I remember thinking that the FACTS convention line-up could use a really great guest for me. I mean: The guest list was definitely awesome! But: Not all the guests were guests I wanted to see. At that point, I hadn't watched Castle yet. So even Nathan Fillion wasn't the big name I was looking for. I on the other hand was already more than excited, I mean Nathan Fillion was announced as a guest! I was so happy. For me things could only get better. I know, I know, a name like Nathan Fillion is huge. But at that point I was hoping to get a name from someone I really knew well. And then Morena Baccarin was announced. I was quite happy. I know her for Homeland and Gotham. I remember that moment, because I was on my bike! FACTS already announced the time of their new guest announcement so I set an alarm on my phone. I thought it was a pretty cool guest.In the comments on Facebook I saw people commenting and asking to also bring her husband. Well, I had to google that.. 'Husband Morena Baccarin'. I was so excited to read the Google results! It was BEN MCKENZIE! I was so excited and I ran towards Sig saying 'Do you know who Morena's husband is? Ohhh I hope he will come to FACTS. He'll probably join her don't you think?' (Followed by a 100 more of these sentences). Hahahaha. And, just a few days later: FACTS convention had good news for us. Ben McKenzie would come to Belgium!! Whooohooo we were so excited!
Ben McKenzie
We already wrote an 'In the Spotlight' about Ben earlier. But we'll still do a small recap here! Ben is an American actor. He's best known for his roles in the O.C., Southland and Gotham. I know him for his roles in Southland and Gotham. Soutland follows the work of the Los Angeles Police Department. It was because of Southland that I got to know Ben McKenzie. He plays an amazing character. Southland is not that well known. But it really should be. It is in top of TV shows I've watched! Ben plays the role of officer Ben Sherman. Ben Sherman is a quite young officer. I loved his character in Southland. He's ambitious, smart and hopes to change the world. It was an amazing role. And I could never stop watching the series.
I totally love Gotham as well. Gotham is about the years before Batman's arrival. You get to see a younger version of James Gordon and Bruce Wayne. Ben is great! He plays James Gordon in Gotham.
Morena plays the role of Leslie Thompson. And they're a great couple. It's so much fun to watch them and I can't wait to meet both of them!
I know Ben McKenzie from The O.C., where he plays the role of the rebellious Ryan Atwood. I remember watching this show with my close friend Eefje, more than 10 years ago. We thought it would be a great plan to watch the show, while enjoying the sun. So we set up a TV and some lounge chairs in the garden. We made some popcorn and drinks and were ready to binge watch. We thought about everything, except for the fact that watching the pretty small screen of an old TV in the sunshine is pretty much impossible. But we didn't want to give up, so we took some old bed sheets and tried to construct a tent around the TV. That still didn't work and we put ourselves under the sheets too. The "tent" however was not very stable so we had to hold the sticks to hold up the sheets ourselves. By that time we were sweating our asses off and it was still not possible to watch it properly. "Let's put the TV in the garage and then we can sit in the sun", that sounded like a great plan. But the screen was pretty small and it still was pretty much impossible to sit back and follow the show. Eventually we decided to give in and watch the show inside on the big TV screen. We were talking about it this week and thinking about it still makes me laugh out loud.
Of course I also love Gotham (for those of you that don't know I am a huge Batman fan), so I was so happy when FACTS announced Ben AND Morena would come to Belgium.
Ben at FACTS Convention
As soon as we got the news that Ben McKenzie would attend FACTS convention, we decided to buy a photo op! And we took a photo op with both him and his wife. It was just a great opportunity and I'm glad we took it! At the event itself, we also decided to get an autograph. We were waiting at the signing tables for Ben and Morena to arrive. We were so excited! It took a while, but then they arrived. The first things we noticed was that Ben is so small! I thought he would be a bit longer haha. They started signing and soon Liv and I decided we wanted to get an autograph as well!
