Once We Were Spacemen
Nathan Fillion & Alan Tudyk
Nathan FIllion and Alan Tudyk were once spacemen. Since co-starring on Firefly, they have also been aliens, mystery writers, veterinarians, superheroes, chickens, robots, and policemen. Now, they’re doing a podcast where they get to know their fellow creatives, learning about who they once were and what they’re up to now. This is that podcast.
Listen to Once We Were Spacemen wherever your mom gets her podcasts. If you’d like to listen early, join our community on Patreon. Once We Were Spacemen is a Collision33 production.
Listen to Once We Were Spacemen wherever your mom gets her podcasts. If you’d like to listen early, join our community on Patreon. Once We Were Spacemen is a Collision33 production.
Episodes
Mentioned books
12 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 1h 13min
Once We Were Gingers with Molly Quinn | Episode 20
Molly Quinn, actor known for Alexis Castle and stage work, shares stories from building a TV family and her audition journey. She recalls on-set trust, eating-on-camera mishaps, Paris at 18, Cannes memories, fan encounters, adventurous travel eats, and playful pranks and set antics.
10 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 40min
Once We Set Out To Do The Impossible… Again? | LIVE Announcement |Episode 19
Sean Maher, actor best known as Dr. Simon Tam on Firefly, and Gina Torres, actor known for Zoe Washburne, join a live panel to announce a new animated Firefly series in development. They reveal key attachments and a pilot script. They describe the project's long road, share fan stories, and call on fans to show support on Instagram to help make the series happen.
18 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 52min
Once We Were Ten-Year Olds | Episode 18
Two friends revisit their ten-year-old selves with playful banter and nostalgic tangents. They relive Saturday morning cartoons, sugary cereal rituals, and early talent-show ambitions. Conversation wanders through quirky collectibles, childhood stunts, and oddball home projects. Stories include audition grinds, daydreaming autograph practice, and a memorable car mishap.
18 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 1h 7min
Once We Subverted the System with Felicia Day | Episode 17
Felicia Day, internet creator and actress known for The Guild, talks about building a DIY career and making work outside Hollywood. She revisits early acting, viral moments, on-set memories, and plans like a Guild reunion Kickstarter. She also previews her new graphic novel The Lost Daughter of Sparta.
20 snips
Feb 25, 2026 • 1h 9min
Once We Sold Dead Snakes | Episode 16
They trade wild first-job stories from selling dead snakes for silver dollars to paper routes and trophy-shop gigs. They reminisce about childhood hustles, Choose Your Own Adventure rentals, and mimeograph scams. They riff on scooters, unicycles, cartoon mischief, on-set improv moments, and how early freedom shaped their teens.
10 snips
Feb 18, 2026 • 55min
Once We Were Foolish Girls with Summer Glau | Episode 15
Summer Glau, actress and former ballet dancer best known as River Tam. She talks about moving to LA, ballet injuries and the pivot to acting. They explore fandom mobilization, misinformation online, set-life stories, her shift into motherhood, and the possibility of returning to creative work in the future.
10 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 59min
Once We Were Allergic to Everything and Answered Your Burning Questions | Episode 14
Two actors reminisce about salvaging real Firefly set pieces and one keeping full-size Serenity blueprints. They swap stories about forged autographs, airport signing chaos, and on-set continuity tricks for fake smoking and eating. They tackle food allergies, guerrilla filmmaking stunts, and playful rivalry while answering listener questions.
9 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 40min
Once We Had Tongue Rings with Sean Maher | Episode 13
Sean Maher, an actor best known as Dr. Simon Tam from Firefly and Serenity, shares stories from his life in Michigan, family and parenting choices, and college piercings. He talks pottery as a creative joy, a recent skin cancer scare and sun-safety, and funny bits like texting fellow cast members silly videos.
18 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 56min
Once We Came of Age | Episode 12
Two friends riff on a clever punctuation idea for sarcasm and swap tales of improvisation in film and TV. They share a coming‑of‑age hunting story, a flashlight-collecting origin, and a bizarre New Zealand dinner memory. Conversations mix calm-driving tips, parental advice, and backstage camaraderie, ending with awkward red carpet laughs.
14 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 59min
Once We Were Low Huggers with Seth Green | Episode 11
Seth Green, an actor, writer, and co-creator of Robot Chicken, shares hilarious and heartfelt moments from his career. He reveals how he made George Lucas laugh and the stories behind his iconic roles in Buffy and Austin Powers. Delving into the creative process of Robot Chicken, Seth discusses balancing comedy and business while reflecting on the show's lasting impact. He also touches on his transition into fatherhood and how it reshapes his artistic choices, all wrapped in warm anecdotes and a genuine sense of humor.
