Once We Set Out To Do The Impossible… Again?”

Hosts: Nathan Fillion & Alan Tudyk
Date: March 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This special episode, recorded live at a Firefly fan convention, sees hosts Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk joined by much of the original Firefly cast for a panel-turned-major announcement. The crew unveiling? They are actively working to bring Firefly back in the form of an animated series—filling in the stories between the original TV show and the movie. The cast reminisces, fields questions about their connections to their characters, and share how the show’s enduring fandom continues to inspire them. The tone is warm, irreverent, deeply grateful, and tinged with that signature Whedonesque humor and heart.

Key Moments & Discussion Points

1. A Firefly Reunion and Playful Announcement Setup

• [00:00-00:45] The episode kicks off with Fillion and Tudyk’s familiar playful banter about recent mysterious “social media blitz” activity, implying something big is afoot. Fillion name-drops getting a call from Justin Trudeau, setting a jokey, high-energy mood.
  • Quote: “Any Canadians in the audience? I got a phone call from Justin Trudeau.” – Nathan Fillion [00:18]

2. Cast Introductions and Mock Announcements

• [01:01-04:16] A parade of main Firefly cast members (Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, Morena Baccarin, Gina Torres) is introduced, each playfully reading “Nathan Fillion’s prepared remarks” in a running inside joke.
  • Quote: “You may know me from such shows as Castle. I'm pausing for applause.” – Jewel Staite [03:22]

3. The Big Reveal: Animated Firefly Series

• [04:35-10:40] With mounting anticipation, the cast (while still humorously reading “as Nathan Fillion”) clarify all the rumors—no, it’s not a podcast, bobblehead, or crossover. The real news: They’re developing an animated Firefly series set between the show and the movie, intending to return beloved characters (“like Wash… and Shepherd Book”).

  • Quote: “We wouldn’t want to do another Firefly... unless we could go back in time to fill in all the stories we missed between the TV show and the movie.” – Alan Tudyk [09:09]
  • Quote: “We would need Joss’s blessing. I got it. We would need permission from 20th Century Fox, Disney. We got it. Showrunners... Tara Butters... Mark Guggenheim. Animation house... Shadow Machine. The last piece we would need is a home. And for this piece, we need you.” – Nathan Fillion [10:40]

• Call to Action:

  • [12:07] Fillion urges fans to like, comment, and share the official post to provide “quantifiable analytics” to strengthen their case for production.

4. Fan Impact & Reflecting on Firefly’s Legacy

• [15:19-21:00] Cast members discuss the series’ enduring fanbase, feeling forever awed and grateful for the constant support, with anecdotes about being recognized and surprise fans in unexpected places.
  • Quote: “It is shocking... when you guys show up and stay online just to have a few minutes with us and share your experiences... that's always incredibly humbling for me.” – Gina Torres [17:10]
  • Quote: “Firefly has maintained... it’s like Star Wars has not pushed out Firefly. It has maintained a side by side.” – Alan Tudyk [21:18]

5. Connecting to Characters, On and Offscreen

• [24:23-27:45] Cast reflect on what their characters mean to them now, 25 years later, and tease character arcs they'd like to see in the animated series.
  • Quote: “I just wanted Kaylee and Simon to have babies. That's it. That's my number one.” – Sean Maher [24:38]
  • Quote: “Dad, Auntie River throat punched me and kicked me in the face again. All I said was Miranda.” – Nathan Fillion [25:38]
  • Quote: “It's dangerous for an actor to stay in one place ... I wonder what Zoe would be doing right now. I can't live my life like that. I can now.” – Gina Torres [26:38]
  • Quote: “There was some stuff hinted at about Inara’s backstory and why she was running away, which is definitely something I would love to see explored.” – Morena Baccarin [27:48]

6. The (Not So) Secret Writers’ Room

• [32:49-33:45] Fillion and Tudyk riff on being involved in the show’s writing, Fillion admits he’s writing two episodes, with Tudyk set to do “an Alan pass.”
  • Quote: “We have the pilot. I'm writing two episodes... I'm not a great writer, so I need help. I like to say... what writers do is like a Thanksgiving meal, and what I do is more like, pepper.” – Nathan Fillion [32:58]

7. How to Help Bring Firefly Back

• [34:03-34:32] Fans are encouraged to support by streaming Firefly (which is surging on Amazon Prime Video), spreading the word, and showing visible support on social media.