We walked to Ben and chose a picture to get signed. While Ben McKenzie was signing I talked a bit to him about Southland. I told him I had started watching Southland when I knew I was going to meet Michael Cudlitz (Abraham, the Walking Dead). So I was quite talkative haha. Ben was very kind and talked to us. He told about Southland. I loved that, since I'm a big fan of Southland. The Tv show is incredible. I was so nervous at that moment, I just started babbling about how I loved Gotham. And yes I also told him the story about the "Summer of The O.C.", I told you before. I must have looked like an idiot, but he was so nice! I also gave him some "Stroopwafels". The photo op was great as well. It's an unique opportunity to meet both Morena and Ben. They were very kind at the photo op and seemed to love meeting all of their fans. I'm really glad that we met Ben!
Unfortunately we missed out on Ben's panel. We really, really wanted to see it. But we were queuing for Nathan's photo op. Want to see our the frustration we felt on missing out Ben's panel? Check out this video below!
Write a comment
Johna (Saturday, 17 June 2017 05:28)
So lucky!!! I love Ben McKenzie. Mostly because of the oc hehe. Brings back so many memories hahaha.
Milton Coyne (Friday, 23 June 2017 15:35)
oh wow! James Gordon!! I wish I have the chance to attend such huge convention too with huge star guests! This 30th of June there will be a ToyCon here in my country and they feature stars like the actress who played Katana in Suicide Squad and the original Rita of Power Rangers
Dawn (Friday, 23 June 2017 17:50)
I'm not familiar with those artists like, where the hell am I in the world, I'm really sorry. But I would love to attend such a huge convention. We had the chance to attend such conventions here, Nicholas Hoult attended the stranger things cast but I wasn't able to attend :( Glad that you had fun at this convention. :)
Berlin | Momi Berlin (Saturday, 24 June 2017 12:06)
Not too familiar with the names but still thankful that whenever I read your post, I learn something new. Most of your topics are so foreign to me and yet I still look forward to reading them. For one, I get to know those actors I havent met yet. And second, you have a way to make me excited to know them more.
Indrani (Saturday, 24 June 2017 12:11)
I am not very familiar with these. But your posts always sound so new and exciting. For me meeting actors is possible only in dreams, and you get to meet them in real. That is really commendable. :)
Mommy Queenelizabeth (Saturday, 24 June 2017 12:39)
Everytime i read your blogs i learn something new like the unfamiliar world of people. But on the other side sometimes i was thinking, am i really that left behind already coz most of the people you were featuring were new to me like i never heard of them before. Im sorry. But i am happy and always entertained by your videos. :) you always look good together :)
Teresa (Sunday, 25 June 2017 08:43)
When I was little, my father would bring me to events or shows where there were actors and actresses. It's interesting how they prepare for shows. I found it amusing to watch what's happening both in the backstage and in front of the audience. Some actors and actresses were really nice.
EG III (Sunday, 25 June 2017 13:35)
I've heard good things about southland and Gotham. Awesome that you got the photo and autograph from Ben. It's funny how actors are often smaller than we anticipate them to be haha.
Maria (Sunday, 25 June 2017 14:37)
Another lucky experience for you! I actually haven't heard of him up until this post. I just wish that there'd be more cons here in the Philippines like the places where you go. I actually heard about Castle and wondering if it ended already or not? But anyway, that series really looks like a fun one to watch!
Irma (Monday, 26 June 2017 13:50)
I watched neither Southland nor Gotham, and this is the first time I hear about Ben. But according to your story, he seems like a really nice and good guy, and that's what I really love about people. I laughed really hard when I was reading the part about you two meeting him and babbling around. I already imagined you and his reactions. :)
I am happy to hear you got to meet another great person. And I am not sad you missed Ben's panel because Castle is really really a cool guy. His photo op is more important if you ask me. :D
Katy (Tuesday, 27 June 2017 14:39)
Ben is fab in Gotham. I'd love to meet him in person. I'm in the UK, so conventions and opportunities to meet these actors are limited. I'm a massive geek - and two of the people I'd like to meet the most are Ben Browder and Claudia Black - of Farscape fame, among other things. It's my all-time favorite show. It only ran for 4 seasons, but it was spectacular, and I still miss it!
Alyssa tuangco (Wednesday, 28 June 2017 07:53)
Wow! I used to watch Gotham and I love his character! I didn't know he got married with his love interest in the series haha, good for them because they have that chemistry! It's cute you availed the photo op! I would do thay too!