Fringe: The Complete Series are set to be released on Blu-ray and DVD this week, and fans of the cult sci-fi show are likely looking forward to the opportunity to share it with those who may have overlooked it while it was on the air. The Fringe fanbase has been a small, but devoted one, throughout the series' run. Indeed, the cast and creators often credit them with keeping Fringe alive for the five years that it was on the air.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Walter Bishop himself, John Noble, recently to talk about his time on the show, how he feels about it now that it's complete, and where he'd like to go next.

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I always approach characters sympathetically. I mean this is actor talk really, but I never judge them, and I always try and work out what's put them in the place they're in, and behaving the way that they do. So I think that kind of makes it a fairly simple process to be able to act them as they are in the moment; whether that be maniacal, or sweet and sensitive, or broken, or rock solid. Because we all have those elements within us, all of us have those potentials within us. You know, I could totally understand why Walter was the way he was, absolutely. And I made sure that I knew at all times what was making him like he was. So that way I guess you don't get two-dimensional characters. I think the great trap is to play a baddie as a baddie and then they become two-dimensional. But that's just my methodology.Yeah, oh absolutely, the fanbase has been very vocal. And probably the fanbase was the reason that we had five seasons. They were extraordinarily vocal, and I guess because the of the advent of social media becoming so prevalent - they were heard. I know they were heard by the studio and the network loud and clear about Fringe. Yeah, you know I'm aware that there's been that Emmy push for several years. It's all a bit of a mystery to me how it really happens. It's voted by a group of people, but they've actually go to watch, and understand, the shows to form an opinion on them. So, I guess I don't really know why Fringe was precluded at all levels. Because there were certainly areas that I thought were outstanding, some of the production design and some of our production staff were pretty incredible. But I couldn't even guess as to why we were precluded. It certainly caused a lot of press reaction every year when we were precluded. I don't know. Do you have the answer?I think probably the exception to that was Lost. They were recognized, but you're probably right. It might have something to do with genre, particularly science fiction. Interesting. And yet so much television is written in that genre now. So it's obviously appealing to people.Yeah, Fringe was a family drama as well, which was probably the strongest theme throughout it. That made it different than a lot of shows, I think.For me it's always the character and story. It sounds almost too simple, doesn't it? But I read all the time, and I read stories, and when I'm reading stories I get involved and invested in the characters. That's how I entertain myself. So I think the same goes for watching a show on television. If the story is good, and I'm invested in the characters, then I'll watch it. If I don't care about the characters I'll stop watching it, no matter how brilliantly it may be produced. I think with Fringe people really did care about the characters and the relationships. I think that was one of the strengths of the show.: I think Fringe was a great television series, not just a good one. And so it would be great to see it be recognized. But you know it's going to be remembered for a long time. And I think it'll be around for a long time in people's consciousness, for years to come. It would be wonderful for everyone involved if it were to be recognized.No, I don't. I enjoy doing television. I think the concern for me would be to not just automatically jump into something where the character is not as fully fleshed out as I'd like. I kind of wouldn't like to do something where the character is two-dimensional. I think I'll know when the right role comes along and I think the producers will know when the right role will come along. Someone will say 'Oh, that's a good role for John,' and that's probably when we'll start to talk about it. But I'm absolutely open to it, cause I love doing television. I'm doing a film in Australia in May and June, and then we'll see.No, I think when it comes it'll be clear. Also I'm very taken by historical drama, so I'd be very tempted if something came along that was a historical drama. My main hobby is reading history and science.

Continue to Page 2 as Noble discusses the White Tulip, the theme of self-sacrifice in Fringe and one of his favorite moments in the entire series.