8. Animation Details & Canon

• [34:45-35:50] Clarification: The animated series is set strictly between the original series and Serenity, aiming for canonical faithfulness—no retcons or alternate realities.
  • Quote: “I am totally cool with the reality we created. I think that's what fans want… I'm not interested in what happens after Serenity. I'm only interested what happens before Serenity. With all my friends.” – Nathan Fillion [34:53]

9. Opening Up the Verse: New Friends & Old

• [35:57-36:37] Nathan Fillion shares he’s inviting both original cast and “incredible writers who are huge Firefly fans” to join the animated project.

10. Fandom and Gratitude

• [37:18-38:27] The panel closes out with heartfelt gratitude toward the “Browncoat” community and disbelief at the journey from cancellation pity party to 25 years of enduring impact.
  • Quote: “When they told you your show was canceled, would you have believed them if they said, ‘Oh, don’t worry. For 25 years, you guys are gonna be set?’” – Nathan Fillion [37:43]
  • Quote: “We really sucked the life out of us. But... everyone was determined to suck every last bit of joy out of that program that they could. And it was incredible.” – Nathan Fillion [37:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:18 | Nathan Fillion | “I got a phone call from Justin Trudeau.” & laughter | | 09:09 | Alan Tudyk | “We wouldn't want to do another Firefly... unless we could go back in time to fill in all the stories we missed…” | | 10:40 | Nathan Fillion | “We would need Joss’s blessing. I got it… We would need permission from 20th Century Fox, Disney. We got it…” | | 12:07 | Nathan Fillion | “At this very moment. There is a post going out from the Once We Were Spacemen Instagram account. You need to like the post. You need to comment on the post. You need to repost the post.” | | 17:10 | Gina Torres | “It is shocking... when you guys show up and stay online just to have a few minutes with us and share your experiences...” | | 24:38 | Sean Maher | “I just wanted Kaylee and Simon to have babies. That’s it. That’s my number one.” | | 25:38 | Nathan Fillion | “Dad, Auntie River throat punched me and kicked me in the face again. All I said was Miranda.” | | 32:58 | Nathan Fillion | “We have the pilot. I’m writing two episodes... I’m not a great writer, so I need help... what writers do is like a Thanksgiving meal, and what I do is more like, pepper.” | | 34:53 | Nathan Fillion | “I am totally cool with the reality we created. I think that’s what fans want... I’m only interested in what happens before Serenity. With all my friends.” | | 37:56 | Nathan Fillion | “We really sucked the life out of us. But... everyone was determined to suck every last bit of joy out of that program that they could. And it was incredible.” |

Episode Flow — Key Segments

• [00:00–03:06]: Humorous cold open, introductions, Firefly cast reunited
• [03:06–10:40]: Group “announces” new animated Firefly project
• [10:40–13:56]: What needs to happen to make it real—fan engagement as the final piece
• [13:56–15:19]: Q&A—timeline for the project, why it came together now
• [15:19–21:00]: Fan stories, impact, gratitude, surprising fan encounters
• [24:30–30:56]: Cast reflects on connection to characters & future hopes
• [32:49–33:45]: Behind the scenes on writing the animated series
• [34:03–36:37]: Concrete asks for fan action, animation details, potential for expanded universe
• [37:18–end]: Reflections on convention, community, the journey since cancellation

Tone & Takeaways

• Playful, conspiratorial, deeply affectionate for both cast and fandom
• A sense of real reunion—for the cast, with each other, and with the fanbase
• A clear message: The fate of more Firefly is in the hands of the fans—engagement matters
• Hopeful, energized mood: Animated Firefly is closer than ever; “It is that close. It was actually my hope…” – Nathan Fillion [14:42]

Call to Action: “Can’t stop the signal”

• Like, comment, and share the official social media posts
• Stream Firefly on Amazon Prime Video and elsewhere—make it trend
• Encourage your communities—friends, family, even “enemies”—to show support

Concluding Sentiment

Firefly’s spirit—irrevocably shaped by fan devotion and the found-family dynamic on and off screen—remains strong after a quarter century. This episode embodies that legacy, promising (with a good dash of fan-powered hope) that the ‘Verse has new stories left to tell.

Final sign-off:
“Can’t stop the signal.” – Alan Tudyk [40:24]