Eriq La Salle explains why Lori Loughlin was cast as the rugged Lieutenant Bishop in Prime Video's On Call

On Call is a fast-paced, exciting, edge-of-your-seat police procedural drama starring Troian Bellisario and Brandon Larracuente in the lead role. The star-studded cast also includes a name that many wouldn't expect in a role of this nature - legendary actress Lori Loughlin.

Best known for playing Aunt Becky on Full House and Fuller House, the part of Lieutenant Bishop is a major departure for the actor, often seen, in her own words as 'the girl next door'. Fellow acting legend Eriq La Salle, who also directed multiple episodes of the series, explained what made Loughlin the perfect choice.

Here is an excerpt from a question Sportskeeda asked in a recent roundtable to both Loughlin and La Salle.

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Both On Call actors go a long way back, all the way to the early 90s!

Lori Loughlin is no stranger to Eriq La Salle of Chicago PD fame, whom she's worked with before. It was clear during the conversation how much respect both actors have for one another. Loughlin said:

"Well, Eriq and I had the good fortune of working together in the early 90s. We did a TV movie together. So we’ve known each other for years. And that’s always nice when you have a relationship with somebody. It’s like a bit of a shortcut."

In addition to playing Sergeant Lasman in On Call, La Salle is also the Executive Producer for the show. He's directed multiple episodes as well. It was with his directorial hat on that he thought of casting Loughlin in this role. He said, continuing from where his co-star left off:

"...Especially when you like that person. But for me selfishly, in knowing Lori, in liking Lori, putting my director hat on, I felt like it would be cool to cast someone that you don’t see coming. There were some other names that were put out there. There were other people so obvious in their choices."

There were certain usual suspects that the audience has in mind for a show such as On Call. But La Salle felt that casting Loughlin would catch the audience by surprise:

"I felt from the beginning if we had Lori then you don’t see that character coming. And that can keep the audience off guard. ‘Oh. Okay. What’s next?’"

Lori Loughlin, who played herself in Curb Your Enthusiasm, would be a casting choice that none saw coming. La Salle added:

"And to me part of the key of storytelling is always staying ahead of your audience as a storyteller. So I feel when you see certain actors, you know what they’re going to do. They’ve done this a zillion times. We’ve never seen Lori like this."

On Call may be a show shot in a unique, visceral manner with body-cam footage, but even this unique casting choice adds an additional dimension to the show, feels La Salle:

"So I thought selfishly as a director that’s the kind of thing that just puts you on your toes and you’re like this show can go in any direction. ‘I’m seeing things I haven’t seen before’."

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Elsewhere in the same press event, Sportskeeda also interacted with On Call stars Troian Bellisario and Brandon Larracuente. Catch it on Prime Video on January 9, 2025!